Az Erdélyi Fejedelemség a tizenöt éves háborúban
The Transylvanian Principality in the Fifteen Years’ War

Summary/Abstract: The study takes a new perspective on the role of the Principality of Transylvania in the long Turkish war. It focuses on the key role played in the pre-war period by the Polish King István Báthory, the contemporary popes, Emperor Rudolf II and Grand Vizier Sinan, whose activities contributed greatly to the outbreak of the Fifteen Years’ War. The change in the orientation of the principality’s foreign policy, primarily towards the papacy, had already begun during the reign of István Báthory. The process, together with the Habsburg orientation, was completed under his successor, Sigismund Báthory. The framework for the principality’s participation in the war was provided by the Habsburg-Báthory alliance of January 1595, an anti-Turkish alliance sealed by a dynastic marriage. An important and under-emphasised fact is that the war was formally fought by this alliance, as no other power formally joined this league. The war was initially successful for the principality. Especially the year 1595 proved to be very successful, with the recapture of Esztergom and the victory of the Transylvanian and Valachian troops at Gyurgyevo (Giurgiu). Later, however, due to foreign and domestic political difficulties, Sigismund Báthory abdicated the throne, which he later revoked several times, while new claimants to the throne emerged, including the Prince’s nephew, Cardinal András Báthory. From 1598 onwards, civil war broke out in Transylvania, and the principality became a theatre of war between the various powers. The enormous destruction that ensued had consequences that are still felt today.

• Details
• Contents