The French Capitulation (‘ahdname) of 1604: Re-evaluation and Critical Edition of an Ottoman Charter of Privileges

Authors : Radu Dipratu

Pages : 49-114

Doi:10.18589/oa.1513020

View : 54 | Download : 50

Publication Date : 2024-07-07

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The imperial capitulation (‘ahdname-i hümayun) granted to France in 1604 has been widely used as a foundation for studies on early-modern Ottoman-French diplomacy and commercial relations. However, in the absence of an original document, scholars have depended upon existing Ottoman-Turkish copies, and mostly on problematic, outdated translations. Relying on a newly-surfaced authenticated copy of the document, this paper will conduct a diplomatic analysis of this often-cited charter of privileges, arguing that while it contained several important new articles, most of its features were reproduced from preceding ‘ahdnames. The second part of this paper contains a transliteration of the document, where the authenticated copy is compared with the other known versions, as well as an English translation, thus aiming to correct errors present in previous editions and studies.
Keywords : Ottoman French relations, Mediterranean, diplomacy, translation, transliteration

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