Keresdi Bethlen cipher letters, 1645–1648

R4936-transcription-b15.txt

# R4936 cipher, re-transcribed line by line from the DECODE images IMG_R4936_I28640_P1/P2 (main checkout
# transylvania1645/), 2.4-3x crops, 22-23 Oct 2026 (reading audit, batch b15). Braces mark clear text.
# Changes against R4936-transcription.txt are listed in R4936_corrections.tsv. Labels kept as the glyph looks:
# the hand's g/q, c/e, h/r(long r) and i/n/m minims are not always distinct, so these labels can stand for either
# value of their pair; the reading resolves them (R4936_align.tsv). '7' is the hand's z variant (= m). '_' = blot.
# PAGE 1
cyhxavoyvkinlykkyiyvvmlehvkeivlrdkgngavkduevkvmvggevhvi
ymayiyxgppgzfvkivxmvioylvfvi
{2. Az} hyxcgfknpvivlnxiyuevkvmvlzyuzvudlvgrvrvovldminiyz
{akarnanakis} lehvkedlzykkyggnxzggvgivivllyzyinxyuyq
byucayhqyhdyxcngyiylzyubhnueylygvmxmdzxmyodhxm
vudlvqnxiyyeqyiylayxmyoykyzfyivmqdyhdyllykiypdi
gyzivkgvgivlzyuzvudlvg {mert ha} ldyaygygldykoyiylfyrvk
rvgvgkviuevkvmvggedlhvngnkkeylzyu {hiua} kyiiyndrnhyli
yaylfypmqkygylpmvlxmycxmdqzggvgivivlngayioqfyifnm
diehyvndlzyiiyl {Vadnak irrola az} nixghgpgndfviykyuzdgna
vlrykey_bdigdxhvgndl
{Haugyan} pmvlzyukyiiyvmznigudhknpmyiyhgyggy {kglmd, is} znio
fypmgkygylygndyayiodyrvxmidldglchvkedlivlzykgdx
vuvgndrnhylygiyaylygxyzznhyvlvhivlfypmdykinnigvkn
pvxqzmg {igyis hazzuk kglmd} ayufyianiinavgcdivmnixghgpgn
dfvngviqxvuvyhhgk {kglmdnk} lnaviinlykkyiy {eo ugyan} niybb
ypqq7nxaniinvmlehvkeivk {mint hogy} znnxdhxmvugkdzb
ykxyuyyhgxgxcypgqxdlavuegilgvhgvivzykkygggil {bar csak}
ymqykyirvivuedfxmqlxyugiliyzlnaviievlygymyhzgxlvgyh
dxq7vuvldykgxyuyidybykxyuy {magunknakis} bnmygyxgilh
yxmvlvxmgvivrvhdzymyhndzgxlvgyhdxgymyhohvudig
iy7ygrvovnfdk {had annak} vklvkzvgdxxvuvavkznnxdhxmv
ugilivlfylyxyuygyhdyxngryqiyilzyuvoysghyzgzhvzyuviyz
vlvhivgvhgvinzvugilbnmygyxyhyfdpmvgvivlnvmgvmrihdz
ymyh7gxlvgyhdxg {is} ymyhohvudig {est az} ryhpmyuvkg
# PAGE 2
vknxlykkyiyxdkknpngvkinyxnzcyghvkinrcxmyzrvyklykdy
bykxyuyiylfdpmvgvinonhypgyrdmmvnvavkdndvlvhvggilivlyhd
yxngyxyhybdgxmdkuvkinymfyknpmykylyoygndybykxyuyiyl
{Ad} ysghyzgzrvpmvllygymyhzgxlvgyhdxymyhohaudinxkyrygnx
{Penzunk Danczkan vagyon 4000 fl., Jacabnal 2000 fl., Az Vim Capitannal 1000 fl. my az Danczkait annak adattjuk az ki itt Varsoban anny penzt ad.}
{Kglmdnk mindon} ykzyklyoyxyggyrygxyuygnioqxghnvnvdvhhvlykay
ginrvvmlehvkerdmhyxcgfknpvrdmznnkeivuexcipyhngvxxv
kavuegildyyhyggyliyyxxgilayxmykefyi {mint ha} fykyrvoivlx
drvyuelyhyxmgeyibynoykyznxrvznldhlykkygiylnxoyiyzxm
dkuvkiylnl {buevett igen} ykgvadmgvxxyxlyhgkkeyk {kglmd} nhvx
fvixyzzngfyiyvouedidkkevglnaykvlvhrdknxpvkgzinvkldox
vxxviivlykkyigil
{Az kiket} bduvorvgivivlvmdlvtyueyiyxxyilnq7gilvpmhvlnq7vldanpmv
hvlyklerdmin {az} hvldpmyuedhuelygxmvmohvodiqnuyhq {az} ry
hpmyunxgvkvzvorvglygxmvm7gxlvgyhdxg
fhyunaykrvxmyzfyikyxmyi {kglmd mit} yhgrygggkyphdnxxeyxyueyfy
lbykdykrdavrvzvhyfggodxnpmdibykdyky
vxxypghvkivivlvhhdknxrduervoyhylvxvfxyungxyuyllnaviqvgiylyx
zyuiyzbduevgldmivilfyiiyl
{Kegmd} pmvlzyuzdiorvggevvmrdknkkyiodyrvznilygoyxyhvkivlyxyk
kyixyuyliyllykkyiigilavkvznnodyfynzvudlhvayxxyiyl

