Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-07-01 / 7. szám
6 FRATERNITY called a Diet at Korpona in November of 1605. During preparations for the Diet he visited Transylvania where he was installed as Prince. Bocskay’s meeting with Lala Mohammed, Turkish Grand Vizier at Rákos, also took place* during preparations for the Korpona Diet. The Grand Vizier handed him the letters of patent of the Sultan, in which he was recognized as Prince of Hungary and Transylvania, Hungary was released from tribute, Transylvania’s tribute was released for ten years, and after that time set at 10,000 forints a year. The Sultan also sent Bocskay a royal crown, but he was unwilling to be a king, for kingly office received from the Sultan would have mean the humbling of the nation. He thus declared that he would accept the crown as a symbol of the Sultan’s friendship, for Hungary already had a legal King. This scene at Rákos presents the unselfishness and patriotism of Bocskay at its best. It is further proven by his attitude during the peace negotiations, for in essence his demands were primarily that re ligious liberty be guaranteed, political grievances remedied, and the se curing of religious and political liberty by the recognition of Transylvanian independence. He also sought a peace treaty with the Turks that would serve the best interests of the nation. He announced that if the King is willing to comply with these requests, he would retain Transylvania but would return the remaining part of Hungary to the King. The negotiations under Archduke Matthias were prolonged, for the Pope and his legates, together with the Austrian and Hungarian Roman Catholic bishops and the royal counsellors did all they could to prevent the granting of religious liberty to the Protestants. In the meantime, Rudolph’s insanity became so grave that the family council made Archduke Matthias head of the family. By conducting the negotiations with full authority, he saw the peace treaty signed in Vienna on June 23, 1606. This peace treaty was the first guarantee of religious liberty and freedom of conscience for Hungary. It repealed laws enacted against the Protestants, among them especially the notorious Article XXII of 1604. It further stated that: “The Majesty will never disturb the estates and within the borders of Hungary, collectively and singly, both magnates and nobles, free and privileged cities belonging to the Crown; moreover the Hungarian soldiers serving in Hungarian fortresses, in their religious practice and faith, nor will he let them be disturbed or hindered by others; but the free exercise and usage of the religion of the aforesaid orders and estates shall be granted, but, however, without the detriment of the Roman Catholic religion and with the understanding that the Roman Catholic priesthood, church buildings and congregations remain inviolate and free. Further, the churches occupied in these disturbed times by both parties shall be mutually returned.” Remaining articles of the peace treaty refer to the remedying of political grievances. Protestant Hungarians regarded the results attained to be minor (and they were right), but the Hapsburg partisans, especially the Roman priesthood, considered it too generous. Bocskay and his followers were dissatisfied with the religious provisions, for they regarded the clause of the article with suspicion, and they were especially mortified by their inability to secure the expulsion
