Timeline Monday 5 September 1566

Events on Monday 5 September 1566 2

• 1566 Death of Suleiman -- in the field at Szigetvár Suleiman I dies on 5-6 September 1566 in his tent outside the Hungarian fortress of Szigetvár, aged 71, during his thirteenth and final military campaign. He dies before the fortress falls. His death is concealed for three weeks -- his grand vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha rules in secret to prevent the army dissolving before Selim II can arrive. Suleiman is buried in the Süleymaniye Mosque beside Roxelana, who predeceased him by eight years. The fortress commander Miklós Zrínyi, facing certain defeat, leads a suicidal cavalry charge and is killed. Both Suleiman and Zrínyi become legendary figures in their respective national traditions.
• 1566 Suleiman the Magnificent dies at Szigetvár Suleiman dies on the night of 5-6 September 1566 in his campaign tent outside the Hungarian fortress of Szigetvár, on his thirteenth and final military campaign. He is 71 years old, suffering from gout so severe he has to be carried in a litter. His death is concealed for 48 days by his grand vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha to prevent the army dissolving before Selim II can arrive. The fortress falls on 7 September -- the day after his death -- when its commander Miklós Zrínyi leads a suicidal cavalry charge. Suleiman's body is returned to Istanbul and interred in the Süleymaniye beside Roxelana. He reigned for 46 years, 3 months and 7 days.