The Turkish Empire, Its Growth and DecayEversley, G. Shaw-Lefevre (George Shaw-Lefevre), Baron
History
The Turkish Empire, Its Growth and Decay
Eversley, G. Shaw-Lefevre (George Shaw-Lefevre), Baron
Turkey -- History
On August 1, 1664, the two armies met near to the Convent of St.
Gotthard, which gave its name to a memorable battle. In spite of their
great numerical superiority, the Ottomans met with a severe defeat,
largely due to the charge of heavy cavalry of the Austrians, under
the command of Prince Charles of Lorraine, soon to become famous as a
general. The Turks lost ten thousand men, many of whom were driven into
the River Raab and were drowned. Thirty thousand of their cavalry, who
were spectators of the battle from the other side of the River Raab,
took to flight when they saw the issue of the battle and abandoned
fifteen guns. The Grand Vizier was able to draw off the main body of
his army without further loss. The Austrian losses were heavy, and they
made no effort to follow up their victory. The battle, however, was of
supreme importance, for it was the first great defeat of the Ottomans
in the field by the Austrians. It broke the prestige of the former,
which had been unquestioned since the battle of Mohacz in 1526.
In spite of their victory, the Austrians were willing to negotiate with
the Grand Vizier for terms of peace, and ten days after the battle a
treaty was signed at Vascar, where the Turks were encamped. It was, in
the main, a renewal of the treaty of Silvatorok. So far as it differed,
it was favourable to the Ottomans. It provided that Transylvania was to
be evacuated by both Austrians and Turks. It recognized Apafy, whose
claims had been maintained by the latter, as prince of that province,
subject to payment of tribute to the Sultan. Serivar and Neuhausel were
to remain in the hands of the Sultan. Of seven palatinates occupied
by the Ottomans, four were to remain in their hands and three were
to be restored to the Emperor. Ahmed Kiuprili had every reason to be
satisfied with this treaty. Though defeated in a pitched battle, he
had added to the Empire of the Sultan. He led his armies into winter
quarters again at Belgrade at the end of October, and on his return to
Constantinople received a popular ovation.
In 1667 Ahmed entered upon another campaign. He was determined to bring
to a successful issue the siege of Candia, which for so many years had
baffled all the efforts of his predecessors. He landed in the island of
Crete with large reinforcements. The city of Candia was defended with
the utmost tenacity and courage by the Venetians, under the command
of Morosini, later famous for the conquest of the Morea. Ahmed spent
nearly three years before the city. He urged on the siege with great
engineering skill. The Venetians made every effort to retain possession
of the city and of the island by offers of large sums of money. Ahmed
Kiuprili proudly replied to these overtures: “We are not money-dealers.
We make war to win Candia, and at no price will we abandon it.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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