Moral issues in the Turkish Wars in Hungary as reflected in contemporary Czech literature

Abstract

The Ottoman conquest in Hungary were a topic of intense interest in the Czech lands. A significant portion of the printed materials on the Ottoman wars consists of contemporary reports, while others are historical works; however, there are also a fair number of works that seek to address the moral questions raised by the war. The Czech intellectuals largely agreed that it was necessary to fight against the Turks, both to defend their country and the Christian faith. This view was held by the Utraquist Bartoloměj Dvorský, Šimon Partlic ze Špicberku, and the Catholic Jan Tomáš Pešina. Václav Budovec, nobleman from the Unity of the Brethren (Jednota bratrská), and sympathizer of the Reformed Church, saw in the Turks the army of the Antichrist rising in the end of the times, against whom Christians must fight, both with the sword and in spirit. Although most authors do not question the legitimacy of the wars waged against the Turks — indeed, they encourage enthusiastic participation and financial sacrifice — there are also dissenting voices. The counterarguments can be divided into three major groups. 1. The Turks are God’s punishment, and we must accept this punishment from God’s hand for our sins if we wish to obtain forgiveness (Andreas Musculus). 2. A Christian must treat his fellow men with love; therefore, instead of defeating the Turks, we should strive to convert them (Mikuláš Drábik). 3. The war against the Turks is a matter for Hungary and the Balkan states; it is not in Bohemia’s interest to devote its financial and military resources to fighting the Turks (Bohuslav Balbín). Opinions downplaying the Turkish threat were rarely voiced in the printed press; the majority of the Czech intellectuals regarded this struggle as a matter of Bohemian interest and a moral duty.