Conversion of Churches into Mosques in the Early Ottoman Historiography (XVth Century). A Selective Evaluation of Sources

The present study proposes a relativization of the concept of tolerance by the Ottoman in the early classical period. The research method leaves from the premise according to which the historiographical productions reveal the „taste“, expectations and thus the recipient public’s ideals and attitudes. The rise of Ottoman historiography coincides with the state’s proclamation as a great power. The study analyses the chronicles till the reign of Bayezid II and discusses only historical synthesis of this period. This is the time of searches and synthetization of ideological arguments and also a time in which different groups tried to impose themselves as great contributors. The quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the early ottoman sources confirms an aggressive line against the churches, but she does not impose herself as dominant.