Doctoral Dissertation
THE GINGER FOX’S TWO CROWNS
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENT IN
SIGISMUND OF LUXEMBOURG’S REALMS
1410–1419
By Márta Kondor
Supervisor: Katalin Szende
Submitted to the Medieval Studies Department,
Central European University, Budapest
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medieval Studies,
Budapest
2017
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
6
I.1. Sigismund and His First Crowns in a Historical Perspective
6
I.1.1. Historiography and Present State of Research
I.1.2. Research Questions and Methodology
I.2. The Luxembourg Lion and its Share in Late-Medieval Europe (A Historical Introduction)
6
13
16
I.2.1. The Luxembourg Dynasty and East-Central-Europe
16
I.2.2. Sigismund’s Election as King of the Romans in 1410/1411
21
II. THE PERSONAL UNION IN CHARTERS
28
II.1. One King – One Land: Chancery Practice in the Kingdom of Hungary
28
II.2. Wearing Two Crowns: the First Years (1411–1414)
33
II.2.1. New Phenomena in the Hungarian Chancery Practice after 1411
33
II.2.1.1. Rex Romanorum: New Title, New Seal
33
II.2.1.2. Imperial Issues – Non-Imperial Chanceries
42
II.2.2. Beginnings of Sigismund’s Imperial Chancery
46
III. THE ADMINISTRATION: MOBILE AND RESIDENT
59
III.1. The Actors
62
III.1.1. At the Travelling King’s Court
III.1.1.1. High Dignitaries at the Travelling Court
62
63
III.1.1.1.1. Hungarian Notables
63
III.1.1.1.2. Imperial Court Dignitaries and the Imperial Elite
68
III.1.1.2. Counsellors (consiliarii, Räte) and Referents
III.1.2. In the Travelling King’s Lands
III.1.2.1. Hungary: The Queen, the Vicars and the Barons (1413-1419)
73
81
81
III.1.2.1.1. The Queen
81
III.1.2.1.2. Royal Vicars
93
III.1.2.1.3. The Barons
103
III.1.2.2. Holy Roman Empire (1411–1419): Governors and Officials
109
III.1.2.2.1. Ruling in Place of the King: Governorship of the Elector Palatine
110
III.1.2.2.2. Sigismund’s “Own” Imperial Administrative Team
115
1
III.2. Scenes and Institutions
117
III.2.1. The Royal Court
117
III.2.2. The Royal Council and the Fields of its Activity
121
III.2.3. Administration of Justice: Central Judicial Courts in Sigismund’s Lands
129
III.2.3.1. The Personal Jurisdiction of the King
132
IV. SPATIAL FEATURES OF THE SIGISMUND-ADMINISTRATION
139
IV.1. Temporary Residences and Whereabouts in the Holy Roman Empire
140
IV.2. Permanent Centers – Royal Residences
148
IV.2.1. Buda and Visegrád
148
IV.2.2. Plans of a Capital? The Cases of Pressburg and Nuremberg
159
V. CONCLUSION: SIGISMUND’S RULE AND HIS MULTIPLE KINGDOM
166
V.1. Dynastic or Universal, Medieval or Modern?
166
V.2. Two Crowns – Sigismund’s Multiple Kingdom
174
APPENDICES
181
BIBLIOGRAPHY
214
2
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: WRITING ORGANS IN THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY ......................................................................................................... 31
FIGURE 2: DOCUMENT FORMS OF THE HUNGARIAN CHANCERIES ..................................................................................................... 32
FIGURE 3: SIGISMUND’S HUNGARIAN SEALS................................................................................................................................ 42
FIGURE 4: SIGISMUND’S GERMAN SEALS .................................................................................................................................... 48
FIGURE 5: CHANGES IN HUNGARIAN CHANCERY PRACTICE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IMPERIAL CHANCERY 1411–1412 .................... 57
FIGURE 6: SIGISMUND AND HIS BARONS (SIMPLIFIED ITINERARIES 1410–1418) ............................................................................... 65
FIGURE 7: THE IMPERIAL ELITE AS REFERENT, CO-SEALER AND GUARANTOR ....................................................................................... 71
FIGURE 8: REFERENTS OF THE IMPERIAL CHANCERY II. ................................................................................................................... 78
FIGURE 9: BARBARA’S CHARTERS .............................................................................................................................................. 85
FIGURE 10: HUNGARIAN HIGH DIGNITARIES 1410–1420 ............................................................................................................. 98
FIGURE 11: VICARIAL RIGHTS IN THE EMPIRE AND IN THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY............................................................................ 102
FIGURE 12: CHANCERY NOTES ON DOCUMENTS ISSUED IN SIGISMUND’S NAME IN HUNGARY 1412–1418 ........................................... 106
FIGURE 13: SIGISMUND’S STAYS IN THE EMPIRE 1414–1419 ...................................................................................................... 143
LIST OF IMAGES
IMAGE 1: COAT OF ARMS OF HENRY V, COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG................................................................................................... 18
IMAGE 2: SECRET CHANCERY CORROBORATION ............................................................................................................................ 35
IMAGE 3: SIGISMUND’S FOURTH HUNGARIAN SECRET SEAL ............................................................................................................ 38
IMAGE 4: SIGISMUND’S FIFTH HUNGARIAN SECRET SEAL ................................................................................................................ 38
IMAGE 5: SIGISMUND’S SECOND MIDDLE SEAL ............................................................................................................................. 39
IMAGE 6: SIGISMUND’S SECOND HUNGARIAN GREAT SEAL ............................................................................................................. 40
IMAGE 7: SIGISMUND’S GERMAN SECRET SEAL ............................................................................................................................ 48
IMAGE 8: QUEEN BARBARA’S SEAL ........................................................................................................................................... 87
IMAGE 9: CHARTER REFERENCE TO THE “LAW COURT OF THE GREAT SEAL” 1416............................................................................. 134
IMAGE 10: COAT OF ARMS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ÓBUDA .......................................................................................................... 152
IMAGE 11: THE ROYAL PALACE OF BUDA IN THE 1420S .............................................................................................................. 153
IMAGE 12: THE ROYAL PALACE OF VISEGRÁD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SIXTEENTH-CENTURY............................................................. 154
IMAGE 13: GROUND PLAN OF THE VISEGRÁD PALACE AT THE END OF THE SIGISMUND PERIOD ............................................................ 155
IMAGE 14: CHARLEMAGNE AND SIGISMUND ............................................................................................................................. 165
IMAGE 15: ICONOGRAPHIC PATTERNS ON SIGISMUND’S SEALS AND COINS ...................................................................................... 177
3
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1: THE LUXEMBURG DYNASTY 1180–1440 ............................................................................................................... 182
APPENDIX 2: CENTRAL JUDICIAL COURTS IN HUNGARY IN THE 11TH–15TH CENTURIES ......................................................................... 183
APPENDIX 3: CHANCELLORS AND VICE-CHANCELLORS OF THE HUNGARIAN AND IMPERIAL CHANCERIES (1387–1437) ............................ 184
APPENDIX 4: CHANGES OF THE CORROBORATIO AND INTITULATIO IN THE HUNGARIAN CHARTERS IN 1411 ............................................ 186
APPENDIX 5: CHARTER ANNOUNCING THE INTRODUCTION OF SIGISMUND’S FIFTH HUNGARIAN SECRET SEAL ......................................... 188
APPENDIX 6: ENTRIES IN THE REICHSREGISTERBUCH (FOL. 1R–11R) .............................................................................................. 189
APPENDIX 7: PALATINE NICHOLAS GARAI’S SERVICES RENDERED FOR SIGISMUND ............................................................................. 191
APPENDIX 8: RELATORS OF DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE HUNGARIAN SECRET CHANCERY ................................................................... 192
APPENDIX 9: GUARANTORS OF LOANS GRANTED TO SIGISMUND ................................................................................................... 194
APPENDIX 10: WITNESSES AND CO-SEALERS OF SIGISMUND’S CHARTERS ........................................................................................ 196
APPENDIX 11: REFERENTS OF THE IMPERIAL CHANCERY ............................................................................................................... 198
APPENDIX 12: QUEEN BARBARA’S CHARTER ISSUING .................................................................................................................. 208
APPENDIX 13: SIGISMUND’S WHEREABOUTS IN THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY 1404–1412................................................................ 209
APPENDIX 14: SIGISMUND’S WHEREABOUTS IN THE EMPIRE 1412–1419...................................................................................... 212
4
ABBREVIATIONS OF ARCHIVES, ARCHIVE STOCKS AND DIPLOMATIC TERMS
DOZA =
Vienna, Deutschordenszentralarchiv.
MNL OL DF =
Budapest, National Archives of Hungary, Photographic Collection. Collectio Diplomatica Hungarica. A
középkori Magyarország levéltári forrásainak adatbázisa. [Database of Archival Documents of Medieval
Hungary] Online edition (DL-DF 5.1) 2009.
MNL OL DL =
Budapest, National Archives of Hungary, Diplomas and Charters 1109–1526. Collectio Diplomatica Hungarica.
A középkori Magyarország levéltári forrásainak adatbázisa. [Database of Archival Documents of Medieval
Hungary] Online edition (DL-DF 5.1) 2009.
NA ACK =
Prague, Národní archiv, Archiv České koruny (1158-1935).
OeStA/HHStA =
Vienna, Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv.
RRB =
Reichsregisterbuch
SIr, SIv, SP =
Sigillum impessum recto, sigillum impressum verso, sigillum pendens.
StaASG =
St. Gallen, Stadtarchiv der Ortsbürgergemeinde.
5
I. Introduction
Aesop, Phaedrus, La Fontaine, the Grimm brothers or folk tales from all over the world – fox is a
recurring character of fables. The “ginger fox” of the present dissertation, Sigismund of
Luxembourg, was also the main character of historical anecdotes and some fables; yet, he is rather
known as the key figure of the political stage of Western Christendom in the first half of the
fifteenth century than the leading role of fairy tales. Emperor Charles IV’s second son was
nicknamed “ginger fox” (liška ryšavá) in the lands of the Bohemian Crown because of his hair
color.1 But Bohemia was not the only land he ruled during the sixty-nine years of his life. Until his
death in 1437 in Znaim/Znojmo, Sigismund was crowned altogether five times: in 1387 in
Székesfehérvár, in 1414 in Aachen, then in 1420 in Prague,2 in 1431 in Milan and finally in 1433 in
Rome. The present thesis focuses on the first two of these crowns: the Hungarian and the German
one.
I.1. Sigismund and His First Crowns in a Historical Perspective
I.1.1. Historiography and Present State of Research
Sigismund has long been considered the black sheep of late medieval European history. Until
recently, when – not least because of the growing importance of the European Union – themes
related to the idea of “European identity” gained a certain reputation, “dealing with Sigismund and
his character had been neither a rewarding research field, nor it fostered career advancement.”3 The
following passage written by Gusztáv Wenzel in his essay on one of Sigismund’s closest advisors,
Pipo Ozorai,4 is a telling summary of nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century scholarly attitude
towards the Luxembourg-period and Sigismund’s rule:
Pipo Ozorai does not belong to those outstanding figures of our past, whose names are
shining in eternal fame. Moreover, I have to establish it here at the very beginning, that
neither his character, nor his deeds or the importance of his age made him to get any higher
than the level of mediocrity. […] Considering general European historical turns and
Hungary’s fate in particular, the era in which Pipo played a role was a transitional period.
Although certain important political events and social phenomena were not entirely missing
from it, it did not give rise to developments with a long-term effect; neither did it establish
1
According to the recent investigations the writer-historian Alois Jirásek (1851–1930) referred to Sigismund with this
term first.
2
The estates of Bohemia acknowledged Sigismund only on 25 th July 1436.
3
FRENKEN, Rezension.
4
Filippo di Stefano Scolari or Pippo Spano (1369?–1426), born in a Florentine merchant family. The first evidences of
his stay in Buda are from the 1380s, when he was a shop assistant of Luca di Giovanni del Pecchia, also a merchant of
Florentine origin. A few years later he entered the service of Hungary’s perhaps most influential family, that of the
Kanizsais. Sigismund took him to his service most probably in June 1399.
6
long-lasting cultural-intellectual trends. […] For a while it seemed that the Houses of Anjou
and Luxembourg would be dominant [on European political scene]: Hungary as well as
Bohemia rose to such a level of importance that Europe was apparently expecting the
decisive step from them in order to heal her diseases. Yet, soon after the death of Louis the
Great, King of Hungary and Poland, everything his politics had created started to sink. The
frivolity and unskillfulness of his successor Sigismund corrupted Hungary’s state of affairs
to such an extent that it was impossible to recover from these losses any more.5
Another short example of the nineteenth-century scholarly attitude towards Sigismund comes from
Josef Aschbach (1838):
Emperor Sigismund cannot be counted among the most excellent and famous successors of
Charlemagne. He was neither an excellent military talent, nor a great, inventive spirit.6
Scholars of the nineteenth and early twentieth century were keen on emphasizing Sigismund’s
political and military failures rather than his diplomatic successes; contemporary historiography,
however, stepped away from this standpoint. Peter Moraw argues that while “Wenceslas and Rupert
shoved Charles IV’s heritage into crisis … Sigismund brought together the pieces of this heritage
again and passed it on Albert II as a whole.”7 Though historians are still far from praising
Sigismund and his controversial character, they now pay particular attention to his reign and to
supra-national issues connected to his name such as the councils of Constance and Basel or the
Hundred Years War. Since Jörg K. Hoensch dedicated a separate article to Sigismundhistoriography8 and all recent publications contain at least a subchapter on this topic, the following
pages intend to give only a general overview of the main trends of the research. I aimed at
mentioning the perhaps most important “mile-stones” of Sigismund-historiography, but without
going into details as regards the particular authors and their works.9
The first extensive monograph on Emperor Sigismund was written by Joseph von Aschbach
and published in four volumes between 1838 and 1845 in Hamburg. 10 Thirty-five years later a
similarly voluminous publication, Friedrich von Bezold’s König Sigismund und die Reichskriege
gegen die Hussiten11 was released in Munich. Among the early works on Sigismund with regards to
international affairs Richard Arndt’s Die Beziehungen König Sigismunds zu Polen bis zum Ofener
Schiedsspruch,12 Wilhelm Gierth’s Die Vermittlungsversuche Kaiser Sigmunds zwischen
5
WENZEL, Ozorai Pipo 3–4.
ASCHBACH, Geschichte v-vi.
7
MORAW, König, Reich 816.
8
HOENSCH, Schwerpunkte.
9
It is hardly to find any publications on Sigismund and his rule written in English; thus, the more important is going to
be the collective volume edited by Suzana Miljan and Alexandra Kaar which is going to comprise the papers of the
Sigismund sessions of the 2014 Leeds International Medieval Congress.
10
ASCHBACH, Geschichte.
11
BEZOLD, Sigismund und die Reichskriege.
12
ARNDT, Beziehungen.
6
7
Frankreich und England im Jahre 141613 and Gustav Beckmann’s Der Kampf Kaiser Sigmunds
gegen die werdende Weltmacht der Osmanen 1392–143714 have to be explicitly mentioned. Otto
Schiff published a book on Sigismund’s policies towards Italy in 1909,15 Martin Seeliger wrote a
dissertation on political relations between King Sigismund and Eric of Denmark in 1910.16 Another
focal point of late nineteenth-century Sigismund-historiography was diplomatics: Joseph Caro,17
Theodor Lindner,18 Gerhard Seeliger19 and Vojtĕch Jaromír Nováček20 contributed to the history of
the Luxembourg chancery practice. Besides studies on ecclesiastical history concentrating primarily
on issues in the church councils,21 most of the Sigismund-related source editions22 or the beginning
of such projects (i.e. Zsigmondkori Oklevéltár23) also date to the end of the nineteenth century.
Hungarian scholars of this period were focusing on the history of noble families and compiled a
number of biographic-prosopographic studies on Sigismund’s barons.24 On the occasion of the
millennium celebrations in Budapest (1896) Atheaneum Publishers decided to bring out the tenvolume edition of the History of the Hungarian Nation, the third volume of which written by Antal
Pór and Gyula Schönherr dedicated altogether sixteen chapters to the rule of Sigismund.25
A renaissance in Sigismund studies came as late as the 1980s; nevertheless, a number of
important studies were published in the intermediate decades as well. Although some remarks of
Erich Forstreiter’s dissertation defended at the University of Vienna in 1924 regarding the chancery
system of the Luxembourg ruler are erroneous,26 the dissertation is still fundamental for studying
Sigismund’s chancery personnel. Hermann Heimpel’s study and source edition on the
Sigismundiana of the Vatican Library,27 Henrik Horváth’s monograph28 and Lóránd Szilágyi’s
article29 are the most important works related to King Sigismund from the 1930s.30 Szilágyi’s study
13
GIERTH, Vermittlungsversuche.
BECKMANN, Kampf gegen die Osmanen.
15
SCHIFF, Italienische Politik. On Italy also SAUERBREI, Italienische Politik; SCHELLHASS, Sigmund.
16
SEELIGER, Politische Beziehungen.
17
CARO, Aus der Kanzlei.
18
LINDNER, Urkundenwesen.
19
SEELIGER, Registerführung.
20
NOVÁČEK, Sigismund.
21
GOTTSCHALK, Kaiser Sigismund, later HOLLNSTEINER, König Sigismund and SCHULZ, Kirchenpolitik.
22
I. a. ACC, RTA, RI XI, Chron. Hus, WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten.
23
For a brief summary of the history of the ZsO see KONDOR, Zsigmondkori oklevéltár; MÁLYUSZ, Zsigmondkori
oklevéltár; BORSA, Zsigmondkori oklevéltár; BORSA, A Magyar Országos Levéltár.
24
ÁLDÁSY, Alsáni Bálint; FRAKNÓI, Makrai; LUKCSICS, Uski; MAJLÁTH, Szentmiklósi; SCHWICKER, Cillei; SÖRÖS,
Lévai Cseh; WENZEL, Ozorai Pipo; WENZEL, Stibor; WERTNER, Báthoryak; WERTNER, Garaiak; WERTNER, Horvátiak;
WERTNER, Lévai Csehek; later KERESZTES, Rozgonyiak; REISZIG, Kanizsaiak.
25
SZILÁGYI (ed.), Magyar nemzet III.
26
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds.
27
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei.
28
HORVÁTH, Zsigmond király.
29
SZILÁGYI, Personalunion.
30
For secondary literature on Hungarian chancery practice see the notes of Chapter II.1.
14
8
is unique in its presentation of the functioning of the Hungarian-German composite monarchy as a
whole. As such, it is the only publication approaching the generally overlooked, and in the
Sigismund-historiography surprisingly underrepresented topic of personal union. Although it was
the problem of Hungarian royal power that stood in the focus of Elemér Mályusz’ research, at some
points his monograph Zentralisationsbestrebungen König Sigismunds in Ungarn written in 196031
also touches upon this question of the “dual monarchy.” In 1964, another monograph and a source
edition were published: the former was written by Zenon Hubert Nowak and deals with
Sigismund’s northern politics,32 the latter was the sixth volume of MGH Staatsschriften des späten
Mittelalters edited by Heinrich Koller and dedicated to the problem of the reform of the Empire
(Reformatio Sigismundi). In his habilitation treatise Wolfgang Stromer von Reichenbach, an
economic historian from an old Nuremberg patrician family, analysed how the interests of the
south-German Hochfinanz, i.e. urban economic and financial elites, influenced Sigismund’s
politics. Besides, he also studied Sigismund’s relations with Venice and Central Asia.33
In 1984, the Hungarian medievalist Elemér Mályusz published a monograph on Sigismund 34
and in 1996, the German scholar Jörg K. Hoensch did so as well.35 These works are not only
fundamental but also emblematic of the Sigismund-historiography. Despite the fact that they are
dealing with the same person and same period, they discuss surprisingly different topics: Mályusz,
whose book was entitled Zsigmond király uralma Magyarországon (Sigismund’s Rule in Hungary),
treated only issues related to the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. Hoensch, although he aimed at
presenting a more general and complex picture of Sigismund’s rule, put his main emphasis on the
German territories. A third monograph, František Kavka’s Poslední Lucemburk na českém trůnĕ
(The last Luxembourg on the Bohemian throne)36 is in many respects similar to Mályusz’ work and
focuses on Sigismund’s reign in Bohemia. Július Bartl’s and Václav Drška’s biographical sketches
are also worth mentioning here.37
There have been many publications from the last three decades on Sigismund and his times.
Besides works focusing on the western schism and the church councils38 or Sigismund’s politics
31
MÁLYUSZ, Zentralisationsbestrebungen.
NOWAK, Polityka, but also NOWAK, Imperiale Vorstellungen; NOWAK, Schiedsprozesse; NOWAK, Siegmund. On
Poland and the Teutonic Knights see also HOENSCH, Sigismund, der Deutsche Orden und Polen-Litauen.
33
STROMER, Oberdeutsche Hochfinanz; STROMER, Botschaft des Qara Yuluq; STROMER, Diplomatische Kontakte;
STROMER, Siegmunds Gesandte; STROMER, Wirtschaftsprojekt.
34
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund.
35
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund.
36
KAVKA, Poslední Lucemburk.
37
BARTL, Zigmund Luxemburský; DRŠKA, Zikmund Lucemburský.
38
BRANDMÜLLER, Das Konzil; HELMRATH, Das Basler Konzil; HILSCH, Johannes Hus; HLAVAČEK–PATSCHOVSKY
(eds.), Reform; FRENKEN, Konstanzer Konzil; FRENKEN, König und Konzil.
32
9
towards the eastern39 and western40 parts of the continent, Gisela Beinhoff put together an
extremely valuable prosopographic collection of Sigismund’s Italian courtiers and dignitaries. 41
Attila Bárány dealt with members of Sigismund’s entourage in England,42 Enikő Csukovits43 and
Péter E. Kovács44 with those in Rome and Italy. Continuing the prosopographic trend of the
nineteenth and early twentieth century a number of such articles were published from 1987 on,45
including Daniela Dvořakova’s extensive biography on the king’s knight, Stibor of Stiboricz and
recently on Queen Barbara.46 There are also numerous works on relations between the elite and the
king, or on the administration of the monarchies that he ruled over. In this respect Pál Engel’s
monograph, Királyi hatalom és arisztokrácia viszonya a Zsigmond-korban (Royal Power and
Aristocracy in the Time of Sigismund), is fundamental,47 while Oliver Daldrup’s work on legations
and missions contributes to the history of communication.48 Nonetheless, the research on the
functioning of jurisdiction and the way political and financial decisions were made and executed
has always concentrated on one kingdom or another, and considered only a distinct part of
Sigismund’s territories (Kingdom of Hungary,49 the Empire50 and Bohemia51).
The main forum of scholarly discussion and information exchange between these manifold
approaches to Sigimund’s reigns and realms have been academic projects on the one hand,
international workshops and conferences on the other. The projects located in Brno,52 Budapest,53
39
BAUM, Kaiser Sigismund.
First and foremost KINTZINGER, Westbindungen but also BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond angliai látogatása; E. KOVÁCS, Siena;
E. KOVÁCS, Sigismondo a Gubbio; E. KOVÁCS, Sigismund’s Coronation; E. KOVÁCS, Zsigmond Luccában;
REITEMEIER, Außenpolitik; TEKE, Dalmát városok; TEKE, Firenze; WAKOUNIG, Dalmatien und Friaul.
41
BEINHOFF, Die Italiener.
42
BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond kísérete.
43
CSUKOVITS, Nagy utazás. See also WERTNER, Zsigmond kísérete.
44
See E. Kovács’s works referred to in n. 40.
45
ÁRVAI, Magnus comes; C. TÓTH, Bátori; ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (a), Zsigmond bárói (b); ENGEL, Ozorai Pipo;
ENGEL, Salgai; ENGEL, Liszkóiak; ENGEL, Aba nemzetség; ENGEL–SÜTTŐ, Alben; FEDELES, Matthias von Gatalócz;
FEDELES, Uski; FÜGEDI, Alsáni; FÜGEDI, Az Elefánthyak; NÉMETH, Kántor-család; NOVÁK, Sasember; PETRIK, A
Pelejteiek; VAJK, Kanizsai.
46
DVOŘÁKOVÁ, A lovag; DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Barbara.
47
ENGEL, Királyi hatalom.
48
DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich.
49
BAK, Königtum; BERTÉNYI, Országbírói intézmény; BERTÉNYI, Országbíró és különös jelenlét; BÓNIS, Jogtudó;
BÓNIS, Kúriai irodák; C. TÓTH, Adatok; C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely; C. TÓTH, Hiteleshelyi rendelet; C. TÓTH, Szabolcs
megye; C. TÓTH, Nádori hivatal; C. TÓTH, Világi igazgatás.
50
BATTENBERG, Achtbuch; BATTENBERG, Hofrichter; BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt; BATTENBERG, Konrad von
Weinsberg; ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds; HECKMANN, Stellvertreter; HEINIG, Reichsstädte; MORAW, Hofgericht;
MORAW, Noch einmal; MORAW, Wesenzüge; MORAW, Von offener Verfassung; MORAW, Königliche Herrschaft;
MORAW (ed.), Deutscher Königshof; WEFERS, Das politische System.
51
MORAVEC, Zástavy.
52
Emperor Sigismund's Charters for Czech Recipients: Tradition and Innovation in Late Medieval Diplomatics at the
Masaryk University of Brno.
53
The above mentioned Zsigmondkori Oklevéltár, currently run by the research team of the Hungarian Academy of
Sciences, the Institute and Museum of Military History, the University of Szeged and the National Archives of
Hungary.
40
10
Mainz54 and Vienna55 focus(ed) on the collecting and/or editing of primary sources related to the
Sigismund-era. The series of scholarly meetings dealing with the Luxembourg ruler started in July
1987 in Budapest on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of Sigismund’s coronation in Hungary
and 550th anniversary of his death,56 and continued in Debrecen in 1997.57 In the past ten years three
exhibitions (2005 New York/Prague,58 2006 Budapest/Luxembourg;59 2014 Constance60) and five
international conferences were dedicated to Sigismund (2005 Luxembourg, 61 2007 Oradea62 and
Brno63) or to the Luxembourg dynasty (2012 Rome,64 2013 Heidelberg65). The related publications,
i.e. conference volumes and catalogues, provide a general picture of Sigismund’s time. The church
councils have also remained in the focus of the international scholarly community’s attention. In
October 2009, the fifth event of the Between Worlds conference series of the University of ClujNapoca was dedicated to the council of Basel and the Union of Florence,66 the 2011 fall meeting of
the Konstanzer Arbeitskreis für Mittelalterliche Geschichte67 and a conference at the University of
Debrecen (Hungary) in November 201468 to the council of Constance. On the occasion of “600
Years Council of Constance” a series of cultural and academic events takes place in the city in the
years 2014–2018.
As this brief overview of the most important publications and scientific events illustrates, a
great deal of work has been carried out on the rule of King and Emperor Sigismund. Nonetheless,
Between 2004 and 2009 Eberhard Windeck und sein ‘Buch von Kaiser Sigmund’. Die Darstellung von Herrscher und
Reich im früheren 15. Jahrhundert, currently Reichshistoriographie zwischen Heimatstadt und Königshof: Die Chronik
des Eberhard Windeck aus Mainz at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz.
55
Between 2004 and 2008 Sigismund, Kaiser im Reich, in Ungarn und in Böhmen, between 2008 and 2012 Kaiser
Sigismund: Herrschaft und Netzwerke in drei Reichen, since 2014 Suche nach Machtausgleich: Sigismunds Politik
1414-1418 at the Institute of Medieval Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW Zentrum
Mittelalterforschung, Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Arbeitsgruppe Regesta Imperii) in Vienna.
56
MACEK–MAROSI–SEIBT (eds.), Sigismund.
57
Sigismund’s Era. SCHMIDT–GUNST, Zeitalter
58
Karl IV. Kaiser von Gottes Gnaden: Kunst und Repräsentation des Hauses Luxemburg 1310-1437. Catalogue FAJT
(ed.). Karl.
59
Sigimundus rex et imperator. Catalogue TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus.
60
Das Konstanzer Konzil 1414–1418. Weltereignis des Mittelalters. Catalogue BADISCHES LANDESMUSEUM (ed.).
Konstanzer Konzil (Katalog). Also BRAUN et al. (eds.), Konstanzer Konzil (Essays).
61
UHRMACHER, Tagungsbericht; PAULY–REINERT (eds.), Sigismund.
62
Sigismund de Luxemburg şi timpul său. Some of the papers were published in MITSIOU MITSIOU et al. (eds.),
Emperor Sigismund.
63
Kaiser Sigismund (+1437) – Herrschaftspraxis, Urkunden und Rituale. Conference volume HRUZA–KAAR (eds.),
Kaiser Sigismund; SCHENK, Tagungsbericht.
64
Rom 1312. Die Kaiserkrönung Heinrichs VII. und die Folgen. Die Luxemburger als Herrscherdynastie von
gesamteuropäischer Bedeutung / Roma 1312. L’incoronazione imperiale di Enrico VII e le sue conseguenze. Il
significato europeo della dominazione dinastica.
65
Helden, Heilige, Wüteriche. Verflochtene Herrschaftsstile im langen Jahrhundert der Luxemburger (1308-1437).
Conference volume: BAUCH et al. (eds.), Heilige.
66
The Union of Florence (1439-2009): Prequels, Aftermath and Impact.
67
Das Konstanzer Konzil als europäisches Ereignis. Begegnungen, Medien und Rituale. SIGNORI–STUDT (eds.), Das
Konstanzer Konzil. See also MÜLLER–HELMRATH (eds.), Die Konzilien.
68
“Causa unionis, causa fidei, causa reformationis in capite et membris.” 600th Anniversary of the Council of
Constance. Conference volume: BÁRÁNY–PÓSÁN (eds.), Causa unionis.
54
11
there are still aspects, which have never been a matter of scholarly interest. One of these is the
problem of the personal union. It is more than self-contradictory that while the “academic
judgment,” according to which Sigismund was a ruler overwhelmed by his crowns, is not only
dominant and deeply-rooted in all (i.e. German, Hungarian and Czech) national historiographies but
basically undisputed, the very direct consequences of the establishment of the personal union and
the principal features of the dual monarchy have never been researched. The complexity of
Sigismund’s rule as well as the compound nature of his tasks and duties seems to be persistently
overlooked, the personal and “institutional” entanglements and interactions between independent
administrative systems have never been studied explicitly.69
One reason of this discrepancy is the major difficulties historians face while doing research
on this topic. To quote Ansgar Frenken again:
Doing research on the Emperor who was King of Hungary and Bohemia at the same time
requires extensive language skills: Latin, German, Hungarian, Czech, Polish and more.
Sigmund, being himself polyglot and fluent in six languages, has left a legacy which
scholars can handle only with difficulty and the greatest persistence. Besides, the corpus of
primary sources is unmanageable, the archives are scattered – certainly another reason why
research has stayed well clear of this late medieval ruler.70
Frenken’s description is a very appropriate explanation of the phenomenon of why – except for a
few recent attempts – historical scholarship predominantly dealt with Sigismund’s reign on the level
of national historiographies and Hungarian, Czech and German medievalists generally fail(ed) to
take a comparative approach or place their questions in all-European context. Hungarian scholars,
for instance, consider other parts of Europe only in topics related to art history, Dalmatia, Poland
and the Teutonic Order, the Ottomans or the schism. The comparative approach, however, is also
missing from the German and Czech Sigismund-historiography. As a direct result of this academic
attitude, influences and interactions between different administrative and political systems remain
obscure. Moreover, at times, it is even impossible to recognize problematic research issues at all.
Thus, the image of Sigismund’s rule and its aspects presented by the scholarship is often incomplete
or biassed.71
“Urkunden und Briefe König Sigismunds sind in großer Masse in den Regesten von Wilhelm Altmann gesammelt.
Freilich mit schlimmen Lücken. Die Urkunden, die Sigismund als ungarischer König ausgestellt hat, fehlen, und das
gibt für die Politik dieses gerade durch seine Doppelstellung als ungarischer und deutscher König charakterisierten
Herrschers von vornherein ein falsches Bild und beraubt zugleich eine Diplomatik seiner Kanzlei des ihr notendigen
allgemeinen Überblicks.” HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 112.
70
FRENKEN, Rezension.
71
C.f. with KINTZINGER, Westbindungen 11.: “Seine Politik in Westeuropa zu untersuchen heißt also nicht, einen Teil
aus dem Ganzen herauszubrechen.” Another problem is the lack of cooperation and collaboration between the scholars
from different countries. “Publikationen ungarischer wie tschechischer Provenienz […] wurden außerhalb der eigenen
Grenzen kaum zur Kenntnis genommen – und das nicht allein aus sprachlichen Gründen.” FRENKEN, Rezension.
69
12
I.1.2. Research Questions and Methodology
The present dissertation aims at investigating exactly the above mentioned “neglected” aspects of
Sigismund’s reign, analyzing how this composite state-complex was unified in the person of
Sigismund, or, more precisely, how the personal union was functioning on the highest level(s) of
administration and politics. I intended to study the rule of Sigismund of Luxembourg as Hungarian
and German king in all its complexity, approaching the topic from the ruler’s perspective, a ruler
who considered himself the monarch of not one but two, and later three realms.
The documents issued by Hungarian royal chanceries represent written evidence of
administrative and governmental changes made after Sigismund had received the German crown.
Thus, the chapter following this introductory one on historiography (I.1.), on the Luxembourg
dynasty and Sigismund’s way to the Hungarian and German throne (I.2.) is dedicated to
diplomatics. After sketching the main features of the fifteenth-century curial, i.e. central or royal
chancery production in the Kingdom of Hungary (II.1), the research turns to the special
characteristics of the dual administration (II.2.). In the first part of this subchapter I analyzed
questions how the charters mirror Sigismund’s new “position” and what changes his German
election generated in the Hungarian chancery practice (II.2.1.), while the second part focuses on
Sigismund’s imperial chancery and the problem of handling imperial issues in the first months of
the personal union (II.2.1.2., II.2.2.).
The third chapter is dedicated to the study of the administration and the analysis of the
question how administrative-governmental decisions were taken at the travelling court and in the
lands. It is important to note here that I studied the administrative processes taking place at the royal
court or royal seat, which comprise decision making and the issuing of the related documents. I did
not track, however, how these decisions – be it financial, judicial or political – were executed and
implemented all around the kingdoms. After identifying the actors (vicars, high dignitaries,
counsellors, lords or lower-ranked experts) who were involved in administrative-governmental
activities (III.1.) the structure of the royal court (III.2.1.) and the functioning of the royal council
was studied (III.2.2.). A subchapter also gives an overview of the judicial system and central
judicial courts (III.2.3.). The crucial research questions here were at which points Hungarian and
imperial element came together, if at all? How did they co-exist or merge, did they influence each
other? Regarding the problem of the ruler’s substitution, to which extent did Sigismund let other
persons exercise royal rights, who were these persons or groups? Which issues did he still consider
royal prerogatives when he was absent from his realms?
The fourth chapter deals with the “spatial characteristics” of the administration – an aspect
of my investigations, which is related to certain themes of Residenzen- and Hofforschung as well as
13
to that of urban history. Which settlements and towns functioned temporarily or continuously as
administrative centers in the Hungarian kingdom and in the Empire? In the case of permanent
centers to what extent did the notion of royal residence and capital coincide, and how did this
change over time? What kind of expectations did Sigismund raise towards those towns to which he
allotted special roles in his governmental system and how did these settlements profit from this
special status? Is it possible to trace any similarities or differences between the Kingdom of
Hungary and the Empire in this respect?
As Hoensch formulated, Sigismund was a ruler “at the threshold of the early modern age.”
To conclude the results of the analysis performed in Chapters 2, 3 and 4, I tried to answer the the
question, to what extent Sigismund’s means of governing and administrative decisions can be
considered medieval or modern, whether his political-diplomatic actions were motivated by a
universalist view of the Holy Roman Emperor or by Luxembourg dynastic interests. (V.1.) Finally,
since a headline target of my research was to see how this composite state was functioning as a
whole, in chapter V.2. I identified the administrative chracteristics which made this personal union
more than an incidental side by side existence of two political units.
At the end of this introduction to Sigismund-historiography and to the objectives of the
thesis, it is necessary to dedicate some words on thematic and chronological limitations of the
subject. My studies focused on the problem how Sigismund’s lands were governed and
administered – either when he resided in his realms and had the opportunity to rule “directly”, or
when he left for abroad and he was on the road. Due to this special focus, I did not deal with issues
of ecclesiastical history and questions related to the council of Constance; neither did I aim at
presenting a political history or a summary of diplomatic events of the 1410s.
It is also the focus on the administrative aspect why I chose dominantly charters as my
source basis, i.e. documents issued by King Sigismund, his high dignitaries or administrative
bodies. “The form of a document reveals and perpetuates the function it serves. … Therefore, the
analysis of documentary forms permits an understanding of administrative actions and the functions
generating them,” as Luciana Duranti explains.72 Since in the reconstruction of the administrative
practice not so much the content, but rather the external diplomatic features (seal, chancery notes,
corroboration formulas) are helpful,73 consulting (the) originals was indispensable. In this sense the
medieval collection of the Hungarian National Archives (MNL OL) is extremely valuable: the
72
73
DURANTI, Diplomatics 6.
E.g. SPANGENBERG, Kanzleivermerke; SZENTPÉTERY, Kancelláriai jegyzetek; BÓNIS, Kúriai irodák.
14
relevant Hungarian archive material is stored at one place74 and thanks to the high quality digital
photos published on the internet it is easily accessible and researchable. 75 From the years 1410–
1419 the archives preserves about 15 000 original (DL-signatures) or photographed (DF-signatures)
charters.76 Approximately 5500 of these are royal charters, i.e. documents issued in Sigismund’s
name, either by himself or by an administrative or judicial body; the rest was issued by Queen
Barbara, royal dignitaries and the loca credibilia. Besides, a number of Hungarian source editions
are online in the Digital Library of Medieval Hungary.77
Accessing the archive material related to Sigismund’s rule in the Holy Roman Empire is
more difficult. In this case there is no such central collection as that of the Hungarian National
Archives and only a few German institutions have online databases of the stored documents or
scanned repertoria. Thus, when the research does not focus on one particular aspect or territory but
requires a general overview of the archive material the work on which one can rely on is still
Wilhelm Altmann’s regesta-volume.78 Apart from that the online portal Monasterium.net provides
access to archive collections of more than sixty institutions all over Europe; still, regarding whole
Sigismund-corpus it is incidental which document is available in a digitized form.79 The situation is
much better in terms of digitized source editions as most of the fundamental works are accessible
online on sites such as that of the Münchener Digitalisierungszentrum (MDZ),80 Centre for
Medieval Studies (Centrum medievistických studií, CMS),81 Regesta Imperii,82 Monumenta
Germaniae Historia83 etc. Narrative sources were taken into consideration occasionally, the two
most important works to be mentioned here is of course Eberhard Windecke’s Denkwürdigkeiten
zur Geschichte des Zeitalters Kaiser Sigmunds and Ulrich von Richental’s chronicle of the Council
of Constance.
The quantity of primary sources (and relevant secondary literature) necessitated limiting the
timeframe of the research. Due to thematic as well as methodological reasons I decided for the
period of 1410–1419. Thematically, 1419 can be considered a caesura in Sigismund’s reign: after
having spent six years in Western Europe, he returned to Hungary in February 1419 and except for
74
State Archives of the Hungarian National Archives (Magyar Nemzeti Levéltár Országos Levéltára). MNL OL DL
(1109–1526) 108 030 pieces, MNL OL DF (eleventh century–1526) 90 930 pieces. On the collection see BORSA,
Medievalisztika; BORSA, Mohács; BORSA, MNL OL DL.
75
http://archives.hungaricana.hu/en/charters/search/; RÁCZ, Collectio Diplomatica.
76
Hungarian diplomatics do not reduce the term “charter” to solemn privileges granting rights but applies it for all the
documents recording legal act issued before 1526.
77
http://mol.arcanum.hu/medieval/opt/a101101.htm?v=pdf&a=start_f ; RÁCZ, Ismertetés.
78
Supplement RI XI Neubearb. vols. I–III.
