To save the independence of Transylvania, Bocskay assisted the Ottoman Turks. In 1605, as a reward for his part in driving Giorgio Basta out of Transylvania, the Hungarian Diet assembled at Medgyes/Mediasch (Mediaş) elected him Prince of Transylvania; in response the Ottoman sultan Ahmed I sent a special envoy to greet Bocskay and presented him with a splendid jewelled crown. Bocskay refused the royal dignity, but made skillful use of the Turkish alliance.