Report on an Imperial Mission to Regensburg, 1454 (Historia de Ratisponensi Dieta) 4th preliminary version. (Reports on Five Diplomatic Missions by Enea Silvio Piccolomini; 4)
Résumé
The Fall of Constantinople, lingering capital of the Byzantine Empire, to the Ottoman Turks in May 1453 created widespread and justified fear in Europe. It might reasonably be assumed that the young Turkish sultan, Mehmed II, would pursue his war of expansion and move further into European territories. The two international institutions of Europe, the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy, were compelled to react, although both incumbents, Emperor Friedrich III and Pope Nicolaus V, were peaceful men, averse to risk taking. After some procrastination, the emperor convened a conference of the European rulers and German princes in the city of Regensburg in May 1454. The driving force at this meeting was his counsellor and senior diplomat, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, Bishop of Siena. Piccolomini gave a grand speech in which he dramatically described the damage inflicted upon Europe by the Turks and made a rousing appeal for a joint European war against them. The aim of the war would be twofold: first, to avenge the injuries suffered by the Europeans and regain the territories lost to the Turks and the Arabs, and second, to protect Europe against a Turkish invasion. Although the audience was moved, caution prevailed, and the only result of the diet was to agree on war in principle and to call for another diet to further discuss the matter. Besides the crusade matter, two other issues were discussed at the diet: the need for a reform of the Holy Roman Empire, and the conflict between the Prussians and the German Order.
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