A hero of Buda who was almost hanged, 1686

Everyone knows about the great generals and princes who took part in the recapture of Buda Castle from the Ottomans in 1686. The city had been the Sultan’s westernmost Borderland fortress for 145 years, and now it became the Habsburgs’ westernmost Borderland castle for the next hundred years. Now, let us talk about some of the heroes of the particularly bloody and fierce siege that raged for 77 days.

The Ottomans defended Buda valiantly, but the Christians’ artillery was so sophisticated that they could bombard the fortress from Gellért Hill and Nap Hill, as well as from the other side of the Danube, where the city of Pest was located. You can read more about the history of the Buda Castle here:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/ottoman-occupied-lands/buda/

Let us focus on one man, a hussar captain named Ramocsaházy Endre. He is said to have been the first soldier to plant the attacking flag on the enemy’s wall, however briefly. This was recorded by none other than Mösch Lukács, a Piarist monk who was the priest of General Pálffy Károly, a high officer of the allied Christian forces.

At the time of the attack, which was launched on September 2, 1686, Ramocsaházy was only a lieutenant. He attacked the enemy at the Fehérvári Gate and led a few (dismounted) hussars. Somehow he managed to break through the Turkish lines and plant the Hungarian flag on the wall, then he and his handful of men ran headlong into the center of the castle, up to Saint György (George) Square. (Now it is Dísz Square.) According to other sources, it was not he who first planted the flag on the wall, but another Hungarian Hajdú soldier. In any case, he took part in the battle like everyone else.

Soon they were surrounded and outnumbered. He was cornered and separated from his men. Not willing to give his life for nothing, he fought like a member of the Valiant Order. However, he was overpowered and captured by the Ottoman warriors.

The Turks were so enraged by his steadfast resistance that they didn’t want to kill him by the sword, as would have been fitting for his bravery. Instead, they dragged him to a mulberry tree and hanged him like a criminal. They left him there to die and ran back to the walls as the Christians broke through the weakened defenses.

Ramocsaházy would have died if he had not been such a strong man. Besides, he was wearing armor. Luckily for him, the branch of the tree gave way under his weight and his toes touched the pavement. Fortunately, Prince Croy’s soldiers arrived after a while and cut the rope from his body. To their surprise, he was not dead and they were able to put him on his feet.

Emperor Leopold made him a captain after the siege and later, when he retired, he became the so-called Castle Count of Buda. We know that he used to celebrate his birthdays under the mulberry tree, thanking God for his escape. He died at the age of 105, according to the documents kept in the Boldogasszony Church, which is now called the Matthias Church. He was buried with military honors in the cemetery north of the Matthias Church.

Dear Readers, I can only make this content available through small donations or by selling my books or T-shirts. 

If you like my writings, please  feel free to support me with a coffee here: