A Haunted Prince

Cem Sultan, also known as Jem Sultan (1459–1495), was a prominent figure in Ottoman history. He was a prince, the son of Sultan Mehmed II, and is known for his dramatic and tragic life story, which involved a prolonged struggle for the Ottoman throne. After his defeat in the battle for succession against his brother, Sultan Bayezid II, Cem sought refuge in Rhodes, and later in Europe, where he became a pawn in the power games of European monarchies. His life is often remembered for its political intrigue and the unique position he held as an Ottoman prince in Christian Europe. His story is a significant part of Ottoman history and reflects the complex relationships between European powers and the Ottoman Empire during that era. The episode of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II and his brother Cem Sultan's exile in France encapsulates a complex tapestry of diplomacy, intrigue, and the ceaseless pursuit of power between the Ottoman Empire and European monarchies in the late 15th century.

Bayezid II, the Ottoman Sultan reigning from 1481 to 1512, found himself at the epicenter of diplomatic maneuvers with Europe, which began in earnest in 1483. The catalyst for this was his own brother, Cem Sultan. Cem, a rival claimant for the Ottoman throne, was misled by the Knights Hospitaller of St. John on the Island of Rhodes. The machinations of Pierre d'Aubusson, the French captain of Bodrum Castle on Rhodes Island and grandmaster of the Knights of St. John, played a significant role in this intrigue. Cem was taken from Rhodes and sent to d'Aubusson's castle in France, where he would remain a central figure in European diplomatic chess games for over a decade.

Cem's presence in France was not just an exile; it was a political strategy. From 1482 to 1495, he was effectively a pawn amid grand European designs. Several European powers, including the French, Venetians, the Pope, and the Kings of Naples and Hungary, saw in Cem an opportunity. They could use him as leverage against the Ottoman Empire, whether to carve it up, launch a new crusade against it, or simply deter its aggressive campaigns into Christian territories.

The Prince's time in France, particularly at Bourganeuf, was marked by interactions with the French elite, including romantic liaisons with French noblewomen. Throughout, he stayed in touch with Pierre d'Aubusson in Rhodes. While Europe plotted around him, Bayezid II was not passive. To secure his brother’s safety and to ensure his continued captivity in a manner favorable to the Ottomans, he dispatched two envoys to France in 1483 and 1486.

Bayezid's diplomacy peaked with the arrival of Antonio Rericho, an ambassador he sent, at the French court. Rericho's meeting with French King Charles VIII revolved around the value of Cem’s presence in France and the rewards that Bayezid was willing to offer for it. These rewards were not insignificant: Bayezid promised Charles the Holy Sepulcher and Jerusalem, which the Ottoman Sultan was confident he could seize from the Mamluks. Furthermore, he pledged the delivery of significant Christian relics, including the lance believed to have pierced Christ. On a more practical note, Bayezid offered to pay 50,000 ducats annually for Cem's upkeep. The Sultan was prepared to receive French ambassadors and assured Charles of his assistance against mutual adversaries, all while committing to peace with Christian nations.

Beyond these formal promises, Bayezid also understood the subtleties of European diplomacy. Before departing, Rericho disbursed 100,000 ducats as bribes, ensuring the favor of influential members of the French court.

This episode is emblematic of the intricate dance of power and diplomacy in the late medieval period. Bayezid's interaction with the French over his brother's fate demonstrates the delicate balance that the Ottoman Empire maintained with Europe. Rather than mere rivals, they were deeply entangled in a web of alliances, betrayals, and diplomatic maneuvering, wherein even exiled princes could serve as chips in a larger geopolitical game.

The Diplomatic Chessboard of the Late 15th Century: Cem Sultan, the Ottomans, and the Vatican

In the waning years of the 15th century, the intricate weave of political maneuverings, religious ambitions, and diplomatic overtures made Prince Cem (often referred to as Cem Sultan) a crucial figure in the geopolitical landscape of Europe and Asia Minor. The web of alliances and betrayals during this period painted a vivid picture of a time fraught with uncertainty, as empires vied for dominance.

Cem Sultan: A Captive Prince in Europe

Cem Sultan, the brother of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, found himself at the crossroads of two major powers of the era: the Kingdom of Hungary and the Vatican under Pope Innocent VIII. Both sought custody of the prince. It was the Pope who eventually succeeded in this quest, hosting Cem in Rome for nearly six years. His captivity in the Christian heartland marked a significant chapter in the intertwined histories of the Ottomans and European states.

The Ottoman Empire's increased engagements with Christian territories beyond Italy during the early years of Bayezid's rule (1481–1512) can be attributed, in part, to Cem's detention in Europe, first in France and later in Rome. This heightened interest came to a head in December 1490 when Sultan Bayezid dispatched Mustafa Bey, a future grand vizier, to the Vatican. The clandestine mission sought to strike a deal with Pope Innocent VIII, ensuring Cem's continued captivity in exchange for the Ottomans abstaining from attacking crucial Christian territories such as Rome, Venice, and the Rhodes Islands. Additionally, Bayezid agreed to a significant financial concession, promising the Pope an allowance of 40,000 ducats.

Pope Innocent VIII’s Ambitions with Cem

The Pope's possession of such a valuable Ottoman asset had broader aspirations. Pope Innocent VIII viewed Cem's presence in Rome as a potential springboard to rally Christendom for a new crusade against the Ottoman Empire. However, these hopes were never realized.

Cem’s interactions with the Christian world during his captivity revealed his unwavering commitment to Islam. The Pope initiated several dialogues, both public and private, aiming to convert Cem to Christianity. However, Cem’s staunch response was unequivocal. He informed Pope Innocent VIII that no earthly power or position, not even the Sultanate of the entire world, would sway him from his faith. His philanthropy towards poor Christians was rooted in Islamic teachings of almsgiving, irrespective of the recipient's religion. Cem's steadfastness not only commanded respect from the Pope but also from Christian lords present in these interactions.

This religious firmness, alongside his loyalty to the Islamic world and refusal to bow to Papal authority, was startling to many observers in France and the Vatican. However, his captivity had a dual role – as a deterrent against Ottoman military advances and as a financial lure for the Papal states.

The Pope and the Ottoman Sultan: A Financial Agreement

The financial implications of Cem's detention were substantial. The Sultan, acknowledging the Pope as Cem's keeper, sent gifts amounting to 120,000 crowns, which astonishingly equaled the Pope’s other annual revenues. Further enriching the Vatican, Bayezid gifted the Relic of the Holy Lance, believed to have pierced Jesus Christ. This relic found a designated shrine in St. Peter's, with its establishment and the construction of the Sistine Chapel being largely funded by the Ottoman ransom.

Pope Alexander VI further capitalized on Cem's captivity, securing an additional 300,000 gold ducats from Sultan Bayezid. This payment was to deter French interference in Italy and prevent potential French-initiated crusades.