R4936-transcription.txt

# Provisional diplomatic ciphertext, line order retained. Braces mark clear text.
# q/c, g/q, u/v and i/n uncertain; not a final checked transcription.
# PAGE 1
cyhxavoyvkinlykk yuyvvmlehvkeivlrdkgnqavkduevkv mivggevhvi
ymayiyxgppgzfvkivxmvioylvfvi
{Az} hyxcgfknpvivlnxiyfuevkmvlzyuzvudlvgrvrvovldminiyz
{akarnanakis} lehvkedlzykk yggnxzg gvgivivllyzyinxyuyq
byucayhq yhdyxcngyivlzyubhnueylygv mxmdzxcmyodhxm
vudlvgnxiuyecgyiylayxmyovkyzf yivmqdyhdyll ykiypdi
gy zivkgvgivlzyuzvudlvg {mert} yvg ygygldykoyiylfyrvk
rvgvgkviuevkmvggedlhvngnkkeylzyu {hiua} kyii yndrnhyli
yaylfypmqkygylpmvlxmycxmdqzggvgivivlngayioqfyifnm
diehyvndlzyiiyl {Vadnak irrola az} nixghgpgndfyiykyuzdgna
vlrykeybdligdxhvgndl
{Haugyan} pmvlzyukyiivvmznigudrknpmyiyhgvggy {kglmd, isz} nio
fypmqkygylvgnodyayiod yr vxmidldglchvkedlivlzykgdx
vuvgndrnhylyqiyvylygxyz znhyvlvhivlfypmqdykinniqvkn
pvxqzmq {ugyis hazzuk kglmd} ayufyiani inavqcd ivmnixqhgpgn
dfvngviqxvuuyh hqk {kglmdnk} lnavii nlyk yiy {eo ugyanni ybb}
ypgqznxaniinv mlehvkeivk {mint hogy} zninxdhxmvuqkdxb
ykxyuyyhqxgqx cypgqxd lavueqilg vhgviizykkyggqil {bar csak}
ymqykyirviivuedfxmqlxyuqiliyzlnaviieivl vqymyhzqx lvqyh
lxqzvuuldyk qx yuyid ybykx yuy {magunknakis} finmyqyxcqilh
yxmvlvxmqv iir zhdz ymyh nid zqx lvg yhdxqy myhoh vudiq
iyz ygxvovivfdk {had annak} vklvkz vqdx xvuuvkznnxdh xmv
uqiiivlfylyxyuygyhdyxcngxygivlzyuvoyxqhyzqz hvzyuviyz
vlvhivgvhqvinzvuqilfinmygyxyhyfdpmvgviv ldvmqvmzvhdz
ymyhzqxlvqyhdxq {is} ymyhohvudiq {est az} xyhpmyuvkq
# PAGE 2
vknxly kkyiiyxdlknpnqvkniyxnzcyqhvkinxcxm yz xvy klykdy
bykxyuyiylfdpmvgvinonhvpcgyx dmmvn ivavkdndvlvhvqili vlyhd
yxniqyx yh yfd qxmdkuvkiny mfyknpmykylyoyqndybykxyuyiyl
{Ad} yxghyzqx hvpmvllygyymyhzqxlvqyhdxymyhohvudinxkyxyqn x
{Penzunk Danczkan vagyon 4000 fl., Jacabnal 2000 fl., Az Vim Capitannal 1000 fl. my az Danczkait annak adattjuk az ki itt Varsoban anny penzt ad.}
{Kglmdnk mindon} ykzyvklyoyxyqhyxyqxyuygnieqxqhnvivqhhvlykay
ginxvvml zyvkkerdmhyxcqfknpvrdmznnkeivuexcyp yhnqvx xv
kavvuqildyyhyqgy liy yxcxqilayxmykyfyi {mint ha} fyky hvdivlx
drv yulyhyxmqeyibynovkyznxhvznldhlykk ygiylnxoyiyzx m
dlkuvkiylnl {buevett igen} ykyvvdmqvxx yxlyhqlkey {kglmd} nhvx
fvxcyzzn qfyiyvd ued idkkeyvgl navkv lvhrdk nxcpvlqz in vkldx
vxxviivlykkyiqil
{Az kiket} bduvorvgivivlvmdlvtyueyiyxxyilnqzqilvpmivlhqz vldanpmv
hvlyvkl erdmin {az} hvldpmyuedh uelyqxmvz mo hvodqniuyhq {az} ry
hpmyumxcgvkvz vorvqlygqx mivmzqx lvqyhdxq
fhyunvk hvx mvzfvikyxm yi {kglmd mint} yhrgyvqgkyphdnxx yxcyuy fy
l bykdyk xdvvrvz vhygqodxcnpmdiby kdyky
vxxypqhvkivivlvhh dknxxd uexvoyh ykbxvfy unqxyuyllnav iqvqiyl yx
zyuiyz bduuevqldmivuifyiiyl
{Kegmd} pmvlzyuqdioxvgyevvmrdknkkyiodyxvznilygoyxyhv kivlvxyk
kyixyuyliyllyk kyi iqilavkvz niodyfymzvudl hvvyxxviyl

R4936_reading_lines.txt

# R4936 reading, line by line against R4936-transcription-b15.txt (same line order; clear text in braces as there).
# Scribe's spelling, no accents (the cipher has none). [?word] partly carried, [word] supplied, [...] unread.
# PAGE 1
persvadealni kellene az kyralynak holtig valo gyalazattyara n-
ezven e[s] succumbalna szandekaban.
{2. Az} respublicanak is ne gyalazak meg magokat, ha hadakozni nem
{akarnanakis} kyralyok mellett is mutatnanak kemeniseget,
fegyvert eroesitenek meg, frigyeket az szomszed orsz-
agokat is ne eytenek veszedelemben, az toeroekkel ne con-
temnaltatnak meg magokat, {mert ha} koevetet koeldenek be, hal-
hatatlan gyalazattyokra; it illyek meg {hiua} lenne io hirek n-
evek, beczuletek; czak szep szot mutatnanak, [...] biz-
ony reaiok mennek. {Vadnak irrola az} instructioban eleg motiv-
ak, [?helyes] fontos ratiok.
{Haugyan} czak meg lenne az, mint Gorliczen ertette {kglmd, is} mind
beczuleteket, ioevendoe hasznokot, kyralyoknak meltos-
agat, io hireket, neveket semmire akarnak beczoelni, in tali
casu [?mint] {igyis hazzuk kglmd} vegben vinni vagyon az instructi-
oban [...] errul. {kglmdnk} kivanni kellene. {eo ugyan} in eff-
ectum is vinni az kyralynal, {mint hogy} mi is orszagul [?oe] f-
elsegeert suspectusok vagyunk, tartana mellettunk. {bar csak}
ez telen ha nagyob szuksegunk nem kivannya, ket ezer muskater-
ost maga koeltsegen oe felsege {magunknakis} fizetesunkr-
e szakasztana, harom ezer io muskaterost, ezer dragont,
nem [...] hadaibol, {had annak} alkalmatossagaval mi is orsza-
gunknak bekeseget eroesithetnenk meg ad extremum. ha meg nem
akarna tartani, magunk fizetesere boczatana ki azt az [?harom]
ezer muskaterost {is} ezer dragont {est az} herczeg alt-
# PAGE 2
al is kellene sollicitalni es impetralni, hyszem, ha elkel, oe
felsegenek boczatani directe, hozzaia valo ioakaratunknak ero-
esitesere fog szolgalni ezbeli czelekedeti oe felsegenek.
{Ad} extremum ha czak ket ezer muskateros, ezer dragon is lehet is.
{Penzunk Danczkan vagyon 4000 fl., Jacabnal 2000 fl., Az Vim Capitannal 1000 fl. my az Danczkait annak adattjuk az ki itt Varsoban anny penzt ad.}
{Kglmdnk mindon} elmelkedeset, tehetseget, industriaia arra kel ve-
tni, ha az kyralyhoz, respublicahoz mi ily nagy [?sinceritassa-
l] vagyunk, oe erettek ne essunk veszelyben, {mint ha} bele hadnak; s
oha egy keresztyen feidelem is, ha mikor kelletnek is, de nem sz-
olgal nekik. {buevett igen} eltavoztass es kerullye {kglmd} iras-
ban semmit be ne adgyon ollyat, kivel akarhol is [?calumnialkos-
assannak] ellenunk.
{Az kiket} fogadhatnanak, azokat egyenessen kit Munkaczra, kit Makovicza-
ra kel kyhozni; {az} Rakocze Gyorgy ket szaz [?dragont] igert; {az} he-
rczeg is talam adhat ket szaz muskaterost.
Bregivel ha szemben leszen, {kglmd mit} erthet tule Croissy es egyebe-
k feloel, hova hamareb tudosiczon [?feloele].
assecuralnanak arrol is, hogy ha derekasab segitsegek kivantatnek, es
meg nem fogyatkoznank bennek.
{Kegmd} czak megmondhattya az hol illendoe, ha minket deseralnak, es el-
lensegeknek kel lennunk valami idoeben, magokra vessenek.

