Chapter 686: Public Shame
As King Matthias Corvinus, the ruler of Hungary and Croatia, hurried back to the Danube with his battle-ready forces, the aged Roman Emperor Antonius I Ritsios was already positioned, awaiting his arrival. The Roman forces had established a strategic encampment around the city of Vidin, with their artillery units strategically placed on the higher grounds overlooking the banks of the Danube. Meanwhile, King Stephen Tomašević of Bosnia and Serbia, present without an army, had been ushered into the castle for negotiations, leaving the Hungarians in the dark about the discussions taking place.
King Matthias of Hungary consulted with his courtiers, seeking insights into the Romans’ intentions. The feedback was unnerving yet clear: the Romans had arrived days earlier and, despite their peaceful demeanour—some soldiers even engaging in trade with locals—it remained perilously unsafe for King Matthias to cross the Danube. The presence of a Roman army, no matter how placid it appeared, posed an undeniable threat.
Positioning his troops along the southern bank near the town of Calafat, King Matthias maintained a vigilant watch. The uncertainty was palpable; crossing the river as the sovereign was an unthinkable risk. As hours of tense waiting unfolded, a boat adorned with the banners of Varangian guards descended the river towards the Hungarian encampment. The Varangians, known for their fierce loyalty to the Roman emperor, called out across the water, their voices echoing off the riverbanks: "The emperor of all Romans, Basileus Antonius I Ritsios, cordially invites King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and Croatia to Vidin for a parley!"
From atop the watchtower of Calafat, King Matthias observed the scene with a resolute gaze, choosing not to respond immediately. The Varangians repeated their invitation several times before retreating back up the river without any hesitation.
"What could the Greeks possibly want?" muttered King Matthias under his breath.
"We are unsure, my lord," responded one of his closest advisors. "But this invitation hardly seems like a simple call for a diplomatic chat. For the safety of Hungary, it would be prudent not to cross the river, you will need to be responsible for the Kingdom, and the population of Hungary."
As King Matthias and his advisor exchanged wary glances, a second, more formal flotilla approached down the Danube. This procession was strikingly official, consisting of three aligned boats, the lead vessel bearing a figure that appeared to be a high-ranking Roman official. This dignitary called out with clear intent, "Your Majesty! King of the Hungarians and Croats! Our Emperor earnestly requests your presence for a formal meeting! To discuss on the future of Romania!"
Yet, King Matthias remained resolute in his silence, failing to issue a response.
The Roman official repeated his call three times, mirroring the Varangians’ earlier attempts, yet he too met with no response before turning his fleet back towards the port of Vidin.
"To be frank, Your Majesty, we can’t decipher the Greeks’ motives, but it’s evident they harbour ulterior motives..." the king’s courtier advised with a tone of urgency. "For the welfare of Hungary and Croatia, please, Your Majesty, do not cross the river."
The king returned a steely gaze. "I had no intentions of crossing that river from the start. It seems clear that the old emperor in Vidin never truly sought a peaceful negotiation."
A Hungarian general, unable to contain his frustration, slammed his fist against a wooden barricade. "It’s inevitable! Conflict with the Greeks looms on the horizon!"
King Matthias offered a measured look but remained silent, absorbing the growing tension.
Minutes dragged into half an hour when suddenly, a grand fleet sailed down the narrow Danube, each ship proudly displaying the double-headed eagle, adorned with the Chi-Rho crosses, and the royal banners of the scarlet lion against a regal purple background. This unmistakable display of Roman imperial power signalled the arrival of someone of significant stature.
King Matthias swallowed hard as he descended the watchtower stairs to the riverbank, surrounded by a cadre of heavily armoured infantry.
As the Roman fleet drew near, an elderly man with distinctly Turkish features and snow-white hair and beard disembarked from his ship to the opposite riverbank. His presence was commanding, exuding an air of authority that belied his age. Upon sighting King Matthias, clad in armour and flanked by his soldiers, the elder statesman bowed deeply and addressed him with great formality.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, King of Hungary and Croatia. I am Abdullah Miralai, a humble servant of my sovereign, the Autocrat and Basileus of all Romans, and protector of all faithful Christians. I oversee our empire’s diplomatic engagements. It is with the highest regard that I extend to you an invitation to Vidin, to discuss potential cooperation, peacekeeping, and commerce within the region of Romania."
