Stephan Yakshitch

Also known as: Prince Stephan / Stephan · Family: Serbians · Role: prince · First appears: Chapter X · The Captivity and Marriage of Stephan Yakshitch · Part 1

In Chapter X · The Captivity and Marriage of Stephan Yakshitch, Stephan is captured when the Turks enter Belgrade. The Sultan offers him the vizierate of Bosnia and his only daughter if he converts, but Stephan refuses; the Sultan orders his execution. the Vizier of Tyoopria intervenes, frees Stephan’s hands, returns his horse and arms, and takes him to Tyoopria.

For a year, the Vizier tries to convert Stephan with courtesy and kindness. Stephan again refuses, even when offered marriage to the Vizier’s daughter and the grand vizierate of Novi Bazar, and the Vizier orders his execution. the Grand Vizier of Novi Bazar secures his release with a ransom, then has Hoossein lock him in the twelfth donjon at Novi Bazar, where he remains for half a year.

The Grand Vizier’s daughter, Haykoona, asks Stephan to become a Turk and marry her. He refuses conversion; she agrees to embrace Christianity and flee with him if he promises to love and marry her. Stephan gives his promise, and at dawn the next day they reach Belgrade, where twelve monks baptize Haykoona and the two are married.