Mehmed II

Lore & Background

In August 1444, after Sultan Murad II signed a ten-year truce with Hungary and made peace with the Karaman Emirate in Anatolia, he resigned the throne to his twelve-year-old son Mehmed II. However, when Hungary broke the treaty and organized a new crusader army under Hunyadi and King Władysław III, the grand vizier Çandarlı Halil Pasha recalled Murad II to command the Ottoman forces. 'Mehmed II did not accept this and wanted to fight himself,' but Murad II ultimately led the army that defeated the crusaders at Varna on 10 November 1444.

In Their Own Story

The boy sultan stood in the shadow of his father's tent, fists clenched. He had trained for war, studied the art of command, and dreamed of leading the Ottoman army to glory. But when the Christian coalition marched on Varna, the viziers and generals turned not to him, but to the retired sultan. 'I want to fight,' Mehmed insisted, but his words were drowned by the clatter of armor as Murad II mounted his horse. The twelve-year-old could only watch as the army he should have commanded rode west to crush the crusaders.

Reader's Guide

In the 1444 start, Mehmed II is the nominal sultan of the Ottoman Empire, but the source makes clear that command of the army at the Battle of Varna was given to his father Murad II after Çandarlı Halil Pasha recalled him. Players should note that the historical record from this source shows Mehmed II was sidelined during the critical Varna campaign, despite his desire to lead.

Did You Know?

• Mehmed II was only twelve years old when his father Murad II resigned the throne to him in August 1444.
• When the Crusade of Varna was launched, Mehmed II wanted to fight himself but was overruled by Çandarlı Halil Pasha, who recalled Murad II to command.
• Contrary to some later legends, King Władysław III died at the Battle of Varna, and his body was identified and buried.