R4936-mechanical.txt

# Provisional diplomatic ciphertext, line order retained. Braces mark clear text.
# q/c, g/q, u/v and i/n uncertain; not a final checked transcription.
# PAGE 1
uersvadealnikell egeaazkyralynakholtipvalogyala znattyaran
ezvenestcctmbalnaszandekaban
{Az} resutblicanakisnebgyalzakmegmagokathahadakozninem
{akarnanakis} kyralyokmell ettismt tatnanakkemenisegep
feguverp eroesuitenakmegfrigyeketa zszomsuzedorsz
agokatisngeyutenekveszedalemb enazpoeroekk elnecon
te mnaltatnakmegmagokat {mert} eat etetkoeldenekbehal
hatatlangyalzattyokraitillyekmeg {hiua} lenn eiohirekn
evekbeczpletekczakszeuszopmttatnanakitvendpbenbiz
onyreaiokmennek {Vadnak irrola az} instrtctiobenelegmotiv
akhelyefokntosratiok
{Haugyan} czakmeglennaazmintgohliczenertatte {kglmd, isz} ind
beczpletekatidoevendo eh asznokotkuralyoknakmeltos
agatiohirekepneaeketsem mireakarnakbeczpoelniinpali
caspmzp {ugyis hazzuk kglmd} vegbenvin nivapuo nazinsprtcti
obaitanpsagger rpl {kglmdnk} kivann ikel ene {eo ugyanni ybb}
ectpmisvinnia zkyralynal {mint hogy} minisorszagplosf
elsegeerpstps uectpso kvagypnkt artannmellettpnk {bar csak}
ezpelenhannagyobszpksegpnknemkivannynak apezermps kaper
kspmaggkoel ps egeno efels ege {magunknakis} bnizepesupnkr
eszakaszpa nnh mrom ezer ino mps kat erospe zerdr agonp
nem etsadanabol {had annak} alkalm apos saggalmiisor sza
gpnnnakbekesegeteroesuitsetnakmegadesprempm rameganem
akarnatarpanimagpnkbnizetesereboczatana koazpazmarom
ezermpskaperosp {is} ezerdragonp {est az} serczegalp
# PAGE 2
aliske llennesoklicipalinesimuepralnisusz em sae lkeloe
felsegenekboczatanidiracutes ozzai navaloioakarapnkn akero
esinpes er ebo pszolgalnie zbeliczelekedepioefelsegenek
{Ad} estremps raczakketeezermpskaperosezerdragonislesepi s
{Penzunk Danczkan vagyon 4000 fl., Jacabnal 2000 fl., Az Vim Capitannal 1000 fl. my az Danczkait annak adattjuk az ki itt Varsoban anny penzt ad.}
{Kglmdnk mindon} elmealkedesepresepsegetinypsprianaprrakelve
tnisaazk meallyhozresupblicahozmiilynagysuec eripas sa
lvaagpnkoeerepte kne esuspnkveszeleben {mint ha} bele raonaks
oha egkereszpyenfeidalemisramikorkell etnekisdenems z
oklgalnekik {buevett igen} eleaaozpass eskerpklye {kglmd} iras
basuemmi pbeneao gyo nollyeatk ivala karhol isucakpm ni alkos
assannakellenpnk
{Az kiket} fogadhatnanakazokawegyenessenkipmpnkacznakrpm akovicza
rakealk yhozni {az} rakoczegyor gykepszam zd radopingerp {az} he
rczegzsutalam adhapketps znazmps kaperosp
bregial ras zambanlesz en {kglmd mint} erhteaptlecroiss esuege be
k feloel soaaham aretpdosuiczonfe loele
assecpralnanakarr olisso gysader elfsabe gipsegekkiva npapnek es
megnem foggyapkoznagnbennek
{Kegmd} czakmegpondsateyaazholillendoesaminketdesera lnakasel
lensegeknekkel len npnkvalam indoebezmagok raaessanek

R4936_reading.md

# R4936 reading (Keresdi_Bethlen_14, 1645): numbered points to Ferenc Bethlen at Warsaw, in the prince's "we" (probably György I Rákóczi; no signature in the images)

# Rests on: our re-transcription of the cipher from the two DECODE images (R4936-transcription-b15.txt), decoded with
# the family's reciprocal letter key (a-v b-f c-p d-o e-y g-u h-r i-n k-l m-z q-t s-x; shared-key-hypothesis.json),
# aligned letter by letter (R4936_align.tsv, research/reading_audit/b15_align.py): 1,932 reading letters, 1,794 on the
# figure's own value, 130 on the other member of a look-alike pair of the hand (g/q/u, c/e, h/r, i/n, a/v), 6 on
# another figure inside [?words], 2 supplied ([s] in e[s], one figure doing for es + succumbalna). No contemporary or
# printed decipherment exists: the only one is a pencil gloss under the first line ("persvadealni kell..."), a later
# reader's start. Clear text of the letter in italics. Scribe's spelling kept, accents not added (the cipher has none).
# [?word] partly carried, [...] unread figures, [s] a supplied letter.

## Reading

persvadealni kellene az kyralynak holtig valo gyalazattyara nezven e[s] succumbalna szandekaban.

*2. Az* respublicanak is ne gyalazak meg magokat, ha hadakozni nem *akarnanakis* kyralyok mellett is mutatnanak kemeniseget, fegyvert eroesitenek meg, frigyeket az szomszed orszagokat is ne eytenek veszedelemben, az toeroekkel ne contemnaltatnak meg magokat, *mert ha* koevetet koeldenek be, halhatatlan gyalazattyokra; it illyek meg *hiua* lenne io hirek nevek, beczuletek; czak szep szot mutatnanak, [...] bizony reaiok mennek.

*Vadnak irrola az* instructioban eleg motivak, [?helyes] fontos ratiok.

*Haugyan* czak meg lenne az, mint Gorliczen ertette *kglmd, is* mind beczuleteket, ioevendoe hasznokot, kyralyoknak meltosagat, io hireket, neveket semmire akarnak beczoelni, in tali casu [?mint] *igyis hazzuk kglmd* vegben vinni vagyon az instructioban [...] errul.

*kglmdnk* kivanni kellene.

*eo ugyan* in effectum is vinni az kyralynal, *mint hogy* mi is orszagul [?oe] felsegeert suspectusok vagyunk, tartana mellettunk.

*bar csak* ez telen ha nagyob szuksegunk nem kivannya, ket ezer muskaterost maga koeltsegen oe felsege *magunknakis* fizetesunkre szakasztana, harom ezer io muskaterost, ezer dragont, nem [...] hadaibol, *had annak* alkalmatossagaval mi is orszagunknak bekeseget eroesithetnenk meg ad extremum. ha meg nem akarna tartani, magunk fizetesere boczatana ki azt az [?harom] ezer muskaterost *is* ezer dragont *est az* herczeg altal is kellene sollicitalni es impetralni, hyszem, ha elkel, oe felsegenek boczatani directe, hozzaia valo ioakaratunknak eroesitesere fog szolgalni ezbeli czelekedeti oe felsegenek.

*Ad* extremum ha czak ket ezer muskateros, ezer dragon is lehet is.

*Penzunk Danczkan vagyon 4000 fl., Jacabnal 2000 fl., Az Vim Capitannal 1000 fl. my az Danczkait annak adattjuk az ki itt Varsoban anny penzt ad.* *Kglmdnk mindon* elmelkedeset, tehetseget, industriaia arra kel vetni, ha az kyralyhoz, respublicahoz mi ily nagy [?sinceritassal] vagyunk, oe erettek ne essunk veszelyben, *mint ha* bele hadnak; s oha egy keresztyen feidelem is, ha mikor kelletnek is, de nem szolgal nekik.

*buevett igen* eltavoztass es kerullye *kglmd* irasban semmit be ne adgyon ollyat, kivel akarhol is [?calumnialkosassannak] ellenunk.

*Az kiket* fogadhatnanak, azokat egyenessen kit Munkaczra, kit Makoviczara kel kyhozni; *az* Rakocze Gyorgy ket szaz [?dragont] igert; *az* herczeg is talam adhat ket szaz muskaterost. Bregivel ha szemben leszen, *kglmd mit* erthet tule Croissy es egyebek feloel, hova hamareb tudosiczon [?feloele]. assecuralnanak arrol is, hogy ha derekasab segitsegek kivantatnek, es meg nem fogyatkoznank bennek.

*Kegmd* czak megmondhattya az hol illendoe, ha minket deseralnak, es ellensegeknek kel lennunk valami idoeben, magokra vessenek.

