I.7. Reactions in the Romanian Lands
Zagan
Donor
Our Emperor made sure that everyone would only talk about him and his deeds.
And he seemed very pleased, despite the overwhelmingly negative reactions.
Today we would say: There is no such thing as bad publicity.
And he seemed very pleased, despite the overwhelmingly negative reactions.
Today we would say: There is no such thing as bad publicity.
Reactions in the Romanian Lands
News of the events in Alba Iulia started to spread like wildfire in Transylvania and beyond.
The Romanian peasants and the Romanian Orthodox priests were obviously delighted.
The Unio Trium Nationum were obviously not. The former rulling classes of the Hungarian nobility, Saxon burghers and Szekler soldiers were experiencing various states of anguish, hatred and despair.
The first reactions abroad were those of plain stupor.
14 August 1601, Hermannstadt (Sibiu), Romanian Lands
Mayor: "I still do not know what to make of all this. First he sends this letter to us, because it was certainly sent before arriving in Weißenburg." (Alba Iulia)
Bishop: "That is certain indeed."
M: "He asks us to publicly submit to his rule, which is understandable. Then he tells us about his plans to unite the countries and all that weird claims about his nation... As if all that might be of any interest to us!"
B: "Yes, strange indeed."
M: "And now, less than a day later, this! He suddenly kills the whole Diet, including our representatives, then assumes absolute power and changes each and all laws of this Land as it pleases him."
B: "He is very bold indeed. In one day, everything has been turned upside down. The peasants are not merely made our equals, but the whole country is literally given to them. Not to speak about their religion..." (shrugs)
M: "Yes, and now his peasants are revolting, attacking their masters and chasing them away! What times do we have the unfortune to live in!"
B: "It could have been worse. At least nobody is attacking us."
M: "Yet!"
B: "But what could we do? We are powerless against his army."
M: "We can only hope that the Emperor will come and put things back on their normal track."
B: "Don't be so sure. After all, the Emperor is a catholic. Things may get even worse. As far as I know, we still have freedom of religion. Nobody tries to make us Orthodox..."
M: "Yet! However you are right about the fact that we are powerless. It seems that the Hungarian nobles are doomed. About the Szeklers I don't know, but it can't hurt if we talk to them. As for us, I think that we don't have other solutions, except to arrange an accomodation with our Voivode."
B: "We shall coordinate our actions with the other seats."
M: "Yes, yes. We shall arrange for a meeting. And invite the Szeklers as well. A coordinated policy can only do good to our cause. And we shall try very hard not to anger the Voivode. We have already seen that he does not respond well when angered."
B: "I am going to write the letters right now."
M: "Yes, do that. There is no time to waste."
Similar conversations were taking place later that day and in the following days in all Saxon Seats in Transylvania.
The Szeklers, traditionally allied with Mihai were aslo amenable, despite the fact that several of their leaders in Alba Iulia had been purged as well.
Finally, both the Saxons and the Szeklers agreed to meet in Mediasch (Mediaș) on 20 August in order to devise a common plan of action. It was however almost a foregone conclusion that acquiescence was the only reasonable solution.
Even before the 20 August conference, some Seats had already unofficially informed Mihai about their intention to become faithful citizens of the Romanian Lands. The fate of their former allies, the Hungarian Landlords was already forgotten. It was all about politics after all.
16 August 1601, Feudal domain in Kolozs County (Județul Cluj)
Landlord: "I've made up my mind. We shall attempt to flee after nightfall."
Wife (crying): "Isn't there anything we can do to save the house at least? We can give them some land..."
Son: "Mother, they do not want only our land and our house. They want our heads as well."
L: "It's true, my dear. And sadly, there is nothing we can do to stop them. It was extremely difficult to stop Dózsa (Gheorghe Doja) in 1514 and we had the army and the King on our side back then. Now we are alone and the Vlachs are emboldened by their murderous voivode and his army."
S: "They've already killed those unable or unwilling to leave. And the women..."
L: "Shut up. Do not scare your mother, you'ld better try to comfort her... Why are you being so stupid? It's alright, my dear, the servants have packed everything and we will soon escape to safety."
W: "Will we ever come back?"
L: "Of course, my dear. The Emperor will come with all his might against this bloody Vlach usurper. We will be back... With a vengeance!"
This particular noble Hungarian family managed to escape to Austria with horrific stories about the Revolution taking place in Transylvania. Many others were not so fortunate.
18 August 1601, Bucureșcĭ (Bucharest), Wallachia
Boyar: "So, we have reached a conclusion. The Divan of Wallachia have unanimously decided to abolish the country and fully integrate it into the Romanian Lands, alongside Transylvania and Moldavia, under the Great Voivode and Lord Mihailŭ Viteazu.
We also take note with great joy of the decision of the Holy Synod who, thus doing God's work, have established the Autocephalous Romanian Orthodox Church in its own rights all over the Romanian Lands.
This Divan will continue to function in caretaking capacity until its functions will be superseded by the new Romanian Senat.
So help us God."
All: (applause)
At the same time, the Wallachian army, camped near the Moldavian border were bewildered by the orders just recieved from the Voivode: the expected invasion of Moldavia was postponed sine die.
Just how was the proclaimed Unification of the Romanian Lands going to be enforced? Would the Moldavians and their Polish backers simply fold to the threat and relinquish power? Or will Vodă attempt to bribe them? It was a mistery.
19 August 1601, Eașĭ (Iași), Moldavia
Voivode Eremia Movilă: "I can not read those damn Latin letters. What does he want now?"
Boyar: "Măria Ta, I think he's lost his mind..."
EM: "What?"
B: "Well... He is informing you that you are no longer Voivode because Moldavia no longer exists. He says that Transylvania, Wallachia and Moldavia are merged into a single country called the Romanian Lands and he is its one and only Voivode. And lots of other crazy things..."
EM: "It seems that you are right. Poor creature!... Still he can be dangerous. After all, he controls both Wallachia and Transylvania now. And he has defeated us before... At least now we have the Poles to protect our freedom."
B: "As long as the Poles are here, we are not free..."
EM (laughing): "Yes, I know that, but at least they do not want to destroy us and annex the country."
B: "What shall we do then, Măria Ta?"
EM: "Do? Nothing of course. Did he threaten us with an invasion?"
B: "Strangely, no."
EM: "Then, as I said. We shall do nothing. Pretend that no such letter has ever arrived. If he finally invades us, let the Poles do the fighting. You are excused now."
Unknown to them, the news about the emancipation of the Transylvanian peasants was inexorably spreading amongst the Moldavian peasantry and a revolt was brewing in their midst.
20 August 1601, Suceava, Moldavian Metropolitan Orthodox Seat
The Metropolitan Bishop: "What do you think about this Autocephaly, Vladimir?"
Vladimir: "I think it is nothing but a tool in the hands of the Wallachian Voivode to strenghten his rule."
MB: "Yes, it may be so... But breaking up with the Greeks ensures that all that money we pay to the Greek Churches and Monasteries will remain in the country instead. And believe me, we are talking about lots of money."
V: "But the Greeks will probably excommunicate us all! It is a schism!"
MB: "So, the Greeks are there in the Lands of the Turk and we are here. And besides, our Church including all the Wallachian and Transylvanian Orthodox believers will be greater than the Church of the Greeks! And I will be its Patriarch. I could excommunicate all of them as well if I please."
V: "Forgive me, Your Eminence, but I think that power and greed have darkened your reason."
MB: "I have not decided anything yet, Vladimir. As you know, this kind of problems must be discussed in the Synod. I shall convene it for the day after tomorrow. I hope that this peasant revolt will not engulf the whole country by then."
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