The Fall of Constantinople 1453 by Runciman

Author:Runciman
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Rack 1-History & Factual
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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on his journey that the Emperor had not made peace, he was to see that Negropont was placed in a proper state of defence. He was moreover to be accompanied by an ambassador, Bartolomeo Marcello, who was to proceed at once to the Sultan's court and assure Mehmet of the Republic's peaceable intentions; the Captain-General and his forces had merely come to escort back the merchant-ships engaged in the Levant trade and to see to Venice's legitimate interests. The Sultan should be urged to make peace with the Emperor and the Emperor to accept any reasonable terms. But if Mehmet was determined to continue with his enterprise the ambassador was not to insist but was to report back

to the Senate.

The Senate's instructions were carefully thought out and might have been effective had there been limitless time. But no one at Venice understood as yet the tenacity of the Sultan's character nor the superb quality of his weapons of war. The threat to Constantinople was known; but everyone believed that somehow the great fortress-city could hold out indefinitely. 1

The Pope, despite his anxiety, was still more leisurely. It was not until 5 June, a week after all was over, that his representative, the Archbishop of Ragusa, informed the Senate of His Holiness's proposal about the five galleys that the Venetians were to loan to him for the rescue of the city. He would pay fourteen thousand ducats, which should cover the salaries of the crews for four months. The Archbishop was told that this was not enough. He returned to Rome with a demand that the Pope must also pay for part of the armament; but in the meantime the galleys would be made ready for the voyage. 2

In ignorance of all the delays and in the hope of soon making contact with a Venetian fleet, a Venetian brigantine from the flotilla in the Golden Horn, with twelve volunteers on board, all disguised to look like Turks, was towed to the boom on the evening of 3 May. At midnight the chain was moved to let her through. Hoisting the Turkish colours she sailed unintercepted

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