79
http://monasterium.net/mom/home
80
http://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/
81
http://cms.flu.cas.cz/en.html
82
http://www.regesta-imperii.de/startseite.html
83
http://www.dmgh.de/
15
campaigns of a few months in Bohemia in the 1420s he resided there until August 1430. At the
same time, with Wenceslas’ death the Bohemian affairs got more into the focus of Sigismund’s
attention than ever before As for methodological considerations, this ten-year-period facilitates the
identification of long-term changes and the description of large-scale processes without running the
risk of being overwhelmed by (tens of) thousands of documents.
The final introductory remarks which must be made here concern terminology. I used the
word charter in a general sense referring to different types of legal documents issued by medieval
writing organs including diplomas, mandates, papal bulls etc. In the thesis the expressions
“Hungarian” and “German” are of course not used in an ethnic-national but in a strictly politicaladministrative sense. With these adjectives I designate whether the person, institution, phenomenon
etc. in question belonged to or was the part or characteristic of the administrative system of the
Kingdom of Hungary or the Holy Roman Empire. As for place names, unless there is an English
form (e.g. Cologne, Prague) I used the version which corresponds to the medieval geopolitical
situation on the first place followed by other medieval and/or the modern names in parenthesis, e.g.
Pozsony (Pressburg, Bratislava), Uherský Brod (Ungarisch Brod, Magyarbród).
I.2. The Luxembourg Lion and its Share in Late-Medieval Europe (A
Historical Introduction)
I.2.1. The Luxembourg Dynasty and East-Central-Europe
Melusine, the daughter of Pressyne and King Elynas of Albany, was the fairy Queen of the
forest of Colombiers in the French region of Poitou. One day, she and two of her maids were
guarding the sacred fountain when a young man, Raymond of Poitiers, who was wandering
desperately through the woods after having killed his uncle in a hunting accident, burst out
of the forest. Raymond was enchanted by Melusine’s beauty; they spent the night talking to
each other, and by dawn they were betrothed, but with one condition. Melusine requested
Raymond to promise that he would never see her on a Saturday. He agreed, and they were
married. Melusine brought her husband great wealth and prosperity. She built the fortress of
Lusignan, and over time many other castles, fortresses, churches, towers and towns
throughout the region – each of them so quickly, that it appeared to be made by magic.
Melusine and Raymond had ten children. Nonetheless, each child was flawed: the
eldest had one red eye and one blue eye, the next had an ear larger than the other, another
had a lion’s foot growing from his cheek, and another had but one eye. The sixth son was
known as Geoffrey with the Great Tooth, as he had a very large tooth. Yet, in spite of their
deformities, the children were strong, talented and loved throughout the land.
One day, Raymond’s brother visited him and made Raymond very suspicious about
the Saturday activities of his wife. So the next Saturday, he spied on Melusine through a
crack in her bath’s door and he was horrified to see that Melusine’s body from her waist
down had changed to the tail of a serpent. Nonetheless, Raymond said nothing until the day
their son, Geoffrey with the Great Tooth, attacked a monastery and killed one hundred
16
monks, including one of his brothers. After this tragedy Raymond accused Melusine of
contaminating his line with her serpent nature; and thus he revealed that he had broken his
promise to her.
As a result, Melusine turned into a fifteen-foot serpent, circled the castle three times,
wailing piteously, and then flew away. Raymond was never happy again and Melusine
appeared at the castle, wailing, whenever a count of Lusignan was about to die or a new one
to be born. It was said that the noble line which originated from Melusine would reign until
the end of the world. Her children included the King of Cyprus, the King of Armenia, the
King of Bohemia, the Duke of Luxembourg, and the Lord of Lusignan.84
The legend of Melusine was first chronicled by Gervase of Tilbury in his Otia Imperialia in 1211.
The perhaps most important medieval version of the story comes from fourteenth-century France
and it was recorded in a romance written by Jean d’Arras at the request of Duke John of Berry. 85
The passage above summarizes the myth in the form, in which it can be read in this romance.
Nonetheless, in the Middle Ages the story was extremely popular not only in northern France, but
also in the Low Countries. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that when Siegfried (or Sigefroy), the
Count of the Ardennes and the Moselgau, seized the Bock of Luxembourg (Lucilinburhuc,
Lützelburg) from St. Maximin’s Abbey in Trier in exchange for certain lands in the neighbourhood
of Feulen in 963,86 his name became connected with the local version of the Melusine-tale. In these
parts of Europe he was Raymond, the castle of Luxembourg was the fortress of Lusignan and
Melusine was a mermaid. The legend of Melusine became the founding myth of Luxembourg. 87
Two centuries later Theobald, the Count of Bar (1158–1214), in fact Siegfried’s distant
relative,88 took the ten-year-old Ermesinde of Namur (1186–1247), the daughter of Count Henry
IV’s of Luxembourg, his third wife.89 (Appendix 1) The rise of the family to a European dynasty
started with Henry V (or Henry the Blond, 1216–1281), who was Ermesinde’s son from her second
husband, Waleran III of Limburg.90 The coat of arms Henry V introduced was a symbol of his
double origin: the shield was divided horizontally into ten silver and blue parts (Luxembourg)
bearing a red-tailed lion with golden claws, teeth, tongue and crown (Limburg).91
84
Based on FOUBISTER, The Story of Melusine.
JEAN D’ARRAS, Melusine (old English translation).
86
HOENSCH, Die Luxemburger 11.
87
PÉPORTÉ, Constructing.
88
Theobald was a descendant of Frederick I, the Count of Bar and Duke of Upper Lorreain, who was Siegfried’s (half-)
brother. Their mother was Cunigunda, Siegfried’s father is uncertain.
89
Ermesinde was the only child of Count Henry IV of Namur-Luxembourg.
90
Henry V’s wife was actually Theobald’s granddaughter, Margaret of Bar. Her father was Henry II, Theobald’s son
from his second marriage with another Ermesinde, Ermesinde of Bar-sur-Seine.
91
Although Henry VI (1240–1288) changed the coat of arms by doubling the lion’s tail and passing it in saltire, Henry
VII readopted his grandfather’s version.
85
17
Image 1: Coat of Arms of Henry V, Count of Luxembourg
By the end of his rule Henry V exercised sovereignty over an extended territory between the rivers
of Maas and Mosel,92 and although both of his sons (Henry VI and Waleran I) died in the battle of
Worringen in 1288, the dynastic succession was basically undisturbed until 1437. What’s more, in
1308 Henry VII became the first Holy Roman Emperor from the House of Luxembourg. 93 Two
years later his son John the Blind, by that time Count of Luxembourg, was enfeoffed with Bohemia
and married the fourteen-year-old Elisabeth of Přemyslid. “This acquisition [of Bohemia] brought a
new territorial basis, an electorate as well as promising opportunities in Central-Europe for the
house of Luxembourg,” wrote Michel Pauly.94 Indeed, John the Blind – although he himself never
became Emperor – was extremely active in terms of stabilizing and expanding the power of the
dynasty on the continent.95 On the initiative of Pope Clement VI his first-born son, WenceslasCharles, was elected to the German throne in opposition to Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria in July
1346. Wenceslas, similarly to his father and his grandfather, grew up in the French court; it was also
there that – on the occasion of his confirmation – he took the name Charles. During his reign the
Luxembourg lands reached their greatest extension in the West: his half-brother, also named
Wenceslas, married Joanna of Brabant and Limburg in 1352, in 1354 he got Luxembourg, La
Roche, Durbuy and Arlon as imperial fief (geeintes Reichslehen), in 1364 he seized the County of
Chiny and in 1378 the territories around the castle of Schönecken.96 Nonetheless, by that time it was
92
For details see PAULY, Luxemburg 32–33.
He was crowned in Aachen on 6th January 1311, in Rome on 29th June 1312.
94
PAULY, Luxemburg 37.
95
First and foremost with marriage contracts; thirty-six of his plans concerned close relatives. PAULY, Luxemburg 38.
96
PAULY, Luxemburg 27-44. Since no child was born from the marriage, in 1357 Charles and his successors were
acknowledged as heirs of Limburg and Brabant. HOENSCH, Die Luxemburger 138.
93
18
already Central-Europe which stood in the focus of the Luxembourg politics: Bohemia, Moravia,
Silesia, Brandenburg, Poland and Hungary.
In 1318 or 1319 Beatrix, John the Blind’s sister, married Charles I of Hungary;
unfortunately, she died within a year while giving birth to their first child.97 Charles’ next and last
wife came from the Polish Piast family: Elisabeth was King Casimir III’s sister. The royal couple
had an uncertain number of children – five or six sons and one or two daughters –, from whom
Louis became the heir of the Hungarian crown in 1342. Since Casimir of Poland had only daughters
(moreover, the legitimacy of the last three of them was anyway disputed), he was also succeeded by
his nephew Louis on the Polish throne. Thus, between 1370 and 1382 the Kingdom of Hungary and
the Kingdom of Poland were unified under the rule of Louis of Anjou of Hungary. In such a
situation it was crucial for the Luxembourg dynasty to get into family relation with the Hungarian
Anjous, if they wanted to gain substantial influence in East-Central Europe.
Louis’ Polish succession was definitely not a surprise, as Casimir and Charles I of Hungary
made their first pact already in 1339.98 But neither Charles IV was just sitting on his laurels: in 1345
he managed to marry his ten-year-old first-born daughter Margaret to the nineteen-year old Louis of
Anjou; yet, four years later the girl died. The Emperor, however, got on with his efforts. His third
wife, Anna of Schweidnitz (married in 1353), was perhaps Charles of Anjou’s granddaughter,99
while the fourth, Elisabeth of Pomerania (oo 1363), was surely that of Casimir the Great. In 1366
Charles IV engaged his first-born son Wenceslas with Louis the Great’s niece Elisabeth,100 about
which he informed the Gonzaga family in letter dated from the 10th May from Vienna as follows:
Wenzeslaus rex Boemie filius noster ab hodierna die ad quatuor septimanas cum nepte regis
Ungarie matrimonium contrahet et tunc etiam cum ea condormibit et regnum Ungarie ad eorum
heredes devolvetur.101 Nonetheless, the planned covenant has never become reality: four years later
(1370) Wenceslas married Joanna of Bavaria, Elisabeth became the wife of Prince Philip II of
Taranto. It should also be noted that even if Wenceslas’ and Elisabeth’s marriage had taken place,
by that time Louis was most probably willing to declare not his niece but Charles III of Durazzo as
his heir. And Charles IV did not miss this chance either: he betrothed his daughter Anna with
Charles of Durazzo in 1368. This betrothal was dissolved in 1369.
KRISTÓ, Károly Róbert 22. It’s debated whether she was his second or third wife.
It was renewed in 1355.
99
KRISTÓ, Károly Róbert 25. Stanisław Sroka rejects this idea, Pál Engel considered it possible that Caroberto had a
daughter named Catherine and she was Anna’s mother.
100
Elisabeth of Slavonia, daughter of Duke Stephen and Margaret of Bavaria. She was also engaged to Jobst and Albert
III of Habsburg. On 20th October 1370 she finally married Philip II of Taranto.
101
RI VIII/4313.
97
98
19
The situation fundamentally changed when Louis of Anjou’s and Queen Elisabeth’s
daughters – Catherine, Mary and Hedwig – were born in the first half of the 1370s. Since Charles’
older son, Wenceslas, had already married Joanna of Bavaria in 1370, it was his second-born son,
Sigismund, who could represent the Luxembourg dynastic interests in Hungary and Poland.
Sigismund was born on 14th February 1368 in Prague from the Emperor’s fourth marriage with
Elisabeth of Pomerania. Although he was engaged with Catherine, the youngest daughter of
Burgrave Frederick V of Nuremberg, Charles started negotiations with the Hungarian king in 1372
about Sigismund’s marriage to one of the Angevin princesses. Louis gave his consent to the plan
and in the very same year he indeed assured the Emperor to marry one of his daughters to the
Luxembourg youngster. On 21st June 1373 Louis issued a charter in which he solemnly promised to
apply for papal dispensation concerning Sigismund’s and Mary’s marriage.102 The papal
dispensation was publicly announced in December 1374,103 the marriage contract was signed on
14th April 1375. In the meantime Charles IV dissolved Sigismund’s betrothal to Catherine of
Nuremberg; yet, in order to compensate Frederick he gave his consent to the engagement of his
youngest daughter, Margaret (born in 1373), with John III, the burgrave’s older son.104
Charles’ dynastic efforts and Sigismund’s way to the Hungarian throne was also recorded by
Eberhard Windecke, a merchant from Mainz and the chronicler of Sigismund’s life:
Emperor Charles, the King of Bohemia … left the Kingdom of Bohemia to his son,
Wenceslas; furthermore, by pledging and donating certain imperial cities and incomes he
assured that the seven German prince electors accepted Wenceslas as his heir in the
kingdom of the Roman Crown as well. … He also ordered that his other son, Prince John,
should inherit the provinces of Schweidnitz, Görlitz and Lausitz. … The King of Bohemia
and Holy Roman Emperor left the Moravian territories to his nephews, Margrave Jobst and
his brother, Procop, while Wenceslas, his own younger brother got Brabant. ... Then he took
his [other] son, Sigismund, to Brandenburg, where all the lords, cities and subjects had to
promise and take an oath on the saints that they would accept Lord Sigismund as their
margrave, they would treat him like that, they would obey him and they would never be
disloyal to him, no matter what kind of a verbal or written offer might be made to them. …
Then, the Emperor brought Sigismund to Hungary and in Pressburg he presented him to
Louis, who was ruling this kingdom by that time. And this Louis decided to marry his
daughter Mary to Sigismund. That is how Sigismund seized the Kingdom of Hungary.105
For quite a while, however, it was not certain that Charles IV’s plans would have the politicaldynastic effect he wished for. Louis was not at all in a hurry to decide over the issues of succession
102
WENZEL (ed.), Anjou III. 53, nr. 49.
Mon. Vat. IV/1. 509–510, nr. 899; RI VIII/14 and Mon. Vat. IV/1. 513–514, nr. 903.
104
It was not the first time when Charles IV changed his mind regarding the future consorts of his children – in 1365 he
broke off the engagement between Wenceslas and Frederick’s older daughter Elisabeth. Thus, for this time Frederick
was promised a recompensation of 100 000 gulden for the case the marriage between Wenceslas and Catherine would
not come off. It seems that at the end the burggrave relinquished the recompensation.
105
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 4. (Author’s translation.)
103
20
and his eldest daughter, Catherine, was the fiancée of Duke Louis of Orléans, the second son of
Charles V of France, since 1374. Yet, Catherine died in 1378 and a year later, in 1379, Mary was
betrothed to Sigismund in Trnava (Nagyszombat). In the same year Sigismund arrived in Hungary
to be educated in the Angevin court, and shortly before his death (1382) Louis took the oath of the
Polish aristocrats in Zvolen (Zólyom) that they would accept Sigismund as their future king.
Nevertheless, after Louis’ death his widow Elisabeth had a dominant influence in Hungarian
politics and she was not willing to see her daughter at Sigismund’s side.106 Although the wedding
finally took place in October 1385,107 right after, instead of being crowned, the new husband had to
flee to Bohemia.108 Until late 1386 Sigismund did not refer to his Hungarian role in his intitulatio at
all,109 and he started to use the title regni Hungarie capitaneus et antecessor or regni Hungarie
capitaneus et dominus110 only from the end of November, after he returned to Hungary. He was
crowned on 31st March 1387, but it was not before 1403 that he managed to get rid of the unwished
and distressing control of the Hungarian magnates.111
I.2.2. Sigismund’s Election as King of the Romans in 1410/1411
As a newcomer representing a foreign dynasty Sigismund’s way to the Hungarian throne and the
first fifteen years of his rule was not an easy ride at all. He was fighting many battles – in concrete
and abstract sense as well –, he sacrificed a lot, but finally he reached his aim: by 1410 his position
in the Kingdom of Hungary was stable and undisputed. In that year
… King Rupert, the Prince of Heidelberg, died. So the price electors got together on the day
of St. Bartholomew to elect the new king. John, the archbishop of Mainz and prince of
Nassau, Archbishop Frederick of Cologne and Jobst the Bearded decided for [Jobst,] the
margrave of Moravia. The archbishop of Trier, Count Louis of Heidelberg – who was
Rupert’s son –, and Prince Albert112 of Saxony voted for the Hungarian King Sigismund, at
the same time also margrave of Brandenburg. Then His Majesty [i.e. Sigismund] sent
legates to his uncle Jobst to inquire, if he was intended to set off for Frankfurt in order to
start administering the Holy Roman Empire. He replied that he accepted the Roman
[German] royal title and he was willing to march to Frankfurt. … In the meantime, however,
by the Lord’s will Margrave Jobst died; anyway, he was said to be a great liar... After his
106
On marriage plans with French royals see CSERNUS, Zsigmond és a Hunyadiak 51-56.
ZsO I/559, 560.
108
According to HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 56 as regni hungarie tutor. Nonetheless, I have not found such a title in
the charters preserved in the Hungarian National Archives.
109
Marchio brandenburgensis sacri romani imperii archicamerarius, in the German documents marggraf zu
Brandenburg des heyligen Romischen Reichs Erczkamerer, for e.g. MNL OL DF 239 058, 239 059.
110
MNL OL DL 7226, 7234, 77942 .
111
ENGEL, Ozorai Pipo 118-–119, 124. On the political situation in the years 1382–1387 see MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser
Sigismund 7–26; SÜTTŐ, Dynastiewechsel.
112
Correctly Rudolf.
107
21
death the Archbishops John of Mainz and Frederick of Cologne also gave their vote to him
[i.e. Sigismund].113
Windecke’s account quoted above presents the events of 1410/1411 in an impressive, though
simplified and thus inaccurate form. Most importantly he did not pay attention to the preparatory
diplomatic steps and negotiations which give insight to the political situation and power relations of
the Empire. These conditions had direct effect on Sigismund’s position as King of the Romans, they
considerably limited the margins for manoeuvre and ultimately determined the ways of ruling and
administering the realm. Therefore, the analysis of the following pages do not stand only as a
(more) detailed description of Sigismund’s way to the German throne but also as a brief overview
of political circumstances.114
After Rupert had died on 18th May 1410 in the castle of Landskron the prince electors split
into three camps. Wenceslas of Bohemia, Rudolf of Saxony and Margrave Jobst of Moravia (the
latter claimed the Brandenburgian vote for himself115) did not want to have a new election at all,
saying that Wenceslas was still the legitimate German King.116 Archbishop Werner of Trier and
Louis, count palatine of the Rhine, adherents of Pope Gregory XII, supported Sigismund,117 while
the Archbishops John of Mainz and Frederick of Cologne – the Pisan Popes’ (Alexander V and
John XXIII) imperial proponents – started intense diplomatic activities. First, they sent Count
Emich of Leiningen to King Henry IV of England, and offered him or his son the German crown.
Yet, the king, being the Count Palatine’s father-in-law, rejected the offer.118 Soon after, in July or
August, Count Emich’s and Margrave Bernard of Baden’s envoys travelled to Visegrád,119 where
they conducted unsuccessful negotiations with Sigismund’s plenipotentiary, Burgrave Frederick VI
of Nuremberg.120 Apart from this, the Rhine-prelates apparently got in contact with the French royal
house, too. According to a document, which was compiled at the court of Count Palatine Louis and
published by Joachim Leuschner in 1954, the French offered Bernard 50 000 francs, in case he
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 9–10. (Author’s translation)
Secondary literature on the election i.a. BÜTTNER, Der Weg zur Krone II. 477-521; HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund
148-161; KAUFMANN, Die Wahl Sigmunds; LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik; SCHROHE, Wahl; SCHROLLER, Wahl; WEFERS,
Das politische System 5-33; EBERHARD, Ludwig 12-23; QUIDDE, König Sigmund; BRANDENBURG, Sigmund und
Friedrich, esp. 201-207.
115
Lawfully it was indeed Jobst’s right to vote, SCHROLLER, Wahl 25–28; LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 527–528.
116
The Rhine electors declared Wenceslas deposed on 20 th August 1400.
117
The prince elector of Pfalz was not really in the position of becoming a German king, see MORAW, Pfalzgrafschaft
92.
118
LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 57. Emich’s mission is also mentioned in two documents dated from the 23 rd November
1423 and 4th December 1423, see EBERHARD, Ludwig 13, 167-168. The elector of Cologne was the vassal of Henry IV
of England, EBERHARD, Ludwig 14, n.7.
119
In the Kingdom of Hungary; Daldrup’s spelling Višegrád is a mix of the Slavic (Vyšehrad, Višegrad) and the
Hungarian (Visegrád) forms. On Margrave Berhard see KRIEG, König Sigismund.
120
Recently DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich 77–86. According to BAUM, Kaiser Sigismund 81, on 7th July it was
already known in Buda that the archbishops’ envoys were on their way to Hungary.
113
114
22
would be able to get the two electoral votes for the French king (ime weren zu Franckenrich
funfzigthusent cronen darum werden, wolt er dir zwo stimme an die Fratzosen gewant han).121
Nonetheless, the archbishop of Cologne later denied that he had known anything about such a
diplomatic mission (da sprach der bischof von Colle of den eid, den er dem riche geschworn hette,
er wiste nichts davon).
Turning to Sigismund’s candidacy there are two sources giving an account of the abovementioned meeting in Visegrád: the Chronica pontificum et imperatorum Romanorum written by
Andreas of Regensburg122 and the “Leuschner-document”, which describes the events of the
election in Frankfurt in September 1410.123 According to the chronicler of Regensburg, after
Rupert’s death the archbishops of Mainz and Cologne invited Sigismund to the German throne
(electores duo scilicet archiepiscopi Moguntinensis et Coloniensis secrete quammodo Sigismundum
regem Ungarie ... ad suscipiendum regnum Romanorum per internuncia invitarunt) but the
negotiations in Visegrád (in castro Ungarie Vicegradu, volgariter Plintenburg dicto) were fruitless.
The reason of the failure was that Sigismund did not want to pay the remuneration asked by the two
electors (remuneracionem ... duorum dictorum electorum quam petebant relinquens in suspenso),
nor he wanted to get in conflict with Wenceslas or Jobst. Moreover, he found it also problematic to
convince the other electors, i.e. Werner of Trier and Louis of Pfalz, about his election.124 Therefore,
the envoys of the Rhine prelates turned to Jobst, who accepted the conditions, as a result of which
the margrave was elected as a German king in Frankfurt on 1st October 1410. When the events took
this – for Sigismund inconvenient – turn, Burgrave Frederick of Nuremberg, who was also present
in Frankfurt, asked for explanation at the electors. The two archbishops tried to clear themselves by
stating that their envoy (nuncius), Ulrich Meylär, i.e. Ulrich Meiger of Waseneck,125 had not been
acting according to their instructions in Visegrád (ipsi duo electores dicerent aliter quam habuisset
in mandatis apud Sigismundum regem perorasset). Meiger, however, showed his mandate (litteras
quas habuit ab iam dictis electoribus) in the presence of an illustrious gathering (in publica
convencione principum), thus giving testimony of the truth (testimonium perhibuit veritatis).
The document compiled at the Pfalz-court tells a similar story. Shortly before the election of
1410 the archbishops of Mainz and Cologne were not willing to clear their standpoint and
121
LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 549.
Chron. Hus. 144–145. A detailed analysis by LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 521–526; SCHROHE, Wahl 502–508.
123
LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 545–553. The document was either dictated by the count palatine or compiled by his
counsellor, Job Vener (LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 519; HEIMPEL, Die Vener von Gmünd I. 637–690.) See also RTA VII.
41–47, nr. 30.
124
While the archbishops of Mainz and Cologne were the adherents of Pope Alexander V and then Pope John XXIII,
the electors of Pfalz supported Pope Gregory XII.
125
KAISER, Ulrich Meiger von Waseneck. Kaiser assumed that Andreas of Regensburg got his information directly
from Ulrich Meiger.
122
23
acknowledge Sigismund’s electoral right. Therefore, Frederick of Nuremberg organized a secret
night meeting on 7th September 1410 with Margrave Bernard of Baden, Count Emich and Frederick
of Cologne.126 The author of the document says that previously the prelates had been keen on
establishing a co-operation with the archbishop of Trier (!) and facilitating Sigismund’s election in
order to prevent Louis of Pfalz getting onto the German throne. 127 Therefore, [during the summer]
the margrave and the count had contacted Sigismund in the name of the two archbishops by sending
two envoys, Ulrich Meyer and then Mischkow,128 to Hungary (also hant der markgraf und grave
Emiche mime herren dem kunige ... geschriben und enboten bi Ulrich Meyer, de markgraven
schriber des erste[n und] darnach bi hern Mischkow, eime mins herren von Ungern erben ritter).
At the meeting in question, however, Frederick of Cologne denied that he had known about these
diplomatic missions; so the envoys showed letters addressed to the Hungarian king and took an oath
in order to prove their truth (die boten, die das geworben hant, sint ... hie zu Frankfurd, die mir des
gesten sollent; so sint auch die briefe hie, die sie mime herren dem kunige von dem margraven und
graf Emichen bracht haben).
What can be said for certain is that Emich and Bernard, most probably at the behest of
Archbishop Frederick of Cologne,129 perhaps on their own initiative, contacted Sigismund through
envoys in the summer of 1410. Yet, the negotiations concerning the Hungarian king’s election to
the German throne in Visegrád failed, so the emissaries continued their way to Margrave Jobst.130
But why did Sigismund – or rather Frederick of Nuremberg – reject the offer of the Rhine electors?
Very likely, the reason was lying in the prince electors’ problematic relation to each other.
In 1410 the ideal imperial ally for the Hungarian king was Louis of Pfalz. 131 According to the
condition set by the archbishops of Mainz and Cologne for the case of Sigismund’s election the new
German king should have applied for papal approbation at Pope John XXIII and he should have
asked the approval of the prince electors to appoint his vicar.132 These restrictive measures were
definitely unacceptable for the count palatine, who was eagerly supporting Pope Gregory XII and
who was entitled to exercise vicarial rights in the absence of the king since 1375. Thus, Sigismund’s
126
C.f. with DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich 83.
LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 548–549.
128
Perhaps Mikeš Jemništi who is mentioned in a charter from 1411 (ZsO III/754) as strenuus miles and capitaneus
Solensis. ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 54. See also RI XI/392, 393, 536, 608.
129
On the relation between the archbishop and the margrave see WEFERS, Das politische System 15.
130
KAUFMANN, Die Wahl Sigmunds 45. No further details at ŠTĚPÁN, Jošt 667. either. See also BRANDENBURG,
Sigmund und Friedrich 206–207.
131
WEFERS, Das politische System 9–19. On Louis’ “alliance system” EBERHARD, Ludwig 11–12. Louis of Pfalz was
Frederick of Nuremberg’s nephew.
132
EBERHARD, Ludwig 16, n. 4, 25.
127
24
consent to the archbishops’ proposal would have caused a (perhaps final) break with Louis.133 In
that case, besides losing Louis’ support Sigismund should have taken the risk that the electors of
Pfalz and Trier eventually find a way of co-operation with the Eastern electors – Wenceslas
(Bohemia), Rudolf (Saxony) and Jobst (Brandenburg) – as opposed to Sigismund and the Rhineparty.
Furthermore, by the time of the Visegrád meeting Pipo of Ozora was staying in Bologna at
the court of Pope John XXIII. As a result of the negotiations conducted there some time between
the 20th June and 3rd August134 Pipo – and thus Sigismund – acknowledged John XXIII.135 Gustav
Beckmann supposed, and in my opinion with good reason, that the main issue of the Bologna
consultations was the German election.136 It is quite possible, since soon after the negotiations the
Pope sent two of his legates, Hugo von Hervost and Nikolaus de Altronandis, to Germany to order
the Rhein prelates to give their vote to Sigismund.137 Moreover, Burgrave Frederick himself also
got some news that the archbishops declared themselves to the Pope as willing to elect the King of
Hungary: „er [babst Johannes] doch ir briefe habe das sie [die zwen erzbischof von Colen und
Mentze] den von Ungeren welen wolten, und haben von eins unwillen wegen das gelassen”.138
Taking these aspects into consideration it is possible that by the end of July Sigismund and
Frederick were hoping to get the support of all three German prelates (Mainz, Cologne, Trier) and
that of Louis of Pfalz at the election, without making a deal directly with John of Mainz and
Frederick of Cologne.
Finally, we do not know whether or when the Hungarian court was informed about the
Mainz-Cologne legation’s intention to visit Jobst. There is no doubt, the offer made to the margrave
considerably weakened Wenceslas’ positions which, under certain circumstances, could have been
advantageous for Sigismund. If Jobst and Wenceslas had landed in different “camps” (Jobst-MainzCologne vs. Wenceslas-Saxony/-Trier-Pfalz/), Sigismund could have become the candidate of the
majority of the electors.
133
JANK, Trier 49–51. The negotiations with Louis started only after the envoys had already left Visegrád. SCHROHE,
Wahl 503.
134
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 149; ZsO II/7802, 7807.
135
... qui [Sigismundus], ut idem Pipo orator asserit, in nostra et ecclesia ac successorum nostrorum canonice
intrantium Romanorum pontificum fidelitate, devotione ac obedientia permanere ... intendit. Vet. Mon. Hung. II. 186–
187, nr. 345365. According to BAUM, Kaiser Sigismund 74 on 21st June (without source reference).
136
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 562, n. 2; see also ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói.
137
On 5th and 6th September they were in Frankfurt, RTA VII. 25–28, nr.12. On the papal order SCHROLLER, Wahl 13–
14. See also KAUFMANN, Die Wahl Sigmunds 38; RTA VII. 52–53, n. 5. According to HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund
149. Pope John XXIII tried to convince the archbishop of Trier as well; in the sources, however, I did not find traces of
such an attempt.
138
RTA VII. 52, nr. 36.
25
In this fluid situation Sigismund sent his election promises (Wahlversprechen) to the count
palatine and archbishop of Trier at the beginning of August,139 and on 20th September 1410 it came
to his election in Frankfurt. Since Leuschner, Heimpel and recently Daldrup have already analysed
the scenario in detail, and they also referred to the problem of Burgrave Frederick’s presence in the
city, we can turn directly to the results of the election: Louis of Pfalz, Werner of Trier and
Frederick, who represented Sigismund as a Hungarian king and was voting in his name as the
elector of Brandenburg, elected Sigismund. Soon after Count Louis, Archbishop Werner and
Burgrave Frederick left Frankfurt; the latter perhaps convinced by the promise of the Rhine prelates
that they would also give their consent to the result of the election.140 Yet, in the meantime
Wenceslas and Jobst agreed between themselves on the terms of the German succession and the
latter accepted the conditions of the Rhine-party, as a result of which the plenipotentiaries of the
Eastern electors141 and the two archbishops elected Jobst on 1st October.
After this “spectacular and miserable election”142 neither Jobst nor Sigismund grasped
enthusiastically after the crown. From September to December 1410 Sigismund was on a campaign
in Bosnia, so Frederick informed Nuremberg only on 14th December – after he had met the king in
Đakovo – that Sigismund indeed accepted his election to the German throne.143 Nonetheless, by that
time Sigismund was still planning to encounter Jobst on 8th January 1411 in Buda in order to clear
the situation.144 Although a few days before the planned meeting he had asked for its postponement,
at the end he managed to get at his residence in time. Jobst accepted the invitation but he made it
clear in advance that he was not intending to give up his claim to the German throne. By the
beginning of January, however, he was already seriously ill, so he could not travel to Hungary at all.
Since Sigismund was not informed about the reason of Jobst’s absence, he considered it as his
cousin’s tactical move and time wasting. Therefore, on 12th January he sent a letter to Werner of
Trier telling him that he accepted the German crown and for the first time he used the title von gots
gnaden Romischer konig in his intitulatio.145
139
RTA VII. 19–23, nr. 8–10; RTA VII. 18–19, nr. 7. and 24–25, nr. 11. Although the last two documents do not
mention any of the electors by name, they received an example of the election promises. Analysis EBERHARD, Ludwig
18-21. On Wahlversprechen, Wahlkapitulation and Wahldekret see KLEINHEYER, Wahlkapitulationen 6; HARTUNG,
Wahlkapitulationen; MIETHKE, Wahldekrete.
140
DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich 103; SCHROHE, Wahl 477, 480.
141
It is argued, whether the Saxon elector voted at all, see DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich 104–108. The
emissaries arrived on 28th September in Frankfurt.
142
HOENSCH, Die Luxemburger 232.
143
RTA VII. 52–53, nr. 36; RI XI/13e.
144
Ibid.
145
RTA VII. 53–55, nr. 37; ŠTĚPÁN, Jošt 690–695. Sabine Wefers pointed out that the document was perhaps issued
together with the other similar ones dated from 21st January (RTA VII. 55–59, nr. 38–41.). WEFERS, Das politische
System 23, n. 10.
26
Jobst died on 18th January 1411 in Brno and three days later the news reached the Hungarian
court as well.146 In a few months’ time not only Sigismund himself made a pact with Wenceslas 147
and sent the election promises to the archbishops of Mainz and Cologne148 but also the archbishops
of Mainz and Trier came to an agreement with each other.149 Thus, after another unsuccessful
attempt on 17th July, on 21st July 1411 Sigismund was elected a German king unanimously by the
two Rhine-prelates and the plenipotentiaries of the Saxon, the Brandenburgian and the Czech
elector. The envoys of Archbishop Werner of Trier and Count Palatine Louis, however, refused to
give their vote in order to demonstrate that their lords considered the election of 1410 valid.
Sigismund and his wife Barbara of Cilli were crowned in Aachen on 8 th November 1414, but the
new ruler’s relationship with the prince electors, a dominant political factor in the Empire, remained
far from being trouble-free.
146
RI XI/27.
On 9th July, RTA VII. 102–106, nr. 63; HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 155–156.
148
Sigismund hardly changed anything on the document issued by Jobst: RTA VII. 61–64, nr. 44. c.f. with RTA VII.
106–110, nr. 64 and 65.
149
On 23th June 1411. DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich 118.
147
27
II. The Personal Union in Charters
The German election soon had its effects on the political and administrative life of the Kingdom of
Hungary. The focus of Sigismund’s politics shifted and this resulted in recurring absences from the
land – which was, in fact, by far not so disastrous or unmanageable as medievalists usually claim.
The following chapter is dedicated to the analysis of the question, how the Hungarian royal charters
reflect the administrative and governmental changes which took place after Sigismund had received
the German crown. Although some scholars have already been dealing with the chanceries and their
personnel,150 these results need to be complemented by investigating further problems: how
imperial issues were treated administratively in the first months after the election, how Sigismund’s
imperial chancery was set up and how administrative tasks were divided between the imperial and
the two Hungarian royal chanceries.151 On the next pages first and foremost the external elements of
the charters will be examined (intitulatio, seals, language, chancery notes (or annotations),
corroboration formulas, topical and chronological dates) in order to identify newly introduced
diplomatic elements, to trace modifications in chancery practice and thus to reveal changes in
administration itself.
II.1. One King – One Land: Chancery Practice in the Kingdom of Hungary
Before turning to the changes that Sigismund’s election to the German throne caused in the
administrative and chancery practice of the Kingdom of Hungary, it is necessary to sketch the main
features of the “system” itself. As the social, governmental and judicial structure of medieval
Hungary was fundamentally different from the German or Western-European ones, it is not
surprising that the administrative bodies and documents also had their own characteristics.
Unfortunately, there are hardly any comprehensive works written but in Hungarian on the medieval
judicial and administrative system of the kingdom.152 Perhaps it is due to this lack of basic studies
150
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds; ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds; BÓNIS, Kúriai irodák; BÓNIS, Jogtudó; HAJNIK,
Királyi könyvek; KUMOROVITZ, Audientia; KUMOROVITZ, Kápolnaispán; KUMOROVITZ, Specialis presentia;
KUMOROVITZ, Pecséthasználat; KUMOROVITZ, Egyszerű- és titkospecsét; SZENTPÉTERY, Oklevéltan, SZENTPÉTERY,
Kancelláriai jegyzetek.
151
On the chancery system see below and Appendix 3, as well as KONDOR, Urkundenausstellung.
152
Recently in English on customary law RADY, Customary law. On the central judicial system TIMÓN,
Verfassungsgechichte 675–683; HAJNIK, Bírósági szervezet; BÉLI, Magyar jogtörténet. The last two works are available
only in Hungarian, just like the numerous article on different aspects of medieval Hungarian legal history. On
diplomatics in general SZENTPÉTERY, Oklevéltan; SZENTPÉTERY, Gegenwärtige. On the Hungarian chanceries in the
time of Sigismund C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely 412–413, on earlier and later periods e.g. GYÖRFFY, Die Anfänge; GYÖRFFY,
Chancellerie royale; KUBINYI, Királyi kancellária; KUBINYI, Adatok; KUMOROVITZ, Osztályok, címek; SZILÁGYI,
Magyar kancellária; MEZEY, Privaturkunde.
28
published in foreign languages that papers compiled by German scholars on Sigismund’s chanceries
rarely refer to the Hungarian institutions, or they restrict themselves to general remarks. 153 Even
though an elaborate and exhaustive description is going to be spared here, the following paragraphs
sketch the most important aspects of the fifteenth-century Hungarian judicial and chancery
system.154
By the beginning of the fifteenth century there were two chanceries and four judicial courts
at the Hungarian royal court, the activity of which, as we are going to see, was not entirely
independent from each other. The great chancery, the cancellaria maior, was a writing body which
authenticated its documents with the Hungarian great seal (majestic seal, sigillum maius). Although
officially its head was the chancellor (cancellarius, summus cancellarius), during Sigismund’s reign
the chancery was led by the vice-chancellors in practice.155 Also the seal was being kept at the vicechancellor’s hands – from 1412 at the latest,156 but most probably already in the first decade of the
fifteenth century. In works on Hungarian diplomatics the great chancery is often mentioned as an
organ residing continually in Buda. Yet, this statement is not true for all periods of medieval
history: though with restrictions, i.e. only within the borders of the kingdom, but the seal and the
personnel was travelling together with the ruler from time to time.157
The secret chancery (cancellaria secreta, sometimes cancellaria minor) had the secret seal
(sigillum secretum) at its disposal and the secret chancellor at its peak. It was a relatively young
institution, which came to existence as a part of King Louis I’s administrative reforms in the 1370s,
and which reached its heydays under the rule of Sigismund. The great and the secret chanceries
were united by King Matthias in 1464. Nonetheless, such a tendency can be observed in the last five
years of Sigismund’s rule as well, when Matthias Gatalóczi served as great and secret chancellor at
the same time (1433–1439).158
Besides these two cancellariae there were further writing bodies at the royal court: the
chanceries of the judicial courts. The existence of four judicial courts at the Hungarian royal curia
at the turn of the fourteenth and fifteenth century was the result of a long institutional development,
which was certainly not over by 1400. In fact, the system was still changing under Sigismund’s
153
ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds; J. CARO, Aus der Kanzlei; LINDNER, Beiträge. It is usually emphasized in the
German-speaking diplomatics/historiography that “in the beginning of Sigismund’s rule … everything speaks for a
Hungarian-dominated new beginning of the German royal chancery.” ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds 436.
154
For a more detailed picture see KONDOR, Urkundenausstellung.
155
BÓNIS, Jogtudó 98.
156
C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely 416, 419. Vice-chancellor Szászi and the majestic seal e.g. MNL OL DL 10389 (ZsO V/1156),
MNL OL DL 10517 (ZsO VI/599), MNL OL DF 281711 (ZsO VI/671), MNL OL DF 248789 (ZsO VI/830), MNL OL
DL 11135 (ZsO VIII/997). Vice-chancellor Gatalóczi and the secret seal (1426) MNL OL DL 68698.
157
KONDOR, Feldlager.
158
Between 1423 and 1433 all the three chanceries, i.e. Hungarian great, secret and the imperial, were led by John of
Alben, bishop of Zagreb.
29
reign (Appendix 2 and Ch. III.2.3.). A charter dated from 14th April 1421 lists the judicial courts of
the royal curia as follows: in nostra personali aut speciali sive palatinali et iudicis curie nostre
presentiis.159
From all four, the court of the personalis presentia regia was the only forum where the king
himself decided in the judicial cases in the 1410s.160 The other three were chaired by the palatine
(judicial court of the palatine), the judge royal161 (court of the presentia regia) and the chancellor
or, better to say, the specialis presentiae maiestatis vicegerens (court of the specialis presentia
regia).162 In case of the latter the chancellor was only the nominal head of the court; just like at the
great chancery, the daily routine was run by a vicegerent. At this point it should be noted that the
social and political elite of the Kingdom of Hungary generally considered the positions of high
dignitaries merely a source of income, and not as duties or a service to be performed. Therefore,
almost always the vices led and controlled the actual activity of a given institution or ran the
business: the vice-chancellors in the chanceries, the proto-notaries and the specialis vicegerens at
the judicial courts.
