History: Friendship Of Two Empire Rulers

FRIENDSHIP OF TWO EMPIRE RULERS OF DIFFERENT FAITHS

In the 16th century, the world’s two biggest empi- res established a friendship in a period of conflict between two religions Christianity and Islam. British Empire under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I formed and developed trade and diplomatic relations with Sultan Murad III of Ottoman Empire. England was one of the first countries that had established regular diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire.

A Treaty of Commerce was signed between both countries for the first time in 1580. Epistolary exchan- ges occurred and envoys were sent between Queen Elizabeth and Sultan Murad. The first English am- bassador to the Ottoman Empire was businessman William Harbone in 1583. Harborne’s visit to Istanbul in 1579 initiated the diplomatic and commercial ex- changes between both countries. He was employed by Levant Company’, an association of traders led by English merchants Edward Osborne and Richard Stapera, who had accompanied Harborne on his vi- sit to the country. He obtained permission from the SultanMurat IIIfor English ships to trade in Ottoman ports, after negotiations with SadrazamSokullu Meh- med Pasha. In which William Harborne became the correspondence between Queen Elizabeth I and the Sultan.

Harborne also succeeded in obtaining from the Ot- tomans capitulations and other tariff reductions for English goods, and was charged with obtaining sam- ples and information regarding dyestuffs and fabrics used in the production of cloth and clothing in Turkey at that time.

Queen Elizabeth I and Sultan Murat III exchanged numerous letters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- dogan presented one of these letters to former British Prime Minister David Cameron as a gift on his visit to the country. The letter written by Sultan Murad was a response to Queen Elizabeth. The letter read, “as long as we act together against the enemies and abide by the agreement signed between the Ottoman Em- pire and the United Kingdom, British merchants will not be subject to any unfair treatment. They will be respected just like those who are friends with the Ot- toman sultans. We welcome rescue of Muslim people who were kept hostage in Spain, by the United King- dom. The Ottoman Empire will send a fleet in spring in an effort to help the United Kingdom.”

Catholic states in Europe were in shock becau- se of the relationship between Britain and Ottoman.

England exported tin, lead (for canon casting) and ammunitions to the Ottoman Empire. There were also military operations carried out between both countries when Queen Elizabeth asked for naval as- sistance of Ottoman ruler Sultan Murad against the Spanish Armada in 1585, as Francis Walsingham Principle secretary to the Queen lobbied for a direct Ottoman military involvement against Spain.

Ottoman Empire’s first ambassador to England was in late 18th century. Yusuf Agah Efendi was appointed as ambassador in London in 1793. Diplo- matic relations between both countries was suspen- ded in 1914 due to the outbreak of First World War. The relations were formed again in 1924 after the es- tablishment of Republic of Turkey.