VICTORY OF BELGRADE. 553 sent legates to preach the crusade throughout Europe, and com- menced to build war-ships on the Tiber. The Hungarians, who were justly excited at the impending invasion of Mahomet II. begged Capistrano to come to them and use his eloquence. Ca- lixtus gave him permission, confirmed all the powers conferred on him by Mcholas, and he undertook the task which was to complete his hfe's work. Yet even these new duties, which wrought his fiery soul to a higher tension than ever, did not wholly distract his attention from the hated Hussites. The junc- ture seemed favorable for a reconcihation, which every motive of pohcy dictated. Besides, ^neas Sylvius had just been promoted to the cardinalate, and that crafty diplomat had succeeded in making the Bohemians look upon him as their friend. They not only hoped to obtain the confirmation of the Compactata, but the cardinal's hat for Rokyzana. Hearing of this, Capistrano wrote, March 24, 1456, from Buda to Calixtus dissuading him in the most vigorous terms. The Hussites are the worst of mankind, fearing neither God nor man ; the heart can scarce conceive the errors which they believe, or the abominations which they prac- tise in secret. The Compactata are their sole bulwark ; if these are confirmed, the Hussites, who abound secretly, not only in Bo- hemia but in Hungary, Transylvania, Moldavia, and the neigh- boring regions, will rise and declare themselves. The warning was sufficient and the overtures were rejected.* Suddenly the news came that the dreaded Mahomet 11. was advancing, and had laid siege to Belgrade. Ladislas, who was King of Hungary as well as of Bohemia, was at Buda-Pesth, and with his uncle, the Count of CiHei, on pretext of a hunting-excur- sion, basely fled to Austria. John Hunyady, Count of Transylva- nia, who had been regent of the kingdom, organized the Hunga- rian forces, with some German crusaders Avho had come to his assistance, while Capistrano marched with him as papal commander of the crusade. Glorious in the annals of Hungary is the victory of Belgrade. With a flotilla of boats on the Danube, Hunyady, on July 14, 1456, cut his way into the town through the beleaguer- ing forces. Furious were the attack and the defence until the 22d, when a fierce assault by the Turks was repulsed, and the be-
- Wadding, ann. 1455, No. 8-13; ann. 1456, No. 9-12.