Another special characteristic feature of the Hungarian central administration was that a
large number of charters were produced in the name of the ruler but without his active participation
in any phases of the judicial or administrative process itself.163 While the documents of the palatinal
court and the presentia regia were issued in the name of the palatine and the judge royal, the two
other judicial forums of the royal curia, i.e. the specialis presentia and the personalis presentia, and
the two main writing bodies, i.e. the great chancery and the secret chancery, issued their charters in
the name of the king. Moreover, until 1430/1435 there was one more body acting in the ruler’s
name: the office of the middle seal (sigillum mediocre). Its origins trace back to the chapel royal
(capella regia), and – without going into details concerning its rather complicated development in
the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries164 – since King Louis’ reforms its task was to handle actions
brought to court, i.e. to name the judge in charge of a given case and to issue the necessary
mandate(s). In short, it functioned as a kind of “audientia” in judicial cases. Thus, it engrossed
mostly letters of inquisition (inqusitoria), letters of introduction to a property (statutoria), summons
159
MNL OL DL 31408.
Until 1435.
161
Until the mid-fifteenth century also the tavernicus decided at the court of the presentia regia (in cases of the towns),
then at his own court (sedes tavernicalis).
162
As their names also suggest, at the beginning of their development all the royal judicial courts were chaired by the
king himself; later he delegated to the tasks related to court proceedings to one of his representatives.
163
SZENTPÉTERY, Kancelláriai jegyzetek 481–482.
164
KUMOROVITZ, Kápolnaispán; KUMOROVITZ, Várkápolna 125–128. See also on page 156.
160
30
(evocatoria) and prohibitions (prohibitoria) in connection with cases dealt with by one of the four
Chancellor
(cancellarius, summus
cancellarius)
Great Seal
(sigillum magnum / maius,
sigillum maiestatis)
Secret chancery
(cancellaria secreta)
Secret Chancellor
(secretarius cancellarius)
Secret Seal
(sigillum secretum)
Office of the Middle
Seal
Count of the Chapel Royal
(comes capellae/ capellanus)
Middle Seal
(sigillum mediocre)
Chancellor (nominal) / specialis
presentiae majestatis vicegerens
Chancellor’s private seal165
Chancery of the
presentia regia
Judge Royal
Seal of the Judge Royal166
Chancery of the
Palatinal Court
Palatine
Palatine’s seal167
Chancery of the
specialis presentia
regia
B o d i e s
Great chancery
(cancellaria maior)
J u d i c i a l
Issued documents in the
ruler’s name
curial judicial courts.
Figure 1: Writing organs in the Kingdom of Hungary
Writing organs, their leaders and their seals
The chart above presents the writing bodies of the Hungarian governmental and judicial central
administration by the beginning of the fifteenth century. It shows the title of leaders, who were
usually in charge of the seal, as well as the names which primary sources apply to the seals these
organs used. The reason why the court of the personalis presentia regia is not referred to above is
that the king’s personal decisions were put in a written form by the great chancery;168 thus, this
court did not have its own personnel for issuing documents. In fact, this practice is a clear
manifestation of the inseparable intertwining of governmental administration and jurisdiction; yet,
by far not the only one. In the development of the office of the middle seal a clear shift can be
165
Recently on the specialis presentia and its sealing practice C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely 414-416. Corroboration: presentes
autem propter absentiam venerabilis patris domini Eberhardi episcopi ecclesie Zagrabiensis aule nostre cancellarii et
sigillorum nostrorum erga ipsum habitorum sigillo eiusdem [i.e. Eberhardi] fecimus consignari and also presentes
autem propter celerem expeditionem aliarum causarum regnicolarum nostrorum sigillo venerabilis Eberhardi episcopi
Zagrabiensis aule nostre cancelarii fecimus consignari, but only between 1406 and 1412.
166
Kept by the proto-notary.
167
Kept by the proto-notary.
168
BÓNIS, Kúriai irodák 219.
31
observed from a governmental-administrative towards a judicial-administrative character,169 while
with regard to the specialis presentia some scholars suggest that the chancery personnel of this
judicial court actually formed a department of the great chancery.170
Except for the personalis presentia, Sigismund did not take part in the activity of the curial
judicial courts or the audientia in person. Thus, his German election and his absence did not have
any substantial influence on the daily routine of these bodies – apart from the change of the
intitulatio, of course. Consequently, it is not the documents issued by the judicial courts which
stand in the focus of my analysis, but the charters of the two cancelleriae, including the chancery
pieces which were compiled in cases treated by the personalis presentia. The great and secret
chancery had direct (commissio propria domini regis notes) or indirect (relatio-notes) contacts to
the ruler, meaning that at some point the king himself was involved in the actus, which was put in a
written form by these writing bodies. Therefore, as a final point of this brief summary of the
Hungarian chancery practice, the following chart gives an overview of the main document forms
issued by the great and secret chanceries. This classification is not a content-based but a
“diplomatic” one; it focuses on the external characteristic features of the charters. 171
Type of the Charter
Privilege /
Diploma
litterae
privilegiales
Right conferred
in the charter
Solemn
litterae
permanent
solemnes (in perpetuum)
Simple
temporary173
or
Letters patent
Litterae patentes
no right
conferred
(documenting a
Letters closed
legal act)
Litterae clausae
Mode of Sealing
Great chancery
Secret chancery
natural colour sealing
red sealing vax
172
wax
hanging great seal
(as sigillum duplex or
simplex)
hanging secret seal
applied great seal on the
reverse side
applied secret seal on the
front side under the text
great seal as closing
seal174
secret seal as closing seal
Figure 2: Document forms of the Hungarian chanceries
Forms of documents issued by the Hungarian great and secret chanceries
169
For the development of the royal chapel to office of the middle seal see page 156.
KUMOROVITZ, Osztályok, címek 328, c.f. with BÓNIS, Jogtudó 131. who says that it was the notaries of the judge
royal who compiled the documents of the specialis presentia.
171
For the thematic systematization of chancery documents BORSA, Irattípusok.
172
I. e. yellowish–pale brownish.
173
The clause of the donation charters usually promises the issuing of a solemn privilege at a later time.
174
KUMOROVITZ, Egyszerű- és titkospecsét 79.
170
32
II.2. Wearing Two Crowns: the First Years (1411–1414)
II.2.1. New Phenomena in the Hungarian Chancery Practice after 1411
II.2.1.1. Rex Romanorum: New Title, New Seal
The first charter referring to Sigismund’s new royal title (Sygismund von gots gnaden Romischer
konig) in the intitulatio was issued on 12th January 1411 in Buda and addressed to Archbishop
Werner of Trier informing him that Sigismund accepted the German crown.175 Similar documents
are dated also from 21st January.176
Royal charters addressed to Hungarian recipients do not mention Sigismund’s Roman title
until 6th February, when the Hungarian secret chancery issued a patent in Sigismund’s name as Dei
gratia Romanorum rex semper augustus necnon Hungarie rex in Vác.177 On the very same day,
however, the great chancery compiled two other charters, which still name the king “only” as
Sigismundus dei gratia rex Hungarie Dalmatie Croatie etc.,178 just like a mandate issued by the
office of the middle seal.179 Nonetheless, not only the secret chancery, but also the writing bodies of
the specialis presentia and the office of the middle seal adopted the new practice soon, i.e. in the
middle of February and June at the latest,180 apparently without further inconsistencies. (Appendix
4)
Reviewing the great chancery’s practice, we face an ambiguous situation. While for the
letters patent and letters closed the new title was introduced without problems, in the case of the
privileges the chancery personal was seemingly hesitant. The great chancery issued a diploma with
the German intitulatio on 16th April for the first time, and further two within the following six
days.181 In the next six months, however, except for four pieces182 the charters authenticated with a
pendant great seal were issued in Sigismund’s as Hungarian ruler’s name and the great chancery
175
RTA VII. 53–55, nr. 37. See n. 145.
RTA VII. 55–58, nr. 38–39.
177
MNL OL DL 78920. From this date all the patents of the secret chancery used the new intitulatio, the earliest such
letter closed is dated from 9th March (MNL OL DF 211 246).
178
MNL OL DL 66862 (relatio comitis Symonis de Rozgon judicis curie regis) and MNL OL DL 66 869 (insert: unam
nostram patentem maiori nostro autentico quo videlicet ut rex Hungarie utimur simplici sigillo a tergo consignatam,
MNL OL DF 258930). Sigismund’s full title before the German election: Sigismundus dei gratie Hungarie Dalmatie
Croatie Rame Servie Galitie Lodomerie Comanie Bulgarieque Rex, marchio Brandenburgensis, Sacri Romani Imperii
Archicamerarius necnon Bohemie et Lucemburgensis heres.
179
MNL OL DL 53570.
180
Specialis presentia: in letters closed MNL OL DL 78991, 72407, MNL OL DF 228355; in letters patent the first
example is MNL OL DL 57417 (12 th June 1411). Office of the middle seal: most probably already in April (MNL OL
DF 260344; it is not completely clear that the seal is a middle seal), but surely from June (MNL OL DF 220558,
211733, 227102, 225599).
181
MNL OL DF 281705, DL 63734, DF 228561.
182
Rex Romanorum: MNL OL DL 7091, DF 210892, 210893, 285867.
176
33
started to use the extended title regularly only from the middle of October. Nonetheless, it is not the
only “puzzling” phenomenon in the practice of the great chancery; also the use of the seal poses
questions, which problem is going to be addressed below.
Besides the changed intitulatio other new phenomena appeared in the Hungarian chancery
practice from 1411 onwards. Up to 1411 exclusively great-seal-privileges had a corroboration
formula, usually in the form of concessimus presentes litteras nostras privilegiales pendentis et
autentici sigilli nostri novi duplicis munimine roboratas. After the German election the words “quo
ut rex Hungarie utimur” were added to this formula, and at the same time the chancery started to
use a shorter form of this corroboration in the patents as well (sigillo nostro maiori quo ut rex
Hungarie utimur183). It must also be noted that in the case of the privileges the extended
corroboration and the new title went hand-in-hand. In other words, all the privileges issued by
Sigismund as King of Hungary included the old corroboration, while the corroboration formula of
those ones which were engrossed by him as Romanorum rex et rex Hungarie etc. always contained
the quo ut rex Hungarie utimur part.184
In the practice of the secret chancery the use of the corroboration formula was a totally new
– and apparently ephemeral – phenomenon. The above-mentioned charter dated from the 6th
February 1411 was the first document, or at least one of the first specimens, containing this
diplomatic element. How unusual it was for the scribe to insert such a remark in the text becomes
apparent when we consult the original of the document. After having started putting down the date
in the usual form he realized (or he was warned) that he forgot to include the new corroboration
element; thus, he crossed out his first version, inserted the reference to the seal and finally put the
place and date of issuing.
183
Modifictions can be observed only exceptionally, e.g. sigillo nostro maiori quo regnum Hungarie utitur (MNL OL
DL 79027).
184
Apart from the documents of the specialis presentia which always contain the specific formula (n. 165) I did not find
any examples of closed letters having a corroboration, no matter which chancery issued them.
34
MNL OL DL 78920
(6th February 1411)
Image 2: Secret chancery corroboration
The corroboration formula on the patents issued by the secret chancery has never become coherent:
the most often used versions were the (sub) sigillo nostro solito, sigillo nostro consueto and sigillo
nostro solito et consueto forms, but there are examples for sigillo nostro minori consueto,185 sigillo
nostro solito quo videlicet ut rex hungarie utimur,186 appressione sigilli nostri secreti consweti,187
sigillo nostro secreto solito quo utimur,188 quibus solitum nostrum sigillum impressum est,189
sigillum nostrum solitum appressum190 etc. as well. Moreover, by the end of September 1411 the
corroboration disappeared from the patents of the secret chancery again.
Nonetheless, there is a whole group of charters issued by the secret chancery which kept
using corroboration formula also after 1411. These were the litterae armales Sigismund donated to
his Hungarian subjects while staying in the Empire. Granting coats of arms to noble families was
Sigismund’s “invention” in Hungary,191 who realized how cost-efficient it actually was for the royal
treasury to bestow litterae armales instead of lands, castles or taxes. Since these documents granted
privileges, i.e. rights in perpetuum, according to the Hungarian chancery practice they must have
been written on parchment and should have been sealed with a pending great seal – which was
185
MNL OL DF 246840.
MNL OL DL 83574, 66454 (sigillum nostrum solitum quo videlicet ut rex Hungarie utimur), MNL OL DL 86647
(sigillum nostrum solitum quo videlicet ut rex Hungarie utimur impressum); MNL OL DF 248046 and 248066.
187
MNL OL DF 254983.
188
MNL OL DL 103426.
189
MNL OL DL 105423.
190
MNL OL DL 266938.
191
The first two grants from 1398 and 1401 do not contain the depiction of the coat of arms; the first “real” charter
granting coat of arms is from 1405. (JÉKELY, Die Rolle 298.) These early pieces were not issued as privileges but as
letters patent authenticated with an applied secret seal. In Constance Sigismund granted 29 coats of arms; on the
structure of the documents see WEISZ, Armoriale.
186
35
indeed the case until 1412.192 Between December 1412 and February 1419, however, the Hungarian
great seal was not with Sigismund,193 so the chancery applied the red secret seal as a pending seal
on these charters, and also inserted a corroboration formula cum pendenti secreto nostro regio
sigillo quo ut rex Hungarie utimur / sigilli nostri secreti quo ut rex Hungarie utimur appensione.194
It is interesting to note here that there are two litterae armales for the Hungarian nobles Antal
Somkereki195 and Martin Bossányi,196 who received imperial coats of arms. These pieces were of
course issued by the imperial chancery and sealed with imperial great seal.197
The importance of the corroboration formula becomes evident if one considers those
transcripts in which a chancery (i.e. the chancellor, notary or scribe) failed to identify the seal
correctly. Obviously, Hungarian writing organs – even the curial ones – every now and then had
problems in differentiating between Sigismund’s Hungarian and German secret seal. The Hungarian
secret chancery issued a charter in connection with property litigation in favor of Abraham Vajai on
2nd June 1413 in Belluno.198 The charter does not have a corroboration; yet, even on the black and
white photograph of the Hungarian State Archives one can recognize the four coats of arms in the
legend, which was a characteristic feature of Sigismund’s fifth Hungarian secret seal. (See the
images nr. 3 and nr. 6 below.) Later, on 21st February 1414, this very mandate was inserted in a
process-postponement issued by the specialis presentia,199 which then identified the abovementioned Hungarian secret seal as Sigismund’s imperial seal: litteras nostras ad relationem
Piponis de Ozora comitis nostri Themesiensis sub sigillo nostro imperiali patente emanatas.200
Although the original is missing, most probably the chancery of James Szántói Lack, ban of
Slavonia, made the same mistake when they transcribed Sigismund’s charter issued on 25 th January
1414 in Cremona.201 This transcript of 1418 contains Sigismund’s three previous charters, namely
unam ad propriam commissionem eiusdem sub imperiali, secundam ad comissionem baronum sub
maiori necnon tertiam sub mediocri sigillis eiusdem super libertatibus dicti regni Sclavonie omnino
patenter emanates. Since all three, including the first one issued in Cremona, deal with the matters
192
MNL OL DL 64122 (1405); CDH X/4. 742–746. (24th Februray 1409): pendentis et autentici sigilli nostri novi
dupplicis.
193
KONDOR, Feldlager and below.
194
Most probably to follow the authentic privilege form as much as possible. E.g. MNL OL DF 262383 (Bocskai);
MNL OL 50510 (Szentgyörgyi), MNL OL DL 94142 (Nádasdi), MNL OL DL 50514 (Hotvafői); MNL OL DL 67416
(Szirmai), MNL OL DL 50516 (Petneházi) etc.
195
MNL OL DL 104871: presencium sum [sic!] nostre maiestatis sigilli appen[sio/ne] testimonio litterarum. WEISZ,
Somkereki, without hints at the fact that the charter was issued by the imperial chancery.
196
MNL OL DL 50511.
197
MNL OL DL 50511. (According to the MNL OL abstract “with a false seal.”)
198
MNL OL DF 96844.
199
MNL OL DL 62226 and 96854. On MNL OL 62226 see n. in ZsO IV/1699.
200
There is a possibility that the seal was labelled as imperial because of the imperial eagle on it.
201
MNL OL DF 268074. KUKULJEVIĆ (ed.), Jura I. 185–190, nr. 132.
36
concerning Slavonia, it is rather unlikely that in that case the imperial chancery was responsible for
the issuing.202 Indeed, there were cases when a document was not authenticated with the “right”
seal, but then a formula was added to the text explaining the reason of the substitution of one kind
of seal with another.
Let’s turn now to the seals themselves! The new Hungarian secret seal was molded by the
end of September 1411. While on the charters issued for magister George and his son Peter on 14 th
September the old seal’s coat of arms can be seen,203 the letters patent issued in Pozsony (Pressburg,
today Bratislava) on 29th and 30th September as well as on 4th October204 were authenticated with an
applied seal showing an eagle: the emblem of Sigismund’s new Hungarian secret seal. The charter
from 29th September 1411 sealed with the new secret seal on the reverse side and addressed to the
counties of Bács205 and Várad was actually a public announcement of the introduction of the
sigillum novum (Appendix 5). Nonetheless, according to a report compiled by the chapter of Nyitra
on 17th November, on 28th September the chancery had already used the new Hungarian secret
seal.206
202
From the same day (25th January 1414) there are two further documents to Hungarian addressees with red vax seal
(MNL OL DL 32142 and 95678).
203
MNL OL DL 57420.
204
MNL OL DL 92397, 9820 and 58843.
205
According to the early modern copy of the document it was addressed to the county of Bács (comitatus de Bach); c.f.
with ZsO III/993 (comitatus de Wos[war]).
206
MNL OL DL 75687: novo vestro sigillo confirmatas. Supposedly the old seal was used on 21 st September 1411 in
Buda for the last time; ZsO III/962 refers to a – for now lost – charter which was authenticated by the “usual seal,” that
is the old sigillo solito (secret seal).
37
MNL OL DL 9773
(24th April 1411)
Image 3: Sigismund’s fourth Hungarian secret seal
(Obverse)
Legend:
S(igillum) Sigismundi reg(is) hung(arie) etc sac(ri) ro(mani) imp(erii) vicar(ii) et reg(ni) boem(ie)
gub(er)nato(ris)
MNL OL DL 58843
(4th October 1411)
Image 4: Sigismund’s fifth Hungarian secret seal
(Obverse)
Legend:
Sigism(un)dus dei gra(tia) – romanorum i(mperator) se – mp(er) augustus – ac hungarie zc Rex
38
Apparently, the middle seal was not changed after Sigismund’s election to the German throne.207
This fact – considering the strictly judicial function of the office, its “self-operating” nature and
complete independence from the ruler – is perhaps not really surprising. The more surprising fact is
that until 1433 Sigismund did not change his Hungarian great seal either.208
MNL OL DL 8442
(2nd July 1414)
Image 5: Sigismund’s second middle seal
(Obverse)
Legend:
+ S(igillum) Sigismundi reg(is) hung(ari)e etc sac(ri) rom(ani) imp(erii) et reg(is) boem(ie)
gub(er)nator(is)
207
See MNL OL DL 9293 (1407), 9153 (1409), 8442 (1414), 10259 (1414).
See for e.g. MNL OL DL 8929 (1408), 9406 (1408), 9021 (1409), 9535 (1409), 37592 (1410), 9639 (1410), 9733
(January 1411), DL 9744 (January 1411), DL 9745 (July 1411), DL 8832 (1418). Neither the corroboration formula of
the great seal privileges changed between 1405 and 1433: sigilli nostri pendentis novi et autentici dupplicis. The
identification of four great seals in KONDOR, Urkundenausstellung 216. is erroneous.
208
39
Image 6: Sigismund’s second Hungarian great seal
MNL OL DL 9745
(4th July 1411)
(Obverse)
Legend:
+ SIGISMVNDVS DEI GRATIA HVNGARIE DALMACIE CROACIE RAME SERVIE
GALLICIE LODOMERIE CVMANIE BVLGARIEQVE REX AC MARCHIO
BRANDENBVRGENSIS SACRI ROMANI IMPERII ARCHICAMERARIVS BOHEMIE ET
LVCEMBURGENSIS HERES
Indeed, the great seal was changed only two times during Sigismund’s reign: around 1405 209 and in
1433. The breaking up of the old (fourth) secret seal and the molding of a new one in 1411 was
explained with the augmentum tituli,210 but this fact was apparently not a reason for the introduction
of a new great seal. Although one could argue that in 1411 Sigismund was probably expecting to
receive the imperial title within a couple of months, and thus he saw no need of replacing the old
seal with a “provisory” one, there are at least two reasons speaking against this explanation. First,
before his second election Sigismund promised Wenceslas that he would not strive for the imperial
crown in his brother’s lifetime. Even if for Sigismund agreements like this were very far from being
set in stone (he ordered the imperial, i.e. not royal, version of the imperial great seal already in
209
After the uprising of the barons in 1401-1403 there was no great seal until March 1405. C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely 419.
On smashing of the fourth secret seal MNL OL DL 88104 (transcript of a patent issued on 4 th July 1411): quasdam
litteras nostras patentes priori minori secreto sigillo nostro quo ut rex hungarie utebamur alias propter augmentum
tituli nostri ratione electionis nostre in regem Romanorum facte confracto et in partes dissecato consignatas); MNL OL
DF 254658 (insert of the charter issued on 13th July 1411): alias ratione electionis sue in regem Romanorum facte
propter augmentum sui tituli in partes dissecato; MNL OL 67757 (transcript of a charter issued on 22 nd September
1408): exhibuit et presentavit litteras nostras patentes nostro secreto sigillo alias propter augmentum tituli nostri
ratione electionis nostre in [regem Romanorum facte]. For the change in 1433: secreto sigillo quo ut rex Hungarie
utebatur alias propter augmentum tituli sui imperialis susceptis coronis imperialibus rupto et in partes dissecato. CDH
XI. 218, nr. 96. (From Albert’s confirmation in 1439.)
210
40
1417,211 and in spite of the agreement he had never handed over any imperial incomes to
Wenceslas), he was clever enough not to provoke his brother shortly after the 1411 election. Thus,
in my opinion, the wished acquisition of the imperial title could hardly be the right explanation for
the non-replacement of the seal.
Secondly, if we consider the practice under Louis I or Matthias Corvinus we face the same
phenomenon. When Louis of Anjou became King of Poland in 1370 his new title appeared on the
ring seal212 and the middle seal213 almost immediately. Yet, the great seal molded in 1364, the
legend of which certainly did not name him as Polish monarch,214 was not replaced. Also Matthias
Corvinus acted similarly: although his intitulatio was extended with the title of rex Bohemie in
1469, his great seal molded in 1464 was not replaced until his death in 1490.215
Except for half a sentence written by Bernát L. Kumorovitz in 1932216 I haven’t found any
scholarly works referring to this “special status” of the great seal; yet, this subject does not belong
to the issues examined in the present chapter either. What is important here, in terms of
administration, is that the non-replacement of the great seal in 1411 was not a unique phenomenon
or an exceptional practice to be connected to Sigismund’s rule or to the personal union. On the
contrary, the “administrative tradition” – at least that of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries –
apparently preferred keeping the great seal unchanged as long as it was possible. Therefore, the
right question to be posed is not why the old seal was not replaced by a new one in 1411, but why it
was replaced in 1405 and in 1433? Nevertheless, this problem requires investigations which would
exceed the frameworks of this thesis. Here, to sum up and close the present subchapter the
following chart gives an overview of the seals Sigismund used as King of Hungary. His imperial
ones are going to be referred to in Chapter II.2.2.
211
Nonetheless, it must be noted that although Wenceslas died in August 1419, John Kirchen ordered the imperial seal
in Sigismund’s name already in November 1417 in Constance from Arnold Boemel for 200 gulden. TAKÁCS (ed.),
Sigismundus 187; HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 251.
212
Louis’ ring seals: PRAY, Syntagma Tab. IV. Fig. 5, 7-8.
213
SCHÖNHERR, I. Lajos 91. Before the chancery reform introduced by Louis I the ring seal served as the ruler’s private
seal.
214
LODOVICUS • DEI • GRACIA • HVNGARIE •DALMACIE •CROACIE• RAME• SERVIE• GALLICIE
•LODOMERIE •COMANIE• BVLG •ARIEQ •REX •PRINCEPS• SALLERNITANVS• ET •HONORIS •MONTIS
•SANCTI •ANGELI •DOMINVS. (ZIMMERMANN-WERNER (eds.), Urkundenbuch II. 654–655 and Tafel III. 10, IV. 14.)
Louis’ Polish seal: S • LODOVICI • DEI • GRACIA • REGIS • HVNGARIE • POLONIE • DALMACIE •
CHROVACIE • AT • CETERA. (PÓR, Pecséttan 17–18.)
215
On his seals see KUMOROVITZ, Mátyás. The obvers of the great seal: Sigillum maiestatis Mathie dei gracia hungarie
dalmacie croacie rame servie gallicie lodomerie commanie bulgarieque regis. Revers: Sigillum secundum Mathie dei
gracia regis hungarie et aliorum regnorum in altero pari sigillo expressatorum et cetera. In 1469 Matthias did not
replace his Hungarian secret seal either; his Bohemian royal title was mentioned only on the Czech seals.
216
KUMOROVITZ, Mátyás király 8: “It is rather interesting that Matthias did not replace his original seal when there was
a change in the nature of his rule.”
41
Sigismund’s Hungarian Seals
Great Seal
1. 1387–1405217
Secret Seal
1. 1387–1396218
Middle Seal
1. 1387–1402219
2. 1397–1401 spring220
3. 1401–middle of 1402221
2. 1405–1433222
4. 1402–1410223
2. after 1402224
5. 1411–1433225
3. 1433–1437226
6. 1433–1437227
Figure 3: Sigismund’s Hungarian seals
II.2.1.2. Imperial Issues – Non-Imperial Chanceries
Before 1410/1411 the Hungarian chanceries issued documents the content and the addressees of
which were connected to the Kingdom of Hungary. The only exceptions were the pieces related to
the Margraviate of Brandenburg228 and, of course, diplomatic correspondence. After Rupert’s death
the “non-Hungarian” issues to be put down in a written form grew in number and required experts
who knew the imperial chancery practice. It seems that in the first months it was rather Burgrave
Frederick of Nuremberg’s private chancery which dealt with these cases.
The relations between the burgraves of Nuremberg and the house of Luxembourg date back
to 1375, when Charles IV engaged his daughter Margaret (Sigismund’s sister) with John III of
Nuremberg (Frederick VI’s older brother). Both John and Frederick fought at the battle of Nicopolis
(1396) at Sigismund’s side; according to the tradition John was also one of the quite many who
saved the king’s life there. While John was not really active as regards of politics, Frederick
engaged himself in imperial affairs soon, and after having been Wenceslas’ and Rupert’s advisor he
became Sigismund’s perhaps most trusted man in the Empire in the early 1410s. Already by the
217
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.3; ZIMMERMANN-WERNER (eds.), Urkundenbuch III. Tafel I. 1. 2.
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.4; POSSE, Siegel II. 12. 4.
219
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.5; PRAY, Syntagma Tab. X. Fig. 6; KUMOROVITZ, Kápolnaispán 496, Fig. 5.
220
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.6; PRAY, Syntagma Tab. I. Fig. 5.
221
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.7; MNL OL DL 8684.
222
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.11; SZILÁGYI (ed.), Magyar nemzet III. 439; POSSE, Siegel 13. 3.
223
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.8; PRAY, Syntagma Tab. XI. Fig. 10.
224
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.10; KUMOROVITZ, Kápolnaispán 496, Fig. 6.
225
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.15; PRAY, Syntagma Tab. XI. Fig. 9.
226
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.22; POSSE, Siegel 15. 1–2.
227
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.23; PRAY, Syntagma Tab. X. Fig. 5.
228
Sigimund issued these pieces as Margrave of Brandenburg sealed with his vicarial seal, e.g. 21st June 1410 (Buda)
“sigillatis sigillo vacariatus officii,” Scr. Rer. Prus. III. 402–403. On Sigismund as Magrave of Brandenburg see
HEIDEMANN, Die Luxemburger; WINKELMANN, Mark Brandenburg; WINKELMANN, Sigismund.
218
42
beginning of 1410 it was Frederick’s marshal who received 40 000 fl. in Sigismund’s name from
the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order for Neumark.229 Frederick had the political connections,
influence and experience Sigismund needed in the election struggle. Last but not least, he was King
Rupert’s brother-in-law and the Count Palatine Louis III’s uncle.230 Thus, it was almost evident that
he became Sigismund’s plenipotentiary and representative in affairs related to the Empire and the
imperial throne.231
On 15th August 1410 Sigismund left for Bosnia from where he returned by the end of the
year. In the meantime Frederick was dealing with the issue of the German election: he was
negotiating and acting in Sigismund’s name not only before and during, but also after the
election.232 Even the documents issued by Sigismund himself – for instance the election promises
(Wahlversperchen) written on 5th and 6th August 1410 in Buda – were co-sealed by Frederick.233
These charters were authenticated with the Hungarian majestic seal (orkund diß briefs versigelt mit
unser kuniglichen majestadingesigel), but the question, who formulated the German texts and who
put them in a written form, cannot be answered for the moment. Most probably it was not the
scribes and notaries of the Hungarian chanceries, as they did not have any experience with the
imperial charters. It would be logical to assume that somebody from Frederick’s chancery was in
charge of these tasks; Leuschner even stated that the burgrave had pre-sealed bianco-parchments
from Sigismund, which he – or better to say his chancery – could use for issuing the necessary
documents.234
In the beginning of 1411 Sigismund started to organize his imperial chancery. Commenting
on this issue Jörg K. Hoensch wrote that Sigismund had to entrust competent and reliable persons
from the Hungarian chancery personnel with the new tasks.235 Unfortunately, apart from two names
(vice-chancellor George and Peter Wlaschim) and a new type of chancery note (ad mandatum
229
CDB II/3. 173, nr. 1290. On 2nd March 1410.
Frederick’s older sister Elisabeth married Rupert in 1374.
231
WEFERS, Das politische System 7-8; FLOCKEN, Friedrich I; TWELLENKAMP, Burggrafen; BRANDENBURG, Sigmund
und Friedrich. On 25th July 1410 Sigismund gave Frederick 20 000 fl. as he ad nostre maiestatis decus, vero eciam
totius Regni commodum, reipublice augmentum et Regnicolarum utilitatem, temporum processu et qualitate
requirentibus expensarum onera gravia sueque ac suorum personarum iuges labores supportando magnifice fecit et
fructuose hactenus est operatus. Mon. Zoll. VI. 618–619, nr. 561. As warranty Sigismund guaranteed the city of
Pressburg and the castle, the castle of Komárom and the market towns of Neszmély and Tata. Besides, on 3 rd July 1411
he conferred him the imperial taxes for a year (Mon. Zoll. VI. 662, nr. 606.). In 1411 Frederick’s brother John
represented Sigismund at the election; for the reasons see DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich 123–124.
232
Frederick to Frankfurt on 27th September 1410: wir als sein Botschafft und Machthalter von seinen wegen und in
seinem Namen (Mon. Zoll. VI. 624–625, nr. 566). See also RTA VII. 52–53, nr. 36, Mon. Zoll. VI. 646, nr. 590.
233
des alle wir burggraff Friedrich obgenannt uns auch also erkennen one alle geverde, und haben darumb zu des
obgenant unsers gnedigen herren des kunigs von Ungern ingesigel unser eigen ingesigel an disen brieff tun hencken.
RTA VII. 18–23, nr. 7–10; also Mon. Zoll. VI. 619, nr. 562.
234
LEUSCHNER, Wahlpolitik 508.
235
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 469. Similarly ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds.
230
43
domini regis) there is hardly any information which could help the researcher in reconstructing the
very first steps of the development. Yet, the picture one gains from the scarce data supports only
partly Hoensch’s thesis.
On 12th January 1411 a letter – referred to above as well – was issued in Sigismund’s name,
which informed Archbishop Werner of Trier that Sigismund accepted the German crown. 236
Although it was written in German and bears the ad mandatum domini regis chancery note
characteristic of the imperial writing bodies, Sigismund’s imperial chancery was surely not yet set
up by that time. The document was issued sub sigillo regnorum nostrorum Hungarie with a date in
Latin, and it names vice-chancellor George as person responsible for issuing the charter. This vicechancellor was definitely not Bishop George of Passau as it was suggested in the seventh volume of
the RTA, since by that time he had nothing to do with Sigismund or his chanceries.237 Moreover,
George of Passau has never been vice-chancellor, but he became imperial chancellor after
Kanizsai’s leave in 1417 (Appendix 3).238 There is only one vice-chancellor George known from
the early 1410s, namely George Késmárki, the vice-chancellor of the Hungarian secret chancery;239
thus, the person referred to in the chancery note must be him.
Nonetheless, the corroboration formula (sub sigillo regnorum nostrorum Hungarie) suggests
that the charter was actually sealed with the Hungarian great seal. Lacking the original this
information cannot be double-checked, but considering another piece issued by Petrus de Wlaschim
on 21st January (zu orkund … haben wir unsers kunrichs zu Ungern Majestadinsigel bresten halb
unsers Romischen kunglichen majestadingesigel zu disen czijten an disen brief tun henken)240 and
the 1410 August pieces (orkund dicz brifes vorsigelt mit unser kuniglichen majestat insigel),241
issuing under majestic seal seems to be the chancery practice in the case of letters and mandates
addressed to imperial subjects. Moreover, three of the six documents issued by Petrus de Wlaschim
between 21st January and 4th May 1411 bear a registry note (Registraturvermerk). Since the
Reichsregisterbuch started only on 3rd July 1411 (see below II.2.2.) these pieces must have been
registered into the Hungarian register, which contained the abstracts or copies of the charters
autheticated with the Hungarian great seal.
236
RTA VII. 53–55, nr. 37 (RI XI/14).
ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds; OSWALD, Georg von Hohenlohe; SCHWEDLER, Hohenlohe.
238
According to Richental Kanizsai died on 30th December 1417, according to FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 23, on
th
18 May 1418. Yet, there is a charter issued in his name from 20th May 1418 (MNL OL DF 236431; ZsO VI/1934;
CDH X/6. 143.) and he was referred to as “late” only on 25 th June 1418 (MNL OL DF 236429; ZsO VI/2090).
239
ZsO III/2357: Relatio domini Georgii vicecancellarii minoris sigilli regii. Késmárki became vice-chancellor some
time between 3rd March 1409 (ZsO II/6621; his predecessor Csebi Orosz is still referred to as vice-chancellor) and 29th
April 1410 (ZsO II/7737, 7738; Csebi is mentioned only as provost of Lelesz). See also note 249.
240
RTA VII. 58–59, nr. 40.
241
RTA VII. 14–16, nr. 1-5; 20–22, nr. 9.
237
44
The use of the majestic seal (and not that of the secret seal) is not surprising at all, especially
if we consider that there are also later examples of German cities insisting on getting their charters
from the king authenticated with the majestic seal instead of the secret (see below II.2.2.). As for
the the presence of a vice-chancellor instead of a chancellor it has already been mentioned that in
Hungary it was actually a widespread practice that the vices and deputies were running the
everyday business instead of the high dignitaries. Chancellor Eberhard was rather old and passive
by that time; moreover, in the first months of 1411 he was residing apparently in his domains in
Southern-Hungary, more precisely in Zagreb, Dombró and Csázma. 242 Therefore, the active
participation of his deputy in the work of the chancery would be absolutely logical. The question
which needs to be answered here is why the secret vice-chancellor was responsible for issuing a
charter authenticated with the great seal? Or, in other words, why not a member of the great
chancery took part in the issuing?
For the time being I have two possible explanations, yet none of them can be supported with
concrete and indisputable data. First, between October 1409 and June 1411 there is not even one
single reference to the vice-chancellor of the great chancery: Clemens Korpádi is mentioned on 18th
October 1409 for the last time243 and his successor John Szászi appears only on 28th June 1411 in
the sources.244 In case there was indeed no vice-chancellor at the great chancery in January 1411,245
it’s possible that the proto-notary – by that time most probably Clemens Molnári246 – took care of
running the everyday business and Késmárki had both seals at his disposal.247 Yet, this George was
the relator of a charter issued under great seal in favor of the citizens and hospes of Körmöcbánya
(Crempnicya) on 15th January 1411, which would normally speak against this theory.248
On the other hand, besides the seal also the chancery note guaranteed the authenticity of a
charter; therefore, the person named in the note had to understand what he signed. There is no
information about the dignitaries’ language competencies at the Hungarian chanceries, but if we
accept that the vice-chancellor’s surname refers to his birthplace Késmárk (Kežmarok) in the by
that time German-speaking Spiš region of Northern-Hungary and to his middle-class origin,249 he
242
MNL OL DL 71735, 252367, 252368.
Relator MNL OL DL 9598.
244
MNL OL DF 210892.
245
C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely 420.
246
BÓNIS, Jogtudó 100. Unlike the proto-notaries of the judge royal and the palatine he did not have a judicial function.
247
The documents refer to Késmárki only as vicecancellarius without specifying the chancery. (Also in ZsO III/40.)
248
ZsO III/40. C.f. with ZsO III/2357 (relatio domini Georgii vicecancellarii minoris sigilli regii).
249
MÁLYUSZ, Főkegyúri jog 126, 140, n. 58, First mentioned in 1407 as canon of Szepes, magister Georgius Theodrici
de Foro Caseorum (ZsO II/5154). Later provost of Győr (1413), then of Szeben and Szepes (1419). Mályusz supposed
that he was Perényi’s familiaris (MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 291), c.f. with NOVÁK, Sasember 387–388. Also BÓNIS,
Jogtudó 101.
243
45
must have spoken a very good German, whereas in the case of the great chancery personnel
(Korpádi, Szászi) this is not very likely.250
Nonetheless, Késmárki played a role in issuing imperial documents only for two weeks and
from the end of January until the beginning of May the aforementioned Peter Wlaschim (Blaschim,
Wlaschem, Peter z Vlašimi)251 appears in the ad mandatum chancery notes. Again, apart from his
name, which speaks for his Bohemian or Moravian origin, we do not know anything about him.
Forstreiter assumed that he belonged to (one of) the Hungarian chanceries as notary or protonotary.252 In my opinion, however, in Wlaschim’s case a preceding “imperial” career is also
conceivable provided that he had been working previously for Frederick of Nuremberg or more
likely for John Kirchen.253 The latter came to Hungary in January 1411 for the first time, on 21st he
was in Buda as Count Palatine Louis III’s advisor.254 Under Wenceslas and Rupert he had held
leading positions at their chanceries and it is very likely that Sigismund convinced him to enter his
service during his visit in Buda. It cannot be ruled out that Kirchen actually helped in formulating –
or he formulated – the texts of the charters issued in January 1411.255 In the spring of 1411 Kirchen
had been staying a few months in Germany, then he returned to Hungary in late June. With his
arrival a new phase started in the history of Sigismund’s imperial chancery.
II.2.2. Beginnings of Sigismund’s Imperial Chancery
By the end of June-beginning of July 1411 several changes of the chancery practice can be
observed. The most obvious of these is the start of the imperial register-keeping: the
chronologically oldest entry of Sigismund’s first register book (Reichsregisterbuch E256) dates from
the 3rd July 1411. Nonetheless, this entry stands on fol. 3v preceded by four copies and a short
abstract of royal charters issued between 28th March 1412 and 26th April 1412 (fol. 1r–1v), and
three further entries dated from the 8th, 14th and 21st July 1411 (Appendix 6). Since from fol. 2r on
250
Eberhard must have spoken German but he was not active at the chancery by that time. Perényi as a Hungarian
magnate and Korpádi, who came from a lesser noble family (BÓNIS, Jogtudó 98–99.), most probably did not know the
language.
251
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 152–153.
252
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 152.