King Matthias returned the nod, his face etched with respect but tinged with caution. He stood firm, making no move toward the Roman boat. "Lord Miralai, I am genuinely grateful for your and the Emperor’s gracious invitation, and may Jesus Christ bless his name. However, I am presently bound by pressing domestic concerns on this side of the river. It would be imprudent for me to cross the Danube, given the uncertainties that lie ahead."
The king’s response was forthright, revealing his underlying suspicions and strategic reservations.
Abdullah straightened, his gaze intensifying as he posed a final question. "Are you certain of your decision, Your Majesty?"
King Matthias affirmed with a solemn nod. "You have my word."
Acknowledging the king’s stance, Abdullah offered a respectful bow—a gesture marking both deference and the conclusion of their exchange. He then returned to his ship, which smoothly rejoined the main fleet before making its way downstream, disappearing from view.
King Matthias remained silent, his eyes tracking the departing figure of the Roman chancellor. His expression was one of a seasoned ruler who understood all too well the political theatre at play. The Romans had orchestrated this summons well aware of its likely futility—a diplomatic action designed to place the Hungarian king in a delicate position. King Matthias continued to stand there, by the side of the river bank, for he is still feeling reluctant and anticipating what is to come next, what if, the Greeks can still not ignore the sheer power and influence he has over the region, and still recognise his rights?
The response the Hungarians had been wary of swiftly approached from the direction of Vidin. Instead of drawing near to parley, a fleet of Roman boats aligned themselves about a hundred meters from the Hungarian army. A line of Roman emissaries stood boldly before King Matthias and his courtiers, their voices booming across the Danube, riding the wind into the ears of the Hungarian assembly.
"King Matthias! Your refusal to cross the Danube signifies disinterest in the matters of this land! By your absence, you declare non-interference with our peacekeeping south of the river. Our emperor is just—north of the Danube remains yours, free from our interference. As for the lands south of the Danube, we expect the same non-interference from all!"
The Romans have disregarded him from his reluctance to act.
The sudden proclamation caught King Matthias and his entourage off guard, rendering them momentarily speechless. The Roman messengers, having delivered their ultimatum, repeated the message thrice for emphasis before turning their boats around and heading swiftly back to Vidin.
In a mix of shock and anger, King Matthias clenched his fists, his frustration palpable. In a symbolic gesture of his dismay, he hurled his blade into the earth. "It is a disgrace! The Romans carve up the land, feasting on territories as if at a lavish banquet, and we stand excluded!"
His courtier, sensing the king’s escalating fury, cautiously interjected, "What should we do, Your Majesty?" The anxiety in his voice was evident, reflecting the uncertainty of how the king might react. "I must urge caution. The Black Army stands ready should you choose to act, Your Majesty."
King Matthias, visibly agitated yet composed, retorted, "I am outraged but not foolish. Yet, this will not be forgotten. I may be young, but that emperor is frail and aging. Time will play in our favour."
The statement hung in the air, a mix of resignation and veiled threat, as King Matthias turned his gaze back towards the Danube, watching the Roman fleet disappear into the distance.
This episode, while it may seem as though King Matthias is merely expressing frustration over his losses, carries deeper implications. For the first time since his ascension to the throne, Matthias experienced a deep humiliation, not from an adversary, but from those he once considered allies. This incident underscores a timeless truth recognised throughout the feudal age: the fate of a nation often hinges on the character and capabilities of its ruler. The fluctuations in fortune experienced by the Germanic states under varying Kaiser, and the historical rise and fall of empires at the hands of different conquerors, bear testament to this reality.
As King Matthias reflects on the day’s events, the age-old adage echoes ominously through his mind: history is indeed destined to repeat itself.
Nevertheless, this, is an intended public shame.
