1516.

#illustration #rose #1510s #BritishLibrary #medieval #Motets

"My esteemed mother, her excellency lady Gülşah, noble, virtuous, pious, compassionate, the light of my eyes, joy of my heart, and the grandeur of my life, after extending my greetings, let it be known that my condition at present is utterly dire. Chains are around my neck, shackles are on my feet, and I am imprisoned in the Belgrade Fortress. They have set my ransom at 10,000 akçe. Now, whoever sees this letter of mine, may God Almighty protect them from captivity in both soul and body. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds. My mother, Her Excellency, is herself a poor and helpless woman. It has been 25 years since my father passed away. Now, may the esteemed ones have mercy on me for this sum of money. Let them give alms to my mother and rescue this poor one from the hands of these infidels. What more can I say? Help, O nation of Muhammad! The humble and poor, Abdullah." (On the back of the letter): "May God have mercy on the one who delivers this letter to Lady Gülşah in Tekirdağ."

■ A Letter Written by an Ottoman Soldier, who was Captured in Belgrade, to His Mother, 1512

"My esteemed mother, her excellency lady Gülşah, noble, virtuous, pious, compassionate, the light of my eyes, joy of my heart..." (Read in Alt Text) #history #historia #historie #1510s #16thcentury