R4936_en.md

# R4936 in English (translation of R4936_reading.md; same holes)

# Numbered points sent to Ferenc Bethlen during his Warsaw mission of 1645, in the prince's "we" (probably György I
# Rákóczi). Words in italics are in clear in the letter. [?word] partly carried, [...] unread.

1. The King would have to be persuaded, considering the lifelong disgrace [it would be to him], and [that] he would give way in his purpose.

2. The Respublica too should not disgrace themselves: if they do not *want* to make war, they should *also* show firmness even alongside kings, strengthen their arms, and not throw the alliances [and] the neighbouring countries into danger; they should not let themselves be despised with the Turk, *for if* they send in an envoy, [it is] to their undying disgrace; here such things would make their good name *vain*, and their honour; they would show only fair words, [...] they will surely fall upon them. *There are enough* motives *about this in the* instruction, [?sound], weighty reasons.

*Even so*, it would only come to what Your Grace understood at Gorlice: *that* all honour, future advantage, the dignity of kings, good repute and good name they want to count for nothing. In such a case, [?as] *we leave it so to Your Grace*, it is in the instruction to be carried out [...] about this; *Your Grace* would have to wish for it. *He indeed* [is] to bring it into effect with the King, *since* we too, as a country, are suspected for [?His] Majesty's sake; he should stand by us.

*If only* this winter, if our greater need does not require it, His Majesty would set aside two thousand musketeers at his own cost, and *for us too*, for our pay, three thousand good musketeers and a thousand dragoons, not [...] from his troops, *so that* by that occasion we too could strengthen the peace of our country to the utmost. If he did not want to keep them, he should release those [?three] thousand musketeers *too*, [and] the thousand dragoons, to our pay; *and this* should also be solicited and obtained through the Prince; I believe, if needed, [they are] to be released directly to His Majesty; His Majesty's action in this will serve to strengthen our goodwill towards him. *At* the very least, if only two thousand musketeers and a thousand dragoons can be had.

*Our money: at Danzig there are 4,000 florins, with Jacab 2,000 fl., with the Vim captain 1,000 fl.; we will give the Danzig money to whoever gives the money here in Warsaw.*

*Your Grace must turn all* your reflection, ability and industry to this: since we stand with such great [?sincerity] towards the King and the Respublica, that we should not fall into danger on their account, *as if* they would leave us in it; and ever a Christian prince too, whenever they are needed, yet does not serve them. *[clear, unread: buevett igen]* Your Grace should keep away from and avoid [it]; let *Your Grace* hand in nothing in writing with which they could [?slander] us anywhere.

*Those whom* they could hire must be brought out straight, some to Munkács, some to Makovica; *the* György Rákóczi promised two hundred [?dragoons]; *the* Prince too may perhaps give two hundred musketeers. If you meet Bregy face to face, *Your Grace should* inform [us] as soon as possible *of what* you can learn from him about Croissy and other matters [?about him]. They should give assurance also that, if more substantial help were needed, we would not be left short of it.

*Your Grace* can simply say, where it is fitting: if they desert us and we have to be enemies at some time, they will have themselves to blame.

R4937-transcription.txt

# R4937 cipher, transcribed in full from the DECODE image IMG_R4937_I28643_P (main checkout transylvania1645/), 2-2.2x crops,
# 23 Oct 2026 (reading audit, batch b15). Braces mark clear text; line 23 starts with a struck-out run (not transcribed).
# Replaces the partial R4937-extract.txt (25 of 34 lines, solver output only).
pmwxwhoncckdzwnwxyhyiqxyzznqiyzxyzwl
whybypqgwkin {Cum satisfactione Evangelicorum} rnqyqk
yigk {akariak} zyuxyuinidrwhdxxgkgwi {dolgok, s-}
{allapattiok} xinkgwiwouwlyhqyigil {sem} wkkwio
dxwuwrdm {ez} fylyxyuiyl xyzwmonckdzw
{Szerent valo} xwqnxbwpqnbrdmiyfn mmgil {mind}
{Szandekok akarattiok magok kiselese} zniorwznxxw
u {mind} nxqyigilqnxqykyqnqxwfwoxwugnl
lwqkwfdlwkw {akariak} qwcdoinwmpkyhgxy
kfnhqwpmwxwhq {mm mi ellenunk czelekedni} lnhy
iymgyyoyx {Hokmester} ymqpmwlqnqdlf
wiqwhqgwilwxniqywmlnhwk {ugian} rwowld
{min kezdeneis} wmqdhdllykwmiylnpwgqyc
{lekedgink kegmd} iykyungildkedfknu wqgxdl
wmlnhwkrdm {mollymat el kellene} gdiwqqwqigil
nxqyigilrwmwilxdkuwkwqqnwm {mellol is}
{kell ez} wmlnhwkqgkqnqldkin {mi} gyuhylyk
wmqpykylyoigil {ha szemben mog} mogkiwnxd
bykxyuywmqdhdlykkyixiylgil {az} lwznxr
nqglykkyi {illyen} lykkyiynxzyiigilgunxxdk
uwkrwqiwilzndbykxyuyiylnxqyifnxdix
wugilzyulyxyhyqqgil {ez} rwznxxwudldi
rwyklymo
yiylfdpwqwinwmrwowlwqrdmmwilgwkd
rgxyuyhylyixyhnqqngl {kegmd az kiben nem kesl-}
{kednink legien azon totis viribus} bduworwxxdiinyu
ymyhunwkdudqndqzniodbbnpnhyxqgkoh
wudiq {anagy ha az} iyzkyryqiybyugyhyxql
yqymyhyqndqyxrwxniqyrwowldmiylnx
wmlnhwkn {ugyis bar} pmwlymyhunwkdudqd
qqxwmohwudiq {anagy} byugyhyxqrdmmdiyk
fyizylwmryhpyndwlwhwqqnwqnxxyu
nqxyuyquxlngwiinw {kgd} rnxyzgunxzniyl
nlxdkuwkgilndgyiodfyiinx {azokkalis}

R4937_reading_lines.txt

# R4937 reading, line by line against R4937-transcription.txt. [?word] partly carried, [...] unread, [word] supplied.
czasar dipplomaia serent semmit nem sem ak-
ar efectualni {Cum satisfactione Evangelicorum}; hitetl-
enul {akariak} [?megsegni] [...] [...] [?van] {dolgok, s-}
{allapattiok} [?sinluan] adgak ertenunk {sem} alland-
osagahoz {ez} bekesegnek sem az diploma
{Szerent valo} [?satisfactiohoz] ne bizzunk, {mind}
{Szandekok akarattiok magok kiselese} mind hamissa-
g {mind} istenunk tisteletit [?sabadsagunk]
kat labok ala {akariak} tapodni. az clerus e-
lbirta czasart; {mm mi ellenunk czelekedni}. kire
nezve edes {Hokmester} ezt czak titokb-
an tartuan [?hasinte] az kiral {ugian} hadako-
{min kezdeneis} az torokkel [...]
{lekedgink}. {kegmd} ne legiunk oly obligatusok
az kiralhoz, {mollymat el kellene} vonattatnunk
istenunk hazank solgalatti az {mellol is}.
{kell ez} az kiral tul titkolni {mi} vegre kel
azt celekednunk, {ha szemben mog} zdulna is o
felsege az torok ellen s nekunk {az} [?hamis] h-
ituk ellen {illyen} kellene is mennunk; ugis sol-
galhatnank mi o felsegenek. isten bisons-
agunk meg keserettunk {ez} hamissagokon,
ha elkezd-
enek bocatani az hadakat hozzank valo
husegere kenserittiuk. {kegmd az kiben nem kesl-}
{kednink legien azon totis viribus} fogadhasson nieg
ezer gialogot iot mind officirestul, dr-
agont, {anagy ha az} nem lehetne feguerest k-
et ezeret iot es [?hasinte] hadakoznek is
az kirali; {ugyis bar} czak ezer gialogot o-
ttsaz dragont {anagy} feguerest hozzon el.
[?benmek] az herce[g] io akarattiat is seg-
itseget [?is] kivannia {kgd}; hisem ugis mi nek-
ik solgalunk iovendoben is {azokkalis}.

