ABSTRACT

I. A General Ephemeris End of August 1452: Completion of Rumeli Hisar, also known as Bog®azkesen [Laimokopie], Basçkesen, Neokastron [Castello Novo] on the European side of the Bosporus, across the strait from Bayezid I’s fortress, Anadolu Hisar. Command of Rumeli Hisar is given to Firuz Beg, with orders to board all ships from the Black Sea traveling to Constantinople. Emperor Constantine XI dispatches ambassadors to Pope Nicholas V, to various states in Italy, to Hungary, and to John Corvinus Hunyadi, seeking help for the upcoming siege. Urban begins construction of his bombard(s) for Sultan Mehmed II. August 28-September 3, 1452: The sultan brings his army before the land fortifications of Constantinople and completes an inspection on the condition of the walls before returning to Adrianople to mobilize his forces. Beginning of October 1452: Mehmed II initiates a raid upon the despotate of Morea [Peloponnese] to prevent the regional despots and the brothers of Constantine XI from sending aid to Constantinople.