Murad dies on February 3, 1451, and Mehmed II ascends the throne for the second time in Edirne.

Mehmed now directs all his resources to the capture of Constantinople.

The Europeans, remembering his former reign, are now not concerned much about his plans.

Neither is his authority firmly established within the Ottoman Empire empire.

However, Mehmed soon shows his stature by severely punishing the Janissaries who had dared to threaten him over the delay of the customary gift of accession, yet he reinforces this military organization, composed of young Christians recruited through the “devshirme” system, who are given salaries rather than fiefdoms to keep them loyal to and dependent on the sultan.

The Janissary infantry corps is destined to be the instrument of his future conquests.