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Bayezid II
Veli (“the Saint”)
After his father's rapid conquests he let the state rest and repaired its finances and building programme. His calm, devout character earned him the name ‘Veli’ (the Saint); his reign was one of internal consolidation.
Open the reign of Bayezid II on the mapFamily
| Father | Mehmed II |
|---|---|
| Mother | Gülbahar Hatun |
| Consorts | Nigâr Hatun, Bülbül Hatun, Şirin Hatun, Hüsnüşah Hatun, Gülruh Hatun |
| Children | Selim I (the Grim), Ahmed, Korkud, Şehinşah, Mahmud, Alemşah, Hatice, Aynişah, Gevherimüluk |
Major achievements
- Capture of Herzegovina (1482), Kilia and Akkerman (1484)
- Jews and Muslims expelled from Spain welcomed into the empire (1492)
- Istanbul rebuilt after the 1509 earthquake known as the ‘Lesser Apocalypse’
- Navy strengthened; Kemal Reis and Burak Reis taken into service
- The affair of Prince Cem managed through European diplomacy
- Şahkulu revolt suppressed
- Contributions to cultural life as a poet and calligrapher
Treaties
- Peace with the Mamluks (1491)
- Treaty with Venice (1503)
- Peace with Poland and Hungary
Grand viziers
| Name | From | To | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| İshak Pasha (term 2) | 1481 | 1482 | 0-1 years |
| Koca Davut Pasha | 1482 | 1497 | 14-15 years |
| Hersekli Ahmed Pasha | 1497 | 1498 | 0-1 years |
| Çandarlı (2.) İbrahim Pasha | 1498 | 1499 | 0-1 years |
| Mesih Pasha | 1499 | 1501 | 1-2 years |
| Hadım Ali Pasha | 1501 | 1503 | 1-2 years |
| Hersekli Ahmed Pasha (term 2) | 1503 | 1506 | 2-3 years |
| Hadım Ali Pasha (term 2) | 1506 | 1511 | 4-5 years |
| Hersekli Ahmed Pasha (term 3) | 1511 | 1511 | 0 years |
| Koca Mustafa Pasha | 1511 | April 24, 1512 | 0-1 years |
Battles and treaties
| Year | Event | Result / parties |
|---|---|---|
| Treaty: Peace with Poland and Hungary | ||
| 1484 | Siege: Kilia and Akkerman | Principality of Moldavia (Stephen the Great) |
| 1491 | Treaty: Peace with the Mamluks | |
| 1503 | Treaty: Treaty with Venice |
Full infoboxes are in the site’s “Battles and Treaties” tab; source: English Wikipedia.
Death
He died in 1512 on the road to Didymoteicho after handing the throne to his son Selim. It is alleged that he was poisoned.
Territorial change
The lands that changed hands in this period, and the battles or treaties that brought the changes, can be seen on the map: map of the reign of Bayezid II.