The King of Poland and the Ottoman Court
The King of Poland was highly respected among the Christian princes at the Ottoman Court, though not considered the most […]
Turkish Views of Spain
The Turks paid little real attention to the King of Spain. However, the presence of Spanish exiles in Constantinople, known
Decline of French Influence in the Ottoman Court
At one time, the French ambassador enjoyed special privileges in the Ottoman Empire. He was invited to secret councils and
Hungarian Allegiance and the Emperor
Many Hungarians were reluctant to remain fully loyal to the Holy Roman Emperor. The Emperor did not offer them freedom
The Ottoman View of the Holy Roman Emperor
The Turks understood that the Holy Roman Emperor alone was not very strong. His own forces, by themselves, were considered
The Turks’ View of Foreign Princes
The Turks, as mentioned before, were naturally proud and arrogant, confident in their own strength, bravery, and virtues. This pride
The Role of Gifts and Gratuities
In the Ottoman Empire, gifts and gratuities were a common and necessary part of diplomacy. Ambassadors often needed to give
The Importance of Skilled Interpreters
One of the biggest challenges for ambassadors in the Ottoman Empire was that most interpreters were born subjects of the
Dealing with the Turks
The most effective way for a diplomat to negotiate with the Turks was firmness, consistency, and adherence to established customs.
The Importance of Careful Conduct
An ambassador in the Ottoman Empire had to be extremely circumspect and careful. Even a small insult or loss of