253
Petr Mat’a found a certain Petrus de Wlaschim in the libri confirmationum, who belonged to the cathedral chapter of
Prague. Still, it is not clear whether the reference concerns the same person. Although from May 1411 on John Kirchen
and John Esztergomi appear in the chancery notes and there are no traces of Wlaschim at the imperial chancery, it
cannot be ruled out that he continued working there.
254
Mon. Zoll VI. 645, nr. 589: …unser lieber getreuer Johannes Kirchen, des vorgenannten unsers Oheims des
Pfalczgrauens Rate und diener, entworter diess briefs, den wir dorumb czu rch/uch [to Nuremberg] senden wol.
255
A philological approach and a comparative research on the structure and formulation of these and the earlier imperial
charters could perhaps deliver further information.
256
OeStA/HHStA RK Reichsregister E. On Sigismund’s register books see KOLLER, Reichsregister 13–15; LINDNER,
Urkundenwesen 177–180.
46
the records follow each other without greater chronological divergences, most probably the register
started in 1411 originally on fol. 2 with the copy of the charter issued in favor of Frederick of
Nuremberg on 8th July 1411.257 This document is not only the (supposed) opening piece of the
imperial register, but also the first text which referred to Archbishop John Kanizsai as imperial
chancellor: die Erwirdigen Johannes zu Gran Erzbischof und ewiger G[e]span des Heiligen
Romischen Stuls Legat, unsere in dem heiligen Romischen Ryche Canczler258. Also the ad
mandatum domini regis Johannes Kirchen chancery note and the sealing (mit urkund diss brifs
versigelt mit unserm romischen kuniglichem anhangundem insigel) imply that it was Sigismund’s –
recently organized – imperial chancery which issued the document.
For the beginnings of this chancery it is crucial to determine when Sigismund’s German
seals were put into practice. In his election promises of 1410 Sigismund himself talked about two
German royal seals: the konigliche insigele refers to the German secret seal, the majestat insigele to
the German great or majestic seal.259 In corroborations the first come up as Romischen kuniglichen
insigel260 (in Latin documents as sub nostri regalis sigilli appensione), the latter as kuniglicher
maiestat insigel261 (in Latin documents as sub nostre maiestatis sigilli) – without any such
inconsistencies which we have seen in case of the Hungarian secret seal. In general, the use of
Sigismund’s German seals is less problematic than that of the Hungarian ones: before 1433 he had
one majestic, one secret and one Hofgerichtssiegel, all of which he replaced in 1433 when he was
crowned Holy Roman Emperor.262
257
This hypothesis, in my opinion, is supported also by the form and positioning of the script. On the first page of the
RRB F: Anno domini MCCCCXVIIo XVI die februarii inceptum est presens registrum per me Johannem Kirchen.
NOORDIJK, Untersuchungen 14.
258
RRB E fol. 3r. Editions e.g. CDB II/3. 178–181, nr. 1295; Mon. Zoll. VII. 1–5, nr. 1. The charter also mentions the
Hungarian chancellor Eberhardten Bischoff zu Agram unsern in dem kunigrich zu Ungern etc. obristen canczler.
259
…wir sollen auch, als balde wir zu Romischem konige gekoren werden dem obgenannten … diesen brief von worte
zu worte, als er dann begriffen ist, under unserm koniglichem, und, alsbald wir gekronet werden, under unser majestat
insigele vernuwen und versigelt geben und uns des alles als ein Romischer konig verschriben, und das auch alles,
alsbalde wir zu Romischen keyser gekronet werden, mit unsern keyserlichen brieven und bullen, wie dann von worte zu
worte davor begriffen ist, vernuwen bestetigen und confirmieren. RTA VII. 20–22, nr. 9. In the same way in RTA VII.
19–20, nr. 8 and 22–23, nr. 10. The two seals mentioned as one without reference to the coronation RTA VII. 18–19, nr.
7 and 24–25, nr. 11: auch des unsere brieve mit unser Romischer kuniglicher majestat alsbald wir zu Romischen kunig
gekorn, und dornach so wir keiser werden mit unser keyserlichen majestat ingesigeln. Most probably the two “types”
were not written by the same scribe, e.g. “mands” (nr. 7 and 11) c.f. with “manets” (nr. 8,9 and 10). See also RTA VII.
58–59, nr. 40.
260
E.g.: mit urkund diss briefs versigelt mit unserm Romischen kuniglichen anhangenden insigel (Zagreb, 31st October
1412), StaASG Tr. VI. 81.
(http://monasterium.net/mom/CH-StaASG/Urkunden/Tr_VI.81./charter)
261
E.g.: mit urkunt diss briefsversigelt mit unserer kuniglicher maiestat insigel (Chur, 22nd August 1413), StaASG Tr.
I.22 (http://monasterium.net/mom/CH-StaASG/Urkunden/Tr_I.22./charter)
262
The golden bulls in TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.17 and 3.19.
47
Majestic Seal
Secret Seal
Seal of the Hofgericht
1. 1412–1433263 (royal)
1. 1411–1433264 (royal)
1. 1415–1433265 (royal)
2. 1433–1437266 (imperial)
2. 1433–1437267 (imperial)
2. 1433–1437268 (imperial)
Figure 4: Sigismund’s German seals
DOZA Urk. 2904
(7th September 1411)
Image 7: Sigismund’s German secret seal
In respect of the German secret seal, there are continuous evidences of its uninterrupted use of from
30th June 1411 (including the above-mentioned charter in favor of Frederick of Nuremberg);269 the
case of the majestic seal, however, is more complicated. Bertalan Kéry and recently Tünde Wehli
claimed that it was in use since 1411.270 The appearance of the imperial register book, the German
secret seal and Kanizsai’s new title by the end of June-beginning of July 1411 suggests that the
263
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.12.
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.13.
265
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.14; BATTENBERG, Hofgerichtssiegel 126–129.
266
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.18; BATTENBERG, Hofgerichtssiegel 129–133.
267
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.20.
268
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.21.
269
The first documents sealed with Sigismund’s German secret seal: CDB I/3. 411–412, nr. 122; CDB I/9. 484, nr. 15;
Mon. Zoll. VI. 662, nr. 606. and Mon Zoll. VII. 1–5, nr. 1. C.f. with SZILÁGYI, Personalunion 150, n. 5; based on the
corroboration formula (sub nostro regio sigillo testimonio) he identified the seal on a charter issued on 24 th January
1411 as German secret seal.
270
KÉRY, Kaiser Sigismund; TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.
264
48
beginnings of the actual functioning of Sigismund’s imperial chancery should be dated to these
days, and this hypothesis is supported by the data concerning the notary John Kirchen (Kirchheim)
to be discussed below. Thus, it would be logical to assume that also the majestic seal was
introduced in the middle of this year. Nevertheless, we know for sure that on 3rd and 8th July, as
well as on 31st August 1411 there was no majestic seal at the chancery’s hand: the documents issued
on these days were authenticated with the German secret seal, because the German great seal was
not molded yet.271 A charter dated from 17th October 1411 states that the document was sealed mit
unser kuniglicher majestat insigel, but by consulting the photo of the original it turns out that it was
actually issued under German secret seal.272 On 16th March 1412 Sigismund promised Wladislas
Jagello that he would put his majestic seal on his charter as soon as it was ready (presentes litteras
sigillo maiestatis nostro faciemus sigillari quanto (sic!) sculptum fuerit et paratum).273 Even in a
letter written by Burgrave Frederick to the city of Nuremberg on the 2nd December 1412 the
burgrave promised that he would ask for a new Quittbrief at Sigismund instead of the one the city
had received shortly before, when they paid their annual taxes of 2000 fl. The reason why the major
and the council of Nuremberg was not satisfied with the document they possessed was that it had
been authenticated with the Roman secret seal (sein Quitbrief unter seinem cleinem kuniglichen
Insigel geben hat) instead of the majestic seal (mit siner Maiestat anhangendem Insigel).274 The
Quittbrief in question is the document engrossed in Buda on 29th July 1412, sealed indeed with
Sigismund’s kuniglichen anhangendem Insigel,275 which implies that by the end of July 1412
Sigismund still did not have a German majestic seal. In fact, except the above referred erroneous
identification from 17th October 1411 neither the corroboration formulas mention the German
majestic seal before the 24th August 1412.
The first reference to an existing German great seal comes only from the middle of 1412. In
1931 Hermann Heimpel published a study on Cod. Pal. Lat. 701 of the Vatican Library, which –
among others – contains a letter-book (Briefbuch) from King Sigismund’s time. Some documents of
the codex had already been printed in Finke’s Acta Concilii Constanciensis, Heimpel himself edited
further 64 pieces, either in full-text, excerpts or as abstracts. On fol. 292v of the manuscript there is
271
mit unserm romischen kuniglichem anhangendem Insigel, wann unsrer kuniglichen Mayestat Insigel noch nit bereyt
was (Mon. Zoll. VI. 662, nr. 606 and VII. 1–5, nr. 1); Wer ouch daz Ir ander quitbriefe under unserer kuniglicher
maiestat insigel umb die vorgenant stewren hernach bedurfftet, so wolten wir uch die geben, das wir ouch uff dise zyte
getan hetten, danne daz solich maiestat insigel noch nicht bereyt was. Mit urkund etc. RRB E 7r–7v, but also Mon. Zoll.
VII. 20, nr. 14 and 21, nr. 15.
272
NA ACK 1431 (http://monasterium.net/mom/CZ-NA/ACK/1431/charter).
273
CDP I. 49, nr. 10, Iglow. C.f. with RI XI/201 and ZsO III/1860 where the place of issue is indicated as Stará
Ľubovňa/Lubló (Germ. Lublau, Polish Lubowla). In the original MNL OL DF 288994 and 288995 Spišská Nová
Ves/Igló (Germ. Zipser Neudorf).
274
Mon. Zoll. VII. 141–142, nr. 164; Quittbriefs were normally sealed with the German great seal, see n. 271.
275
Mon. Zoll. VII. 119, nr. 120.
49
a missive written most probably by John Esztergomi276 to Archbishop and Imperial Chancellor John
Kanizsai, the second part of which goes as follows:
Besides, I would like to inform your Most Reverend Father that the imperial majestic seal
has recently been molded, and in the presence of the Lord Cardinal [Branda Castiglione],
prelates, barons and knights in the great hall the Lord (Bishop) of Zagreb grasped the seal,
hid it into the bosom of his garment and told me laughing: “O, your lord is going to cut my
throat!” In the end his royal majesty, sealing it with his signet, gave it to my hands in a
pouch in front of the prelates and barons so that I should keep it for your Most Reverend
Father with great care.277
The first part of the letter is talking about the programme – a nine-day “sightseeing”-tour of
Esztergom and the Danube-bend – planned for the period of King Wladislas II Jagełło’s stay at
Archbishop Kanizsai’s, whose task was to try to settle the dispute between the Polish king and the
Teutonic knights. Therefore, the document can be dated to the first half of June 1412.278 Since John
Esztergomi was Kanizsai’s familiaris and, as we are going to see, from March 1412 imperial vicechancellor, it is very likely that Sigismund indeed gave him the German majestic seal (sigillum
maiestatis imperialis) to hand it over to his lord. The seal was used on 13th August,279 and then 24th
August 1412280 in Buda, when Sigismund decided in the litigation between the Polish king and the
Teutonic knights; the letter of judgement was issued in aula magna regia castri Budensis sub nostre
maiestatis sigilli appensione. Among the witnesses both the imperial chancellor Kanizsai and his
vice Esztergomi were listed.
From the 2nd and 3rd October 1412 there are further evidences of the existence of a sigillum
imperiale which was in these days actually not at Sigismund’s disposal. On the 2nd October 1412
Sigismund sent a letter to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order sealed propter absenciam sigilli
nostri imperialis sigillo nostro quo ut rex Hungariae [utimur],281 while on the next day he put his
276
Heimpel did not identify the recipient.
Insuper innotescat vestre reverendissime paternitati quod iam in instanti fecit complere sigillum maiestatis
imperialis astantibus domino cardinali, prelatis, baronibus ac militibus in stuba maiori ac dominus Zagrabiensis
capiendo sigillum et in sinu reponendo dicebat ridiculose ad me: O, dominus tuus abscidit michi guttur! Et tandem
eadem regia maiestatis in quadam cyrotheca illud sigillando cum signeto suo in presencia prelatorum et baronum
tradidit ad manus meas sub tanta custodia [ut] reservarem vestre reverendissime paternitati. HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei
150, nr. 25; ZsO III/2340.
278
Nam inter cetera intendit sua serenitas [i.e. Sigismund] ut idem d. rex Polonie uno die in Maroth [Pilismarót],,
secundo die in Strigonio, tercio die in Visegrad, quarto et quinto diebus in Heukuch [Hévkút], Nastre et Damas
[Márianoszta and Ipolydamásd], sexto die in Insula [modern-day Szentendrei-sziget], septimo die in Vacia [Vác],
octavo die in Monostor [Pilisszentkereszt or Budaszentlőrinc (?)] et nono die in Buda vel in Salmar [Solymár] et in
circuitu Bude idem d. rex Polonie velit pausare et solaciari. Et sperat sua serenitas quod de consilio vestro istis novem
diebus poterit in factis d. regis Polonie et suorum et d. Cruciferorum dare debitum ordinem et bonam expedicionem. In
the end the planned excursion did not take place, see C. TÓTH, Zsigmond és Ulászló. C.f. with ZsO III/2338.
279
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 153, n. 2.
280
CELICHOWSKI (ed.), Lites 52–69, nr. 18. Without clear reference to the seal CELICHOWSKI (ed.), Lites 69–70, nr. 19
(30th August 1412): zu Urkund diser vorgeschriben Teyding ist unser vorgenanten Kunig Sigmunds Insigel […]
gedruckt zu Ende diser Schrifft. CELICHOWSKI (ed.), Lites 70–71, nr. 20 (1st October, Buda) without corroboration.
281
CELICHOWSKI (ed.), Lites 71–72, nr. 21.
277
50
ring seal on a missive addressed to Frederick of Ortenburg because of the same reason.282 The use
of the expression sigillum imperiale instead of sigillum regale suggests that it was not the German
secret but rather the majestic seal which the chancery referred to. (The other possibility is that the
term imperiale hints at the German seals in general.) Approximately two months later another letter
was sent to the Teutonic Order. Instead of being written in German and authenticated with the
majestic seal as usual it was written in Latin and sealed with the (Roman) “royal seal” because
Sigismund’s German notaries and the majestic seal were already in Friaul.283 To sum up, for the
time being I do not have evidences for the existence or the use of the German majestic seal before
the mid-1412, which suggests that it was introduced in chancery practice only one year after
Kanizsai had been appointed imperial chancellor, and the imperial register book and the German
secret seal had been put into use. It is very likely that the seal Sigismund delivered to Esztergomi in
the summer of 1412 was molded shortly before this handover.
The afore-mentioned source references imply that under usual circumstances the kings of
the Holy Roman Empire did not use the majestic seal before their coronation.284 Sigismund,
however, could not wait three years after his election to introduce the new seal. What is perhaps
surprising, especially if we consider the chronology of John Kirchen’s career at Sigismund’s court,
is that he did not have one earlier than the middle of 1412. John Kirchen (or Kirchheim) the Elder
was King Wenceslas’ scribe at the Hofgericht, registrar, notary and proto-notary, then he held
similar positions at King Rupert’s court.285 After Rupert’s death he served the late king’s son Louis
III of Pfalz for a while, on 21st January 1411 he was in Buda as “unsers Oheims des Pfalczgrauens
Rate und diener.”286 According to this charter by that time he was going to set off for Germany,
from where he returned to Hungary by the end of June. On the 30th June 1411 he issued five
charters (ad mandatum domini regis Johannes Kirchen) under the German secret seal,287 and from
then on he was responsible for issuing until October 1414. Most probably it was also Kirchen who
took care of the paper demand of the imperial writing organs (i.e. the imperial chancery and the
chancery of the Hofgericht); the watermarks of Sigismund’s Achtbuch and register books hints at a
282
ZsO III/2748.
sigillo nostro maiestatis et eciam notariis Alemanicis in remotis circa Forum Julii existentibus propterea litere ad
nostram Novam marchiam more solito in Alemanico scripte et sigillo nostre maiestatis sigillate non fuere, sed ecce illas
in Latino sermone et sigillo nostro regali in efficaci forma. HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 153, nr. 29. The sigillum
maiestatis could only be the German majestic seal as the Hungarian great seal was surely in Hungary by that time. The
sigillum regale mentioned in the text is very likely the German secret seal since the Hungarian is usually referred to as
sigillum secretum or sigillum minor.
284
Also HEINIG, Reichsstädte 70.
285
On Kirchen see NOORDIJK, Untersuchungen 14–15; FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 25–28, 106–112; MORAW,
Kanzlei Ruprechts 488–498, BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 130–148.
286
Mon. Zoll. VI. 645, nr. 589: …unser lieber getreuer Johannes Kirchen, des vorgenannten unsers Oheims des
Pfalczgrauens Rate und diener, entworter diess briefs, den wir dorumb czu rch/uch [to Nuremberg] senden wol.
287
RI XI/39–43.
283
51
supplier in the Frankish region close to Nuremberg.288 Before 23rd May 1412 Kirchen is referred to
as notary, on 31st August 1412 as proto-notary.289 Considering the facts mentioned above in
connection with the Reichsregisterbuch, chancery notes and the use of the imperial secret seal, it
seems that the organization of Sigismund’s imperial chancery must be connected to Kirchen’s
name. His efforts were generously rewarded: on 31st August 1412 Sigismund ascribed Kirchen the
taxes which were to be paid on St. Martin’s day by the towns of Aalen, Bopfingeu, Esslingen,
Gelnhausen, Giengen, Gmünd, Kempten, Reutlingen, Überlingen, Weil and Weinsberg,290 and also
in the following years he received numerous other benefits from the king.291 It is very likely that
Kirchen, just like Rupert’s chancellor Bishop Raban of Speyer († 1439) and Sigismund’s future
imperial chancellor George of Hohenlohe (†1423), Bishop of Passau, later archbishop of
Esztergom,292 took also some notaries and scribes with him.293 One of them, John Metzenpfenning,
is known by name,294 and perhaps Peter Wacker also came with Kirchen to Hungary. 295 They were
appointed on the very same day, on 10th September 1413 in Chur, to notary296 and they both worked
as scribes of the Hofgericht as well.
There is no information how Michael Priest landed at Sigismund’s imperial chancery. Since
he held prebends dominantly in Moravia and Bohemia,297 we can suppose that he was of Bohemian
or Moravian origin. In his work on the relations between the Hungarian and Bohemian / Polish
chancery practices Miklós Bezsák lists Priest’s name among the Bohemian members of the
Hungarian chancery, together with John Uski, Peter Wlaschim and Paul de Tost.298 Among others
Priest was responsible for issuing documents on behalf of John Kirchen in 1412 and 1413; on 8 th
October 1414 he is referred to as notary, four years later as proto-notary.299 Francesco Serazoni
288
BATTENBERG, Achtbuch 10.
RI XI/308–318; FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 25-28, 106. In 1414 also as secretarius (RTA VII. 189– 190, nr.
129) and he was granted a coat of arms (RI XI/917–918) and the title of count palatine (together with his son and his
descendants).
290
RI XI/308–318, see also the remark to RI XI/319. Also on 31st October 1412, RI XI/376.
291
RI XI/402, 686–698, 685, 835, 916a, 919, 927, 939, 940, 1243, 1255, 1446, 1479, 1529, 1545, 1570a, 1580a (all ad
mandatum domini regis Michael de Priest). John Kirchen the Younger was appointed familiaris on 10 th December 1413
(RI XI/830 A).
292
ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds 433, 441.
293
RI XI/685 (4th September 1413): uns und dem reiche … unverdrossenlich und ouch costlich mit schreibern knechten
und pferden zu hand drew jar gedienet hat.
294
RI XI/2405. First mentioned in 1413. For Metzenpfenning see ERKENS, Kanzlei Sigismunds 438; FORSTREITER,
Kanzlei Sigmunds 27, 111.
295
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 31–34; 118–123. BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 149–163.
296
The name Johannes Wacker (RI XI/725) in the Reichsregisterbuch is most probably a mistake, c.f. with the next
entry concerning John Metzenpfenning (RI XI/726).
297
In Bresslau and Prague. FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 113–114.
298
BEZSÁK, Okleveles gyakorlat 23. In the footnote Bezsák refers to the work of Ferdinand TANDRA, Kanceláře a písaři
v zemích českých za králů z rodu Lucemburského Jana, Karla IV. a Václava IV. (1310-1420). Prague: 1892.
299
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 30–31and 113–118; proto-notary from 30th September 1418.
289
52
(Franciscus Serazonus / Sazonus) came from a Milanese cloth merchant family300 and he was
mentioned as Sigismund’s notary on 2nd October 1411 for the first time.301 Although his name
appears in remarks of charters issued by the imperial chancery,302 it is possible that earlier he had
served at the Hungarian chancery. Nonetheless, he soon changed his “profession” and in the spring
of May 1412 he was already in Milan negotiating with Facino Cane. 303 Albert Fleischmann is also
referred to as proto-notary in Rupert’s as well as in Sigismund’s charters; his title, however, was
apparently an honorary one, and he fulfilled diplomatic tasks instead of taking part in the work of
the chancery.304
One needs to expand on John Esztergomi’s appointment to imperial vice-chancellor as well.
As for Kanizsai, it seems convincing that his title was a reward for his previous services. Most
probably nobody thought that he would ever take part in the management of the imperial chancery –
and not so much because of his age or incompetence, but due to the diplomatic missions and
administrative tasks he had to fulfill. If he ever had the German majestic seal at his disposal, it was
only for a short while in 1412. In September 1412, he left for Poland with the two Perényi,305 and
then, although he was part of Sigismund’s entourage in Zagreb on 8th November 1412 when the
king pledged the towns of the Spiš-region to Wladislas of Poland,306 he did not go to Friuli307 but
stayed in Hungary as Sigismund’s governor and vicar. (Chapter III.2.1.2)
It is very likely, however, that the archbishop wanted to see one of his men at the imperial
chancery, and the right person for the task was apparently John Esztergomi, whose name appears on
imperial charters from December 1411 on.308 If we follow the Hungarian logic, Esztergomi’s vicechancellorship would mean that in Kanizsai’s absence he possessed the German majestic seal and
he was the actual leader of the imperial chancery. A late evidence of this comes from 2nd September
1414, when Jacob Brun and Konrad Wisse, the envoys of the city of Frankfurt, agreed with the
imperial chancery on the fees to be paid for the confirmation of their privileges. They informed the
300
BEINHOFF, Die Italiener 111. He is perhaps identical with Franceschino Seranzonibus mentioned in 1388 BEINHOFF,
Die Italiener 112. According to Forstreiter they are two different persons. FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 153.
301
RI XI/135. Then on 10th September 1413 John Wacker (RI XI/725) and John Metzumpfenning (RI XI/726).
302
On 30th April, 2nd and 8th May 1412 in Diósgyőr and Eger (HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 144, nr. 18; RI XI/217, 227).
303
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 130, 145–146, nr. 19 (ZsO III/2142).
304
MORAW, Kanzlei Ruprechts 501–503, 506; but also FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 28–30, 112–113.
305
ZsO III/2694–2696 (17th September 1412); also ZsO III/2973.
306
I.a. MNL OL DL 9984, CDH X/5. 297–302, nr.130. On the pledging recently INCZE, Spiš.
307
According to the dating of the archbishop’s own charters he was staying at his residence in Esztergom from 18 th
November, MNL OL DF 272751 (18th November), MNL OL DF 227512 (13th December), MNL OL DF 227111 (14th
December). By the end of November–beginning of December Sigismund had already been communicating with
Kanizsai by sending letters (ZsO III/3019).
308
In imperial charters he was referred to from 10th December 1411: in RI XI/150, 185, 239, 243, 306 without any title,
in RI XI/201, 206 and 303 (16th March, 31st March and 24th August 1412) as vicecancellarius, on 7th September 1412 as
notarius (RI XI/337).
53
town leaders that the issuing of the new charters would cost 1100 or 1200 fl. (wir hoffin iz blibe an
xic oder xiic gulden und nit daruber), but they also reported about an appeal of the Hungarian
provost John (i.e. the imperial vice-chancellor John Esztergomi). For the time of the court’s stay in
Frankfurt John wished for an accommodation for himself and for 14–15 horses close to the king’s
residence. The envoys noticed – on John Kirchen’s advice – that although the vice-chancellor
George (most probably Késmárki, even if Brun and Wisse were talking about the George, the “vicechancellor of a Hungarian bishop”) had a similar request, John’s case should have been preferred,
because he had the German majestic seal at his disposal.309
Nevertheless, even if Esztergomi was a person of outstanding skills and competence, in
terms of dealing with the imperial administration he surely could not compete with John Kirchen
and his years-long experience, or most of the German notaries. Therefore, I would argue Szilágyi’s
statement, according to which “the provost of Esztergom dedicated himself vigorously to the
management of the (chancery) affairs … which task he performed all alone.”310 On the contrary,
interesting conclusions can be drawn from the analysis of Sigismund’s route from Zagreb to Udine
by the end of 1412.311
At some point during his march to Friuli Sigismund sent the already quoted, undated letter
to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, the corroboration of which goes as follows: sigillo
nostro maiestatis et eciam notariis Alemanicis in remotis circa Forum Julii existentibus propterea
litere ad nostram Novam marchiam more solito in Alemanico scripte et sigillo nostre maiestatis
sigillate non fuere, sed ecce illas in Latino sermone et sigillo nostro regali in efficaci forma.312 It is
quite clear from this formula that the German great seal and the German notaries were not with
Sigismund by that time – most probably they left directly for Udine from Zagreb.313 Other
documents issued in these one and a half months prove, however, that the imperial vice-chancellor
Esztergomi and the German secret seal were travelling together with Sigismund. Two of the five
309
…dan Kircheim sagete: er wiste nit zumale gruntlich, obe unser herre der konig gein Franckenfurt queme, sie hetten
anders die beczalunge und sachen gein Franckenfurt verczogen. Doch hat der probst von Ungern, mit namen gnant
probst Johann, darin sunderlich geredt und getragen, daz wir yme ein herberge zu Franckenfurt bestellen sullen zu xiiii
pherde oder xv und als vil luden. Und auch gesagit: obe die herberge forderte einer gnand her George, der
vicecancellarius ist eins bischoffs von Ungern, daran sullet ir uch nit keren, und yme die herberge tun der gnand ist
probst Johann vorgenannt, der auch die maiestat und ingesigel hat. Und darumb duncket uns gut sin, daz ir yme die
herberge bestellet eczwaz in der nehe by unsers herren der koniges herberge. JANSSEN (ed.), Frankfurt I. 261–262, nr.
472.
310
SZILÁGYI, Personalunion 152.
311
KONDOR, Feldlager.
312
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 153 nr. 29. Also ZsO III/3029. For the letter mentioned in the text see ZsO III/3028.
313
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei153, n. 2. There are indeed no royal charters from November and the first half of
December 1412 issued but in Latin.
54
documents dealing with imperial matters314 were issued ad mandatum domini regis Jo[hannes]
prepositus Sancti Stephanii vicecancellarius 315 and three found its way to the Reichsregisterbuch.
Unfortunately, only one of these documents is preserved in original, namely in the Archives of
Cividale. Fortunately, however, it bears the above mentioned chancery note and it has a secret seal
under paper cover at its close, which can be identified as the German secret seal. Besides, two of the
three charters recorded in the Reichsregisterbuch were issued first under German secret seal, then
re-issued under majestic,316 and also the charters of 29th November 1412 (Brinje) and 10th
December 1412 (Görz) were issued sub regalis nostri sigilli appensione. Since there are no
chancery notes referring to John Kirchen between 31st October and 17th December it seems
plausible that Kirchen and the German notaries with the imperial majestic seal indeed went to
Udine and did not bestow any charters in this period. John Esztergomi, on the other hand, was in
Sigismund’s entourage in Dalmatia and all the documents needed were issued there. 317 These facts
hint to a kind of “division of labor” between Kirchen and Esztergomi, and in fact such a practice
was not unknown at the imperial chancery.318 If so, it would be tempting to assume that while
Kirchen was entrusted with managing the administrative issues of the Empire, Esztergomi, as a
quasi “private secretary,” was responsible for Sigismund’s diplomatic correspondence and for
issuing documents of non-imperial (neither Hungarian!) provenance.319
The fact that Kirchen was not mentioned in the chancery notes of charters issued in
Seravalle, Belluno, Feltre and Trient/Trento suggest that he was not in Sigismund’s entourage in
June and the first half of July 1413 either, but he joined the court only in Bozen/Bolzano. By then,
however, the notaries of the imperial chancery Michael Priest and Peter Wacker definitely travelled
with Sigismund. Nonetheless, it seems that the documents issued on the way were recorded in the
314
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 154, nr. 30, RI XI/381–383 and Biblioteca Civica di Cividale del Friuli, Antico Archivio
Communità, Lorenzo Orlandi, Pergamena e Documenti. Busta 8 Nr. 132. For the hint I express my gratitude to Péter E.
Kovács. The letter published by Heimpel is undated but with this Sigismund informed Brunoro della Scala that shortly,
i.e. on Monday or Tuesday, he was going to arrive in Görz (die lunew aut martis in Goricia constituemur), from where
he wanted to leave for Friuli as soon as possible.
315
Biblioteca Civica di Cividale del Friuli, Antico Archivio Communità, Lorenzo Orlandi, Pergamena e Documenti.
Busta 8 Nr. 132 und RI XI/382. In the case of the latter piece the entry in the Reichsregisterbuch (RRB E 40v) do not
refer to any chancery notes, unlike CELICHOWSKI (ed.), Lites 471–472, nr. 72.
316
The two pieces which were issued twice are RI. XI/382 (29th October) and 383 (10th December), in RRB E 40r–40v:
Item date fuerunt etiam littere in simili forma scripte de verbo ad verbum sub sigillo maiestatis. It is very much unlikely
that any of them was sealed with a Hungarian seal as Heimpel supposed in the case of RI XI/382, see KONDOR,
Feldlager.
317
It is not clear who took care of the Reichsregisterbuch after Sigismund left Zagreb.
318
See MORAW, Kanzlei Ruprechts 504.
319
In fact, we are lacking the evidences concerning George Késmárki’s whereabouts between 29th June 1412 and 1st
September 1413.
55
Reichsregisterbuch only later in Bolzano,320 so it is possible that the register book was actually kept
by Kirchen. The interesting question is again that of the seals and thus the relation between
Kirchen’s and Esztergomi’s office. Was the German majestic seal also with Kirchen and were the
charters sealed only when they were recorded in the Reichsregisterbuch?321 Or were they perhaps
authenticated with the German secret seal kept by Esztergomi? To overcome this problem – if it is
possible at all – requires the study of the seals and corroborations which is certainly not possible
without consulting the original charters or at least full text copies. Nonetheless, for lack of an
extensive digital database this topic should be a subject of a separate research.
There are no traces of Kirchen in the chancery notes between 28th February 1414 (Piacenza)
and 16th June 1414 (Pontestura) either but at that time, unlike a year earlier, the Reichsregisterbuch
was continuously in use. Then from the middle of June until the beginning of October hardly
anyone else but Kirchen was responsible for issuing, which trend came to a sudden end after the
court had left Nuremberg. It must have happened in those days that he fell out of Sigismund’s favor
for a so far unknown reason.322 This incident certainly had its effect on the daily routine of the
imperial chancery: Esztergomi and Priest became the leading persons responsible for issuing.
Besides, between November 1414 and April 1419 John Gersse’s (Gerße),323 from January to July
1415 also Jobst Rot’s name appeared on the charters.324 It seems that Peter Kalde, later notary,
secretary and proto-notary of the imperial chancery, also started his career as scribe by the end of
1414–beginning of 1415.325 Kirchen returned to the imperial chancery two years later, the notes
refer to him regularly from 9th February 1417 again.
The results of this chapter on the changes of the Hungarian chancery practice after
1410/1411 and the beginnings of Sigismund’s imperial chancery can be summed up in a chart as
follows:
320
Unlike the documents issued in Meran (Merano), which follow a chronological order on fol. 55v–61r, these entries
were randomly recorded on fol. 48v–55r.
321
On the process of issuing and registering see KOLLER, Reichsregister 8–11, 17–20.
322
On 15th January 1415 the envoys of Frankfurt staying in Constance wrote: Auch ist her Johann Kircheim iczunt her
gein Constenz komen, und versehin wir uns er kome widder zu gnaden. JANSSEN (ed.), Frankfurt I, 272–273, nr. 484.
323
Until the beginning of 1419; before this period only once on 12th September 1413, RI XI/730. On his title RI
XI/7844. FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 41–42.
324
Between January and July 1415; then once in Paris RI XI/1935. FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 49–50, 141–142.
In January 1415 Peter Wacker left the imperial chancery and became notary of the Hofgericht, see Ch. III.2.3.1.
325
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 36–38.
56
1411:
June
- new title introduced at the
secret chancery
great chancery
court of specialis
presentia regia
- corroboration introduced at
the secret chancery
[- George Késmárki secret
vice-chancellor]
July
September
- John Szászi vicechancellor of the great
chancery
- new title and corroboration
in great seal privileges
- new Hungarian secret seal
- corroboration disappears
from the documents of the
secret chancery (except
armales)
- Kanizsai imperial
chancellor
- Kirchen
- imperial secret seal
- Reichsregisterbuch
Imperial
Chancery
Hungarian
Chanceries
February
1412:
Imperial
Chancery
March
Esztergomi vice-chancellor
August
imperial majestic seal
Kirchen proto-notary
Figure 5: Changes in Hungarian chancery practice and the development of the imperial chancery
1411–1412
As it is shown also on the chart, from the beginning of 1411 the Hungarian chanceries gradually
adapted their practice to the new situation. In terms of issuing imperial documents the first months
of the year was an interim phase: from the very few data it seems likely that until the end of June
the charters were compiled by German-speaking scribes and notaries available in the Kingdom of
Hungary (Hungarian chancery personnel or perhaps Frederick of Nuremberg’s men). The “real”
imperial chancery started functioning by the end of June–beginning of July 1411, when John
Kirchen returned from Germany, and the German secret seal as well as the Reichsregisterbuch were
put in use. In case there was indeed no vice-chancellor at the Hungarian great chancery in 1410, the
middle of 1411 was the time when Sigismund arranged the issue of the chanceries. The “new
system” was actually not more than the co-existence of the Hungarian chanceries and the imperial
chancery, with a nominal and a real head on the top of each institution (Eberhard-Szászi, PerényiKésmárki, Kanizsai-Esztergomi/Kirchen).
57
Kanizsai was appointed to imperial chancellor in 1411, Esztergomi to imperial vicechancellor most probably in the first months of 1412, while Kirchen apparently did not have any
official title until August 1412. The reason for this is unclear but since there was traditionally no
vice-chancellor at the imperial chancery it is possible that for a while the “structure” of Sigismund’s
new chancery was not specified. Even if Esztergomi was also working at the imperial chancery
from December 1411 at the latest, the actual work was, there is no doubt, organized and controlled
by John Kirchen. Therefore, there is a good reason to suppose that it was not the needs of the
chancery or German bureaucracy which played a role in Esztergomi’s appointment. In this case we
witness either the solemn victory of Kanizsai’s interests, or Sigismund had certain personal
preferences which made him to decide for Esztergomi. Finally, it is also possible that within the
imperial chancery Sigismund planned to create a system similar to that of the Hungarian royal
chanceries. Since we do not know anything about Sigismund’s relations to the new vice-chancellor,
it is impossible to say to which extent the explanation that Sigismund wanted to have a trusted man
by his side as a quasi “private secretary,” could be realistic. In any case, this step was hardly
welcomed by Kirchen, and most probably he was everything but happy that he saw a(nother)
Hungarian dignitary in a leading position of the imperial chancery. But Kirchen was really needed
at the chancery and Sigismund found a way to keep him by his side. By the end of August 1412, he
was already mentioned as proto-notary326 and the tax assignments he received in 1412 and 1413
were perhaps not only a generous remuneration of his services but also a means to make him cope
with the situation – at least until the fall of 1414.
326
RI XI/317.
58
III. The Administration: Mobile and Resident
When Sigismund became a German king in 1410/1411 he started to rule a “state”-complex of about
1.325.000 km2 – an area of approximately three and a half times bigger than today’s Germany.
Besides, with this election he became the lay head of Western Christendom, which resulted in the
fact that he started to deal with issues which can be labeled as “all-European” or “universal” – even
if they occasionally corresponded with the dynastic interests of the Luxembourgs as well. Before
the German election the focal point of Sigismund’s actions in terms of “foreign politics” 327 was the
problem of the Ottoman advance; after 1411 issues such as the western schism, the fight against
heretics (Hussites), the church union with the Greeks, the conflicts between England and France,
between Poland and the Teutonic Knights were given priority.328 Taking these objectives into
consideration there is no wonder that during his long reign Sigismund managed to travel through an
immense territory “stretching from the British Isles in the north-west to the Pyrenees in the southwest, from Gniezno in the north-east to Constantinople and Rhodes in south-east of Europe.”329
The phenomenon of the travelling king was of course not new in fifteenth-century Europe.
“Reisekönigtum”, ”itinerant kingship”, ”travelling kingship” or ”corte itinerante” are phrases which
describe “a government in which a king carries out all the functions and symbolic representations of
governing by periodically or constantly travelling throughout the areas of his dominion.”330
Itinerant kingship was characteristic of the German realms, but for a shorter or longer while it
existed in all lands of the Western Christendom in the High Middle Ages. In its classical form, for
instance in the time of Otto the Great (936–973), the king stayed a few weeks in palaces located in
the central parts (Zentralräume) of the Empire (Saxony, Franconia, Rhineland), and a few days in
castles in the so-called “transit areas” (Durchzugsgebieten). The ruler and his entourage also spent
longer periods of time, i.e. four to six weeks, in winter residences or hunting lodges. These travels
were cyclical, the king undertook more or less the same route every year (except, of course, during
wars etc.); the stops were determined first and foremost by the seasons and the ecclesiastical
feasts.331
Sigismund’s kingship, however, was not itinerant in this classical sense. He was a – most of
the time – travelling king (rex ambulant) but administration and governance was by far not the main
On approaches to “foreign politics” see WEFERS, Außenpolitik 9–14.
ENGEL, Travelling King.
329
HOENSCH, Itinerar 1–2.
330
BERNARDT, Itinerant Kingship 45.
331
MÜLLER-MERTENS, Verfassung; MORAW, Reichsregierung.
327
328
59
reason for hitting the road. Knut Schulz wrote in the introduction of the volume Unterwegssein im
Spätmittelalter that rulers in the later Middle Ages were on the go mainly for reasons of
representation, wars and political missions332 – and this is clearly visible on Sigismund’s itinerary
as well. He was travelling a lot outside of his realms because of the diplomatic and political
challenges he faced: in the 1410s he led military campaigns on the Balkans (1410) and in Friuli
(1412-1413), and completed diplomatic missions in Aragon, France and England (1415-1416). For
practical reasons, however, Sigimismund was forced to travel inside the Empire as well. First, as
King of the Romans he “did not have his own possessions (Eigenbesitz) and he could not expect
from the towns, castles and monasteries he preferred to stay in to pay the costs of accommodation
and catering of his entourage – which rarely consisted of less than three-hundred persons – for long.
Thus, he had to be mobile.”333 Besides, as Paul-Joachim Heinig noted, the intensity of the late
medieval German kings’ rule was still reliant on their personal presence and in spite of gradually
changing methods and practices of ruling the actual range of their influece did not reach out much
further than the scope of their itinerary.334 Nonetheless, it seems that at the beginning of his German
kingship Sigismund did not realize the importance of taking part actively and in person in the
political life and the administration of the Empire and he “became aware of the lack of an efficient
imperial administration [only] after his visits in Paris and London in 1416.“335 Although this
statement may sound weird and conveys a somewhat naive picture of Sigismund, the present
chapter, which stands also as a comparison of the Hungarian and imperial administrative conditions,
is going to show that this idea could indeed correspond to the reality.
