When the son of the elderly French ambassador arrived at the Ottoman court, he was immediately called to an audience. He was accompanied by the Chancellor, also called the Secretary for the Merchants. The other secretary, responsible for private embassy affairs, had wisely fled earlier, fearing the anger and injustice of the Turks.
The Discussion and Rising Tension
The audience began with a discussion about the contents of the intercepted letters. The Turks spoke in an insolent and provocative manner, which angered the young ambassador. Confident in the protection of the French King, he responded in a way that the Turks interpreted as disrespectful and challenging their authority. Even minor offenses against French ministers quickly provoked a strong reaction from the Ottomans Bulgaria Private Tours.
Violent Punishment
The Grand Vizier Kuperli, known for cruelty, anger, and a personal dislike of the French, was offended by the young ambassador’s words. He ordered the Caousbafhee, chief of the palace attendants, to strike him in the mouth. The man struck with great force, and the young ambassador lost two front teeth.
Afterwards, the ambassador and the Secretary for the Merchants were dragged in a rough and barbarous manner to a dungeon. The prison was dark, damp, and unpleasant, with vapors that sometimes extinguished the candle. The harshness and speed with which the punishment was executed showed the Ottoman court’s tendency to act with immediate violence against perceived disrespect.
The Father’s Response
The elderly ambassador, the father, was also summoned under similar threats. The Ottomans’ haste and severity demonstrated the danger faced by foreign diplomats, even those from powerful nations like France. The treatment was both a display of authority and a warning that insults or resistance would not be tolerated.
This episode illustrates the dangers of diplomatic service in the Ottoman Empire. Even ambassadors protected by their sovereigns could face physical violence and harsh imprisonment if they offended the court. The combination of strict hierarchy, personal malice, and immediate punishment highlights the precarious balance of respect, fear, and negotiation that defined diplomacy in this era.