Bosnia—­Turkish Invasion—­Tuartko II. and Ostoya Christich—­Cruel Death of Stephen Thomasovich—­His Tomb—­Queen Cattarina—­Duchy of Santo Saba becomes a Roman Province—­Despotism of Bosnian Kapetans—­Janissaries—­Fall of Sultan Selim and Bairaktar—­Mahmoud—­Jelaludin Pacha—­Expedition against Montenegro—­Death of Jelaludin—­Ali Pacha—­Revolted Provinces reconquered—­Successes of Ibrahim Pacha—­Destruction of Janissaries—­Regular Troops organised—­Hadji Mustapha—­Abdurahim—­Proclamation—­Fall of Serayevo—­Fresh rising—­Serayevo taken by Rebels—­Scodra Pacha—­Peace of Adrianople—­Hussein Kapetan—­Outbreak of Rebellion—­Cruelty of Grand Vizier—­Ali Aga of Stolatz—­Kara Mahmoud—­Serayevo taken—­War with Montenegro—­Amnesty granted.

The history of Bosnia under the Roman empire is possessed of too little interest to call for any particular observation; but, considered as one of the most fertile and beautiful of the European provinces, overrun by the Moslem armies, it is well entitled to the mature consideration of all who take an interest in the important question now at issue, to wit, the fusion of the Eastern and Western worlds.

The immediate cause of the invasion of Bosnia by the Turks, was the dispute between Tuartko II. and Ostoya Christich for the throne of that country.  The former called the Turks to his assistance; Ostoya, the Hungarians.  A war between these two nations was the consequence, and the Turks gained considerable footing in Bosnia about 1415.  Ostoya and Tuartko being both dead, Stephen Thomas Christich was elected King, and was obliged to promise an annual tribute of 25,000 ducats to Sultan Amurath II., thirteen years after which he was murdered by his illegitimate son, Stephen Thomasovich, who was crowned by a Papal legate in 1461, and submitted to the Turks.  But having refused to pay the tribute due to the Porte, he was seized and flayed alive, by order of Sultan Mahomet, and at his death the kingdom of Bosnia was completely over-thrown.[M]

Previous to this, the Turks had frequently menaced the Bosnian kingdom, but it was not until June 14, 1463, that they actually invaded the country, to reduce Stephen to obedience.  In vain did Mathias, King of Hungary, endeavour to stem the advancing torrent.  The Turks carried all before them, until they besieged and took Yanitza, the then capital of the province, and with it the King and the entire garrison.  Nor was this effected in fair fight, but through the treachery of Stephen’s first minister, who opened the gates of the fortress by night, and so admitted the Turkish soldiers.