To begin with, Hoensch’s observation raises a problem: how should “administration” be
defined in a medieval context? In the first volume of the Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte Peter
Moraw emphasized that regarding the Middle Ages “administration” (Verwaltung) should not be
considered an abstract term describing institutionalized judicial-bureaucratic processes, but an
expression referring very pragmatically to “the way and manner how the central power actually
realized her will.”336 Thus, while in a modern setting “administration” refers to the executive branch
of government, in connection with Sigismund’s rule it must be understood in a much wider sense,
including aspects of ruling and co-ruling in general, legislation, jurisdiction and politics.
332
MORAW (ed.), Unterwegssein 12. and the introduction by Knut Schulz. See also WIDDER, Itinerar und Politik.
HOENSCH, Itinerar 1–2.
334
HEINIG, Reischsstädte 185. Nevertheless, the intensity of travelling activity gradually decreased, see HEINIG,
Reischsstädte 12.
335
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 519–520.
336
JESERICH–POHL–UNRUH (eds.), Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte I. 22.
333
60
In the 1410s, especially after 1412 the perhaps most important characteristic feature of the
“Sigismund-administration” was that it was resident and mobile at the same time. On the following
pages I am going to analyze who were those persons in Sigismund’s close surroundings or far away
from his travelling court who took part in decision making or in administrative-governmental
processes, and in which form they did it. (III.1.) Since I do not aim at reconstructing the court or
courtly life as a whole, when studying the “mobile” part of the Sigismund-administration (III.1.1.)
the focus is on a relatively small group of Sigismund’s actual entourage, 337 namely on the
dignitaries and counselors. This group, however, is going to be studied in its “heterogeneity:”
Sigismund’s men from the Kingdom of Hungary together with his followers from the Empire. Such
an approach is of great importance as the two groups and the systems did not only co-exist but, I
believe, they also influenced each other, sometimes even merged.
The second part of this chapter is dedicated to the “resident administration.” (III.1.2.) Even
if many issues could be handled on the go by the king himself, there were tasks which required the
permanent (representative) presence of the royal power in the very land. Royal incomes had to be
collected on site, military issues had to be discussed and decided without delay; neither the subjects
could follow the ruler all over Europe in order to settle disputes and close ongoing court cases.
Nevertheless, also here I put limits to research issues insofar I restricted my analysis to the central
royal administration and I am not dealing with the lower or territorial levels of bureaucracy (duchies
in the Empire, Transylvania, the banates and counties in Hungary, towns etc.), which is very much a
theme of national historiographies.
Finally, it must be noted that this chapter is not a prosopographic one. Instead of studying
individuals, their life and career, I aimed at analyzing the structure and the system(s) of
administration (III.2.). Therefore, apart from the works mentioned in footnotes, I refer to biographic
data only in those cases, when there is a clear-cut link between the life events of a certain person
and the development or functioning of administrative institutions.
337
It is estimated that Sigismund arrived in Bern with 1400 (HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 486.), in Konstanz with 700,
in Paris with 800 men. LENZ, König Sigismund 72, 82, n. 2. As for Aragon the numbers vary between 400 and 1500
(JASPERT, Perpignan 4; ZsO V/973 and 1010), on his way to England he was escorted by 800-1000, to the imperial
coronation in 1432-1433 by at least 1000 courtiers. In Rome and Milan an entourage of 1500, in Lucca 1200, in Rimini
1500-1600, in Siena 1532 (!), in Ferrara 1000 is mentioned in the sources. BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond látogatása 336–337;
BÁRÁNY, A Joint Effort (Zeitalter) 86, n. 10; CSUKOVITS, Nagy utazás; E. KOVÁCS, Gubbio 191–192; WERTNER,
Zsigmond kísérete.
61
III.1. The Actors
III.1.1. At the Travelling King’s Court
Talking about medieval politics, government and the highest level of the administration, it would be
logical to assume that the ruler was helped and advised first and foremost by the most distinguished
men of his land(s). If so, these prominent people, many of whom held important offices as well,
must have spent most of their time at the royal court or in the close neighborhood of the king’s
residence.338 Thus, when studying the problem how the travelling king’s court functioned in
administrative-governmental terms, we should theoretically focus on these high dignitaries, princes
and barons.
Nevertheless, by the fifteenth century the most prestigious dignitaries of the German royal
court, the so-called Erzämter (steward/seneschal, cupbearer, equerry, chamberlain and the
chancellors), and also most of the Erbämter,339 have already become sheer offices of honor: these
dignitaries performed only ceremonial and representative duties, and they “did not play any
practical role in the administration of the Empire.”340 The only exception in the time of Sigismund
was the chamberlain (Reichserbkämmerer) Conrad of Weinsberg and to some extent Hofmarschall
Haupt of Pappenheim.341 Yet, as the functioning of (court-)administration must have been ensured,
with the fading of the practical importance of the “old” notables new, non-inheritable and paid
“parallel positions” were created342 and, at the same time, the chancellors, proto-notaries, judges of
the royal court (Hofrichter) and to some extent chaplains (Hofgeistlichen), mint masters
(Münzmeister) and doctors (Leibärzte) started to exercise “real” administrative-governmental power
and thus gained prestige and influence at the court. Therefore, somewhat anachronistically, not the
highest dignitaries of the Empire, but the less prominent office-holders stand in the focus of the
present chapter.
338
On having real estates in residential towns see Chapter IV.
The three cleric electors were titular chancellors (Erzkänzler, archicancellarius) of Germany (archbishop of Mainz),
Italy (archbishop of Cologne) and Burgundy (archbishop of Trier), the four lay electors held the offices of
(Erztruchsess, archidapifer – count palatine of the Rhine), equerry (Erzmarschall, archimareschallus – duke of
Saxony), cupbearer (Erzmundschenk, archipincerna – king of Bohemia) and chamberlain (Erzkämmerer,
archicamerarius – margrave of Brandenburg). The margraves of Meißen have never been prince electors but occupied
the office of master of the hunt (Erzjägermeister). The most important Erbämter (Erbmarshall, Erbkämmerer,
Erbtruchsess, Erbmundschenk) were hold by the members of distinguished families. REINHARD, Staatsgewalt 83. See
also SCHUBERT, Erz- und Erbämter 221; HRG II. 1078.
340
SCHUBERT, Hofämter 298; HRG II. 1078–1079.
341
SCHUBERT, Erz- und Erbämter 232–233.
342
Hofmeister-Truchseß, Kellermeister-Mundschenk, Kammermeister-Kämmerer, Stallmeister-Marschall. These
positions were connected neither to an imperial dignity as the Erzämter nor to prominent families like the Erbämter.
They were not inheritable, the Hofbeamten took an oath and their relation to the king based on written or oral
agreements. In exchange for their service they received financial and material compensation. SCHIRMER, Hofbeamte.
339
62
Considering the Hungarian situation the “objects” of this very research question are not easy
to identify either. Our starting point could be the so-called “list of dignitaries” at the very end of the
privileges,343 which enumerates the most important ecclesiastical and lay office-holders of the
kingdom. Besides the prelates (i.e. the archbishops of Esztergom, Kalocsa, Spalato, Ragusa, Zara
and the bishops of Zagreb, Várad, Transsylvania, Eger, Pécs, Bosnia, Győr, Vác, Csanád, Nyitra,
Zengg, Veszprém, Szerém, Trau, Sebenico, Knin, Nona, Scardona, Makarska, Fara and Corbavia)
the lists mention the palatine (regni Hungariae palatinus), the voivode of Transylvania (vayuoda
Transsilvanus), the judge royal (iudex curiae regis), the bans of Dalmatia-Croatia, Macsó (Mačva),
Slavonia and Severin, the master of the treasury (magister tavernicorum regalium), the master of
the doorkeepers (magister ianitorum),344 master of the stewards (magister dapiferorum regalium),
master of the cupbearers (magister pincernarum regalium), master of the horse (magister agazonum
regalium) and the count of Pozsony (comes Posoniensis).345 The dignitaries named on the list were
the barons of the kingdom: the most influential and the most powerful, who had the right to use the
title “magnificus,” even after they had quit their position. (The sources refer to the treasurer
(summus thesaurarius), the count of the Székelys, the count of Temes and the master of the
household (magister curiae) also as magnificus.346) Still, the list of dignitaries was of fixed structure
and by no means a list of witnesses, i.e. a register of those who were present and took part in the
documented action,347 and as such it gives no information about the king’s actual advisors,
counsellors or assistants. In spite of – or rather due to – this methodological problem it is worth
starting the analysis with this very group of barons and looking for proofs of their presence at
Sigismund’s side in Italy, the Empire, France or England.348
III.1.1.1. High Dignitaries at the Travelling Court
III.1.1.1.1. Hungarian Notables
By 1412 the two highest dignitaries of the Kingdom of Hungary – the first clerical and the first lay
magnate on the list – were Archbishop John Kanizsai of Esztergom and Palatine Nicholas Garai.
343
Privileges were issued under pending seal, they contained corroboration and datum per manus formulas, the date of
issuing but not the place, and the series dignitatum.
344
Since 1366 the office of the marshal (magister curiae regiae) was unified with that of the master of the doorkeepers.
The marshal was not mentioned in the list of dignitaries and after the Anjou period there are no traces of the office.
345
For e.g. MNL OL DL 10061. By that time, i.e. in 1413, the archbishopric of Kalocsa and Zara as well as the
bishopric of Veszprém and the Croatian-Dalmatian seats were vacant, and there was no ban of Szörény.
346
KUBINYI, Herrschaftsbildung 422–428; KUBINYI, Bárók 149–150; ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (a) 226–227, but also
DVOŘÁKOVÁ, A lovag n. 295; MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 84.
347
In case any of the offices was vacant, only the title was mentioned in the charter, e.g. Colocense et Iadrense sedibus
vacantibus, honore banatus Zewriniensis vacante etc.
348
The participants of the Council of Constance MNL OL DL 82956, see also ZsO V/195.
63
The latter, whom German sources usually refer to as Großgraf,349 was also the king’s brother-inlaw: he married Queen Barbara’s older sister, Anne, in 1405. 350 A charter of pledge issued on 18th
October 1415 in Perpignan lists the services Garai provided to Sigismund between 1412 and 1415,
and so it informs us about the places he visited during these years. 351 (Appendix 7) According to
the testimony of this document Garai was a constant member of Sigismund’s entourage, and
whenever he left the travelling court it was on royal order. He accomplished missions delegated to
him directly by the king such as to accompany Queen Barbara to the coronation to Aachen or to
prepare Sigismund’s meetings with the kings of Aragon,352 France353 and England.354
John Kanizsai, the archbishop of Esztergom, was Sigismund’s imperial chancellor since
1411. Although in his case it would have been quite reasonable to go with the king when Sigismund
left for Friuli in 1412, he stayed in Hungary and it was the imperial vice-chancellor John
Esztergomi who was in the royal entourage instead. Thus, by the end of 1412 it came to a highly
unusual situation: Palatine Nicholas Garai, the highest-ranking lay official in the Kingdom of
Hungary and the representative of the monarch, left the country, while the Imperial Chancellor John
Kanizsai did not set off for the Empire.355 Yet, as we are going to see, this odd situation can be
explained with very practical reasons. In order to get to this point, however, it is necessary to make
a short detour.
Among the barons, there were three other persons at the beginning of 1410s, who belonged
to the small group of Sigismund’s old “most trusted,” or, as Pál Engel formulated, to his “five-inhand.”356 They were Chancellor Eberhard of Alben, Stibor of Stiboricz (†1414) and Pipo of Ozora.
Chancellor Eberhard, who was born around 1347,357 was not active in these years any more;
according to available pieces of information, he was mostly staying in his domains (as bishop of
349
E.g. RTA VII 311–312, nr. 200; RI XI/3795a, 5598, 7055. Majordom in ACC III. 450–451, nr. 198. ÁRVAI, Magnus
comes.
350
It was Garai’s second marriage.
351
MNL OL DL 10390. On Garai’s deeds see also CDH XI. 82–98, nr. 28. and SZAKÁLY, Javaslat 160–165. Compiling
the itinerary of the palatine and the judge royal on the basis of charters issued in their names is problematic. For the
time being we cannot make a distinction between documents issued by the proto-notaries as part of court processes –
where the dignitaries were not necessary present – and the ones which correspond to their actual place of staying. C.
TÓTH, Zsigmond tisztségviselői 466.
352
ZsO V/957, 1048.
353
ACC III. 518–520, nr. 221; ZsO V/2204. In October 1416 he was in Constance, ZsO V/2351.
354
ZsO V/1492.
355
Kanizsai left the Kingdom of Hungary only three years later, at the beginning of 1416. On 20 th January 1416 he was
in Vienna (ZsO V/1452; although according to the original plans he should have been there already on 14 th January,
ZsO V/1436). Then, however, he had to return, as it is clear from Sigismund’s letter sent to the archbishop from Paris
on 5th April (iter vestrum versus nostram maiestatem veniendi arreptum reflexissetis; ZsO V/1728). The reason was
most probably Kanizsai’s illness, at least Sigismund consoled Kanizsai that he and his entourage including Garai
enjoyed good health. (See also ZsO V/1409.) On 28 th June 1416 Kanizsai was already in Basel (ZsO V/2064) and he
met Sigismund on 27th November in Aachen (RTA VII. 311–312, nr. 200.).
356
ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 50.
357
ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (b) 412–415. Thus, by 1412 he was about 65 years old. See also ENGEL–SÜTTŐ, Alben.
64
Zagreb) in the southern parts of the kingdom. It is interesting, however, to compare the data of the
other itineraries, i.e. that of Kanizsai, Garai, Stibor and Pipo.
Sigismund
Kanizsai
Garai
Pipo
Hungary
Hungary2
Stibor
1410
1411
Hungary
Friuli3
1412
1413
With Sigismund
With Sigismund5
1414
Hungary6
Hungary
1415
1416
Italy, Empire,
France, England
Empire9
With
Sigismund8
1417
Hungary
† May 1418
† Feb. 1414
Visit at Sig7
Hungary10
11
1418
Hungary4
Hungary1
Hungary12
Figure 6: Sigismund and his barons (Simplified itineraries 1410–1418)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
According to Richental Kanizsai came to Constance in February 1415 (DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Richental 7). On 10th February,
however, he was surely in Esztergom (MNL OL DL 43271) while on 25 th April in Fehérvár (MNL OL DL 100397),
so Richental’s dating is either incorrect or Kanizsai stayed there a very short while which, considering his health
problems, is rather unlikely.
For the Bosnian campaigns ENGEL, Ozorai Pipo 265–266. In the summer of 1415 he was personally not in Bosnia,
only his banderium fought in the battle.
Between November 1411 and February 1412.
Late 1411-early 1412 perhaps in Friaul with Pipo, DVOŘÁKOVÁ, A lovag 294, 490.
Relator in Belluno on 2nd June 1413 (MNL OL DL 62226). On 10 th April 1414 he was in Buda as he participated in
the decision regarding the dispute between Poland and the Teutonic Order (RI XI/870, see also ZsO IV/1914); it is
possible that on 17th January 1414 he was already in Hungary (ZsO IV/1590).
Referent on 19th October 1413 (MNL OL DF 239343, charter issued by Barbara) and on 28 th October 1413 (MNL
OL DL 60574) as well as on 25th July 1414. In the latter case the document (MNL OL DL 28149) is dated to the 25 th
July 1413 in the MOL database as well as in ZsO IV/906. Nevertheless, although the left part of the charter including
the clear reference to the year of issuing is missing, the phrase regnorum nostrorum anno hungarie etc. vigesimo
octavo Romanorum vero quarto implies that it was issued in 1414 and not in 1413. (Cf. e.g. with MNL OL DL 8908
issued on 21st July 1413.)
Referent in Constance on 7th and 15th April 1415 as well as on 13th July 1415, in Basel on 25th July 1415. According
to Richental he arrived in Constance on 4th February 1415 with hundred-sixty cavaliers. On 10th July 1415 in
Constance, ÁLDÁSY, Zsigmond és Spanyolország 119-120.
In a letter dated from 12th September 1414 Sigismund wrote to Queen Barbara that ex tenore literarum magnifici
Nycolai de Gara … accepimus ipsum … ad nos veniendi iter dudum arripuisse; sed supervenientibus literis nostris a
progressu itineris arrepti ipsum supersedisse ut secundum mandata nostra vobiscum versus partes Austrie
existentibus procedere et comitari posset, ACC IV. 445–446, nr. 457. On 19th November 1414 he was in Cologne
(referent ZsO IV/2712).
On 6th January 1416 he was planning to set off for the Empire (ZsO V/1403, 1404), on the next day the provost of
Pressburg wrote he was already on his way to Sigismund (ZsO V/1409). Kanizsai issued a charter on 20 th January
1416 in Vienna (ZsO V/1452) but then he apparently had to return for a few days or weeks, see n. 355.
WENZEL, Ozorai Pipo 86.
65
11
12
On 12th July 1417 he was still in Constance (ZsO VI/667). On 24 th August 1417, most probably shortly before
Kanizsai’s leave, Sigimund issued a number of mandates and letters addressed to Palatine Nicholas Garai, Judge
Royal Peter Perényi, Master of the Treasury John Pelsőci and Pipo dealing with different matters related to the
archbishop (ZsO VI/830–832, 834–836; on 29th August 1417 ZsO VI/852).
Referent on 15th June1417 in Buda (MNL OL DL 53947).
Figure 6 shows that Stibor spent the last years of his life in the Kingdom of Hungary together with
Kanizsai, who followed Sigismund to the Empire only in 1416. Garai, on the other hand,
accompanied his king on his journeys from the very beginning (except for a few months when he
returned to Hungary to decide in the case of the Teutonic Order and Poland, and to bring Queen
Barbara to Aachen). Pipo appeared in the king’s entourage from time to time (in 1412–1413 in
Italy and in 1415 in Constance). These figures suggest that after leaving the country in 1412
Sigismund was still strongly relying on his four leading barons and he was keen on keeping at least
one them in the Kingdom of Hungary and another by his side – at least until 1416.358 Having a
closer look at the members of this group also helps to find an explanation why Garai and not
Kanizsai travelled with Sigismund to Germany in 1412. Born around 1350359 Kanizsai and Stibor
belonged to the “older generation” of Sigismund’s barons, whereas Garai and Pipo were
approximately of the same age as the king.360 Consequently, while for the 60-years-old Kanizsai it
was hardly a tempting idea to fight through Italy as the king’s advisor, the same task demanded
considerably less effort from the 15 years younger Garai.
To sum up the information regarding the presence of the “crème de la crème” of
Sigismund’s barons at his travelling court, only Nicholas Garai, the palatine of the Kingdom of
Hungary and the king’s brother-in-law, can be regarded as a – more or less – constant member of
the entourage. Kanizsai joined Sigismund in November 1416 in Aachen, Pipo’s stays at
Sigismund’s travelling court were occasional, while in the years 1413–1418 Stibor and Eberhard
did not turn up at the ruler’s side at all.
Nevertheless, besides Garai there were other magnifici who convoyed Sigismund on his
journeys: the master of the doorkeepers, the master of the stewards, the master of the cupbearers
and the master of the horse were apparently with him all the time. (Appendix 8) Although they are
mentioned only sporadically in the sources, the data suggest that the members of this group
Actually, this “practice” could have been kept functioning also after 1416 because Pipo had just returned from the
visit he paid to Sigismund in Konstanz before Kanizsai departed but it did not happen so. Sigismund apparently
considered Pipo the man of the battlefield and not that of his administration and government, and he found other ways
of exercising control over his country. Indeed, between 1406 and 1426 there was hardly any year when Pipo was not
leading or participating in a military campaign with or without Sigismund. See ENGEL, Ozorai Pipo 265–266.
359
ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (b) 424–425; DVOŘÁKOVÁ, A lovag 33–34.
360
Garai was born around 1366 (ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (b) 416), Pipo in 1369.
358
66
generally followed the king everywhere he went.361 The Master of the Doorkeepers John Tamási
(1409-1416) served at Sigismund’s side until his death in Calais.362 The Master of the Cupbearers
John Alsáni (1406-1417) apparently left for Italy together with the king in 1412 363 and he is
mentioned on 24th February 1415 in Constance as relator of a charter issued in favour of
Christopher Puchel, Alsáni’s castellan in Váralja (county of Valkó). 364 By that time also the Master
of Horse Peter Lévai Cseh was in Constance, though soon after he returned to Hungary.365 It is
important to note, however, that from then on he did not bear the title of magister agazonum either.
The new master of horse, Andreas Pelsőci Bebek (1415), was referred to in a charter issued on 22nd
April 1415 in Constance for the first time366 and a few months later his name appeared on the list of
dignitaries.367 Unfortunately, I haven’t found any direct evidences for the presence of John of
Corbavia, master of the stewards (1406–1418), around Sigismund.368 After Tamási’s death in 1416
his son Ladislaus became the master of the doorkeepers,369 and soon after Sigismund appointed new
courtiers to all of the above mentioned positions. Peter Kompolti370 (1417–1420), Steven Bátori371
(1417–1431) and Nicholas Rihnói Perényi372 (1417–1420) were all chosen from the members of
Sigismund’s travelling entourage. Kompolti’s name had already appeared in a royal charter issued
under secret seal in Constance in 1415, before he became cupbearer.373 An explanation for the
presence of the members of this group around Sigismund, in my opinion, is related to the structure
of Sigismund’s court which is going to be discussed in details in chapter III.2.1.
361
A part of the Hungarian entourage did not cross the channel to England but stayed back in Calais and were waiting
for Sigismund’s return there. BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond kísérete 17.
362
BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond kísérete 22.
363
ZsO III/1875.
364
ZsO V/229.
365
Relator on 9th January 1415 in Constance (ZsO V/29). In May 1415 he received salvus conductus from Ferdinand of
Aragon (DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Ritter 165), in spring and summer he travelled with Louis of Brieg to Aragon, Castile, Granada
and Portugal (JASPERT, Perpignan 10–11). In July 1415 the Hungarian troops were defeated in Bosnia, and Lévai Cseh
was sent to negotiate with the Sebian despot (ad principem illustrem dominum dezpotum ducem Razzye/Rassci). ZsO
V/2255. See also n. 561.
366
MNL OL DF 253176 and 253177.
367
Lévai Cseh Péter: MNL OL DL 66869 (24th June 1415); Andreas Bebek: MNL OL DL 61336 (25 th November 1415)
and 34052 (26th November 1415). According to the list of dignitaries the office of the master of the horse was vacant
from March 1416; still, a charter issued on 4 th September 1416 (MNL OL DL 43338, 71377) refers to Lévai as magister
agazonum and not as quondam.
368
Referent on 25th December 1411, ZsO III/1422.
369
13th February 1417. BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond kísérete 22.
370
Master of the cupbearers, referent on 29th May 1417 in Constance (ZsO VI/481).
371
Master of the stewards.
372
Master of the horse. This Nicholas Perényi of Rihnó was the son of Paul and he was neither identical with the next
master of the horse, Nicholas Perényi of Patak, son of Nicholas, nor with the future Master of the Stewards Nicholas
Perényi of Krompach.
373
MNL OL DL 10342. Chancery note in the upper right corner: commissio propria domini regis, under the seal:
Relatio Petri de Compolth.
67
III.1.1.1.2. Imperial Court Dignitaries and the Imperial Elite
Although due to the Polish-Teutonic and Italian issues Sigismund could not set off for the Empire
right after the elections of 1410/1411, by the beginning of 1412 he was determined to be crowned in
that very year and summon the imperial diet in Frankfurt on 11th November.374 Nevertheless, it did
not happen and having a look at the imperial dignitaries at Sigismund’s close surroundings, we face
the at first glance perhaps surprising fact that until the autumn of 1414 there were practically no
members of the imperial elite around Sigismund. As for now, apart from Frederick of Nuremberg,
the king’s right hand and most important advisor in imperial affairs in the years 1410-1411, only the
presence of the members of the imperial chancery can be proven at the royal court. (Ch. II.2.2.)
Moreover, even Frederick left the court by the end of 1411 after he had been appointed to governor
of Brandenburg:375 he set off from Hungary some time after the middle of October 1411, 376 on 18th
December 1411 he was in Prague and from June 1412 on he issued charters in Brandenburg.377
The contentual analysis of the documents of the imperial chancery between 1411 and 1414
proves that this observation is not the result of the lack of primary sources. According to the
testimony of the Reichsregisterbuch entries378 imperial internal affairs were very rarely dealt with at
the royal court and the numerous privileges and letters of appointment were usually issued on the
request of the benefitted,379 for which there was hardly any need of an advisory body. (Moreover, in
many cases even the confirmation of existing privileges were postponed until Sigismund’s arrival in
the Empire380 or they were issued in a provisional form.381) This supports Sabine Wefers’
conclusion that at the beginning of his German kingship Sigismund delegated his tasks and duties to
the party of his electors, first and foremost to Count Palatine Louis, and the king acted only as a
highest authority. In her opinion, Sigismund was “not an active participant but a passive guarantor
of existing structures … and as such he could stay away from the daily politics as long as he
374
RTA VII. 173, nr. 126. Similar plans in a letter sent to the Byzantine Empire Manuel in the spring of 1412: quoniam
in autumpno proximo Deo auspice ad suscipiendum primam coronam imperialem ad partes Alemanie gressus nostros
dirigemus, et deinde Deo salutarium nostroru prosperorum faciente iter nostrum pro suscipiendis aliis dyadematibus
imperialibus in future yeme proxima ad partes Ytalie, ACC I. 394 – 401, nr. 112.
375
On 8th July 1411, CDB II/3. 178–181, nr. 1295; Mon. Zoll. VII. 1–5, nr. 1. See also BRANDENBURG, Sigmund und
Friedrich 22–47; HEIDEMANN, Die Luxemburger.
376
In Visegrád: ZsO III/92, 644, 673, 731, 852; in Pressburg: ZsO III/792, 986, 987. His marshal Ehrenfried von
Seckendorff was on 19th October 1411 in Pressburg, RI XI/140.
377
A collection of Frederick’s charters HEIDEMANN, Die Luxemburger.
378
Edited by Wilhelm Altmann in RI (with other sources).
379
E.g. envoys of Nuremberg at Sigismund’s court: RI XI/121a (Buda), 206a (Kassa/Košice), 716a (Chur); of Belluno
and Feltre RI XI/394 (Udine); of Bern and Zurich RI XI/554a (Meran); of Theodore of Montferrat RI XI/395, 396.
380
RI XI/424, WEFERS, Das politische System 26. Also in 1411: “und gab in darauf die antwurt: ‘er het noch kein
majestat, und wer’ noch nicht gemachet. so sigelt er auch damit nicht, biz er gekront wurd. wenn das geschehe, so wolt
er uns unser bestetigung gerne geben.’” RTA VII, 164–165, nr. 120.
381
RI XI/425.
68
sufficiently fulfilled his function as a legitimating authority (Legitimierungsfunktion).”382 The
“foreign” affairs which concerned other European powers (Venice, Poland and the Teutonic Order,
Habsburgs) were not new and Sigismund had always been handling them with the help of the
members of the Hungarian aula or local lords. In connection with Poland and the Teutonic knights
we meet the names of Hermann of Cilli, Nicholas Garai, Benedict Makrai and John Kanizsai, 383 in
the case of Friuli Stibor, Pipo, Nicholas Marcali and John Maróti appear in the sources.384 In the
conflicts and issues with the Dukes of Austria Nicolas Marcali, Mikeš Jemništi, Brunoro della
Scala385 and Hermann of Cilli were involved, though here Sigismund also relied on George of
Hohenlohe’s services.386 Finally, the issues related to the Margraviate of Brandenburg were entirely
Frederick of Nuremberg’s competence. Thus, the only “technical” question which emerges is who
provided the (at least basic) know-how which was necessary to dispose of the financial resources of
the Empire? Conrad of Weinsberg, Sigismund’s future leading financial advisor did not meet the
king before 1414,387 so either there was a competent person among the members of the imperial
chancery (John Kirchen?) or Sigismund worked with the experts of southern-German, more
precisely of Nuremberg origin who were present in the Kingdom of Hungary since the end of the
fourteenth century.388 Ulrich Kamerer did not only hold financial positions but he was also a
businessman trading with the German territories; he maintained excellent relations to Cologne and
for a while he also served Rupert of Pfalz. Marc of Nuremberg is mentioned in primary sources
between 1395 and 1415, among others he was count of the mining chamber in Kremnica. In 1412
he led the negotiations with the envoys of the city of Nuremberg and he was the member of
Sigismund’s entourage in Aachen at the coronation.389
Regarding the ways of administration of imperial issues a new phase opened when
Sigismund arrived in the Empire. It is hardly surprising that all the leading aristocrats tried to turn
up at the royal court at the earliest possible occasion, not least because they wanted to make their
privileges confirmed. The Imperial Diet assembled in Speyer in July 1414 and it was followed right
after by a meeting with the imperial elite – Dietrich Kerler called it “königlicher Fürstentag” – in
382
WEFERS, Das politische System 23–24, 27, 33.
E.g. RI XI/197a, 363, 364, 381 etc.
384
RI XI/144, 145, 224. Since 1409 Frederick of Ortenburg was imperial vicar in Friaul (LexMA VI. 1482); still, there
are no hints that he would have appeared among Sigismund’s close advisors.
385
RI XI/307. Brunoro della Scala became the member of the Order of the Dragon in January 1412.
386
RI XI/204. SCHWEDLER, Hohenlohe. See also C. TÓTH, Esztergom.
387
KARASEK, Konrad von Weinsberg 6. His grand-father was Emich of Leiningen, his wife was Anna, George of
Hohelnlohe’s sister (ibid. 8), his uncle Archbishop Conrad of Mainz (IRSIGLER, Konrad von Weinsberg 60). See also
IRSIGLER, Weinsberg und Barbara.
388
STROMER, Nürnberger.
389
STROMER, Oberdeutsche Hochfinanz 122–132; MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 203–205. On Marc of Nuremberg also
MÁLYUSZ, Zsigmond központosító törekvései 172–173.
383
69
Koblenz. Concerning the latter, there is not much information but a complete list survived with the
names of fursten graven herren und frien who participated in the event.390 Nevertheless, these
names certainly cannot be considered as a catalogue of those lords who regularly took part in
governmental and administrative activities related to the Empire. In order to reconstruct this group
the following chart gives and overview of those electors and imperial high dignitaries who were
mentioned as referents, co-sealers, witnesses or guarantors in imperial chancery documents, and
those prelates and lords (dukes, counts, earls etc.) who were at least once named in chancery notes
as referents.391 (For the full lists of co-sealers, witnesses and guarantors see Appendices 9–11.)
390
391
RTA VII. 176, the list 199–201, nr. 143.
For methodological explanation see the beginning of Ch. III.1.1.2.
70
○
Archbishop Werner of Trier
○
Rudolf, Duke of Saxony
Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg
●
○
●○
●◊
●○◊
●○◊
◊
○
●○
●◊
●◊
●◊
●
◊
●○◊
●○◊
●
●○
●○◊
●○
○◊
●
●
●○
●○
●○
●
●○
○
●○◊
●
●◊
Louis of Öttingen, Hofmeister
●
Günter of Schwarzburg, Hofrichter392
John of Lupfen, Hofrichter393
George of Hohenlohe, Reichskanzler394
●
◊*
●○
●
Archbishop John of Riga
●
Bishop George of Trient/Trento
Hungary 1419
Austria, Jan. 1419
●
Haupt of Pappenheim, Erbmarschall
Conrad of Weinsberg, Erbkämmerer
Germany 1418
●○
○
Louis, Count Palatine of Pfalz
Constance 1418
Constance 1417
France, England 1416
Constance 1415
Germany 1414
Northern-Italy 1413
Hungary 1410-1412
Archbishop Dietrich of Cologne
●○
●
●
●○
●
Bishop John of Chur
●
Bishop John of Lebus
Bishop Raban of Speyer
●○
○
●○
Bernard, Margrave of Baden
◊**
Louis, Count of Brieg
Eberhard, Graf of Nellenburg
◊
Rumpold, Duke of Silesia
●
● referent (in chancery notes of the imperial chancery, Appendix 11)
○ co-sealer or witness (Appendix 10)
◊ guarantor (Appendix 9)
●
◊
●○◊
●◊
●○
* in Meran, 5th Aug. 1413
** in Dordrecht, 7th Nov. 1416
Figure 7: The imperial elite as referent, co-sealer and guarantor
392
Judge royal 1415–1418. BATTENBERG, Hofrichter 252–253, n. 65. Drowned in the Bodensee (Lake Constance).
Judge royal 1418–1423, 1430–1434. BATTENBERG, Hofrichter 252–253, n. 65.
394
Imperial chancellor 1417–1423.
393
71
Besides giving an impression of the circle of high dignitaries and members of the imperial elite who
surrounded Sigismund occasionally or regularly, the chart also hints at the fact that they were rarely
in the king’s entourage when he was staying outside the German territories. When he left for France
and England Count Palatine Louis of Pfalz stayed as governor and protector of the Council of
Constance in the Empire; neither Conrad of Weinsberg395 nor Frederick of Nuremberg went with
the king. Eberhard of Württemberg travelled with Sigismund only to Perpignan and also Louis of
Öttingen returned to the German territories after the king had elevated Amadeus VII to Duke of
Savoy on 19th February 1416.396 It is possible, however, that the reason of Louis’ return was that he
broke his leg in Chambéry when the house, in which the king was accommodated, collapsed.397
Windecke states that also Louis VII of Bayern was in Paris, which is absolutely possible if we
consider that his sister Elisabeth (Isabeau de Bavière) was Queen of France. Nonetheless, there is
no information that he would have escorted the king to England.398 In general, it seems that the
imperial high dignitaries and leading notables were not mobile enough to follow their king on his
journeys abroad, and we face a similar situation after 1419 when Sigismund returned to Hungary.
For that time, however, George of Hohenlohe and Louis of Öttingen definitely went with
Sigismund and apparently also the Hofgericht left the territory of the empire.399 According to
Windecke it was in fact the imperial chancellor and the Hofmeister who initiated the king’s
reconciliation with Queen Barbara:
By that time Bishop George of Passau (a count of Hohenlohe) and Count Louis of Öttingen
– one of them was the king’s chancellor, the other his master of household – intervened and
the two lords made peace between the Roman king and the queen, who met then in Holics
(Galicz) or Bát (Bátovce, Frauenmarkt) at holy Christmas night of the year mentioned
above. The queen fell onto her knees in front of his majesty, asked his mercy to forgive her
in case she should have committed something against him. King Sigismund, however, did
not want to hear her words. But then Princess Elisabeth … went to him and since His
Majesty loved her above all, he listened to her daughter and pardoned the queen for the case
she had committed something against him.400
395
KARASEK, Konrad von Weinsberg 17, 19.
RI XI/1932, see also RI XI/247, RI XI/269.
397
…und do der küng und der graf von savoy in daz nüve hus kamen mit andern vil herren so zegegni warent, do viel
daz nider. Und wart da nieman verseret, denne der graf von ötingen, dem brach ein schenkel entzwei. JUSTINGER,
Berner Chronik 236, also RI XI/1933a.
398
The sources mention i.a. Nicholas Garai, Duke Louis of Brieg, William Haz de Waldeck, Brunoro della Scala,
Bertholdo Orsini and Giancarlo Visconti as members of Sigismund’s entourage in England. Chron. Lond. 124,
identification 306; HARDYNG, Chronicle 376; WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 67, c. 72; LENZ, König Sigismund 72, n.1.
See also Gesta Henrici Quinti 126–155; CLASSEN, Sigismund's Visit and SIMMS, Sigismund’s Visit.
399
On 30th April 1419 John of Lupfen was apparently staying in Hungary, RI XI/3850. See also RI XI/3858, 3860.
400
Do tegedinget bischof Jorge von Passauwe (ein grof von Hohenloch) und grof Ludewig von Öttingen (der ein was
des konigz kanzler, der ander was sin hofmeister): die zwen herrn machtent einen friden zwüschen dem Romschen
konige und der koniginne, das sie zusamen komen zu Galitz oder Frowenmarkt an dem heiligen winachtobent in dem
vor geschriebenen datum des jores … wanne die konigin knuwet für den konig und bat do sin gnode ir zu vergeben, ob
sie icht wider in gethon hette. do wolt der konig ir wort nit horen. Do ging zu im sin dochter frouwe Eilsabet … wann er
396
72
The second remark to be made here is that apart from Frederick of Nuremberg only the court
dignitaries (Hofrichter, Hofmeister and Reichskanzler, to a lesser extent the Erbkämmmerer and the
Erbmarschall) referred regularly to the chancery, whereas the other members of the imperial elite –
except for Bernard of Baden from 1417 on – appear only occasionally in the chancery notes.401 The
problem of the referents and the royal council is going to be discussed in Ch. III.1.1.2. and Ch.
III.2.2. in details, here I confine myself barely to the conclusion that only these persons can be
regarded as stable members of the royal council and consequently the ones who took part indeed in
daily administrative-governmental activities. The relatios made by Bishop Raban of Speyer and
Archbishop John of Riga are concentrated to a rather short period which suggests that although they
were not around Sigismund all the time when they were present at the royal court they regularly got
an invitation to council meetings.
III.1.1.2. Counsellors (consiliarii, Räte) and Referents
In the previous subchapter I focused on the question, in the case of which members of the
Hungarian and imperial political elite a shorter or longer, regular or occasional presence at the royal
court can be confirmed by source evidence during the court’s stay in Italy, in the Empire, in France
or in England. Nonetheless, the elite certainly formed only a small fraction of Sigismund’s
entourage, the size of which ranged between 700 and 1500.402 Besides the lords and prelates it
included members of the royal household, royal knights,403 squires, clergymen, scribes, doctors etc.
Thus, when dealing with the Sigismund-administration I tried to find methodological means with
the help of which it is possible to identify the group which definitely took part in decision making
or contributed to the execution of royal decisions on the go.404 The first plausible task was the
analysis of the titles referring to an advisory function. In the German sources the expressions “Rat”
die selbige dochter gar liep hette, do gewert er der dochter und vergap der koniginne, obe sie icht wider in gethon
hette. WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 139, c. 155.
401
Frederick of Nuremberg more than hundred-fifty times, Günter of Schwarzburg, Louis of Öttingen and George of
Hohenlohe about hundred times. Conrad of Weinsberg was mentioned twenty-one, Haupt of Pappenheim thirteen times.
See also Appendix 11.
402
See n. 337.
403
KURCZ, Lovagi kultúra 18–34. Recently on Sigismund’s aulici in the County of Zagreb Suzana Miljan, “In His
Majesty’s Service: King Sigismund’s Royal Knights from the County of Zagreb (1387–1437),” paper presented at the
Leeds Medieval Congress 2014. Latin sources use two terms – iuvenis and miles –for royal knights and it seems that the
difference between the categories lied in the marital status of the knights: the aule iuvenes were apparetly unmarried at
the moment of appearing in the sources. C.f. with KINTZINGER, Westbindungen 174.
404
No lists of the court officials (Hofbeamtenschaft) or similar documents are available before 1442, MORAW,
Beamtentum 62.
73
and “heimliche” and their Latin parallels “consiliarius” and “secretarius” are worth attention.405
Also the term “familiaris” is mentioned quite often in appointment charters;406 still, these references
are going to be left out of consideration here. In this case the problem lies in the fact that the word
“familiaris” in a German-imperial context had a broader meaning and referred to all forms of
services rendered to the king; chaplains, doctors and counsellors could all be considered
familiares.407 Moreover, since Rupert’s reign the familiares formed a clearly separated group from
that of the counsellors (Räte).408 Neither in respect of the the medieval Kingdom of Hungary it is
possible to draw an equal sign between familiares and counsellors as the services related to
familiaritas were far more complex than advising the lord.409 Terms like aulae regiae miles,
iuvenis, parvus / parvulus,410 socialis, sodalis, (specialis / continuus) commensalis were also used to
express the “affiliation” to the royal court and to the “family” of the ruler but they referred to this
very status in a broader sense and not to a concrete “function” or to the duties these people fulfilled
there.411 Therfore, here again I focused only on the consiliarius and specialis consiliarius titles.
In order to gain an impression of Sigismund’s imperial advisors I used the volumes of the
Regesta Imperii412 and Gisela Beinhoff’s work on Sigismund’s Italian dignitaries and courtiers,413
according to which in the years 1411–1412 the following persons were named as Sigismund’s
counsellors (Räte): Christoph of Gerssdorf,414 Emich VI of Leiningen,415 Ehrenfried of
Seckendorff,416 Archbishop John of Riga,417 Albert Schenk of Landsberg,418 Bishop Peter of
Cremona,419 Louis of Savoya-Piemont,420 Bishop George of Trento,421 Bishop William of
Lausanne,422 Antonio Visconti,423 Hugo of Hervost,424 Brunoro della Scala and Mikeš Jemništi,425
405
MORAW, Beamtentum 80, 81. Under Rupert there was no difference between secretarius and consiliarius
(Heimlicher and Rat).
