The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

in Thessalonica. (So indignant was he) that they accused him, albeit wrongly, of wishing to restore idol-worship if he did not give (the emperor) Communion of the Holy Mysteries. But this one (Despot Stefan) himself cried out because of (his own) guilt: "I am not worthy! I will not, being unworthy, touch the Body and Blood of the Lord; for, according to the Apostle, (such a one) eateth and drinketh sin unto himself."

85. The eastern (ruler) heard that the western (rulers) had come into the Wallachian land to fortify cities and to subject the Wallachians (to themselves). He, rising up, came to Vidin and, sailing along the river, took a Hungarian island, and the men and ships that were there he plundered and cut down. Coming to (the city of) Severin,¹³⁷ he sent (an army) into those lands to attack (the Hungarians). When the Hungarians appeared, the soldiers took to flight.

86. But the blessed (Despot) on the one hand sent the sultan an abundance of gifts, and on the other went about the land that he might raise (yet another) temple of God. From there he heard that the (Hungarian) island had been taken. He set out (thence) and made his way toward Belgrade. Coming to the place named Glavica, he dined, and (then) went hunting; while hunting, he took a sparrowhawk /falcon/ upon his hand. (However), having taken it, he did not hold it as he should, he who until then had done and performed all things as he should and to the admiration (of all); he leaned (now) to one (now) to the other side, as though he would fall from his horse. (His companions) caught hold of him from both sides (and) led him to the tent. When he was in the tent, he lay - and this was a moving sight for all - uttering only once: "For Đurađ, for Đurađ!" Until morning he said nothing (more), and then he gave up his spirit to the Lord. He reposed in the year 6935 (1427), on the 19th day of the month of July, on a Saturday, at the 5th hour of the day. When he was lifted from his horse, there suddenly thundered in the city such a terrible thunder as we had never heard before, and from that moment darkness reigned over all that land, so that it was thought that night (had fallen), through which the rays of the setting sun faintly glimmered. And this was at noon.

87. While all this was taking place, what sorrowful voices were (not) heard?! (Men) fell on their faces to the ground, and from this blood flowed from them, and other (things happened). They wept (for him) not as for a lord but as for a beloved father. They sent for Đurađ, and (the Despot) they took up and carried (him) toward the tomb which he had built in Resava. For this (i.e., for the burial) the military commander /voivode/ took particular care. O, (what) an army worthy of praise (was) this, (what) a lord worthy (of all) honor was this! The women then looked neither at their children, nor at their homes, nor at anything else. And somewhere near there was an Ishmaelite army. (Yet those who carried the Despot) cared nothing at all for their own lives, (only) that they might bury him where he had commanded.

88. What sorrowful voices did those who were there not hear! (Men) scratched their faces and tore their hair and cast off all garments of bright color. Instead of bright clothing (they clothed themselves in) sackcloth; (and) let us say this too: if anywhere a monastic (habit) could be found, they tore it into pieces (putting them upon themselves), that all might be unusual in unusual circumstances. From the horses, among other things, they cut (even) (the manes). And the Hungarian knights, his servants, cried out with frantic voices: "To whom wilt thou send us now? How have we sinned against thy majesty, that thou suddenly drivest us (from thee)? Where shall we find thy glory and beauty and many gifts?! From now on we are bereft of the beauty and sweetness of this