Prince of Transylvania

[2][3] The province became subject to intensive colonization,[4] leading to the arrival and settlement of colonists of diverse origin, including the Hungarian-speaking Székelys and the Ethnic Germans.

[10] For instance, joint general assemblies of the seven counties were convoked and headed by the voivode or his deputy[citation needed], customarily at Torda (today Turda).

[11] The leaders of the noblemen from the seven counties, the Saxons, and the Székelys formed an alliance against "all internal and external threat to the province"[17] in the days of the Budai Nagy Antal Revolt in 1437.

[18] This formal alliance of the "Three Nations of Transylvania" was confirmed in 1459, aimed primarily against Michael Szilágyi, the regent-governor of the Kingdom of Hungary.

[citation needed] The throne was claimed by Louis' brother-in-law Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, and by John Zápolya, both backed by factions of Hungarian magnates.

The Hungarian Diet elected him King as John II Sigismund, and when Ferdinand invaded, the Regent Bishop Martinuzzi called on Suleiman to protect his vassal.

In 1551, Bishop Martinuzzi arranged for John II Sigismund to abdicate his royal title in favor of Ferdinand, in return for being recognized as vassal lord of the "East Hungarian" lands.

[23][24] John Sigismund's successor, Stephen Báthory, however, adopted the title the one-time royal governors of Transylvania used and styled himself voivode.

[24][26] The new style of the rulers of Transylvania and the Partium[citation needed] was also confirmed by King Maximilian I's successor, Emperor Rudolph II on January 28, 1595.

[27] Transylvanian monarchs used the following style and titles: "His Excellency, by the grace of God,[28] Prince of Transylvania, Lord of parts of Hungary, and Count of the Székelys".

According to the teachings of the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, Transylvania was part of the "House of Agreement" (Dâr al ahd'), that is a territory with a transitory status between the lands fully integrated in the Ottoman Empire and independent states.