406
See KINTZINGER, Westbindungen.
407
SCHUBERT, König und Reich 87.
408
MORAW, Beamtentum 83.
409
The interpretation of familiaritas as the Hungarian form of feudalism is not accepted by scholarship any more.
ENGEL, Realm 126–128; BÉLI, Familiaritás. See also BÓNIS, Hűbériség.
410
KURCZ, Lovagi kultúra 18–34; DVOŘÁKOVÁ, A lovag 96–99.
411
On commensalis DVOŘÁKOVÁ, A lovag 109, 435, n. 323; Lex. Lat. II. 204. See also HLAVÁČEK, Urkunden- und
Kanzleiwesen 448–449.
412
RI XI; RI XI Neubearb;.; KINTZINGER, Westbindungen 417–470 identified forty-five persons who were mentioned
as recipients of a littera consiliariatus in the register volumes (Reichsregisterbücher) compiled during Sigismund’s
reign.
413
BEINHOFF, Die Italiener 62–63, 76–77.
414
RI XI/123, 7th September 1411.
415
RI XI/127, 29th September 1411.
416
RI XI/183, 29th January 1412.
417
RI XI/189, 8th February 1412.
418
RI XI/207, 5th April 1412.
419
RI XI/273b, 23rd May 1412.
420
RI XI/246, 30th May 1412.
421
RI XI/253, 25th June 1412.
422
RI XI/261, 1st July 1412.
74
William of Prata,426 Bishop Henry of Feltre and Belluno,427 Bishop Peter of Pavia,428 Fregnano
della Scala, Giovanni Belloforti and Ottobono Belloni.429 The ZsO mentions Nicholas Marcali,
Matthias Pálóci, bishop Andreas of Spalato, Bertoldo Orsini, Zvithco Tolichnich and Micatio de
Caboga da Ragusi as consiliarii in 1412.
Without conducting further prosopographic investigations these names shed light on a
methodological problem of using the list of counsellors as a basis of reconstructing the group of the
active decision makers and administrative personnel. On the one hand, especially the German
counsellors were quite many in number which immediately arouse the suspicion that this group as
such was most probably not able to fulfil administrative-governmental tasks effectively. On the
other hand, in practice many of these notables were surely not able to spend longer periods around
Sigismund, some of them perhaps never visited the royal court in person. Ernst Schubert has
already drawn attention to the fact that Sigismund’s aim with appointing a large number of
counsellors after his German election was to create a personal basis in the empire, and most of these
counsellors in fact did not play any functional role in the royal council.430 Neither in the Kingdom
of Hungary were the consiliarii automatically active members of the royal council.431
Unfortunately, lacking session protocols and presence lists it is impossible to say who were indeed
involved in decision making and who were only “titular” counsellors. Considering, however, that
Benedict, Provost of Fehérvár, Benedict Makrai and Pier Paolo Vergerio were speciales consiliarii
it is possible that in Hungary the advisors with this title did indeed play an administrativegovernmental role.432
Nonetheless, the archive material offers another approach to the problem. Every now and
then chancery notes inform us about the person who notified the chancery about the case in relation
to which a given document was issued. Although the question concerning the referents’ connection
to the royal council has not been indisputably answered yet (Ch. III.2.2.), the relators – unlike the
counsellors – definitely took part in central administrative procedures actively: either as “decision
makers” or as “executors.”433 In the Hungarian practice the chanceries referred to the person who
423
RI XI/263, 2nd July 1412.
RI XI/264, 5th July 1412.
425
RI XI/307, 30th August 1412, mentioned together with Nicholas Marcali.
426
RI XI/377, 31st October 1412, Guglielmo di Albertini.
427
RI XI/391, 31st December 1412, Enrico Scarampi.
428
Pietro Grassi.
429
BEINHOFF, Die Italiener 62–63.
430
SCHUBERT, König und Reich 89.
431
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 291.
432
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 291–293.
433
SPANGENBERG, Kanzleivermerke. In terms of relators the question is not so much whether they really took part in
the council’s activity but if this participation was regular or occasional. See also note 718.
424
75
communicated the chartering order with the formula relatio NN or sometimes ad relationem NN,
the imperial chancery used the expression per NN XY, where XY referred to the chancery official
responsible for the issuing.434 (When the order came directly from the ruler the Hungarian
chanceries used the formula commissio propria domini regis, the imperial ad mandatum domini
regis XY.) The conclusions of the following paragraphs are based on the analysis of these remarks.
Among the 26 relators of the charters issued by the Hungarian secret chancery between
November 1412 and January 1419 there were eight barons: Palatine Garai, Pipo, two Masters of the
Cupbearers John Alsáni and Peter Kompolti,435 two Masters of the Horse Peter Lévai Cseh and
Andreas Pelsőci Bebek, the Treasurer Rozgonyi as well as a former voivode, James Szántói
Lack.436 In 1414 David Szántói Lack was “only” a courtier (aule regie miles, 1409) but a year later
he became ban of Slavonia. Besides, there are five other court dignitaries who were not magnates:
the Vice-Palatine Nicholas Szanai, Lévai Cseh’s vice Tompa Béládi, a certain Georgius de Walchia,
the king’s dispensator,437 Benedict, provost of Fehérvár438 and Philip Kórógyi, the queen’s master
of the treasury.439 Two of the rest, John Roskoványi and Michael Sitkei, are named in the relatio
itself as aule iuvenis,440 Peter Gebser as aule regie miles. The other relators are mentioned in the
relatio only by their names, but most of them were referred to either as iuvenis (Andreas Csapi,
Michael Szendi) or miles (Nicholas Hatvani,441 Michael Kusalyi Jakcs, Emmerich Pálóci, Nicholas
Pataki Perényi,442 Stephen Rozgonyi the Elder443 and David Szántói Lack444) in the 1410s. Only
Stibor the Younger and Stephen Rozgonyi (son of Simon) did not have any form of address. This
434
In documents issued by the Hungarian chanceries e.g. relatio Iohannis de Gara, relatio Piponis de Ozora comitis
Themessiensis, ad relationem Stibori filii Stibori vayuode, ad relationem comitis Symonis de Rozgon iudicis curie etc. In
imperial documents e.g. ad relationem domini Friderici burggravii Nurenberg Michael de Priest canonicus
Vratislavensis, ad relationem domini Benedicti prepositi Alberegalis Iohannes Kirchen, per B[enedictum] prepositum
Albensem Jo[hannes] prepositus et vicecancellarius, per dominum Erenfrid [de Seckendorf] magistrum curie
burggravii N[urenbergensis] Johannes Kirchen etc.
The NN per XY notes of the Hungarian chanceries mean that the very person who informed the chancery (XY) was
acting on the order of NN, e.g. instead and in the name of the judge royal Simon Rozgonyi once his protonotary (MNL
OL DF 230909), once his notary (MNL OL DL 86653) informed the chancery: Relatio comitis Symonis de Rozgon
iudicis curie regie per Ladislaum prothonotarium suum facta, relatio comitis Simonis de Rozgon iudicis curie regis per
Corardum suum notarium facta. See also MNL OL DL 9877 and 105587.
435
Relator on 1st May 1415 and 29th May 1417; in 1415 he was not a high dignitary yet.
436
The queen’s master of the doorkeepers 1413–1417.
437
Also ZsO VI/1375, 1380, 1382.
438
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 251, 274, 291; BÓNIS, Jogtudó 119.
439
In 1413 relator of Barbara’s charters (MNL OL DF 208991, Siklós and MNL OL DF 234134, Buda), on 21st
February 1414 assessor at the specialis presentia (ZsO IV/1699). Five times referent in Constance between 30 th May
1417 and 24th June 1417 (NAGY et al. (eds.), Zichy VI. 445–453, nr. 308–310, 312; ZsO V/2255); on 20 th November
1417 assessor at the presentia regia (ZsO VI/1130).
440
Sitkei is mentioned in 1418 as dispensator, ZsO VI/ 1650, 2340.
441
Nicholas Horváti/Lublói.
442
See n. 372. (Relatio Nicolai de Peren filii bani comitis Maromorosiensis.)
443
Son of Ladislaus.
444
Relator in Constance on 7th July 1414, summus thesaurarius BTOE III/1. 340, nr. 655, ban of Slavonia 1415–1419.
76
list infers that high dignitaries and lower ranked courtiers equally referred to the Hungarian secret
chancery and not even the frequency of their appearance in the chancery notes shows considerabe
differences. (Appendix 8)
By applying the same diplomatic method on a different group of sources, i.e. on the archive
material produced by the imperial chancery, another part of the referents can be revealed. Besides
the imperial high dignitaries and political elite of the German territories marked on Figure 7 above
(Ch. III.1.1.1.), the following persons appear in the “per” and “ad relationem” notes of the original
charters issued by the imperial chancery or – from 1417 on – in the “referente” remarks of the
imperial register book. (The numbers standing after the names in parenthesis refer to the number of
relatios made at the imperial chancery.)
77
●
Pipo of Ozora (1)
●
Ehrenfried of Seckendorff (1)
●
●
●
●
Mikeš Jemništi (3)
Hungary 1419
●
Austria, Jan. 1419
●
Germany 1418
●
Constance 1418
Constance 1417
France, England 1416
Constance 1415
Benedict, Provost of Fehérvár (3)
Germany 1414
●
Northern-Italy 1413
Hungary 1410-1412
John Esztergomi (26)
●
Wygleys, Schenk of Geyern (3)
●
Erkinger of Saunsheim/Seinsheim445 (1)
●
●
William of Waldeck (5)446
●
Matthias Lemmel (6)
●
●
Simon, Bishop of Trau (5)
●
Frischhans of Bodman (2)
●
Albert, Schenk of Seida (1)
●
N. de Ribnitz (1)
●
John Uski, Provost of Pécs (1)
●
Henry of Latzembok (1)447
●
Wenceslas of Duba (1)448
●
●
●
●
●
Figure 8: Referents of the imperial chancery II.
In many senses these data correspond to the conclusion drawn at the end of the previous subchapter
concening the imperial elite and high dignitaries. Except for Frederick of Nuremberg and his
Hofmeister Ehrenfried of Seckendorff there are no traces of imperial referents around Sigismund
until 1414. John Esztergomi, Pipo of Ozora, Benedict, the provost of Fehérvár and even Mikeš
Jemništi were the members of the Hungarian aula.449 Thus, the years 1410/1411–1414 can be
characterized not only as an “Empire without its king” (Sabine Wefers) but, as these data imply,
also by the phrase “king without imperial assisstance.” Here, just like above, references to German
relators are concentrated on the years when Sigismund was staying in the territory of the Empire.
445
Son of Michael I von Seinsheim and Marketa z Rózmberka. Freiherr of Schwarzenberg since 1429. LexMA VII.
1721.
446
Vilém Zajíc z Valdeka na Židlochovicích. Windecke and charters refer to him as Wilhelm Hase von Waldeck, Haas
de Waldeck etc.
447
Jindřich z Lacemboku.
448
Václav z Dubé na Leštně.
449
Similarly John Uski, who was born in Bohemia and stood in Sigismund’s service since the 1390s. I.a. FEDELES,
Uski; HLAVÁČKOVA, Diplomat; LUKCSICS, Uski.
78
Nonetheless, the small number of their relatios hints at the low intensity of their political or
administrative-governmental activity. At the same time the appearance of notables of Bohemian
origin in chancery notes (William of Waldeck, Henry of Latzembok, Wenceslas of Duba) is rather
surprising. Henry of Latzembok and Wenceslas of Duba referred only on one occasion in
connection with Bohemian issues,450 but the latter was surely a member of Sigismund’s entourage
in England.451 Besides, it must be noted that although his appearance in an imperial document in
1417 is something new, as count and castellan of Komárom he belonged to the Hungarian aula
since 1414. Also William of Waldeck was a constant member of Sigismund’s closest advisory
circle. He began his career as a hired mercenary in the service of the Moravian Margrave Jobst of
Luxemburg, he took part in a diplomatic mission in France in 1407 and was appointed the governor
of the Duchy of Luxembourg in 1407. Upon Jobst’s death William joined Wenceslas, but soon after
he entered Sigismund’s service where he stayed until his death in the battle of Vyšehrad on 1 st
November 1420 (except for a year in 1417/1418 when he returned to Moravia). As shown above
and in the Appendices 9-11, he became Sigismund’s counsellor and he acted as warrantor at his
side.
Another interesting figure is Matthias Lemmel but unfortunately there is not much known
about his life or career. He came from a family of Bamberg-Nuremberg origin,452 a branch of which
was resident in East-Central Europe (Bohemia and Hungary) since the 1360s.453 Matthias Lemmel
was together with Sigismund in Western-Europe, he is mentioned in chancery notes, as one of the
guarantors of a loan Sigismund took in Dordrecht in 1416, as his “Triselier/Triesler” in 1418 and
dispensator on 4th September 1419.454 He is still referred to in the sources in the 1420s.
To sum up the results of the paragraphs dealing with the high dignitaries, counsellors and
referents at Sigismund’s travelling court the following conclusions can be drawn. As regards those
members of Sigismund’s entourage who belonged to the Hungarian aula it can be said that the
political elite of the kingdom was rather underrepresented around the king, although it can be
assumed with reasonable certainty that the Hungarian court-dignitaries (master of the doorkeepers,
master of the stewards, master of the cupbearers, master of the horse) and Nicholas Garai were at
450
RI XI/2422 and RI XI/2149. The abbey of Nieder-Ingelheim was founded by Emperor Charles IV in 1354, who sent
here Augustine canons from Prague. The monks residing in the monastery had to speak Czech as their main task was to
take care of Bohemian pilgrims visiting Aachen.
451
BÁRÁNY, Zsigmond kísérete 12.
452
STROMER, Oberdeutsche Hochfinanz 134, n. 145.
453
LEMMEL, Die bamberger Lemmel, see also LEMMEL, Die nürnberger Lemmel.
454
Relator in Leeds RI XI/1967, in Konstanz RI XI/3009, in Passau RI XI/3721 and 3770. On the list of Sigismund’s
creditors RI XI/3175 and 3212, “Triselier/Triesler” RI XI/3009 and 3413, dispensator ZsO VII/939 (MNL OL DL 69
391).
79
the ruler’s side in most of the time between November 1412 and February 1419. (For this see also
Ch. III.2.1.) The courtiers of lower status (miles, iuvenes etc.) were present at the royal court in a
considerably greater number and also took part in governmental-administrative acts. Considering
the willingness of Sigismund’s imperial subjects to leave German territories (for Italy, France and
England) neither the high dignitaries nor the lower strata of courtiers seem to have been mobile
enough. Based on the archive material Louis of Öttingen’s, George of Hohenlohe’s and John
Lupfen’s presence can be traced outside the Empire: in the case of the Hofmeister in France and
Hungary, in the case of the imperial chancellor and the judge royal in Hungary after 1419. From the
group of courtiers Wenceslas of Duba, William of Waldeck and Matthias Lemmel were verifiably
permanent members of the entourage but the first two were actually of Bohemian origin and
Lemmel, in spite of his family’s supposed Bamberg-Nuremberg orgin, most probably belonged to
the Hungarian aula.
Bearing in mind the dual, mobile-resident character of the Sigismund-administration the
absence of the elite from the royal court outside the “homelands” can be explained with practical
reasons. As we are going to see in details in Ch. III.1.2., it was exactly this group (especially in
Hungary) which governed and ran the daily administration in Sigismund’s lands in his absence.
Besides, in certain cases there are evidences that although the notabilities were not around
Sigismund in person, from time to time they had “representatives” at the royal court. Windecke
wrote that John Ladebaum, cathedral canon of Worms, was in England as Count Palatine Louis’
envoy,455 but also the plenipotentiaries of the archbishop of Cologne were negotiating with King
Henry V’s counsellors in May 1416.456 Last but not least, the Hungarian courtiers were in many
cases familiares of great lords. On the whole it can be said that decision making and the necessary
administration was functioning quite smoothly at the travelling court also without the assistance of
high dignitaries and political elite; the only difficulty seems the have appeared in terms of
diplomatic representation. At this problem hints the fact that at the beginning of April 1416
Sigismund asked John Kanizsai and Hermann of Cilli to come straightaway to England, because he
needed experienced – and supposedly also prominent457 – advisors to settle the terms and conditions
of the peace treaty between France and England (viris non modicorum, sed multum altorum et
perspicuorum consiliorum indigeamus. Igitur e[xcellentiam] v[estram] reverendissimi patris quam
455
BRANDENSTEIN, Urkundenwesen 168–170.
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 103–104, c. 105; LENZ, König Sigismund 95.
457
WEFERS, Das politische System 59.
456
80
unacum magnifico et spectabili Hermanno comite Cilii socero nostro carissimo… dicte pacis et
positionis treugarum exstructio desideramus et volumus interesse458).
Concerning Sigismund’s stay in the German territories two further remarks must be made.
First, strictly speaking the Sigismund-administration was a mobile one also within the borders of the
Empire and here the imperial dignitaries and advisors were moving together with the ruler. In other
words, although they were not willing to leave the Empire with the king, they had apparently no
problem with following him all over the kingdom no matter where he was staying. From this the
conclusion can be drawn that in the perception of the imperial elite Sigismund was their king to be
served actively only when he was physically in the territory of the Empire. Secondly, unlike the
Hungarian part of Sigismund’s entourage, where every now and then also lower-ranked courtiers
participated in governmental-administrative actions (and often they became high dignitaries later),
the source material indicates that in imperial terms almost exclusively only the highest strata of the
ruling elite – and perhaps the leaders of the imperial chancery – were involved in decision making
or in execution of decisions. Experts or people of lower social status seem to have appeared in the
governmental administration only after Sigismund’s return from France and England; the main
reason for this was the change of relations between Sigismund and the prince electors (Ch.
III.1.2.2.2).
III.1.2. In the Travelling King’s Lands
From Sigismund’s itinerary it is obvious that in the first decade of his Hungarian-German kingship
he spent more than six years in one go outside the Kingdom of Hungary and only about three in
total in the territory of the Empire. In such a situation the substitution of the ruler, the question of
exercising royal rights and the performance of the king’s duties became crucial in both realms. The
following subchapters aim at giving an overview of the means and methods by which the
Sigismund-administration tried to cope with this problem.
III.1.2.1. Hungary: The Queen, the Vicars and the Barons (1413-1419)
III.1.2.1.1. The Queen
Barbara of Cilli was the youngest of Count Hermann II’s459 and Countess Anna of Schaunberg’s six
children born some time between 1379 and 1392. She was engaged with Sigismund at the age of
458
RI XI/1945, 1948. MNL OL DF 287860 212v–214r.
81
nine (1401), in the very year when her sister Anne was engaged with Palatine Nicholas Garai and
her cousin Anne with King Wladislas of Poland. The wedding took place most probably in early
November 1405,460 Barbara was crowned queen of Hungary on 6th December.461 In many respects
her queenly career was unique: she was the only Hungarian queen crowned with the crown of St.
Stephan,462 the last queen of the Germans who was crowned in Aachen and the only royal wife who
did not escort her husband to the imperial coronation in Rome.463
Barbara had a bad historical reputation. Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini characterized her as an
unfaithful wife (infida uxor),464 an infidel and intriguer obsessed by political ambitions,465 Antonio
Bonfini (1427/1434–1503) stated that she was the lover of Duke Ernest of Austria,466 and John
Cuspinian (1473-1529) described her in his De Caesaribus as follows:
Barbara was a woman of passionate desire and shameless impudence, who asked men more
often than she was asked by them. Sigismund caught her in adultery quite many times;
nonetheless, the adulterer overlooked the adultery as he himself repeatedly violated others’
matrimonial beds and did not find fault with touching others’ wives. Barbara embraced the
same sort of unsatisfied lust, not feeling any purity or chastity. She considered life empty if
it was without sex, splendor and passion. She could not think of any other reason to live than
to serve the pleasure of her body. She said the [lives of] holy virgins were just tales.
Accordingly, she resembled very much Claudius‘ Messalina. […]467
459
ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (b) 410–412; KRONES, Hermann II von Cilli. On the Cilli family DOPSCH, Die Grafen von
Cilli; KRONES, Die Freien von Saneck; FUGGER GERMADNIK (ed.), Celjski grofje; GRABMAYER, Cilli; GRABMAYER,
Cilli II. The FWF-projects “Die Urkunden und Briefe der Grafen von Cilli (1341–1456)” at the University of
Klagenfurt in 1999–2001 and 2002–2005: http://wwwg.uni-klu.ac.at/cilli/ .
460
Recently a detailed analysis by KATANEC, Perquisite 29–51. ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (b) 411, cf. with FÖßEL,
Barbara 99–102, who supposes that the wedding was in Buda and thus it must have taken place between the 13 th and
29th December 1405. Yet, considering the date of coronation (6 th December 1405) this hypothesis can hardly be correct.
Moreover, on 16th November 1405 the wedding was mentioned as a past event: Barbaram... nobis in coniugem ac
regnis nostris in reginam lege matrimonii duximus copulandam quam thoro nostro regio sociavimus, hanc vero... in die
dominica videlicet in festo beati Nicolai confessoris nunc proxime affuturo ad instar moris reginalis in regali civitate
Albensi sacro diademate decrevimus insiguire, NAGY et al. (eds.), Zichy V. 416–417, nr. 352 (MNL OL DL 78655). On
the betrothal see KRONES, Die Freien von Saneck 73–74.
461
Then in Aachen on 8th November 1414, in Prague on 11th February 1437. Barbara was the only German queen who
was not crowned Empress in Rome together with his husband.
462
PÁLOSFALVI, Borbála.
463
FÖßEL, Korrepondenz 245.
464
PICCOLOMINI, De viris illustribus 46, c. 31.
465
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 137. On Barbara’s character CHILIAN, Barbara 67–69. The list of the Piccolominiworks used by Chilian ibid. 9, n. 5.
466
BONFINI, Rer. Ung. 405. (Decadis III, Liber III.)
467
Fuit autem Barbara foemina immente libidinis et procacitatis inverecundae que saepius viros peteret quam
peteretur. Saepissime in adulterio a Sigismundo deprehensa: sed adulter adulterae ignovit quia et ipse crebro alienos
violavit thoros matrimoniaque aliena tentare nullius rei duxit. Pari forma libidinem inexhausta amplexabatur Barbara,
nihil de castitate sentiens ac pudicitia. Vitam omnem censuit inanem que non coitu, luxu ac libidine contereretur. Nulla
enim alia causa vitam sibi expetendam asserit nisi ut voluptati corporis sui inseruiret. De virginibus sanctis fabulas
esse dixit. Ob is Messaliae Claudii quam simillima […], CUSPINIAN, De Caesaribus 497–498. Recent secondary
literature on Barbara’s image and reputation DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Barbara 271–289; HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 497;
KRZENCK, Barbara; WAGENDORFER, Studien 148–158. See also BAK, Queens.
82
Yet, in spite of this image, it is a widely accepted opinion that Barbara’s organizational skills,
especially in terms of administering her estates were exceptional. In the 1410s besides the lands
which were owned by the queens of Hungary iure reginali (Óbuda, Solymár, Csepel, Szanda and
Buják in the County of Nógrád, the market town of Tolnavár, Kecskemét and the Cumans) 468
Barbara held properties and revenues in Slavonia: the castles of Szaplonca (Stupèanica), Kiskemlék
(Mali Kalnik), Nagykemlék (Veliki Kalnik) and Kőkapronca together with the town of Kapronca
(Koprivnica), the district of Velike, the estates (possessiones) of Garig, Gerzence and Palisna in the
county of Körös, Zagreb, the town of Pozsegavár (Požega) with the castle, the county of Pozsega
and the marten fur tax (mardurina) collected here, the town of Verőce (Virovitica) with the county
of the same name, the marten fur tax and the tithe, the marten fur tax of Slavonia469 as well as the
revenues from the custom called thirtieth (tricesima). Her annual incomes from mardurina are
estimated to 8,000, from the thirtieth to 20,000 golden fl.470 She seems to have been not only
talented but also successful in managing her estates and incomes and, contrary to Sigismund, she
usually had cash at her disposal. Thus, every now and then Barbara was able to help her husband
with loans, in exchange for which she received, of course, further pledged domains. At the time of
Sigismund’s death in 1437 she was the greatest landlord in the Kingdom of Hungary.471
When Sigismund left for Friuli and the Empire in November 1412, Barbara stayed back in
the Kingdom of Hungary. She departed for the German coronation only in September 1414472 and
returned a year later.473 Considering Barbara’s skills and the traditional forms of the ruler’s
substitution in Hungary474 her “governorship” in the absence of Sigismund seems to have been the
plausible and logical answer to the new administrative challenge. The queen’s authority was hardly
debated in the realm as it was acknowledged abroad as well; neither the participation in political
acts was unfamiliar to Barbara.475 In line with this Amalie Fößel wrote in 2005 that “before
Sigismund left for Italy in late autumn of 1412 … he ordered his wife to the top of the government,
468
KENYERES, Magánbirtokok 1108. On this problem with regard to the age of the Árpáds ZSOLDOS, Királynéi
intézmény 28–62.
469
MNL OL DL 12156, edited in WENZEL, Okmányi adalék 271-274. After 1419 Barbara had possessions mostly in
Northern-Hungary; archive sources ibid. 274-285. ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 73–75.
470
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 91–93.
471
ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 75.
472
On 17th September 1414 she was in Öttevény (MNL OL DF 280027), he met Sigismund in Heilbronn (HOENSCH,
Kaiser Sigismund 187), from where they travelled by ship to Aachen (Speyer-Mainz-Koblenz-Aachen).
473
On 27th September 1415 in Mülhausen (RI XI/1891a), on 26th November 1415 in Pressburg (MNL OL DF 202092.)
474
On the topic recently C. TÓTH, Nádor, on the queen’s role ZSOLDOS, Királynéi intézmény 127, 181.
475
Sigismund used Barbara’s seal on MNL OL DL 92364 (26th April 1410 in Végles): presentes quoque propter nostri
sigilli absentiam sigillo dicte consortis nostre domine regine fecimus consignari. Barbara as guarantor of loans granted
to Sigismund Appendix 9; co-sealer e.g. ZsO III/662. On the Order of the Phoenix founded by the queen in 1429
IRSIGLER, Weinsberg und Barbara.
83
together with Palatine Nicholas Garai and Archbishop John Kanizsai of Esztergom.” 476 Jörg K.
Hoensch argumented similarly: according to him Sigismund left the country and the tasks of
governing to a regency council (Regentschaftsrat) of three consisting of Barbara, Garai and
Kanizsai. Between 1416 and 1419, however, Barbara “had to govern alone, which situation she was
unable to cope with.”477 Imre Szentpétery also stated that she was her husband’s “substitute” in his
absence.478 Lóránd Szilágyi did not mention Barbara’s potential role at all, Elemér Mályusz only
with regard to the 1430s but not to the 1410s.479 From the above-mentioned scholars only Amalie
Fößel supported her statements with diplomatic evidences; thus, her conclusions are worth quoting
somewhat longer here. Concerning the phase between 1412 and 1414 Fößel wrote that “the queen
acted as a regent not only sporadically […] but – together with the palatine and the archbishop of
Esztergom – she was given direct responsibility. She received delegations but also groups and
individuals who were lodging a complaint; she pronounced judgements, decided disputes,
confirmed rights of ownership and took political decisions. In these years Barbara exercised power
not only with […] Sigismund’s political consent, but in close cooperation with him. In delicate
issues, she acted often in consultation with Sigismund, together with him.”480 As for the period
between 1416 and 1419 Fößel argued – in my opinion correctly – against Chilian’s thesis by stating
that the issues Chilian considered as signs of Barbara’s failure, i.e. the defense against the
Ottomans, armed robberies and border incidents, were either not acute problems in the 1410s or
they are not relevant indicators of a successful or unsuccessful way of ruling. Here, I am going to
study the political role Barbara played after 1412 in the Kingdom of Hungary and the characteristic
features of her supposed governorship on the basis of the diplomatic material.
The Hungarian National Archives preserved about 250 charters which were issued in Queen
Barbara’s name between 1406 and 1438.481 As a starting point the following figure shows how
Barbara’s charter issuing practice varied during the first 15 years of her queenship.
476
FÖßEL, Barbara 104.
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 495–496. Similarly Chilian.
478
SZENTPÉTERY, Oklevéltan 208.
479
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 158, 79.
480
FÖßEL, Barbara 106.
481
The MNL OL database displays 270 hits including duplums and excluding lost pieces known from source editions.
There was only one occasion, when King Sigismund and Queen Barbara issued a charter together, namely on 12 th
December 1408 when Sigismund founded the Order of the Dragon. DL 9470.
477
84
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
1420
1418
1416
1414
1412
1410
1408
1406
0
Figure 9: Barbara’s charters
The number of documents preserved in the medieval stocks of the Hungarian National Archives or referred
to in the volumes of ZsO (1406-1420)
In the intensity of Queen Barbara’s charter issuing between 1406 and 1420 a well recognizable peak
can be identified in 1413. Considering the entire Barbara-corpus another apex is observable in 1432,
which is all the more interesting as both dates fall into intervals when Sigismund spent longer time,
six and four years,482 outside the Kingdom of Hungary. (Appendix 12). It is even more telling that
between November 1412 and September 1414, i.e. during the period between Sigismund’s and her
own departure, Barbara issued fifty-nine charters, which is approximately the half (forty-nine
percent) of all documents that were written in her name in these fifteen years (thirty percent of the
entire Barbara-corpus). This detail is definitely to be considered a clear indication of the queen’s
leading role in the politics and government of 1412–1414. Also the queen’s return to Hungary by
the end of 1415 implies that she was going to take over the tasks of ruling from Sigismund’s vicar
Kanizsai (Ch. III.1.2.1.2.), who was supposed to leave the country in January 1416. Nonetheless,
the documents issued by Queen Barbara between November 1415 and February 1419 (twenty-eight
charters, 23 percent of the pieces issued between 1406 and 1420) were considerably lower in
number than in the years 1412–1414, which casts some doubt on the latter argument. Besides, in a
482
Between November 1412 and February 1419 as well as from August 1430 until October 1434.
85
letter sent to the archbishop of Esztergom on 5th April 1416 from Paris Sigismund wrote that
Kanizsai
“should set off for France without any delay […] and he should entrust the prelates and
barons, especially the Master of the Treasury John Pelsőci Bebek, the Judge Royal Peter
Perényi, the Treasurer John Rozgonyi as well as Dionysius Marcali […], with the governing
of Hungary,”483
and he did not mention Barbara’s name in any form in connection with the tasks of ruling. Thus, at
first glance it seems that there was indeed a difference in the role Barbara played in the governance
and administration of the kingdom in the periods of 1412–1414 and 1415–1419, as suggested by
Hoensch. On the other hand, it must be noted that the numbers presented above refer to the
documents preserved or known of today, and not to the total issued by Barbara’s chancery.
Therefore, this quantitative analysis can be considered only as a starting point, and on the following
pages the internal and external characteristic features of these pieces (place of issuing, relators and
addressees) are going to be analyzed. Besides, the appeals addressed to Barbara are going to be
taken into consideration as well.484
483
MNL OL DF 287860 fol. 213r–214r; ZsO V/1728.
In my opinion, Barbara’s consent in charters of donation is only a chancery formula the use of which can be relevant
e.g. for clarifying the date of her marriage with Sigismund but not for the intensity of exercising power. (C.f. with
FÖßEL, Barbara 101.) The problem, however, why certain documents contain the formula while others do not, requires
further research. On the other hand, it is possible that comparing the itineraries of kings and queens could provide new
results, C. TÓTH, Királynőből királyné 64-66 (with regard to Sigismund and Queen Mary) and HORVÁTH, Itineraria 46
(with regard to Matthias Corvinus and Beatrix).
484
86
Image 8: Queen Barbara’s Seal
(Obverse)
MOL DL 10519
Legend:
s barbare dei gratia regine hungarie
Let’s start with the period before the queen’s departure for the coronation in 1414. On the basis of
Barbara’s itinerary485 she left Buda together with Sigismund in September 1412. The royal couple
was heading for the southern parts of Hungary; yet, while Sigismund stopped for a few days in
Fehérvár, the queen went straight to her Slavonian estates and on 2nd October she was already in
Kapronca (Koprivnica). She was staying in her domains (Kemlék /Kalnik/, Kőrös /Križevci/,
Garignica, Verőce /Virovitica/, Siklós486 and Kapronca /Koprivnica/) until spring of the next year,
when she returned to Buda.487 From then on, except for a short travel to Felsőzsolca (Solcha) in
October 1413,488 she was residing on queenly dominions located in the medium regni:489 Buda,
Óbuda, Csepel and Pilis. On 17th September 1414, when Barbara issued a charter in Öttevény,490
she was already on her way to the Empire.
In order to be able to draw conclusions regarding Barbara’s role in the administration and
governance of the Kingdom of Hungary, it is needed to compare the diplomatic material issued in
her name before and after Sigismund’s departure in November 1412. The analysis of Barbara’s
ENGEL– C. TÓTH, Itineraria.
Garai’s possession.
487
Her first charter issued in Buda is dated from 25 th April 1413 (MNL OL DF 234134).
488
MNL OL DL 89722.
489
See below chapter IV.
490
MNL OL DF 280027.
485
486
87
charters preserved in original491 showed that the chancery of the queen – in contrast with the royal
chanceries – insisted on specifying the person who communicated the order of issuing to the
chancery personnel. Normally, only the pieces with a hanging or closing seal do not bear a relatio
or commissio note; from the years 1406–1412/1413 I found only three litterae patentes sealed with
an applied seal under the text without the one or the other remark.492 Before November 1412, or
better to say before 25th April 1413 when Barbara returned to Buda from the southern parts of the
kingdom, the relators named on her charters were all members of the queenly court: 493 Lawrence
Tari494 (2), Nicholas Szécsi495 (1), Nicholas Hédervári496 (3) and his son Lawrence497 as well as
Philip Kórógyi (1).498 The only exception in this period was a charter issued on 12th June 1412 in
Buda, the relator of which was the judge royal Simon Rogonyi; yet, this court case concerned one
of Barbara’s estates and the judge royal was delegated to investigate it.499 Also the addressees and
grantees of privileges mentioned in the documents were related to the queen’s possessions: to
Zagreb, Csázma (Čazma), Kemlék (Kalnik), Kapronca (Koprivnica), Verőce (Virovitica) and the
Pauline monasteries (Garić, Streza, Dubica) in Slavonia,500 in the inner parts of the kingdom
Szekszárd, the counties of Somogy, Veszprém and Szepes.501 Other than these only the convent of
Lelesz – one of the loca credibilia – was referred to as addressee in the charters of the queen.
This practice seems to have changed after Barbara’s arrival in Buda in 1413. First, besides
the men who stood in Barbara’s service – Philip Kórógyi, Laurent Hédervári, Stephan Rozgonyi,502
John Álmosdi Csire503 and James Szántói Lack504 – also four of the leading barons, i.e. Stibor,
491
In inserts and copies the references to the chancery notes present on the originals are often missing.
1406–1411: twenty-six charters issued in Barbara’s name, nineteen originals, two with closing seal, sixteen with SIr,
one with pending. The two charters without a chancery note are MNL OL DL 78738 and DL 9280. 1412–6th April
1413: fourteen known charters, eight originals, one closing, one pending, six SIr seals. Again, the chancery note is
missing from the pieces authenticated with closing (MNL OL DF 230926) and pending (MNL OL DL 23682) seal and
from one patent with SIr (MNL OL DF 236581) which is in fact a second original of the piece with a pending seal.
493
Only one of Barbara’s very first charters issued on 15 th August 1406 had a royal referent, Nicholas Treutel,
Sigismund’s master of the treasury (MNL OL DL 42895). By that time Barbara’s court was most probably not yet fully
established; from the year 1406 only her master of the doorkeepers (Nicholas Szécsi, ENGEL, Arch. Gen.) is known.
Barbara’s first master of the treasury is mentioned on 6th January 1407 (ZsO II/5215), the master of the cupbearers and
stewards (Laurent Tari) on 6th January 1407 (ZsO II/5216) and on 26 th April 1407 (ZsO II/5450), the master of the horse
(Desiderius Garai) only on 10th July 1408 (ZsO II/6209).
494
1407–1409 the queen’s master of the cupbearers, 1407–1413 the queen’s master of the stewards. The numbers in
parenthesis refer to the number of charters issued on the relatio of the very person before April 1413.
495
The queen’s master of the doorkeepers 1406–1408.
496
The queen’s master of the doorkeepers 1408–1412.
497
The queen’s master of the doorkeepers 1413.
498
The queen’s master of the treasury 1413–1419.
499
MNL OL DL 43095; ZsO III/578.
500
On Pauline monasteries in Slavonia PISK, Violence.
501
For these see ZSOLDOS, Királynéi intézmény 29–30.
502
Aule regine miles.
503
1388 aule regine iuvenis, 1395 relator (ZsO I/3799), 1412, 1418 the queen’s dispensator, 1425 aule regine miles.
ENGEL, Arch. Gen.
504
The queen’s master of the doorkeepers 1413–1417.
492
88
Garai, Kanizsai and John Maróti, the ban of Mačva, appeared as relators in the documents issued in
the queen’s name. Secondly, considering the addressees of Barbara’s mandates and the beneficiaries
of her donations the geographical focus shifted away from her dominions and the radius of her acts
expanded: the towns of Pozsony and Sopron, the convent of Fehérvár, counties of Borsod,
Szabolcs, Nyitra, Vas, Zemplén, the Saxon seats in Transylvania can be listed here. Besides, the
queen contacted more often barons (the judge royal Rozgonyi, Pipo, Stibor, the younger, tha bans of
Mačva) and “non-Slavonian” or “non-queenly” officials (e.g. Peter Kapler, comes of Pressburg;
Peter Szentgyörgyi, comes of Sopron). Finally, in this one and half year small deflections can be
observed in the charter issuing practice of Barbara’s chancery. Out of the thirty-five pieces which
have been preserved in original seven documents were sealed with a closing seal – a high
proportion of twenty percent compared to the eleven percent of the previous period.505 This could
hint at some “external” influence on the work of the queen's chancery, especially if we consider that
five of these documents (four inquisitoria and one statutoria) were issued during or right after the
octave of St. Michael in 1413. A similar but less significant difference can be observed when
studying the litterae patentes authenticated with an applied seal (SIr). While before 24th April 1413
only three such pieces were issued without a c.p.d.r or relatio-note (thirteen percent of twenty-two
SIr charters in total), in the following seventeen months five out of the twenty-seven, i.e. eighteen
percent. It cannot be precluded that also these numbers reflect a change in chancery practice as a
result of new, extended or altered queenly competences but due to the small number of originals
and the rather small difference between the rates these data cannot be considered an unquestionable
proof of the hypothesis. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that Queen Barbara indeed started to
play another role in 1413 than before, and similar conclusions can be drawn from the documents
sent to Barbara in these two years. Between 1412 and 1419 there are sixteen such charters
mentioned in the ZsO, thirteen of these were issued between 24th November 1412 and 12th
September 1414, the other three in 1416 and in 1417. (Shortly before 1412 or closely after 1419
there is only one piece known the addressee of which was the queen. It is dated from June 1420 and
the Polish king Wladislas informed Barbara about the death of his wife Elisabeth.) One of the
thirteen is from Sigismund, there are three permissions issued by Pope John XXIII on 11 th March
1413,506 two letters from Ragusa with pieces of information concerning the actual political situation
on the Balkans,507 an appeal of Pressburg and another of Wrocław (Boroszló) asking for the queen’s
505
25th April 1413–1414: fourty-eight charters, thirty-five originals, one pending, seven closing, twenty-seven SIr.
1406–1413: three closing seal among the twenty-seven originals.
506
ZsO IV/280–282.
507
ZsO IV/1338, 2373.