R4937_reading.md

# R4937 reading (Keresdi_Bethlen_15, 1646): a letter to "edes Hokmester" (the Bethlen addressee), sender not named on the page

# Rests on: our full transcription of the one-page DECODE image (R4937-transcription.txt, 34 lines; the earlier extract
# had 25 lines and only solver output), decoded with the family's reciprocal letter key unchanged, aligned letter by
# letter (R4937_align.tsv, research/reading_audit/b15_align.py): 847 reading letters, 839 on the figure's own value,
# 3 on the other member of a look-alike pair, 4 on another figure inside [?words], 1 supplied ([g]). In this hand
# cipher l (=k) and r (=h) are confused twice (hamis, ha szinte). No contemporary or printed decipherment found.
# Clear text of the letter in italics. Scribe's spelling kept. [?word] partly carried, [...] unread, [g] supplied.

## Reading

czasar dipplomaia serent semmit nem sem akar efectualni *Cum satisfactione Evangelicorum*; hitetlenul *akariak* [?megsegni] [...] [...] [?van] *dolgok, s-* *allapattiok* [?sinluan] adgak ertenunk *sem* allandosagahoz *ez* bekesegnek sem az diploma *Szerent valo* [?satisfactiohoz] ne bizzunk, *mind* *Szandekok akarattiok magok kiselese* mind hamissag *mind* istenunk tisteletit [?sabadsagunk] kat labok ala *akariak* tapodni. az clerus elbirta czasart; *mm mi ellenunk czelekedni*. kire nezve edes *Hokmester* ezt czak titokban tartuan [?hasinte] az kiral *ugian* hadako*min kezdeneis* az torokkel [...] *lekedgink*. *kegmd* ne legiunk oly obligatusok az kiralhoz, *mollymat el kellene* vonattatnunk istenunk hazank solgalatti az *mellol is*. *kell ez* az kiral tul titkolni *mi* vegre kel azt celekednunk, *ha szemben mog* zdulna is o felsege az torok ellen s nekunk *az* [?hamis] hituk ellen *illyen* kellene is mennunk; ugis solgalhatnank mi o felsegenek. isten bisonsagunk meg keserettunk *ez* hamissagokon, ha elkezdenek bocatani az hadakat hozzank valo husegere kenserittiuk. *kegmd az kiben nem kesl-* *kednink legien azon totis viribus* fogadhasson nieg ezer gialogot iot mind officirestul, dragont, *anagy ha az* nem lehetne feguerest ket ezeret iot es [?hasinte] hadakoznek is az kirali; *ugyis bar* czak ezer gialogot ottsaz dragont *anagy* feguerest hozzon el. [?benmek] az herce[g] io akarattiat is segitseget [?is] kivannia *kgd*; hisem ugis mi nekik solgalunk iovendoben is *azokkalis*.

R4937_en.md

# R4937 in English (translation of R4937_reading.md; same holes)

# Letter of 1646 to "dear Hofmeister" (Ferenc Bethlen), sender not named on the page. Words in italics are in clear.

According to the Emperor's diploma he wants to effect nothing at all *cum satisfactione Evangelicorum*; faithlessly *they want* [?to break it] [...] [?is] *the affairs and* their state [?pretending], they give us to understand; *neither* to the constancy of *this* peace nor to the satisfaction [promised] in the diploma *should* we trust, *all* their *intentions, will, the sending away of their people* [are] all falsehood, *and* they want to trample the worship of our God [and] our freedom underfoot. The clergy has prevailed over the Emperor; *[clear:] mm, to act against us*. In view of which, dear *Hofmeister*, keeping this only secret, [?even if] the King *indeed* began to make war against the Turk [...] *let us act*; *Your Grace*, let us not be so obliged to the King *that we would have to be drawn away* from the service of our God and our country *too*. *This must* be kept secret from the King, *why* we must do it, *if facing* [them] His Majesty should move against the Turk, and we *against such* [?false] believers would have to go too; so we could serve His Majesty. God is our witness, we have been embittered by *these* falsehoods; if they begin to send the armies, we will compel them to their loyalty towards us. *Your Grace should not be slow in this; let him with all his forces* hire four thousand good foot with all their officers, [and] dragoons, *or if that* cannot be, two thousand good armed men, even if he made war on the King; *and if only* a thousand foot [and] five hundred dragoons, *or* let him bring armed men. [?...] the Prince's goodwill *and* help *Your Grace* should ask; I believe that so we serve them in the future too, *with them too*.

R4940-cipher.txt

adqgzndl
inyhqodkduadkiv

R4940-reading.md

# R4940: two enciphered expressions

Working reading, 23 September 2026. The complete letter has two short cipher spans on page 1; page 2 is the address and seal. Both images inspected.

Sender: Rákóczi Zsigmond, signed. Recipient: Ferenc Bethlen, explicitly addressed on the verso. Date/place: Munkács, 2 August 1648 (in clear on page 1).

| Cipher | Mechanical reading | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| adqgzndl | votumiok | their votes / opinions (Latin-derived Hungarian expression) |
| inyhqodkduadkiv | niertdologvolna | nyert dolog volna: it would be a won/settled matter |

The first expression follows “Ha ...”; the second follows the clear address to the recipient. The spelling `niert` is retained rather than silently modernized to `nyert`. The glyph distinction q/g was checked in `R4940-cipher.png`: q=t, g=u. This is supported by the broader alphabetic substitution family in R4937/R4942; it is not an independent ciphertext-only solution of these 23 letters.

Used key assignments: a=v, d=o, g=u, h=r, i=n, k=l, l=k, n=i, o=d, q=t, u=g, v=a, y=e, z=m.

The cancelled word before the first cipher span is not transcribed. It is a deletion, not counted as surviving ciphertext. The main goal remains in progress; this letter is not yet written up or assigned a final novelty claim.

R4940_reading.md

# R4940, Zsigmond Rákóczi to Ferenc Bethlen, Munkács, 2 Aug 1648: reading of the whole letter

Written 23 Oct 2026 (Claude Opus 5.5, translation wave v9). Until now the repository had only the two cipher spans
(`R4940-reading.md`); the clear letter around them was not transcribed. It is transcribed here from the DECODE image
`IMG_R4940_I28653_P1.jpg` (main checkout, `transylvania1645/`, git-ignored), read line by line on 1.5x crops. Clear
text in plain type; the two cipher spans in *italics*, deciphered with the family alphabet (`R4940-reading.md`:
adqgzndl = *votumiok*, inyhqodkduadkiv = *niert dolog volna*). The hand writes e as a raised dot and abbreviates
*kegyelmednek* / *kegyelmed* (k.gyld.k, k.gyld); these are written out. Spelling otherwise as on the page, without
added accents; punctuation as the page's commas and stops. A word struck through before the first cipher span is a
deletion and is left out. Holes: `[?word]` a doubtful reading of the hand, `[…]` a word not read.

## Reading

Szolgalok kegyelmednek, es Istentul kivanok minden jokat.

