BERTRANDON DE LA BROCUIERE ON THE MACEDONIANS

BERTRANDON DE LA BROCUIERE ON THE MACEDONIANS

15th century

From the work Voyage across the Sea by Bertrandon de la Brocuiere (652)

I remember the great subordination under which the Turk holds the emperor in Constantinople (653) and all the Greeks, Macedonians and Bulgarians, and the despot of Rasia (654) and all of his followers, which is a real shame for the entire Christianity.

As I said earlier, there are many Christians who are forced to serve the Turk, such as Greeks, Bulgarians, Macedonians, Albanians, Esclavinians (655), Rasians and Serbians, followers of the despot of Rasia. and the Wallachs, who I am told, if they were to see the Christians, especially the French, in large numbers against the Turk, would bring great harm to him and would turn their backs ,on him, because he holds them in harsh slavery.

Bertandon de la Brokuiere, Putovanje preko mora. Beograd 1950, pp. 134-135, 140-141.

(652) Bertrandon de la Brocuiere (born toward the end of the 14th century) probably under the directive of the Burgundian Duke Prilippe the Merciful, in 1432 traveled to the Middle East and on his return passed through the Balkans. Later, during the period 1455-1457 he wrote his Voyage Across the Sea, from which the extract referring to Macedonia is given here.

(653) He refers to the Byzantine Emperor John VIII Palaeologus.

(654) He refers to the Serbian desport, Durad Brankovich. The writer uses the names Rasia and Raska for Serbia.

(655) Here the Esclavonians (i.e. Sclavonii) most probably refers to the Croatians, since Sclavonia includes Croatia, Zahumle and Zeta (see B. de la Brocuiere “Putovanje preko mora” 166)

(Page 145, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume I)

MANIFESTO OF THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR LEOPOLD I TO THE NATIONS OF THE BALKANS (734)

1690

We, Leopold, etc...

To all the people that depend upon our inherited Hungarian kingdom (735), and to all those that shall read this or shall hear, of it, especially to the Albanian people (I express) our imperial and royal mercy and (I wish) all good to them. Let it be known to you that the Turkish war (736), in which we are unjustly challenged due to the breaking of the agreement, in accordance with our imperial and royal duty, certain of the protection of God and the justice of our cause, is being conducted by us solely with the intention that the people who by law are subject to us and by the law depend upon the mentioned Hungarian kingdom, as well as all the other Christians, may be released from the terrible Turkish slavery and have their previous freedom restored, as well as their previous privileges and their previous unity with the body on which they depend, after we have removed any kind of abuse and mended the damage caused by the Turkish tyranny, as well as restored their rights to everyone. Therefore, we kindly call on all the people who live throughout Albania, Servia, Mysia, Bulgaria, Silistria, Illyria, Macedonia and Raska, as well as the other countries that depend upon our above-mentioned Hungarian kingdom, and all the other people that suffer the Turkish slavery, to reply to our pious and fatherly wish and, in this very favourable case, when the Turkish forces are almost annihilated by their numerous defeats from our triumphant arms, to come forth on our side and to fight against the Turks, for their own salvation and liberation and for the prosperity of the Christian faith.

Jovan Radonich i Mita Kostich, Srpske priviligije od 1690 do 1792. SAN Posebna isdanja, CCXXV. Odelenje Drashtvenih nauka. Nova serija Knj. 10, Beograd, 1954. pp. 26-27.

(734) On April 6th, 1690, during the Austro-Turkish war (1683-1699) the Austrian Emperor, Leopold I, sent a manifesto “Invitatoria” to the people and to the countries of the Balkans, which actively collaborated with the army during its deep penetration into

the Balkan Peninsula in 1689. Hoping that fortune in battle would serve them once again, the Austrians wanted to retain the shaky confidence of the people of the Balkans in them and to inspire them to further participation with the Austrian army; therefore they issued the Manifesto.

(735) This refers to Leopold I, Austrian Emperor and Hungarian King (1657 -1705).

(736) This refers to the Austro-Turkish War.

(Pages 169 and 170, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume I)

LETTER OF PROTECTION FROM THE EMPEROR LEOPOLD I TO THE MACEDONIAN PEOPLE (737)

April 26th, 1690

Vienna 1690, April 26 Leopold, etc.

This is to inform you that the two Macedonians, Marko Kraida born in Kosana (738) and Dimitri Georgi Popovich, born in Macedonian Solun, have told us that the Macedonian people, with respect for our most righteous task, with devotion and zeal towards our service and with a serious intention, are of a mind to come over under our protection from the great Turkish slavery if our mercy and patronage are given for certain. Therefore, in line with our inborn kindness and with the inspired mercy to show protection to those who are close to us and to the holy Christian religion, we graciously accept them under our imperial and royal mercy and in any case and way the above-mentioned Macedonian people, cordially recommending to each and all of our willing commanders not to attack the Macedonian people, nor to cause them difficulties, but as far as it is in their power, always to guide and to protect them, and to assist them in their aims. Generally, to enable them security and certainty that they may esteem more of lour imperial and royal favours, laws and freedoms. If any of the people of the same nation decide to fight under the leadership of our above-mentioned captains and under our banner, let such intentions be encouraged rather than prevented. We also allow them, with the previous knowledge and approval of our commander, to gather in one unit and to act separately, or to join with our own and in that way to have greater power to fight against the common enemy. For that aim they will enlist under the mentioned commander and, according to his orders and with God’s aid, let them protect our regions for the general well-being. Everyone as far as his strength allows is not to miss an opportunity for collaboration.

Issued in Vienna, April 26th, 1690.

Representatives (739): defenders of the Macedonian people who have passed into the regions of his Imperial Majesty. Reported in Vienna, April 26th, 1690. M. Pauer. For Veterania (740).

J. Radonich, Prilozi za istoriu Srba u Ungarskoj u XVI, XVII i XVIII veku. Knijga prva. Knj. Matitse srpske, broj 25 i 26. Novi Sad 1908, pp. 52-53.

(737) After the retreat of the Austrian army from Macedonia and after the crushing of the Karposh uprising in 1689, many Macedonians had left their native towns and crossed over to Austria. Two of them begged the Emperor Leopold I to take the Macedonian people under his protection. Here the protective letter of Leopold I is given. It was written on April 26th, 1690.

(738) Kosana, present-day city Kozheni.

(739) The text that follows is written on the edge of the front side of the document page.

(740) Veterani, a commander who fought on the southern front against the Ottomans.

(Pages 170 and 171, The University of “Cyril and Methodius”, Documents on the Struggle of the Macedonian People for Independence and a Nation-State, Volume I)