89
help and support.508 In May 1413 the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order promised the queen to
pay back their debts of 15,000 fl.,509 and also Hrvoje turned to Barbara – and to the barons of the
kingdom – with his complaint.510 Finally, there are an appeal from Barbara’s master of the
cupbearers511 and two reports from the county of Szabolcs.512
On the occasion of the two latter charters it is necessary to comment on Amalie Fößel’s two
arguments cited above and thus on the nature of Barbara’s power. First, according to Fößel the
queen decided in judicial cases. Yet, among the Barbara-charters related to court issues and dated
from the period 1412–1419 there is only one letter of final judgement (sententionalis),513 the rest are
mandates addressed to loca credibilia: mostly inquisitoria, statutoria, evocatoria, prorogatoria,
prohibitoria, admonitoria or requisitoria. Moreover, on 19th October 1413 the queen categorically
rejected to decide in the dispute between the town of Pozsony and their former judge Ulrich
Rauchenwarter514 and with one exception515 in her mandates she always ordered the convents,
chapters or counties to report to one of the curial judicial courts, i.e. to the palatinal court, to
presentia regia or specialis presentia regia. In fact, despite the inscriptio “the most excellent and
illustrious highness”516 also the county of Szabolcs seems to have sent the two above mentioned
relationes to the presentia regia, as on its outside they named the king (ad regem) and not the queen
as addressee.517 Considering that Barbara’s mandate requested the relatio “domino nostro regi,” it
was indeed the right way of acting which corresponded the queen’s instructions. This argument is
supported by further reports related to the very same cases, in which the chapter of Várad and the
convent of Lelesz explicitly approached and addressed the king.518 Thus, we may consider the
inscriptio of the two Szabolcs county documents only a reflection of uncertainty or “exaggerated”
courtesy. At the same time, it must be pointed out that there is absolutely no evidence of Barbara
exercising the king’s jurisdictional rights.
The problem with Fößel’s other argument is also related to Hungarian procedural law. She
drew the conclusion that Barbara “worked together and in consultation with Sigismund” on the
basis of the phrases “domino nostro regi rescribatis” and “speciali presentie regie maiestatis
508
ZsO IV/1321, 1679.
ZsO IV/638.
510
ZsO IV/801.
511
ZsO III/2996.
512
ZsO IV/1453,1454.
513
Two originals MNL OL DF 236581 and 236582.
514
ZsO IV/1198. On Rauchenwarter SKORKA, Windecke.
515
ZsO IV/77 (MNL OL DF 208991).
516
serenissime et inclite domine eorum domine Barbare dei gratia Romanorum regine etc. / excellentissime et inclite
domine domine eorum domine Barbare regine Romanorum ac Hungarie etc.
517
MNL OL DL 53722 and 53725.
518
MNL OL DL 53721, 53726 and 53561.
509
90
fideliter rescribatis.”519 Yet, these expressions are in fact the parallels of the formulae “nobis
rescribatis” and “nostre speciali presentie fideliter rescribatis” of the royal charters issued in
Sigismund’s name, and as such they they should not be understood literally. They did not refer to
any concrete role of the king in the very process but to the judicial court assigned to deal with the
case, and served for informing the addressees about where to report about their proceedings.
Furthermore, also the lack of any hint at an intense correspondence between Sigismund and Barbara
argues against Fößel’s theory. There is only one letter known sent by Sigismund directly to Barbara
on 12th September 1414 from Heidelberg,520 in which he informed the queen about the date of the
coronation (by that time planned for the 21st October) and his travel route. Neither there are ad
litteratorio mandato domini regis chancery notes on the documents issued by the queen, and the
only piece issued ad contenta litterarum regalium from the 1410s is actually a copy of a charter
issued in Sigismund’s name in Buda in 1413 on the relatio of Archbishop John Kanizsai.521
Finally, it is worth investigating what the content of the documents issued by Queen Barbara
tell us about her political activity.522 Besides the above mentioned pieces of judicial character there
are protectionales, privileges donating tax exemptions or estates (as nova donatio) and
confirmations of existing rights or possessions (confirmatoria). It must be noted, however, that the
tax exemptions concerned exclusively queenly incomes, i.e the mardurina or the tricesima, and no
other royal revenues.523 In respect of Barbara’s political activity the charters issued on 26th May
1413524 and the 1st June 1413525 in Buda seem to be of particular importance, in which Queen
Barbara was dealing with the problem the Hungarians faced on the Austrian border. Nevertheless, it
was the only occasion in the course of the seven years when the queen handled questions of military
defence in her mandates and it is very likely that these documents were actually not issued on her
own initiative either – but on that of Sigismund or/and Stibor.526 Heimpel cited a letter sent by
Sigismund to the voivode527 dealing among others also with the problem of a possible siege on the
castle of Dévény (Devín; castrum de Wyii) which was by that time pledged to Lessel Hering, an
Austrian noble.528 It is possible that Sigismund tried to grasp the chance to take advantage of the
519
FÖßEL, Barbara 106, n. 87.
ZsO IV/2475.
521
ZsO IV/1400. Another one from January 1407, MNL OL DL 9279.
522
Norbert C. Tóth also presents a short contentual analysis of Queen Barbara’s charters, C. TÓTH, Nádor 134.
523
C.f. with ZsO IV/859.
524
MNL OL DL 39421; ZsO IV/653.
525
MNL OL DF 202055
526
Unfortunately an evidence for Stibor’s presence in Buda comes only from 18th July 1413.
527
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 179–180, nr. 113, undated.
528
ZsO IV/662. Sigismund had already ordered Stibor to release Dévény in 1411 (ZsO III/1085), apparently without
success because three years later it is stated that Garai paid Hering 8,000 fl. for the castle (ZsO IV/1944).
520
91
inner-Austrian situation529 and the mobilization mentioned in the queen’s mandates has in fact less
to do with the terminating armistice (indutie et treuge inter regiam maiestatem et quosdam
Australes … his diebus proximis terminabuntur530) and the Austrians’ raising fighting spirit than
with the king’s plan of seizing back Dévény by force. It is also interesting to note that Barbara is
not, only Kanizsai and the barons are mentioned in connection with the negotiations with Hrvoja
which took place in Bács (Bač) in November 1413.531
To sum up, although an obvious intensifying of the queenly activity can be observed in the
years 1413 and 1414, there are no proofs or even hints at Barbara’s fully independent decision
making in terms of governing and administering the kingdom. (As regards her own possessions the
situation was, of course, fundamentally different.) In my opinion, a relatio-note from 13th December
1413 describes very precisely how the royal administration was functioning in the Kingdom of
Hungary after 1412: Relatio domine regine facta ex deliberatione habita cum domino Iohanne
archiepiscopo Strigoniensi ac aliis prelatis et baronibus.532 Thus, what Barbara did, did according
to the advice, or more likely according to the decision of the prelates and barons. In other words,
Queen Barbara represented the royal power in the absence of Sigismund, but she did not exercise
the rights of the king.533
As for the period after Barbara’s return in 1415, even this representative role seems to have
faded. First, there is absolutely no information where the queen was staying in the first eight months
of 1416, but she was surely not active politically as there is not even one single document survived
from this period which was issued in her name. The first Barbara-charter from 1416 is dated from
8th September when she was staying in Buda; right after, however, she left the royal residence and
returned only in 1417. As for the archive material, the number of documents issued in the queen’s
name reduced considerably in the period of 1415–1419, the relators came again exclusively from
among Barbara’s courtiers (Michael Erdőteleki, her vice-chancellor John [Korponai], George
Tompek, Peter Gyimesi Forgács)534 and also the ratio of pieces sealed with a SIr but having no
529
Et si idem dux vobis auxilia prestiterit ... vos ... provideatis ut hii qui ex propriis subditis eiusdem ducis sunt sibi
rebelles ... ad obedienciam eiusdem ducis reducantur.
530
Sigismund indeed made an agreement on 27th July 1412 with Princes Ernst and Frederick of Habsburg (ZsO
III/2478); yet, bis uff sant Görgen tage der schyrist kumpt, which means that it has already terminated by the end of
April whereas Barbara’s charter is dated from 26th May. See also ZsO III/2484, 2486.
531
ZsO IV/1230, 1256.
532
MNL OL DL 10202.
533
These results correspond to Attila Zsoldos’ conclusion regarding on the ruling practice of the Hungarian queens in
the age of the Árpáds, according to which “the institution of queenship did not exist alongside the power of the king but
within its frameworks.” ZSOLDOS, Tézisek.
534
Michael Erdőteleki Nagy: vice of the queen’s Master of the Dookeepers James Szántói Lack; George Tompek: the
queen’s treasurer; Peter Gyimesi Forgács: the queen’s master of the dookeepers 1418–1419; John Korponai: the queen’s
vice-chancellor 1416–1427 (BTOE III/2. 4, nr. 677; CDH X/8. 581-583; MNL OL DF 250158). On Korponai FEDELES,
Pécsi székeskáptalan 395-396, nr. 208; BÓNIS, Jogtudó 102.
92
chancery note, atypical of the queenly chancery, fell back to 12 percent. It is peculiar, however, that
the proportion of documents sealed with a closing seal increased. Nevertheless, while in 1413–1414
all these charters were issued as a part of court processes, in 1415–1417 the queen put her closing
seal only on two inquisitoria,535 the other pieces were two mandates written in German and sent to
Sopron in favor of a certain Michael Weisspacher, a citizen of Vienna, and a letter addressed to
Archbishop Kanizsai.536 As for the documents sent to Barbara there are althogether three such
letters from these years – in contrast with the thirteen from the previous period. Moreover, two of
the three were not addressed exclusively to Barbara but she was only one of the recipients. In one of
them Ragusa informed Sigismund as well as Barbara about the events on the Balkans,537 while the
other one sent by Louis of Bavaria538 concerning Sigismund’s unpaid debts of 23,000 fl. was
addressed besides Sigismund to both guarantors, namely Barbara and Pipo.
The reason behind this apparently insignificant position of the queen after 1415 is unclear.
Whether it was Sigismund’s decision, Barbara’s choice or perhaps an outcome of the magnates’
influence cannot be decided for the moment. The analysis of the role that other political factors, i.e.
the royal vicars and barons played in the governance and administration of the land in the 1410s
may reveal information which could be relevant for this question as well.
III.1.2.1.2. Royal Vicars539
On 6th January 1414 Sigismund issued a charter in Cremona, with which he appointed Archbishop
John Kanizsai and Palatine Nicholas Garai governors and general vicars (gubernatores et vicarios
nostros generales) in Hungary until his return to the kingdom (tamdiu quousque in dicta regna
nostra feliciter regressi fuerimus).540 Sigismund explained his decision with the fact that due to his
duties related to the Holy Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church (incumbentibus nobis
diversarum solicitudinum curis quibus pro Sacrosancte Romane Ecclesie et Sacri Romani Imperii
statuum reformatione cottidie occupamur) he was not able to take care of the kingdom as expected.
Thus, in order to provide the proper and sufficient ruling of the realm (regna nostra utiliter,
prudenter et salubriter gubernentur) and not to burden his subjects with the difficulties of possible
travels to the royal court (ne per nostram absentiam regnicole nostri velut acephali rectore et
535
Inquisitoria (-evocatoria) addressed to the convent of Lelesz, one from 15 th September 1416 (MNL OL DF 220
873), the other from 15th April 1417 (two originals, MNL OL DF 220980 and 221035).
536
MNL OL DF 202092, 202107 (to Sopron) and MNL OL DF 202118.
537
ZsO V/2360.
538
Deperditum, known from ZsO VI/305.
539
This subchapter focuses on the vicariate of Archbishop John Kanizsai and Palatine Nicholas Garai. There is a
chancery note from 9th September 1416 referring to Paul Özdögei Besenyő as banus ac vicarius regie maiestatis; for
this problem see Ch. III 1.2.1.3; KONDOR, Absente rege 136–138; C. TÓTH, A király helyettesítése 310.
540
MNL OL DL 39278, CDH X/8. 546.
93
gubernatore destituti … propter quaslibet etiam fortassis leves questiones et causas in remotis
partibus eorum gravibus laboribus et multis expensis maiestatem nostrum sequi et queritare
coguntur) he entrusted the kingdom to the archbishop and the palatine, his faithful, respected,
virtuous and wise men.
Although the substitution of the ruler was not a one-time phenomenon in the history of the
country, this charter counts as a rarity in the Hungarian diplomatic material. In the time of the
Árpád and Anjou kings usually the queen, the queen mother or a group of notables ran the business
in the absence of the monarch541 but no letter of authorization survived from this period.542 Another
example of appointing a royal vicar comes only from 1402, when Sigismund authorized Prince
Albert IV of Habsburg to represent the royal power in the Kingdom of Hungary.543 Thus, in the
following passages not only the royal vicars’ status, rights and duties are going to be studied but
also the question if Sigismund’s decision for this “institution” could have been influenced by
imperial administrative practices – more precisely, if it is possible to reveal similarities between the
status, rights and the tasks of the Hungarian and imperial vicars.
Kanizsai and Garai are two well-known figures of the Sigismund-administration, in this
respect the king’s choice is hardly surprising. It seems that the plan of giving special rights to
Kanizsai existed as early as May 1413, when Sigismund wrote to judge royal Simon Rozgonyi that
the archbishop would not leave for the Empire as it had been planned before but he would stay in
the kingdom as his deputy (per nos nostra in persona deputatus).544 On 28th November 1413
Ragusa addressed Kanizsai as governor,545 which proves not only that the city-state was extremely
effective in gathering important political information, but also that by that time Sigismund had
already decided over the “official form” of his substitution. Although both the archbishop and the
palatine were appointed vicars on 6th January 1414, only in the following two months did they
appear in royal letters and mandates together as governors; then once in 1415 and once in 1417. 546
541
ZSOLDOS, Királynéi intézmény 127, 181.
In general there are only a few appointment charters which survived but then most of them were issued under
Sigismund’s reign: Palatine Laurent Héderváry (1437, Héderváry család okl.tára I. 180), judge royal Peter Perényi
(1415, MNL OL DL 43274), Master of the Treasury Peter Berzeviczy (1419, MNL OL DL 10811), Stephan Rozgonyi,
comes of Pressburg (1421, MNL OL DL 11145), treasurer Michael Ország (1436, MNL OL DL 12871), Peter Lévai
Cseh, Voivode of Transylvania (1437, MNL OL DL 13130)
543
On 17th September 1402 in Pressburg, edited in CDH X/4. 140 –142, nr. 48. A few months earlier, on 8th February
1402 Wenceslas appointed Sigismund Vorweser vnsers kunigreichs zu Behem, gemeynen Vicarium vnsern und des
heiligen reichs. On Albert’s vicariate C. TÓTH, Nádor 128–129.
544
ZsO IV/641, MNL OL DL 10070.
545
ZsO IV/1339, original is missing. Based on a chancery note (relatio Nicolai de Gara palatii et vicarii generalis regie
maiestatis) ZsO IV/906 suggests that Garai had already been Sigismund’s vicar on 25th July 1413. Although the
document (MNL OL DL 28149) is damaged it must have been issued in 1414 because the twenty-eighth year of
Sigismund’s Hungarian and the fourth of his Roman kingship (in festo beati Jacobi apostoli anno domini millesimo [...]
regnorum nostrorum anno Hungarie etc. vigesimo octavo Romanorum vero quarto) was 1414 and not 1413.
546
ZsO VI/445 (3rd April 1415) and ZsO VI/1272 (22 nd December 1417).
542
94
Besides, there is a chancery note from 21st May 1414 mentioning both Kanizsai and Garai as
holders of this position.547 In all the other cases only one of the two magnates was addressed or
proceeded: until the end of February 1414 it was dominantly Garai, 548 from April 1414 until the
beginning of 1416 Kanizsai549 and then by turns. The last mandates referring to Kanizsai and Garai
as vicars are dated from 9th March 1418 and 18th June 1418.550
The charter with which Sigismund appointed his vicars called them Dalmatie, Croatie et
Hungarie regnorum nostrorum gubernator et vicarius generalis and Hungarie, Dalmatie, Croatie
regnorum nostrorum rector, gubernator et vicarius generalis; in royal mandates they were
mentioned as vicarius (noster) generalis in dicto regno nostro Hungarie per nos constitutus.
Kanizsai added the words in regnis Hungarie, Dalmatie, Croatie gubernator et vicarius generalis to
his title in the middle of 1414 but after June 1416 he himself did not use it any more, which
suggests that he – in contrast to Sigismund – considered himself vicar only while he was staying in
the Kingdom of Hungary. The chancery of the palatine has never introduced this title in any form,
Garai was always Nicolaus de Gara regni Hungarie palatinus et iudex Cumanorum in the approx.
550 charters issued in his name between 1414 and 1418. In fact, apart from the charters issued by
Sigismund himself there are only two chancery notes and one report in which Garai is referred to as
royal vicar.551 In documents issued by a third party I have not found any references to Garai as
vicar, while in the case of Kanizsai his governorship is mentioned occasionally.
When Sigismund appointed Kanizsai and Garai in 1414 he defined the tasks of his vicars as
follows: (1) jurisdiction, (2) managing royal revenues (montanarum urburas, cameras salium ac
lucrum camere, cusionem monetarum […] locandi, arendandi et tradendi), (3) appointing,
dismissing and controlling (rationem accipere, rationis factae litteras expeditorias dare) officers
and dignitaries, (4) collecting taxes from the royal towns (census, collectas annuales de civitatibus
nostris, i.e. civitatibus et oppidis ac villis nostris regalibus) and (5) using them for the defence of
the kingdom if needed. For this end the vicars had also the right to impose extra taxes on these
subjects. Moreover, they were entitled to (6) define the value of currency (emendare et corrigere)
547
ad commissionem dominorum Johannis archiepiscopi Strigoniensis et Nicolai de Gara palatini vicariorum regiae
maiestatis aliorumque praelatorum et baronum regni et cetera (MNL OL DF 246850, edited in ZIMMERMANN–
WERNER (eds.), Urkundenbuch III. 595). Sometimes the charters mention Kanizsai as royal vicar and the palatine only
in general as one of the chief judges (reverendissimo in Christo patri domino Iohanni archiepiscopo … ac predicti regni
nostri Hungarie vicario generali per nos constituto necnon magnificis palatino et iudici curie nostre) e.g. MNL OL DL
10297, 96889. On 27th February 1418 Nicolao de Gara regni nostri Hungarie palatino vicario generali in dicto regno
nostro Hungarie per nos constituto (MNL OL DL 270169).
548
Also on 25th July 1414, see n. 545.
549
Also on 18th April 1417 (ZsO VI/326, MNL OL DF 228164).
550
MNL OL DF 239393 and ZsO VI/2057.
551
MNL OL DL 28149 (on 25th July 1414) and BARABÁS (ed.), Teleki I. 396–397, nr. 101. The report was issued on
th
16 November 1414 in Siklós, where the palatine was surely not present as by that time he attended Sigismund’s and
Barbara’s coronation in Aachen (MNL OL DL 100395).
95
and to mint new coins with the consent of the prelates and barons, as well as (7) to take possession
and care of reverted estates (possessiones devolutas) and vacant prebends (beneficia ecclesiastica
pro tempore vacantia tam regularia quam secularia). The document mentions two restrictions,
namely that although the vicars had the right to reprieve (de birsagiis […] relaxare et regnicolis
nostris proscriptis gratiam facere possunt) they could not do that in the cases of high treason
(propter notam infidelitatis) and capital crime (in poena capitali et ammissione possessionum);
neither had they the right to donate estates or prebends. Finally, it must be noted that in the absence
of one vicar (deficiente vel absente vel legittime impedito) the other could proceed alone with full
authority.
When comparing the rights and duties mentioned in this very charter with the archival
material we need to focus on three groups of documents. Sigismund’s mandates addressed to the
vicars concerned almost exclusively court processes or they ordained the protection of certain
subjects (protectionalis). Kanizsai’s charters which were issued between March 1414 and May
1418 under his ring seal (sigillo rotundo anulari) and which were not related to ecclesiastical
matters had the same character;552 only two were dealing with other issues. These, however, also fit
well into the above sketched profile of the vicars: on 17th April 1415 Kanizsai ordered the town of
Kassa (Košice) to pay their taxes to treasurer John Rozgonyi, while on 29th August the mining tax
officers (comitibus vel vicecomitibus urburarum) in Körmöcbánya (Kremnica) received new
guidelines according to which they had to pay seven florins (florenos nove monete) instead of the
usual six for a mark of silver (marca argenti).553 Thirdly, between autumn 1413 and January 1416
the documents which were sealed with the Hungarian great seal were very likely the results of
Kanizsai’s vicarial activity. This becomes obvious when looking at the places of issue of those
pieces which were not issued in Buda or in Visegrád: they were either dated from archbishoprical
(Esztergom, Marót) or Kanizsai family estates (Kismarton, Szil, Ikervár), or they correspond to the
itinerary of the vicar (Bács, Fehérvár, Mohács, Beremend, Gara, Diakó, Tata, Győr).554 These
documents fell also into the category of files related to jurisdiction (inquisitoria, statutoria,
postponements of court processes, mandates to take oaths etc.).
552
Royal mandates to Kanizsai or Garai 1414–1418: ZsO IV/1568, 1621, 1703, 1715, 1723, 1908, 2234, 2400, V/54,
55, 129, 130, 131, 197, 846, 848, 1350, 1728 (missive), VI/326, 1243, 1272, 1336, 1542, 1553, 1594, 1609, 2057.
Charters issued in Kanizsai’s name: ZsO IV/1768, 2098, 2272, 2273, 2378, V/473, 511, 945, 968, 1006, 1144, 1245,
1308, 1309, 1452, 2064, VI/356, 357, 1588, 1778, 1794, 1934.
553
ZsO V/511, 968. On the proposal of two financial experts, Marc of Nuremberg and Andreas Holthalbreth. The latter
is mentioned in the charter as scansor dicti domini nostri regis, most probably campsor regius, i.e royal banker who
was entitled to change gold florins to silver denars and vice versa. See DRH I. 208, GYÖNGYÖSSY, Pénztörténet 251.
554
For a detailed analysis of the problem see KONDOR, Királyi kúria 415–423, 432–436. The seal was kept by the vicechancellor John Szászi, C. TÓTH, A király helyettesítése 299. See ZsO VI/671, 830.
96
These figures suggest that the vicars’ most important field of activity was jurisdiction;555
nonetheless, there are evidences that Kanizsai fulfilled also other duties listed in the charter of
appointment. Besides the mandates on tax-collecting and the mining activity in Kremnica referred
to above, there is another document proving that the vicar managed and was responsible for royal
revenues. On 24th August 1417 Sigismund ordered Kanizsai to account for the royal incomes
collected since the king had left the country, which settlement took place in front of Palatine Garai,
Judge Royal Perényi, Master of the Treasury Pelsőci and Pipo Ozorai some time before 13th
December 1417.556 Another charter attests that the vicar indeed commanded to take possession of
the castles belonging to the bishopric of Győr after the death of Bishop John,557 and a document
dated from 1415–1417 proposed the reform of the monetary system in the Kingdom of Hungary.558
Unfortunately, there are no information available regarding its author or the circumstances of its
compilation, and it also needs to be emphasized that no reform ideas were put in practice until the
second half of the 1420s.559
The situation seems to have been somewhat different when it comes to the question of
dignitaries. Based on the data of Pál Engel’s Archontology560 the following chart gives an overview
of the most important office holders between 1410 and 1420.
555
It must be noted that in general the dominant part of the surviving medieval Hungarian archive material is related to
court processes.
556
ZsO VI/830, 1238.
557
ZsO VI/836.
558
DRH I. 397–404.
559
GYÖNGYÖSSY, Pénztörténet 248–256.
560
ENGEL, Arch. Gen.
97
V = vacant
A.B. = Andreas Bebek, 1415
* = in the list of dignitaries only after 8th February 1419
Figure 10: Hungarian high dignitaries 1410–1420
The Judge Royal Simon Rozgonyi, the Voivode Stibor and the Ban Petermann of Alben all died in
1414, Pál Csupor was captured and killed by Hrvoje in 1415 and Peter Lévai Cseh also left the
royal court because he was the Hungarian magnates’ representative negotiating with the despot of
Serbia over the fate of the Bosnian captives.561 In this way, five leading administrative positions
were to be occupied in the first two years of Kanizsai’s vicariate. Unfortunately, we lack the
information how Szántói and John of Alben got their functions (in their case the first relevant data
come from lists of dignitaries) but the fact that the charter appointing Peter Perényi as judge royal
was issued under secret seal in Constance562 and Csáki’s first mentioning as voivode of
After the battle of Lašva in July 1415 the Hungarian noblemen were captured by the Turks, and they were in custody
in the fortress of Zvečan in Kosovo. (It is quite possible that Hrvoje did not participate in the battle personally.) Zvečan
was one of few fortresses in Kosovo which were under Ottoman control since the end of 14th century. The Serbian
despot, who was by that time the vassal of both Hungarian and Ottoman rulers, mediated between the Hungarians and
the Ottomans. The noblemen who can be connected with this mediation of Despot Stefan Lazarević were John Maróti,
Martin Ders, John Harapki and Peter Szepesi; it seems, however, that only Maróti and Szepesi survived the Ottoman
captivity. Some other aristocrats, i.e. one member of the Alben family and Ladislaus Töttös were supposedly at the
court of Bosnian nobleman Sandalj Hranić (at that time Hrvoje's enemy) in 1416. ĆIRKOVIĆ, Posredovanju. For the
article and its synopsis I am thankful to Aleksandar Krstić and Neven Isailović. See also KRANZIERITZ, Lašva.
562
ZsO V/332.
561
98
Transylvania also comes from a document issued by Sigismund himself563 speaks against
Kanizsai’s participation in these decisions. Moving a step further, Nicholas Perényi, Peter Kompolti
and Stephen Bátori appear in the sources in May 1417. Again, the charters referring to them were
issued in Constance,564 and interestingly enough the lists of dignitaries do not give an indication of
their appointment until 8th February 1419 (that is Sigismund’s return to Hungary) – even though the
royal vicar Garai arrived back in the kingdom exactly by the end of May-beginning of June 1417.565
Taking this into consideration it is hardly credible that the vicar had anything to do with the
appointments in practice. Besides, while according to the lists of dignitaries the post of the
doorkeeper was vacant between September 1416 and December 1418, on 13th February 1417
Sigismund ordered the town of Sopron (Ödenburg) to pay Ladislaus Tamási all the revenues due to
him for the current and previous year (presentis utputa et preteriti annorum). Therefore, it seems
that although Sigismund delegated the task of appointing high dignitaries to the vicars, in practice
he still controlled this issue in person. What’s more: in many cases the great chancery was
apparently not even informed about the personal changes.
As hinted above, whereas the system of royal vicars was a fundamental part of the
administration of the Holy Roman Empire, in the medieval Kingdom of Hungary it did not have a
tradition and the substitution of the ruler was usually solved in other ways (queen, palatine or
council of magnates). Sigismund, however, was familiar with the institution as he himself held the
“office” two times, although in 1396 – due to the defeat at Nicopolis and the protest of the prince
electors (1397) – without any practical consequences.566 The appointment of Albert of Habsburg as
vicar in 1402567 was most probably the combined result of Sigismund’s experiences and the
political situation. At that time, there was no queen in Hungary, Sigismund’s relations to the barons
On 13th January 1415, then on 25th January 1415. ZIMMERMANN–WERNER (eds.), Urkundenbuch III. 641, nr. 1761
and 643, nr. 1763.
564
Peter Kompolti was referent as master of the cupbearers on 29 th May 1417 in Constance (MNL OL DL 58931),
Nicholas Perényi was mentioned as master of the horse on 9th May 1417 (MNL OL DL 54003), Stephen Bátori as
master of the stewards on 23rd May (MNL OL DL 71926).
565
Relator in Buda on 15th June 1417 (MNL OL DL 53947).
566
19th March 1396: universalis ordinarius locumtenens et vicarius generalis, RTA II. 427–436, nr. 247, analyzed by
HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 628–638. 17th September 1402: Vorweser vnsers kunigreichs zu Behem, gemeynen Vicarium
vnsern und des heiligen reichs. PELZEL, Diplomatische Beweise 63–66, nr. 10. See also RTA V. 185, nr. 146. and 186,
nr. 147. as well as HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 621–622. On Sigismund’s vicariate in 1396 PELTZER, Pfalzgraf 224–227.
Under Sigismund the Count Palatine Louis (1415–1418), Frederick of Brandenburg (1418–1419), Archbishop Conrad
of Mainz (1422–1423) and William III the Bavarian (1431) were governors (stathalter verweser und heuptmann) in the
German territories. Duke Charles of Lorraine became vicar of Metz, Toul and Verdun (1412), whereas the dukes of
Savoy in Savoy (1412, 1414) and Duke Louis of Orange in the “French parts” (per partes Gallicanas) of the Empire
(1421). Besides, he appointed local vicars in Friuli and Aquileia (Friedrich von Ortenburg), in Verona és Vicenza
(Brunoro della Scala), in Padua (Giacomo és Marsilio da Carrara), in Lucca (Paolo Guinigi), Mantova (Gianfrancesco
Gonzaga), Crema (Georgio de‘ Benzoni), Como (Luterio Rusca), Belluno and Feltre (Udalrico della Scala), Seravalle
and Cardignano (Rudolf von Betze), Milan and Pavia (Visconti).
567
See n. 543.
563
99
and the elite was rather problematic568 and the Austrian princes William, Albert and Ernest were
important allies also in terms of the Luxembourg dynastic conflicts in Bohemia.569 But is it possible
to reveal parallels or similarities between the characteristics of vicariate in Hungary and in the Holy
Roman Empire?570
As regards the titles the construction (rector,) gubernator et vicarius generalis as such did
not exist in the imperial chancery practice although the words vicarius generalis, rector, gubernatio
and gubernare, together with locumtenens and capitaneus, indeed occur in the Latin sources.571 The
standard German form was Statthalter und Verweser, also Wenceslas talked about Sigismund as
Vorweser vnsers kunigreichs zu Behem, gemeynen Vicarium vnsern und des heiligen reichs (1402).
Sigismund called himself Verweser, in Latin regni Bohemie gubernator. Comparing Sigismund’s
other charters of appointment, namely that of Brunoro della Scala from 22nd January 1412,572 Louis
of Savoy from 1st July 1412573 and Theodore of Monferrat from 20th September 1414574 it turns out
that their dispositions were in fact formulated in the very same way. Moreover, in respect of these
documents there is a clear continuity in the chancery practice of the Luxembourg rulers starting
from Charles IV’s charters issued in favor of Amadeus VI (1372) and the dauphin (1378)575 up to
the one given by Sigismund to Archbishop Conrad of Mainz (1422). 576 Nevertheless, as these
documents were all issued by the imperial chancery it is hardly surprising that this tradition is not
really traceable in the Kanizsai-Garai charter compiled at the Hungarian secret chancery. The
rhetorical elements of the arenga, however, show similaraties with the other vicarial charters. When
referring to his absence from the kingdom, the great distances and the abundance of tasks related to
his German kingship Sigismund basically brought together and listed all the reasons of appointing
vicars which can be found in such documents. Similarly to his predecessors he stated that he could
also rely on faithful and trusted advisors, and although in the Hungarian version there is no mention
of the king’s sleepless nights577 the chancery did not miss the chance to depict Sigismund as a ruler
stooping under the heavy burden of problems. The narratio, on the other hand, focuses more on the
568
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 59–69.
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 108–110. NIEDERSTÄTTER, Österreichische Geschichte 196.
570
HECKMANN, Stellvertreter.
571
HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 524–525, 660–666, 672.
572
VERCI (ed.), Storia XIX. 49–54.
573
Cod. Ital. I. 681–686.
574
Cod. Ital. I. 1365–1372.
575
HECKMANN, Reichsvikariat 63–97. Heckmann identified these two documents as the link between Charles IV’s and
Wenceslas’ chanceries, HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 630. See also ibid. 573–574.
576
The model for this charter was the document issued by Wenceslas in 1396, HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 643.
577
HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 564.
569
100
practical aspects of the vicariate than the imperial charters, even though references to collective
ideas such as tuitio, utilitas and commodum are not missing either.
The concrete reason for Kanizsai’s and Garai’s appointment was the same as that of the
general vicar of the German territories (citra Alpes): entrusted with tasks related to jurisdiction and
governing they had a well-defined administrative role.578 Also in terms of the vicars’ reputation and
the length of their office-holding the Hungarian case corresponds to the imperial trend. Although
Garai and Kanizsai were not members of royal families, princes or counts like the vicars in the
Empire (as in the medieval Kingdom of Hungary there were no such titles and territorial units579),
they were the two most important barons of the land whose social-political status was
acknowledged abroad as well. Besides, Kanizsai was imperial chancellor, Garai the brother-in-law
of the king. Sigismund, just like Charles IV,580 authorized his Hungarian vicars to represent the
royal power for a limited period of time, i.e. until his return to the kingdom (tamdiu quousque in
dicta regna nostra feliciter regressi fuerimus).581 In practice this meant that Kanizsai and Garai
were acting in the place of the king for two or three years at the most – similarly to Sigismund’s
German vicars who also served one to three years or to Amadeus of Savoy who was Lombardian
vicar for two years. The appointment of two office-holders for the same position at the same time
was a Hungarian particularity but not at all unique in the Kingdom of Hungary: Sigismund had two
counts of the Székelys between 1387 and 1390 (Balk and Drág Béltelki), two bans of Szörény in
1387 (Ladislaus and Stephen Losonci), two voivodes of Transylvania between 1402 and 1409, two
bans of Mačva between 1410 and 1418 (Ladislaus and Emmerich Újlaki), but he followed the same
method in the 1430s, too.582 Another difference is that most of the documents related to the activity
of the Hungarian vicars were issued in Sigismund’s name under his Hungarian great seal and only
very rarely in Kanizsai’s own name.
Finally, what can be said about the rights of the Hungarian vicars compared to that of the
imperial ones? In 1981 Ferdinand Seibt published an article in which he analyzed twenty-two
imperial vicarial appointment charters issued between 1311 and 1401 (with a special emphasis on
the pieces from 1356, 1372 and 1401) and he summarized the rights mentioned in these documents
578
In the Holy Roman Empire there were three general vicars (one for the German territories, one for Italy and one for
Arelat) and several local and territorial ones. The general vicars in Arelat and Italy were rather used to represent the
empire’s (emperor’s) political interests on the borderlands. In fact, in Italy the kings of the Romans tried to avoid to
have a general vicar as it would cause political problems with the territorial political powers of the region.
579
KUBINYI, Herrschaftsbildung 421–423.
580
Charles IV appointed his vicars for the time of his absence, only local and territorial vicars and the dauphin (1378)
received the mandate for a lifetime. HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 569.
581
Sigismund appointed Theodore of Montferrat usque ad nostram aut successorum nostrorum … revocationem aut
beneplacitum.
582
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 86–87; ENGEL, Arch. Gen.
101
in twenty-one points.583 The following chart shows Seibt’s results in a somewhat simplified form
together with the data extracted from Sigismund’s charters issued for Louis of Savoy (1412),
Theodore of Monferrat (1414), Archbishop Conrad of Mainz (1422) and the Hungarian vicars
1412
1414
1422
1414
Jurisdiction584
Tax collecting
Montanarum urbura, camera salium etc.
Minting coins, monetary policy
Confiscating the possessions of rebels and convicted
Granting pardon
Appointing, dismissing and controlling officials585
Imperial ban
Infamia
Ferias et nundinas instutiendi, imponendi, collocandi et
concedendi
Military defense (starting military campaigns, making alliances),
Landfrieden
Legislation (decreta, statuta ac provisiones faciendi, corrigendi)
Granting feudal estates (feoda sacri imperii vacantia
committendi, conferendi), accepting feudal oaths; donating
estates
Conferring prebends
Dotes, dotalia
Appointing guardians of mentally disabled, orphans and widows
Securing and maintaining possessions reverted the royal treasury
Appointing public notaries
Acknowledging illegitimate children as legitimate
Redeeming pledged domains
+ : right or duty delegated to the vicar
: not mentioned in the document
„no”: explicitly prohibited by the document
Seibt
(1414, last column).
+
+
1372
+
+**
+
1401
1372
+
+
Jud.reg
+
+*
+
+
+
ferias
+
+
+
+*
+
+
+
+
ferias
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+**
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Oath
+
No
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
No
+
Jud.reg: Judenregal, tax of the Jews
*: the confiscation of estates is not mentioned explicitly, only the handling of issues related to rebels in
general
**: In Wenceslas’ charters issued in favor of Jobst (1383, 1386) and Sigismund (1396) not mentioned at all, in
the case of the Hungarian vicars with restrictions.
Figure 11: Vicarial rights in the Empire and in the Kingdom of Hungary
583
SEIBT, Reichsvikariat. See also HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 18–21, 23–25; HEINZ, Ernennung Wenzels; FAVREAULILIE, Reichsherrschaft; HECKMANN, Stellvertreter.
584
In imperial documents issues related to jurisdiction are mentioned in different paragraphs not in one point.
(According to Seibt’s numbering points 1, 2, 4, 8, 11 and 13.)
585
Besides, in imperial documents the royal vicars had also jurisdictional right over the officials, wheras in the
Kingdom of Hungary the dignitaries were financially responsible towards the vicars.
102
At first glance it seems that the Hungarian vicars’ room for manoeuvre was much more limited than
that of their imperial colleagues. Yet, it must be taken into consideration that certain institutions
(e.g. bannum imperiale) did not exist in the Kingdom of Hungary or in a form different from the
German (e.g. notaries vs. loca credibilia). Besides, as customary law gave clear instructions
regarding the process to be followed in cases concerning dowry (dos), confiscation, disgrace
(infamia), guardianship and trusteeship,586 here there was no need for extra regulations. In the
Garai-Kanizsai charter there is no reference to legitimation of illegitimate children either. Although
in a Hungarian context rather the praefectio587 would be relevant and this issue most probably
belonged to the general category of court cases (universas et singulas regnicolarum nostrorum
causas, questiones et litium processus), fact is that such cases were rare in Sigismund’s absence and
the few which were dealt with cannot be connected to the vicars’ activity. 588 What these
observations and conclusions suggest is that even though Sigismund was influenced by his personal
experience and the imperial practice when he decided to appoint royal vicars in Hungary, he
certainly adjusted the “institution” to Hungarian circumstances and introduced it with modifications
in the kingdom. In a long term, however, this imperial model of substitution was not preferred in
Hungary589 and the office of the governor (locumtenens) became established instead.590
III.1.2.1.3. The Barons
As we have seen, after Sigismund had left the Kingdom of Hungary first Queen Barbara, then the
royal vicars had the right to rule the land. It has hitherto not been clarified if the queenly
substitution was replaced by the system of vicars at beginning of 1414 because Sigismund planned
to settle the coronation issue sooner591 or there was another reason behind. Fact is that Barbara did
not play the same role after 1415 as earlier, even though soon after her return to Hungary the royal
vicar left the country. Instead, in the years 1416–1417 apparently a third solution was found.
BÉLI, Magyar jogtörténet 144–145, 175, 218.
Although the institution of praefectio introduced by Charles of Anjou in 1332 disagreed with the Hungarian
hereditary practice it soon became an integral part of the customary law. (Praefectio was a royal privilege which
entitled the female offspring to inherit paternal estates in case there were no male heirs or if the charter of a donated
estate (bonum donationalium) did not name the heir(s) and thus it came to defectus seminis.)
588 ZsO IV/779 (22nd June 1413 in Buda; insert without chancery note mentioned), ZsO VI/1797 (22 nd April 1418 in
Constance).
589
C. TÓTH, A király helyettesítése 313.
590
C. TÓTH, Nádor 137, 175–181.
591
RI XI/491.
586
587
103
When Sigismund ordered Kanizsai to go to France he instructed him to entrust prelates and
barons with the governing of the realm.592 Thus, according to these instructions instead of one or
two persons a group of barons became responsible for governing. Such a thing was, of course, not a
completely new task for them as many of the barons contributed to the work of the royal council
and took part in administration of the land as dignitaries – even if in most cases not they themselves
but their vices fulfilled the duties related to these offices.593 The first question to be investigated is
whether we can really identify the members of this governing group with the lords named in
Sigismund’s letter, i.e. with John Pelsőci Bebek, Peter Perényi, John Rozgonyi and Dionysius
Marcali.594
Considering Sigismund’s mandates which were addressed to more than one recipient595
there is indeed one from February 1418 which refers to a violent trespass (actus potentiae) to be
dealt with by Kanizsai, Pelsőci, Perényi and Rozgonyi,596 while a few months earlier, in August
1417 Nicholas Garai, Perényi, Pelsőci and Pipo were ordered to proceed in cases related to
Kanizsai, his vicariate, rights and his possessions.597 The situation is less uniform when considering
Sigismund’s mandates issued in favor of Ursula, Ladislaus Bátmonostori Töttös’ wife, later widow.