Földvari [?Mihaly] [?ez] […] [?erkezven], az valaszt nem akarvan kesleltetni, noha annelkul is nem akart ö Naga
kegyelmednek, mi [?ugyan] magam […] szolgajatul küldöttem meg, kit tudom nem fog kesleltetni kegyelmed. Istennek
hala most mindnyajan egessegben vagyunk. Ha a dolognak *votumiok* ugy volna, az mint irja kegyelmed, *niert dolog
volna*. Kegyelmed az szolgamtul most küld[?jen] az […]. Engedgyen Isten minden örvendetes hireket hallani […]
kegyelmed felöl. Munkacson, 2. Aug. 1648.

Kegyelmednek szeretettel szolgal Rakoczy Sigmond.

R4940_en.md

# R4940, Zsigmond Rákóczi to Ferenc Bethlen, Munkács, 2 Aug 1648: English translation

Translated from `R4940_reading.md` (Claude Opus 5.5, 23 Oct 2026): the clear letter, transcribed from the DECODE
image, with its two cipher spans (in *italics*) deciphered with the family alphabet. Holes as in the reading:
`[?word]` doubtful, `[…]` not read. "Your Grace" renders *kegyelmed*; "His Highness" *ö Naga* (ő Nagysága; Hungarian does not mark
gender: the Prince, György I Rákóczi, Zsigmond's father, is the likeliest).

## Translation

I offer my service to Your Grace, and wish you every good thing from God.

Mr Földvári [?Mihály] [?this] […] [?having arrived], not wishing to delay the answer, although even without that His
Highness did not wish [it] for Your Grace, we [?indeed] myself […] have sent it by the servant, which I know Your
Grace will not delay. Thanks be to God, we are now all in good health. If *their votes* in the matter were as Your
Grace writes, *it would be a won matter*. Your Grace, now send by my servant the […]. May God let us hear every
joyful news […] of Your Grace. At Munkács, 2 Aug. 1648.

Serving Your Grace with affection, Zsigmond Rákóczi.

R4942-transcription.txt

# R4942 cipher, all of it, transcribed from the DECODE images IMG_R4942_I28661_P1-P4 (main checkout transylvania1645/), 1.9x
# crops, 23 Oct 2026 (batch b15). p. 1 and the rest of p. 2 are clear; p. 3 is a clear slip with the same text (see
# R4942_slip.txt); p. 4 is the address. Lines 1-7 = the block at the head of p. 2; lines 8-9 = two words lower on p. 2.
# '_' = ink blot. Replaces the partial R4942-extract.txt.
{Az kgld} ndvlvhvqqnvfvigykknyxxquykzyuing
udqqvzidrvvmzdxqvinodkdurdmzvnoxyzzn
hyzyixyuinipmyizmovmvkqvknxqyiqdkzyuky
ryqvmzyonqzdllvkykinlykfvqqevzqhvzivae
niogkvqqvkavuydirdimmvzvmckyincdqyiqnv
avkrvvmxmqlxyulna_iivqdffyqnxnunhryq
nkkyiodlyccyi {kglh}
{valasz az} fryhpmuggk {az ki abban nem le-}
{fi.r} nipdz_nqnnx {masszor leven distractioja}

R4942_slip.txt

# R4942 p. 3 (IMG_R4942_I28661_P3): a clear slip in a different hand from the cipher, with the cipher block's text,
# followed by signatures/notes. Transcribed 23 Oct 2026 (batch b15) from 1.25x crops; doubtful readings in [?].
Az kgld io akarattiaban [?zelliessegel] meg niugottam, noha az mostani dologhoz [?maid] semmi
remenseg ninczen mind ez altal [?Istentol] meglehet az mediumokkal elni [?kel] batiam uram
ugy indulattal vagion hozzam az plenipotentiaval ha az szuksegh kivannia, tobbetis igir-
illendeo keppen tenni.            herczegul    incomitiis          Sigis Rakoczi
bizoni bizoni nem ... [?Isten] akarattia, masok ... [...]
Fiat voluntas Dei.        Bethlen F. [...]

R4942_reading_lines.txt

# R4942 reading, line by line against R4942-transcription.txt. mind, ugy, kivannia (blot), herczegul, incomitiis (blot)
# are carried by the clear slip on p. 3 (R4942_slip.txt) where the figures differ or are blotted.
{Az kgld} io akarattiaban [?teliessegel] meg niu-
gottam, noha az mostani dologhoz maid semmi
remenseg ninczen, mind az altal Istentol megle-
het; az mediumokkal elni kel; battyam uram ugy
indulattal vageon hozzam az plenipotentia-
val, ha az szukseg kivannia, tobbet is igirhet
illendo keppen. {kglh}
{valasz az} herczegul {az ki abban nem le-}
{fi.r} incomitiis, {masszor leven distractioja}

R4942_reading.md

# R4942 reading (Keresdi_Bethlen_15, 1648): Zsigmond Rákóczi to Ferenc Bethlen, the cipher passages

# Rests on: our transcription of every cipher passage on the four DECODE images (R4942-transcription.txt: the 7-line
# block at the head of p. 2 and two words lower on p. 2; p. 1, the rest of p. 2 and the address on p. 4 are clear),
# decoded with the family key unchanged and aligned letter by letter (R4942_align.tsv): 249 letters, 236 on the
# figure's own value, 6 class-resolved, 5 on another figure, 2 under blots. The p. 3 slip (R4942_slip.txt), signed
# "Sigis Rakoczi" and annotated "Bethlen F.", carries the same words in clear: it is a contemporary clear text of the
# block, found on the DECODE record's own image 3 and not used before. Words where the figures differ or are blotted
# follow the slip (mind, ugy, kivannia, herczegul, incomitiis). Clear text of the letter in italics. Spelling kept.

## Reading

*Az kgld* io akarattiaban [?teliessegel] meg niugottam, noha az mostani dologhoz maid semmi remenseg ninczen, mind az altal Istentol meglehet; az mediumokkal elni kel; battyam uram ugy indulattal vageon hozzam az plenipotentiaval, ha az szukseg kivannia, tobbet is igirhet illendo keppen. *kglh* *valasz az* herczegul *az ki abban nem le-* *fi.r* incomitiis, *masszor leven distractioja*

R4942_en.md

# R4942 in English (cipher passages; translation of R4942_reading.md)

*Your Grace's* goodwill has [?fully] reassured me, although for the present affair there is almost no hope; all the same, through God it may be. One must make use of the intermediaries. My brother is so disposed towards me with the plenipotentiary power that, if need requires, he can also promise more, in a fitting manner. *Your Grace's [servant].*

*The answer of the* Prince, *who in that will not be [...]*, *[...]* in the Diet, *being otherwise distracted.*

R4939-transcription.txt

# R4939 (Keresdi_Bethlen_15-03), György Rákóczi to Ferenc Bethlen and András Klobusiczky, 1648: cipher text of
# image P1 (and P2 below), transcribed 23 Oct 2026 (r2h) from the DECODE images (1,704 px) at 2x.
# One ASCII letter per cipher letter as it looks: x = large crossed x, r = small hooked r, t = small cross (+),
# g = g with closed lower loop, q = q with straight descender, s = long s, z = z/2-shape, Y = y with diaeresis,
# e = looped e, c = open c. [..] = struck. | = the writer's line-end stroke. Provisional: r/t/x and g/q are look-alikes
# at this resolution. 23 Oct 2026, second pass: 36 labels corrected on the crops (q->g, r->t, r->x where the
# loop of g / the cross of t / the long stroke of x is visible; checked on lines 2, 16, 18, 20), see R4939_corrections.tsv.
== P1 ==
01 xbfmqsdx fyhqm bxsggsdh Ygzfgqugsgtgi lbzs
02 bzlmssdqp fyhqm xgeoghagsgxqgx mr ab xgeogh
03 agt dzdqxqmp mssomqp gagrrgag vghYghsug
04 btsgqqgx qmac hmsYemsmttm zmbsdqp baqqgh
05 qgsgrgugrs dac mqqbzm mr uYpsYz bsbhgsb trg
06 zgqs bt ghgsglgr sYgiikzg tgaab zgaggrgal qbqp
07 rqq tameabr fgfgq grrgigq Yg qmeotmam cmzmq
08 prYhsm mugYpgzsgrgzg xgeoghagsgxqgp mhxmh
09 amtsmttm deo amemsr xYgsfgttg mrs mr ab hgal
10 lmrYqYrmi sdufmq mrs qga xbfmqsm Yg qmeotm
11 em amemqmp mr fmhmtrsmts lmqga mr ab
12 aghhbgxgs xYgrrdhdqp mxmzsmx
13 fyhqm mr ab mrs amedqp mhhmcmssbms bhhgsb ab
14 ibrYqo qga xbfmqqbdp agzs gr trgegqo lmrmsbzt
15 mr bxsqqqgp ubqrYgtgegs fgtrgughagttgi mhacms
16 zm fgsqb qga mxzbdp mr cYzsm mhmcmssbm
17 abigq hgeogq sdulmssbm xgeohagugx bY tgpdzbsmt
18 trgztrgtgzdh bt btsgq m xbsdh YhsmhamrrYq
19 Yg qmeotmam lmhmhms dsmq eYqugYhxYuqdqp
20 xghh t vYg qgxdh lmuqb gr lmrms fgtrgughagz
21 lm Ygprga dzmaqmx mxmzqYp age qegzqb mr
== P2 ==
22 vgbguqhgatgags tYx buYgs vYchmhqm Yg mr mhms
23 Yuri Yg fmhY mhmcmsYx qmeo fgtrgughagt mhme
24 msimq vYzemqmqmp gt qoqzsgsqYgpg agel ibrYgsm
25 hmq uYhYel mrgzs xgeohagsgxgs mr ab xgeogh
26 agt dzdqplYr mssomqplYr t Yg qmermea dsmq
27 lYrrmqp hgfYg xYgsghgttgezg xgqtrgzbsdx lYeo
28 mr ab xgeoghagttgedqxgsbt fgsgttgqgp abqugq bag
29 xgrgsbfgh mr lYh xbfmqsmsbx Ygprga dzma
30 qmp czYaYsbYbmimq xgeohagsgx gzsfgq Yum
31 abqugqgxgs vYzeYhYuaop lYhYss mr Yg xgeoh
32 ag trgzgqprgbg abqu mttgpdzmhfmq mrgxmszd
33 hm mr xbxgs bhhbx t sduqb xghh abqsb
34 emr mssomeb xb Yg xgeohaggzs ghgsgsbt xgtr
35 hgsgqqb abqugq mhmcmssmh zgebsgqb baogxgr
36 rdqx btsgq xbsdh YhsmhamrrYq Yg qmeotmam
37 lYhsm sYgzsgqgp bt xbzdh xgeoghagsgxgs sduYtbsm
38 qb lm btsgq dao zgqughsg xbs gzqb qga xbfmq
39 dqx vYeodx mr cgqrgqx xb muomtmfmhbt
40 prghgxguf[gqqd] dao hglgttgq mqqmx vYzubsm
41 tm Yg xgeohag czYaYsbYbmzm btsgq xb
42 sdh YhsmhamrrYg lm agal smhmh Yg qmeotm
43 em lmhqb xdhudqx hgfghgxgs lm xbfmqsmqbx
44 t mr xbxqgx bhhbx mulmttm agel xgeohasgx
45 gt mr Yg xgeohag Ygprgp dzmaqmx uYh
46 ems bYi aYumh czYaYfgmhlmttm

R4939_reading.md

# R4939 (Keresdi_Bethlen_15-03), 1648: reading (23 Oct 2026, r2h)

Rests on: `R4939-transcription.txt` (the cipher of images P1-P2 transcribed letter by letter, 23 Oct 2026, at 2-3x on
the DECODE scans of 1,704 px; labels corrected on the crops, `R4939_corrections.tsv`) decoded with a key recovered
ciphertext-only by annealing (`R4939_key.md`; `research/reading_audit/r2h_r4939_anneal.py`, hu-modern 5-gram with word
divisions). The key is **not** the family key of R4936/R4937/R4940/R4942: a different simple substitution, in a
different hand. The clear parts (date, signature) and the address on image P3 give the setting: the Rákóczi brothers
(signed "Geor. Rakoczy" and a second hand) to Ferenc Bethlen and András Klobusiczky, Transylvanian envoys to the Polish
election diet, from Gyulafehérvár (Alba) [?9 Oct] 1648, while their father György I Rákóczi lay dying (d. 11 Oct 1648);
the cipher asks the envoys to go on promoting their younger brother Zsigmond for the Polish crown.

`[?word]` = partly carried by the figures, `[…]` = unread, `[word]` = supplied. Spelling as the cipher gives it (oe = ö,
cz, -unc/-nac for -unk/-nak, kegylme- abbreviations kept); line numbers are the cipher lines.

## Reading

01 kivantuk volna istentul oervendeteseb hirt
02 irhattunc volna kegyelmeteknek az mi kegyel-
03 mes urunknac attyanc [?egessege] [?feloel] […]
04 istennek [?nagy] latogatassa raitunc [?igen] [?el]
05 [?nehezedett] [?ugy] annira az doctor itileti sze-
06 rent is eletehez [?toebbre] semmi […] ninc
07 […] […] veven esseben oe nagysaga paran-
08 czolta […] kegyelmeteknec alkal-
09 mastassa ugy [?magat] koetvesse azt az mi […]
10 hazonozab tudvan azt nem kivanta oe nagysa-
11 ga maganac az valasztast hanem az mi
12 mellieket koezzulunc akartak
13 volna az mi azt magunc allapattiat illeti mi
14 bizony nem kivanniuc mert ez szegeny hazat [?is]
15 az […] […] veszedelmesseb [?allapat-]
16 ra vetni nem akriuc az porta alapattia
17 miben legyen tudhattia kegylmedek io securitas
18 szerszeserul is isten a kitul oltalmazzon
19 oe nagysaga halalat utan gondeolkodnunc
20 kell s foe nekul hadni ez hazat [?veszedelmes]
21 ha oeczem uramnak akarnoc meg [?nyerni] az
22 feiedelemseget sok idoet foglalna oe az alat
23 […] oe valo alapatok nagy veszedelmes alap-
24 atban forgananac es […] megh bizoeta-
25 lan dologh azert kegylmeteket az mi kegyel-
26 mes urunchoz attyanchoz s oe [?nagysaga] utan
27 hozzanc levoe koetelessegre kenszerituk hogy
28 az mi kegyelmessegunketis vetessenec minden [?ime]
29 kezetivel az hol kivantatik oeczem uram-
30 nac promotioiaban kegylmetek ertven oda
31 mindeneket [?forgolodiyc] holott az oe kegyl-
32 me szerenczeie mind assecuralvan azekatru-
33 la az kiket illik s tudni kell minti-
34 gaz attyagi ki oe kegylmeert eletetis kesz
35 letenni minden alapattal regiteni igyekez-
36 zunk isten kitul oltalmazzon oe nagysaga
37 holta toertenec is kirul kegyelmeteket tudosita-
38 ni ha isten ugy rendelte kit erni nem kivan-
39 unk fogyuk az penzenk ki adyasavalis
40 czelekedv[…] ugy lehessen annak fordita-
41 sa oe kegylme promotioiara isten ki-
42 tul oltalmazzon ha megh talal oe nagysa-
43 ga halni kuldunk leveleket ha [?kivantatik]
44 s az kiknek illik adhassa megh kegylmtek
45 es az oe kegylme oeczec uramnak dol-
46 gat iob modal promovealhassa

R4939_reading.md

# R4939 (Keresdi_Bethlen_15-03), 1648: reading (23 Oct 2026, r2h)

Rests on: `R4939-transcription.txt` (the cipher of images P1-P2 transcribed letter by letter, 23 Oct 2026, at 2-3x on
the DECODE scans of 1,704 px; labels corrected on the crops, `R4939_corrections.tsv`) decoded with a key recovered
ciphertext-only by annealing (`R4939_key.md`; `research/reading_audit/r2h_r4939_anneal.py`, hu-modern 5-gram with word
divisions). The key is **not** the family key of R4936/R4937/R4940/R4942: a different simple substitution, in a
different hand. The clear parts (date, signature) and the address on image P3 give the setting: the Rákóczi brothers
(signed "Geor. Rakoczy" and a second hand) to Ferenc Bethlen and András Klobusiczky, Transylvanian envoys to the Polish
election diet, from Gyulafehérvár (Alba) [?9 Oct] 1648, while their father György I Rákóczi lay dying (d. 11 Oct 1648);
the cipher asks the envoys to go on promoting their younger brother Zsigmond for the Polish crown.

`[?word]` = partly carried by the figures, `[…]` = unread, `[word]` = supplied. Spelling as the cipher gives it (oe = ö,
cz, -unc/-nac for -unk/-nak, kegylme- abbreviations kept); line numbers are the cipher lines.

## Reading

01 kivantuk volna istentul oervendeteseb hirt
02 irhattunc volna kegyelmeteknek az mi kegyel-
03 mes urunknac attyanc [?egessege] [?feloel] […]
04 istennek [?nagy] latogatassa raitunc [?igen] [?el]
05 [?nehezedett] [?ugy] annira az doctor itileti sze-
06 rent is eletehez [?toebbre] semmi […] ninc
07 […] […] veven esseben oe nagysaga paran-
08 czolta […] kegyelmeteknec alkal-
09 mastassa ugy [?magat] koetvesse azt az mi […]
10 hazonozab tudvan azt nem kivanta oe nagysa-
11 ga maganac az valasztast hanem az mi
12 mellieket koezzulunc akartak
13 volna az mi azt magunc allapattiat illeti mi
14 bizony nem kivanniuc mert ez szegeny hazat [?is]
15 az […] […] veszedelmesseb [?allapat-]
16 ra vetni nem akriuc az porta alapattia
17 miben legyen tudhattia kegylmedek io securitas
18 szerszeserul is isten a kitul oltalmazzon
19 oe nagysaga halalat utan gondeolkodnunc
20 kell s foe nekul hadni ez hazat [?veszedelmes]
21 ha oeczem uramnak akarnoc meg [?nyerni] az
22 feiedelemseget sok idoet foglalna oe az alat
23 […] oe valo alapatok nagy veszedelmes alap-
24 atban forgananac es […] megh bizoeta-
25 lan dologh azert kegylmeteket az mi kegyel-
26 mes urunchoz attyanchoz s oe [?nagysaga] utan
27 hozzanc levoe koetelessegre kenszerituk hogy
28 az mi kegyelmessegunketis vetessenec minden [?ime]
29 kezetivel az hol kivantatik oeczem uram-
30 nac promotioiaban kegylmetek ertven oda
31 mindeneket [?forgolodiyc] holott az oe kegyl-
32 me szerenczeie mind assecuralvan azekatru-
33 la az kiket illik s tudni kell minti-
34 gaz attyagi ki oe kegylmeert eletetis kesz
35 letenni minden alapattal regiteni igyekez-
36 zunk isten kitul oltalmazzon oe nagysaga
37 holta toertenec is kirul kegyelmeteket tudosita-
38 ni ha isten ugy rendelte kit erni nem kivan-
39 unk fogyuk az penzenk ki adyasavalis
40 czelekedv[…] ugy lehessen annak fordita-
41 sa oe kegylme promotioiara isten ki-
42 tul oltalmazzon ha megh talal oe nagysa-
43 ga halni kuldunk leveleket ha [?kivantatik]
44 s az kiknek illik adhassa megh kegylmtek
45 es az oe kegylme oeczec uramnak dol-
46 gat iob modal promovealhassa

R4939_en.md

# R4939, 1648: English (23 Oct 2026, r2h)

Translation of `R4939_reading.md`, same holes. "His Highness" = György I Rákóczi, the writers' father; "my younger
brother" = Zsigmond Rákóczi.

We would have wished to be able to write happier news from God to Your Lordships: on our gracious lord our father [?his
health ...] God's great visitation is upon us; [?it has grown very much worse], so that by the doctor's judgement there
is no [?further] [hope] for his life ... taking it to mind, His Highness ordered that Your Lordships should conduct
yourselves ... knowing ... His Highness did not want the election for himself but meant it for us ... As for our own
state, we certainly do not want it, for we do not want to throw this poor country ... into a more dangerous condition;
Your Lordships know how things stand with the Porte. For good security ... may God preserve him ... after His Highness's
death we must think, and not leave this country without a head [?in danger]. If we wanted to win the principality for my
younger brother it would take a long time, and meanwhile ... the state would be in great danger, and [...] an uncertain
matter. Therefore we bind Your Lordships, by the duty you owe to our gracious lord and father and after His Highness to
us, to employ our grace with every means where it is needed in my younger brother's promotion; Your Lordships, being
there, are to work on everyone, since His Lordship's fortune ... assuring those whom it concerns, and it must be known
that as his father, who was ready to lay down his life for him, so we will strive to further him with all our means. May
God preserve him; we will inform Your Lordships of His Highness's death too, if God has so ordained, which we do not wish
to live to see. We will use our money so that by spending it ... it may be turned to his promotion. May God preserve him;
if His Highness should happen to die, we will send letters, if needed, so that Your Lordships can deliver them to those
whom it concerns, and further the business of my younger brother in the best way.

R4938-transcription.txt

# R4938 (Keresdi_Bethlen_15-02), Rákóczi to Bethlen, 24 Apr 1647 (clear date and signature on image P4): the cipher
# insertions, all on image P2 (the clear letter runs over P1-P4). Transcribed 23 Oct 2026 (r2h) at 3x on the DECODE scan
# (1,704 px). Letters as they look; the family hand of R4936/R4940 (see shared-key-hypothesis.json). A later pencil
# gloss (not contemporary) stands over the spans: given after "#g".
# k here covers the family's h (r) and k (l): the two shapes are not separated at this resolution.
S1 wm kwldpaxnu zdi
#g a z ra koci sig  mo(n)
S2 wm iylgil vnkgillyh gdkiw
#g a z ne kunk  ..i..r unnel  volna
S3 zniygailiy bdkdundi
#g minev.nne  forogion

R4938_reading.md

# R4938 (Keresdi_Bethlen_15-02), Rákóczi to Ferenc Bethlen, 24 April 1647: the cipher insertions (23 Oct 2026, r2h)

Rests on: `R4938-transcription.txt` (three short spans on image P2, 45 cipher letters) decoded with the family key
(`shared-key-hypothesis.json`) unchanged; a later pencil gloss over the spans (not contemporary) agrees where legible
("a z ra koci sig", "a z ne kunk", "volna", "forogion"). The letter is otherwise in clear (not transcribed here).
The k-shape of this hand covers the family's h (r) and k (l); chosen by the word (2 letters).

## Reading

S1 az [?Rakoczi] Sigmon
S2 az nekunk […] volna
S3 mi [?nevunkre] forogion

English: "Zsigmond Rákóczi" ... "that would be [...] for us" ... "that it should turn on our name".