In December 1415 Kanizsai, the bans of Mačva (Ladislaus and Emmerich Újlaki), Eberhard, Pipo
and David [Szántói] Lack, ban of Slavonia had to issue a protectionalis,598 in May 1417 Eberhard,
Pipo, Nicholas and John Garai were expected to act for Ursula and Bátmonostori Töttös’ orphans
against David Szántói Lack.599 Finally, in June 1417 Sigismund ordered Garai, Perényi, Pelsőci,
Pipo, John Rozgonyi, Szászi, Özdögei, David Albisi, Stephen Nánai Kompolt to pass a sentence in
the process between Ursula on the one hand and Andreas and Michael Máréi on the other.600 (It is
interesting that Dionysius Marcali’s name does not come up in sources in this context.) Having a
look at the chancery notes it turns out that apart from the privileges issued on Sigismund’s written
MNL OL DF 287860 fol. 213r–214r; ZsO V/1728. Kanizsai was ordered to “entrust the prelates and barons,
especially the Master of the Treasury John Pelsőci Bebek, the Judge Royal Peter Perényi, the Treasurer John Rozgonyi
as well as Dionysius Marcali […], with the governing of Hungary.”
593
When talking about the political elite of the Kingdom of Hungary Erik Fügedi divided the high dignitaries into four
groups, according to the functions which were attached to their positions. The most complex and the highest position
was that of the palatine, the judge royal and the master of the treasury fulfilled judicial, the voivode and the bans
administrative-governmental (including also judicial and military) tasks. The fourth group was that of the “court
dignitaries,” i.e. master of the stewards, doorkeepers, cupbearers and horse. FÜGEDI, Mobilitás 19.
594
In fact, at the beginning of the 1430s it was also a regency council composed of Palatine Nicholas Garai, Judge
Royal Matthias Pálóci, Archbishop George Pálóci, Bishop Peter Rozgonyi of Eger and Treasurer John Rozgonyi which
governed the land in Sigismund’s absence.
595
I considered a royal dignitary together with his vices as one recipient.
596
ZsO VI/1541.
597
ZsO VI/830–832, 834–835.
598
NAGY et al. (eds.), Zichy VI. 385, nr. 257.
599
NAGY et al. (eds.), Zichy VI. 445–446, nr. 308. In the same case Zichy VI. 446–450, nr. 309–310.
600
NAGY et al. (eds.), Zichy VI. 454–456, nr. 314.
592
104
order (ad lit(t)eratorium mandatum domini regis, ad li(t)eratoriam commissionem regie maiestatis)
Queen Barbara, Garai, Kanizsai, Pipo, John Pelsőci Bebek, Paul Özdögei Besenyő and Peter
Forgács gave direct chartering order to the Hungarian great chancery. The appearance of the first
five persons hardly need any further explanation and Peter Forgács was the queen’s master of the
doorkeepers; the problem concerning Paul Özdögei Besenyő is going to be dealt with below.
Date
1412-09-02
1412-09-06
1412-09-07
1412-10-19
1412-10-28
1412-11-24
1413-05-24
1413-07-25
1413-10-19
1413-11-13
1413-12-13
1414-02-26
1414-02-26
1414-05-03
1414-05-25
1414-06-29
1414-08-28
1414-10-04
1414-11-23
1414-12-24
1415-02-10
1415-04-25
1415-05-12
1415-05-19
1415-08-10
1415-08-15
1415-09-17
1415-09-30
1415-11-23
1415-11-26
1415-12-18
1416-01-06 (2)
1416-04-10
1416-05-01
Place
Buda
Buda
Buda
Fehérvár
Zagreb
n.p.
n.p.
Buda
Buda
Bács
Buda
Visegrád
Visegrád
Buda
n.p.
Buda
Buda
Esztergom
Buda
Esztergom
Esztergom
Fehérvár
Mohács
n.p.
Buda
Buda
Esztergom
Esztergom
Buda
n.p.
Esztergom
Győr
Buda
Buda
Referent
John Tamási
Peter Berzevici
Nicholas Garai
Matthew Pálóci
Pipo
Pipo
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
Nicholas Garai
Nicholas Garai
de prelatorum et baronum commissione
John Kanizsai
deliberatio baronum
deliberatio baronum
Barbara, Kanizsai, prelates and barons601
Nicholas Garai
deliberatio baronum
John Kanizsai and the barons602
John Kanizsai
ad commissionem baronum
John Kanizsai
John Kanizsai
John Kanizsai
John Kanizsai
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
ad commissionem prelatorum et baronum
ad commissionem prelatorum et baronum
ad commissionem baronum
John Kanizsai
ad commissionem baronum
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
John Kanizsai
John Kanizsai
Pipo
deliberatio baronum
Seal
Secret
Secret
Great
?
Great
SP
SP
Great
?
Great
Great
Great
Great
SP
SP
Great
Great
?
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
SP
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
SP
Great
Great
Great
Great
601
Relatio domine regine facta ex deliberatione habita cum domino Iohanne archiepiscopo Strigoniensi ac aliis prelatis
et baronibus, MNL OL DL 10 202. (A decision of pledging the castle of Dévény to Nicholas Garai).
602
Relatio domini Iohannis archyepiscopi ecclesie Strigoniensis et vicarii generalis regie maiestatis ceterorumque
baronum (under the seal et ceterorum baronum, MNL OL DL 10250).
105
1416-07-11
1416-07-29
1416-08-13
1416-09-09
1417-02-24
1417-02-25
1417-03-11
1417-05-13
1417-05-29
1417-06-10 (2)
1417-06-11
1417-06-15
1417-07-15
1417-07-22 (2)
1417-07-22
1417-07-23
1417-08-17
1417-08-17
1417-12-19
1418-01-21
1418-01-28 (2)
1418-02-24 (4)
1418-03-12 (2)
1418-04-23
1418-05-09
1418-11-03
n.p.
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
n.p.
n.p.
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
Buda
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
Buda
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
ad commissionem baronum
John Pelsőci Bebek, Pipo
Paul Özdögei Besenyő
ad commissionem baronum
ad commissionem baronum
Pipo
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
ad commissionem baronum
ad commissionem baronum
Nicholas Garai
ad commissionem baronum
ad commissionem baronum
ad commissionem baronum*
ad commissionem baronum
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Ad litteratorium mandatum d. r.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Ad litteratoriam commissionem r. m.
Peter Forgács
n.p. = no place of issue
* per magistrum Iohannem de Zelew
SP
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
SP
SP
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
Great
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
Secret
SP = sigillum pendens
Figure 12: Chancery notes on documents issued in Sigismund’s name in Hungary 1412–1418
Unfortunately, the data referred to above does not confirm the information that a small group of
aristocrats, i.e. three to six persons, were entrusted with the tasks of ruling in 1416–1417. Instead,
they hint at the probability that in fact far more barons were involved in administrativegovernmental affairs than mentioned in the Sigismund-letter, and this hypothesis seems to be
confirmed by the fact that on 4th September 1416 a numerous group of barons decided in Pécs to
impose an extraordinary tax for the ransom of the magnates captured in Bosnia.603 Thus, along these
lines another group of chancery remarks needs to be investigated briefly: these are the deliberatio
and commissio notes mentioning the prelates and barons in general as referents (deliberatio
baronum, de prelatorum et baronum commissione, ad commissionem baronum). The question to be
answered here is whether it is possible to assign a governmental-administrative character to the
603
ZsO V/2255, MNL OL DL 43338.
106
meetings referred to by these expressions, and whether the participating prelates and barons can be
identified as the ones who in fact “ruled” the realm between January 1416 and May 1417.
To start with, it must be noted that such chancery remarks were not exclusively the
characteristic of the period when the king was absent from the realm: on 15th December 1411 a
decision of the personalis presentia was issued a charter ex deliberatione baronum facta, while a
prorogatio from the 3rd November 1411 also mentions the barons as (co-)decision makers (ad
nostram vel prelatorum et baronum nostrorum deliberationem).604 In 1413 and under Kanizsai’s
vicariate these notes became more frequent but all the documents with such remarks concerned
proceeding court processes and with a few exceptions they were issued during the usual juridical
periods (octavae).605 This means, however, that in these cases the decision-making of the magnates
did not go beyond their traditional juridical role and the deliberatio / commissio baronum
expressions on the charters refer in no way to administrative-governmental or political consulting
activity.606 In other words, the concrete persons behind these chancery notes were active at law
courts, but they were not necessarily identical with those who managed the administrative, political
and governmental affairs of the kingdom.
As the deliberatio and commissio-notes do not seem to help us in identifying the persons
exercising power other than judicial, we have to return to the prosopographic approach. Assuming
that the administration of the realm was a continuous activity and required permanent presence in
Buda (or at least longer stays without interruption), the next step could be an analysis of the
whereabouts of leading barons mentioned in the chancery notes. Nonetheless, this attempt proved to
be a dead end as the available data are not enough for a detailed reconstruction of the itineraries.607
The last hint to be analyzed is another chancery note from 9th September 1416 which named
Paul Özdögei Besenyő as banus ac vicarius regie maiestatis.608 Özdögei was an important member
of the Hungarian political elite,609 on 2nd September 1415 the prelates and barons sent him to Bosnia
(ex commissione et voluntate prelatorum et baronum nostrorum in certis nostris agendis et negotiis
ad regnum nostrum Bozne).610 Apparently he maintained excellent contacts with the imperial
chancellor, the Kanizsai family even pledged him the possession of Hollós for 800 fl. which sum
604
ZsO III/1359, 1411 ZsO IV/1132. For the court of the personalis presentia see below.
On the problem see below Ch. III.2.2. It is interesting to note that the word “prelatorum” is missing from the all the
deliberatio-notes (deliberatio baronum) and with three exceptions from the commissio-notes as well. Although it is
possible that the barones-versions were only shortened forms of the original expression, this phenomenon require
further study.
606
Also in other cases the word deliberatio was used in the sense of “decision of a judge or judicial court”, e.g.: ZsO
III/1322, IV/1018, 1528, 1570, 2189, 2522, VI/442, 460, 2226 etc.
607
C. TÓTH, Zsigmond tisztségviselői.
608
MNL OL DL 43341.
609
E.g. ZsO IV/228, 764, 1571. See also ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 213.
610
ZsO V/995.
605
107
contributed to the costs of the archbishop’s travel to Sigismund in 1416.611 A donation charter
issued in favor of Özdögei on 29th May 1417 in Constance refers to his services as pro ipsius regni
nostri Hungarie tuitione et defensione et aliis nostris agendis per ipsum iuxta nostre maiestatis
nutum expeditis; therefore, it is possible that Kanizsai in fact entrusted him with tasks of governing
when he left.612 An evidence for this could be that he was involved in the conflict related to the
vacant bishopric seat of Győr as the castles of Szombathely and Rákos were in fact handed over to
Özdögei – just like the tithe which was to be paid for the estate of Rákos.613 Norbert C. Tóth has
thoroughly analyzed this case and considers it a clear evidence of Özdögei’s royal vicariate.614 In
my opinion, however, the problem is more complicated. I agree with him that Özdögei was most
probably involved in the administration of the realm in Sigismund’s, Kanizsai’s and Garai’s
absence, and considering the above-mentioned chancery note and case study it cannot be ruled out
that he was indeed a royal vicar. In my opinion, however, the fact that neither royal mandates615 nor
other documents issued in the Kingdom of Hungary mention such a title in connection with
Özdögei raise doubts, which seem to become all the more justified if we consider that not even the
above-mentioned letter of donation issued by Sigismund in 1417 called him vicar.616
Thus, due to the contradictory nature of obtainable information I can only raise alternatives
concerning Sigismund’s “substitution” in the Kingdom of Hungary between January 1416 and May
1417. Özdögei’s royal vicariate would mean that he was appointed by Sigismund and was endowed
most probably with the same rights and duties as Kanizsai and Garai before. The other possibility is
that it was indeed Özdögei alone who was responsible for administering the realm but he was
commissioned by Archbishop Kanizsai and not by the king himself; in that case, however, he can
hardly be considered as royal vicar. The third scenario would be that Özdögei was only one of the
few barons entrusted with the tasks of governing, as in fact it had been ordered by Sigismund in
April 1416. (Which small group was not identical with the group the deliberatio and commissionotes refer to.) More information on Özdögei’s activity would support the first two theories, the
involvement of other barons in governmental affairs similar to the Győr-case would speak for the
third option.
Finally, it must be noted that privileges issued in the following months often bear a remark
referring to Sigismund’s written order (ad litteratoriam commissionem regie maistatis/ ad
611
ZsO V/1424. Soon, however, the archbishop was again in need of money, ZsO V/2492.
Perhaps with other barons as suggested by Sigismund.
613
ZsO V/2105, 2538.
614
C. TÓTH, A győri püspöki szék 57–58; C. TÓTH, Nádor 135–136.
615
On 13th June 1417, MNL OL DL 79419.
616
MNL OL DL 58931.
612
108
litteratorium mandatum domini regis). This fact itself could imply that in 1417 Sigismund started to
exercise direct control over the Hungarian affairs but it was not the case. These remarks appeared
on privileges issued by the great chancery617 as a result of Sigismund’s intense charter issuing
activity in Constance in the spring of 1417. During his stay in Aragon, France and England the
unsettled issues accumulated, so from February 1417 on the Hungarian secret chancery issued a
large number of charters of donation and mandates concerning lawsuits. These cases continued or
were closed a few weeks or months later in Hungary, where the chanceries did not fail to refer to
Sigismund’s orders.
To conclude, in Sigismund’s absence the queen, the vicars and the barons seem to have
acted quite independently from the king. Apart from the ad litteratorium mandatum / ad
litteratoriam commissionem chancery notes quite a few direct instructions are known. A telling –
and in some sense perhaps shocking – example is the Bosnian campaign that resulted in the
complete defeat of the Hungarian troops in July 1415. Although it was Sigismund who ordered the
Hungarian magnates to start a military campaign against Hrvoje in 1413,618 the barons organized it
and all the necessary mandates were issued by the royal vicar Kanizsai (of course, in Sigismund’s
name under his great seal). After the defeat it was the prelates and barons who commissioned Paul
Özdögei Besenyő and then Péter Lévai Cseh to go to Bosnia and they decided to impose a tax in
order to be able to pay the ransom for John Maróti, Martin Ders, John Harapi and Peter Szepesi.
Most probably neither the ordinance mentioned in a charter issued by Pipo in May 1416 had
anything to do with Sigismund.619 The king himself wrote in July 1415 to the envoys of the
University of Cologne that although the Kingdom of Hungary could hardly cope with his absence
he was strongly determined to continue his work at the council until the unification of the church
ensured.620 Considering that soon after Sigismund ordered even his vicar to leave the country, this
statement was very likely rather for the audience than the voice of his conscience.
III.1.2.2. Holy Roman Empire (1411–1419): Governors and Officials
As we have seen in the Kingdom of Hungary decision making and governmental administration was
functioning apparently quite smoothly also without Sigismund’s direct interventions, be it in the
617
ZsO VI/435, 480, 812, 814, 1261, 1399, 1429–1430, 1554–1558, 1625–1626, 1802, 1890.
ZsO IV/768, 1117. ENGEL, Török veszély 280.
619
ZsO V/1901. According to the document Sigismund prohibited the peasants to move from the estates the owners of
which took part in the Bosnian campaign until it was clarified whether their masters were dead or alive.
620
ZsO V/863.
618
109
frameworks of the traditional (queen and barons) or a less “indigenous” (royal vicars) system. An
important prerequisite of this rather uncomplicated situation was that after twenty-five years of
ruling Sigismund had his men whom he could trust and rely on in his absence. Another factor which
helped to manage issues straightforwardly lied most probably in the centralized but at the same time
highly self-propelling “nature” of the Hungarian political and administrative system. In the
following paragraphs I am going to study the same problem from the point of the Holy Roman
Empire.
Sabine Wefers in her book on the political structure of Sigismund’s reign divides the first
decade of the Luxemburg ruler’s German kingship into two parts. As regards the years 1410–1413
she is talking about the “Empire without king” (Reich ohne König) while the following five years,
i.e. 1414–1418, are considered as the era of the “king in the Empire” (König im Reich).
Nonetheless, Wefers offers another structural division, too. Until 1416 the main instrument of
governing the Empire was the “extended palatinal substitution of the king” (erweiterter
kurpflälzischer Königsvertretung),621 the basis of which was the harmonic relationship between the
king and the Count Palatine. Sigismund’s arrival in the Empire in 1414 and thus the appearance of a
new power factor on the imperial political scene slowly changed this well-functioning system. The
two–two and a half years of the “phase of entry” (Eintrittsphase) resulted in a break between
Sigimund and Louis in 1417 and also in the change of the character of ruling (Wirkungsphase).622
From then on Sigismund was assisted by his “own” imperial administrative team consisted of his
followers of lower social status.623
III.1.2.2.1. Ruling in Place of the King: Governorship of the Elector Palatine
The Count Palatine’s late medieval special position as governor in vacancy (vacante imperio) was
ensured first and foremost by the fifth paragraph of the Golden Bull issued by Charles IV in 1356.
The origins of this unique status reach back to earlier times, the model for this point was
paragraph/chapter 147 of the Schwabenspiegel which gradually became a widely accepted
guideline. The Golden Bull regulated this issue as follows:
Whenever, moreover, as has been said before, the throne of the Holy Empire shall happen to
be vacant, the illustrious count palatine of the Rhine, arch-steward of the Holy Empire, the
right hand of the future King of the Romans in the districts of the Rhine and of Swabia and
in the limits of Franconia, ought, by reason of his principality or by privilege of the county
palatine, to be the administrator of the Empire itself, with the power of passing judgments,
of presenting to ecclesiastical benefices, of collecting returns and revenues and investing
621
WEFERS, Das politische System 33, 45.
WEFERS, Das politische System 56–60.
623
WEFERS, Das politische System 60, 65. See also MORAW, Pfalzgrafschaft 93.
622
110
with fiefs, of receiving oaths of fealty for and in the name of the Holy Empire. All of these
acts, however, shall, in due time, be renewed by the King of the Romans who is afterwards
elected, and the oaths shall be sworn to him anew. The fiefs of princes are alone excepted,
and those which are commonly called banner-fiefs: the conferring of which, and the
investing, we reserve especially for the Emperor or King of the Romans alone. The count
palatine must know, nevertheless, that every kind of alienation or obligation of imperial
possessions, in the time of such administration, is expressly forbidden to him. And we will
that the illustrious King of Saxony, arch-marshal of the holy empire, shall enjoy the same
right of administration in those places where the Saxon jurisdiction prevails, under all the
modes and conditions that have been expressed above.624
In accordance with these directives Louis III of Pfalz was in office after his father’s death on 18th
May 1410; the Duke of Saxony, on the other hand, did not react to the new situation.625 For Louis it
was not the first time because from September 1401 until the spring of 1402, during Rupert’s
Romzug he was governor of the Palatinate and royal vicar in the German territories. 626 Since
Strassburg and the cities of Alsace officially acknowledged Louis’ vacante imperio vicarial right in
1408,627 the takeover of the tasks of governmening went without problems. Nevertheless, apart from
a few letters sent to imperial subjects as i.a. furseher in den landen des Rynes zu Swaben und des
Frenckischen rechten asking for recognition there is no information about Louis’ vicarial
activity.628 Moreover, it is not quite clear how and when exactly his vacante imperio governorship
ended and his activity as vicar in the ruler’s absence (absente rege) started. Theoretically, due to the
lack of an elected German king he was in office until 20th September 1410. Practically, as Hermkes
noted, the imperial governors had been fulfilling their duties until the new king took an oath on the
Wahlkapitulation in person which was of course not possible immediately after the election if the
new monarch, for instance Sigismund, was not present there.629
The absente rege vicariate was not such a “legal-constitutional” form of substitution as the
vacante imperio governorship.630 In these cases the very ruler decided which rights and duties
should be transferred to his deputy. Nevertheless, a mandate issued in 1375 by Charles IV attributed
624
FRITZ (ed.), Goldene Bulle 59–60, c. V.1. (Translation http://avalon.law.yale.edu/medieval/golden.asp) Analysis
HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 5–23. On Reichsvikariat HERMKES, Reichsvikariat esp. 1–37; KUPKE, Reichsvikariat;
PELTZER, Pfalzgraf 207–229; WENDEHORST, Reichsvikariat; WERMINGHOFF, Goldene Bulle.
625
HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 27. The reason for this was, in my opinion, that Rudolf of Saxony considered Wenceslas
the legitim ruler. C.f. with HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 28.
626
RTA V. 22-23, nr.2. In fact, in 1401–1402 Rupert entrusted Louis with his substitution in the whole territory of the
Empire (in ipsius [i.e. Romani imperatoris] absentia vicariatum imperii in Germania Gallia et regno Arelatensi ad
comitem Palatinum Reni pertinuisse et pertinere debet) but Louis called himself von gots genaden … vicarie des
heiligen Romischen riches in Dutschen landen. (In 1422 the archbishop of Mainz also received an authority over the
whole territory.) WENDEHORST, Reichsvikariat 43–44; HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 642. Also mentioned by EBERHARD,
Ludwig 7, n. 2.
627
WENDEHORST, Reichsvikariat 7.
628
RTA VII. 14–16, nr. 1–5. HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 27–28; EBERHARD, Ludwig 8.
629
HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 26.
630
HERMKES, Reichsvikariat 3, see also PELTZER, Pfalzgraf 216–227.
111
also the right of the absente rege vicariate to the count palatines of the Rhine,631 so at first glance in
the case of Louis the situation seems to have been unproblematic. Yet, in spite of this first
impression the question seriously emerges if and when Louis was appointed by Sigismund as royal
vicar. Wiltrud Wendehorst actually stated that Sigismund “apparently avoided to put Louis into this
position” and the count palatine “cannot be considered as Sigismund’s governor (Statthalter) in
these years.”632 Taking Sigismund’s substitution policy into account Marie-Louise Heckmann also
doubts that such an act occurred at all,633 while Sabine Wefers, as mentioned above, talks about an
“extended palatinal substitution” (erweiterte kurpfälzische Königsvertretung).634 First, fact is that
there is no appointment charter preserved as for instance in the case of Conrad of Mainz (1422), but
of course it can be the result of the incomplete tradition of sources. 635 It is also true that the
Wahlversprechen sent to Louis in August 1410 did not mention explicitly the issue of the vicariate,
and Sigismund promised only in general terms that he would confirm all of Rupert’s decisions and
privileges.636 Besides, although in 1410 Sigismund (or Frederick) rejected the condition set by the
archbishop of Mainz concerning the prince electors’ right to give their consent to the appointment
of the imperial vicar, he indeed included this clause in the election treaty (Wahlvertrag) addressed
to John on 22nd July 1411.637 Such a paragraph was also inserted in the agreement signed by the
archbishops of Mainz and Trier on 23rd June 1411.638 What gives a reason for hesitation is,
however, that bearing in mind the relations of the prince electors with each other it is hardly
believable that Werner would have signed anything which could predictably harm Louis’
positions.639 It is also very unlikely that Louis did not know about this agreement of the prelates,
and in case he did the only explanation for not protesting against its content could be that for some
reason he did not consider it dangerous.
Fact is also that on 27th September 1410 Frederick of Nuremberg sent a letter to Frankfurt
and to other imperial cities in which they were called upon to give their support to Louis – even if
Frederick did not call him vicar.640 Finally, it is not possible to ignore the fact that in 1422, when it
came to a debate between Mainz and Pfalz, Louis III referred to an earlier document with which
Sigismund had confirmed his right for the vicariate (wir als pfalzgraven bi Rine und kůrfursten des
631
HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 648.
WENDEHORST, Reichsvikariat 46.
633
HECKMANN, Stellvertreter 649.
634
WEFERS, Das politische System 33, 41.
635
EBERHARD, Ludwig 20.
636
RTA VII. 19, nr. 7.
637
RTA VII. 108, nr. 64. (Also Jost in 1410, RTA VII. 62, nr. 44.)
638
RTA VII, 99-100, nr. 60.
639
On the archbishop and archbishopric of Trier JANK, Trier 39–54; LÖFFLER, Falkenstein I. 62–63; PAULY, Trier II.
119–121; PERSCH, Werner von Falkenstein; RUTHE, Werner III.
640
RTA VII. 51, nr. 34.
632
112
heiligen Romschen richs von Romschen keisern und konigen und dem heiligen riche gewirdiget und
gefriet sin das soliche ere und wirdigkeite uns als eim pfalzgraven bi Rine zůgehoren solle, des wir
brieve und urkunde haben, die uns auch der obgnant unser gnediger here der Romsche konig under
siner koniglichen majestat ingesigel bestetiget ernuwet und confirmieret hat).641 The problem lies in
the dating of Sigismund’s charter mentioned by Louis. If the reference to the German majestic seal
is correct, the earliest possible date of issuing would be August 1412 (see Chapter II. 2.2.) but it
must be noted that privileges were confirmed generally only after the coronation in Aachen.642
Therefore, all what can be said for sure is that by the end of 1414 at the latest Louis most probably
had an acknowledgement of his vicarial rights from Sigismund. And indeed, in July 1415 he was
appointed as governor and administrator (Stellvertreter, Statthalter, Verweser) for the time of
Sigismund’s absence.643
Turning back to the problem regarding the years 1411–1414, most probably it would be
possible to answer the question in the light of the charters issued by Louis III. Unfortunately, in the
series Regesten der Pfalzgrafen am Rhein, which was planned to deal with the period of 1214–
1508, only the first two volumes were published and for the time being it ends with 1410. Thus,
lacking such a collection of Louis III’s charters we can only pose the question who could govern the
land until Sigismund’s arrival in the Empire in 1414 if it was not the Count Palatine.644 In fact, on
21st January 1411 Sigismund wrote to the imperial cities that he had ordered
the most honored Werner, archbishop of Trier, our dear nephew, the highborn Louis, count
palatine of the Rhine and duke of Bayern, our dear uncle and prince elector, John and
Frederick, burgraves of Nuremberg, our dear uncles and princes, as well as Eberhard, count
of Württemberg, our dear brother-in-law to protect the streets, help and assist your and the
other of our and the empire’s cities and subjects in all issues.645
641
RTA VIII. 239–240, nr. 193.
For Louis RI XI/1283–1285. See also Vicariat 8–9.
643
RI XI/1764, 1771.
644
Even if in many cases temporary solutions were found (WEFERS, Das politische System 26), Sigismund could hardly
afford himself not to use the financial potential of the Empire. (The king’s regular yearly income is estimated to 100
000 gulden in the early fourteenth century, 17 500 gulden under Ruprecht and 13 000 under Sigismund. KRIEGER,
König, Reich 34.) Thus, he definitely needed someone to manage these affairs. On the other hand it must be noted that
at the beginning of his reign most of the taxes were assigned to one or the other follower of his.
645
…dorumb haben wir dem erwirdigen Werenher erczbischof czu Trier unserm liben neven, den hochgeboren Ludwig
phalczgraven bey Rein und herczigen in Beyeren unserm liben ohmen und kurfustene, Johansen und Fridrichen
burgraven czu Nurenberg unsern liben ohmen und fursten, und deme den Eberharten graven czu Wirtenberg unserm
liben swager ernstlich verschriben, das sy dy strassen schirmen und euch den ewern und andern unsern und des reichs
steten und undertanen… beholfin und beraten sein wollen in allen sachen, RTA VII. 55–56, nr. 38. Similarly on
12thJanuary 1411 to Werner of Trier: und begern [wir] auch mit ernste das du dazwischen uns und dem heiligen riche
zu liebe und zu eren flissig sin wulles, unser und desselbin richs manne stete und undertane in unser gehorsam
vorderen, die auch alle unser sache und rechte zu hanthaben und die strasse zu schirmen wo des notdorft ist (…), RTA
VII. 54, nr. 37. Werner of Trier in a letter sent to Frankfurt wrote that Sigismund uns aůch under andern půnten
schribet daz wir mit ezlichen andern fursten und herren die straessen schirmen, ůch und andern des richs steden und
gertrůwen bistendich beraden und beholfich sin etc, RTA VII. 133–134, nr. 88.
642
113
This quotation speaks rather for a collective government, which solution would correspond to
Sigismund’s vicariate and substitution policy insofar as he was in general not willing to give
extensive rights to one person for a long time. The imperial vicars were in office in practice for a
maximum of three years, in the Kingdom of Hungary he tended to appoint two persons to the same
position and perhaps already in 1416 but surely in 1433 he delegated the tasks of ruling to a regency
council.646 The sharing of authority between the members of the ruling elite was not without
example in the Empire either as Wenceslas also tried to exercise this means in 1389.647 Indeed,
there is evidence that in March 1411 Werner of Trier commissioned envoys to discuss imperial
issues in Frankfurt (umb die vorgnanten und ander sachen das riche antreffende zů reden)648 and
Frederick of Nuremberg was responsible for collecting taxes from Nuremberg in Sigismund’s name
in 1412.649 Still, it is possible that in practice the everyday matters were indeed dealt with
predominantly by Louis and that for a very practical reason. As a result of Rupert’s kingship it was
the court in Heidelberg which had the personnel with the necessary administrative-governmental
experience. In connection with Rupert Peter Moraw wrote that apart from generational change
basically the same group of advisors can be reconstructed around the Count Palatines before 1400
and after 1410, and this very group formed a decisive part of Rupert’s royal council as well.650
To conclude, it is very likely that Louis was officially not appointed as absente rege vicar in
the early 1410s and Sigismund himself would have preferred a joint governance of the Empire.
Nevertheless, it is not clear at all when Louis’ vacante imperio vicariate ended in practice –
Sigismund confirmed the first privileges only in August and September 1413 (in Meran and Chur),
and strictly speaking he entered the Empire, i.e. the German territories only in 1414. Therefore, the
possibility that it was indeed Louis III who played the leading role in the administration of imperial
affairs should not be underestimated, not least because first and foremost his dignitaries had the
practical experience needed for fulfilling such tasks. This theory could be proven or refuted by the
analysis of Louis’ chaters which, however, requires a separate investigation. By the end of 1414 at
the latest Sigismund seems to have acknowleged the Rhine Palatine’s right to the absente rege
vicariate and in 1415 it was out of question that Louis became his representative in the Empire for
646
See Ch.III.1.2.1.3. and n. 594.
WENDEHORST, Reichsvikariat 47.
648
WEFERS, Das politische System 23. (RTA VII. 133–134, nr. 88); also RTA VII. 8.
649
WEFERS, Das politische System 27, n. 29.
650
MORAW, König, Reich. 811–812: “Am stärksten tritt … der Pfälzer Adelsverband hervor … Er ist im fiktiven
Gremium der siebzehn führenden Männer mit sieben Mitgliedern vertreten. … Die Gruppe der hausmachtgebundenen
Räte war – vom Generationwechsel abgesehen – fast völlig identisch mit den Beratern der Pfalzgrafen vor 1400 und
nach 1410.” On the continuity between Wenceslas’ and Rupert’s counsellors MORAW, König, Reich 810, On the
administration of the Palatinate see COHN, Government; ANDERMANN, Klientel 117-126. Also Sabine Wefers
emphasized the importance of Louis’ inner-imperial political connections, WEFERS, Das politische System 14–18.
647
114
the time of the ruler’s absence. This right, however, was not of absolute validity since in 1418
Frederick of Brandenburg, in 1422 Conrad of Mainz was entrusted with the tasks of governing.
III.1.2.2.2. Sigismund’s “Own” Imperial Administrative Team
This subchapter so far was dealing with the responses given to the challenges of a faraway rule.
Yet, surprisingly enough, the presence of the ruler could be similarly challenging and it could lead
to the re-structuring of governmental administration. Sabine Wefers saw a structural reason behind
this and wrote that the change was an inevitable consequence of delegating the royal duties to the
count palatine and Frederick of Nuremberg on such a large scale as it happened in the first years of
Sigismund’s reign.651 As mentioned above, from a structural point of view she divided the period
when Sigismund was staying in the Empire into two phases, namely to that of the “entry”
(Eintrittsphase, 1414–1416) and that of the “impact” (Wirkungsphase,1414–1416).652 The phase of
entry was not a cesura in a political sense and did not cause any realignment of inner political power
relations. The most obvious sign of the beginning of the “phase of impact” was the break with
Count Palatine Louis;653 parallel to this, the Rhine electors and Frederick of Nuremberg formed a
coalition in order to protect their interests as opposed to Sigismund. 654 Since up to that point the
imperial administration was a system which rested upon this elite and the Count Palatine’s circle,
the new situation had direct consequences in terms of ruling: Sigismund had to find people who
were loyal to him and did not belong to the circle of his developing opposition. These partners came
from the middle and lower strata of the imperial, first and foremost Swabian nobility, and although
they did not have the same political potential as the princes, it was in fact not a disadvantage for
Sigismund. They were versatile, valuable for governmental admininistration and perfect for
fulfilling financial and diplomatic tasks, while “politics” could be controlled by Sigismund himself
to a larger extent than before.655 The members of this group were John of Waldburg (Erbtruchseß,
Landvogt in Swabia), Count Frederick of Toggenburg, Count Hans of Lupfen (Landvogt in UpperElsace and Sundgau), Count John of Lupfen (Hofrichter), Conrad of Weinsberg,656 Markgrave
Bernard of Baden (Landvogt in Breisgau), Haupt of Pappenheim (Erbmarschall), Frischhans of
Bodman, Hans Conrad of Bodman, Eberhard of Nellenburg, Bishop Georg of Passau (imperial
651
WEFERS, Das politische System 42–43, 59.
WEFERS, Das politische System 46.
653
WEFERS, Das politische System 58–59; EBERHARD, Ludwig; MORAW, Pfalzgrafschaft 93.
654
Alliance between Louis of Pfalz and Frederick of Nüremberg on 3 rd February 1417; on 7th March 1417 the prince
electors of Mainz, Trier, Cologne and Pfalz agreed in Boppard that ob eynich forderung von Romischen keysern oder
konigen an sie alle oder ein tyle gescheen wurde … sie sollen sich ... darumb by eynander fugen und gemeinlich mit
eynander eyner antwort zu rad werden. WEFERS, Das politische System 57, 60.
655
WEFERS, Das politische System 60, 65–66.
656
Until 1418, then rather Bernard of Baden.
652
115
chancellor), the Counts of Monfort-Tettnang and Louis of Öttingen (Hofmeister).657 From the old
supporters Sigismund could still count on Margrave Frederick, even though he also started to shove
off. On the other hand, in Februray 1417 John Kirchen returned to the imperial chancery.
Jörg K. Hoensch also noticed the change of the Sigismund-administration after 1416 but he
explained it in a different way than Wefers. He argued that after his return to the Empire Sigismund
understood that there was practically no “effective imperial administration.” In his understanding
the fact that Sigismund was concerned to reform the imperial chancery practice and it indeed
happened even before George of Hohenlohe became imperial chancellor was a reaction to this
situation.658 Besides, he claimed that after 1418 Sigismund’s long stay-aways and his limited
financial resources made it difficult to pay generous apanages, the result of which was that the king
did not strive for attracting the most illustrious princes, counts or their sons to the royal court any
more.659 In my opinion, both Wefers’ and Hoensch’ statements can be connected to the
administrative-governmental change with took place in the second half of the 1410s. On the one
hand, due to reasons sketched above it was unevitable to entrust the governmental administration to
a group of people different from the one closely related to the count palatine and the electors. On
the other, the new circumstances also opened the way for (technical) changes which can be
considered as the first steps towards professionalization or bureaucratization. The innovations in the
chancery referred to by Hoensch point to this direction, and also Wefers noted that after Sigismund
had started to work with his “Regierungsmannschaft” the tasks were distributed according to given
fields of competence instead of being delegated “en gros.”660 With regard to handling legal matters,
for instance, the setting up of the fiscal procurator’s office (1421) should be considered as a
constituent of early department-like specialization.661 Although the employment of experts of nonnoble origin was not yet dominant, the signs of the tendency were definitely there. The most
obvious example of this is the appearance of trained jurists in the royal council and among
Sigismund’s diplomats such as Benedict Makrai or Ottobono Belloni.662
Many of the changes in the beginning of 1417 were technical ones: they aimed at the
improvement of record keeping at the imperial chancery (introduction of a new register book,
657
WEFERS, Das politische System 60–66.
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 519–520.
659
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 469.
660
WEFERS, Das politische System 60.
661
HEINIG, Gelehrte Juristen 170–172.
662
BEINHOFF, Die Italiener 291–292.
658
116
appointment of a registrar663), at the Hofgericht (new Achtbuch664) and at financial administrative
bodies.665 At the same time, the involvement of new people in the governing had structural
consequences as well, and affected the Sigismund-administration in its complexity.666 It is
interesting to note that between 1415 and 1417 a text was compiled at Sigismund’s court, which
contains propositions concerning military, judicial and financial issues in relation to the Kingdom of
Hungary.667 Thus, to all appearances, from the beginning of 1417 the king and his advisors were
seriously concerned about the effective management and administration of the realms, also on a
wider scale.
III.2. Scenes and Institutions
After focusing on the personal basis of the Sigismund-administration this subchapter aims at
investigating the frameworks within which the administrative-governmental acts took place: the
royal court.668 I also examined the curial “institutions,” i.e. the structure and functioning of royal
council and the central judicial courts at length; the problem of the chanceries, however, was left
out of consideration here as this has already been dealt with in Ch. II.
III.2.1. The Royal Court
Oliver Auge and Karl-Heinz Spiess defined the highly complex notion of the “court” as follows:
Court is understood as the house of the monarch in a wider sense, it refers to the
whereabouts and residence of a ruler. It also indicates the ruler’s proximity, his surrounding
environment and entourage, which can be divided into a narrower circle, i.e. to a limited
number of people who were permanently present at the ruler’s side, and to another a group
the composition of which was constantly changing and the members of which were only
occasionally and temporarily around the king. Court also refers to the exclusive lifestyle
which was characteristic of this in-group, and to the behavior patterns and (social) manners
attached to it. Besides, on court we understand the gathering of the great and mighty around
the ruler as well as that of the royal servants (Hofgesinde) – in other words the Hoftag and
the Hofstaat. Finally, court can even mean the government of a land and, as pars pro toto, it
can refer to the land itself, at the top of which the ruler stands.669
John Kirchen started to write the first “model” entries of the new register book on 16th February 1417 (KOLLER (ed.),
Albrecht 13.), the registrar Heinrich Fye took over the tasks of record keeping in April 1417 (KOLLER (ed.), Albrecht.)
Until the rule of Frederick III there was only one registrar in the imperial chancery (KOLLER, Ausbau 444, n. 126.).
664
Started on 15th February 1417. KOLLER, Ausbau 440.
665
KARASEK, Konrad von Weinsberg 42–53; KOLLER, Reformpläne 71.
666
On Louis of Öttingen’s appointment as master of the household SEELIGER, Hofmeisteramt 62–64.
667
DRH I. 397–403. Some of these points were later indeed dealt with in royal decrees.
668
WEFERS, Das politische System. “Regierung und Verwaltung der deutschen Herrscher waren bekanntlich um 1400
noch völlig Teil des Hofes – anders als bei den westlichen Nachbarn.” MORAW, Beamtentum 60.
669
AUGE–SPIESS, Hof und Herrscher 3-4. See also RÖSENER, Hof.
663
117
In primary sources the words referring to the court are palatium, aula, domus or curia. In the
Hungarian context we meet the three latter expressions; nevertheless, their meaning (aula-domus vs.
curia) was not exactly the same.670 Attila Zsoldos referred to this problem in respect of the queen’s
court in the age of the Árpáds, Ágnes Kurcz dealt with it when studying the chivalric culture in
thirteenth-fourteenth-century Hungary. Both scholars noticed that the high dignitaries – except for
the chancellors – were always the dignitaries of the curia, and not that of the aula (in the case of the
queen’s court domus), while the miles, iuvenes, familiares and the chancellors (together with the
notaries and proto-notaries) “belonged to” the aula.671 Ágnes Kurcz thought to find the reason for
the difference in the abstract character of aula compared to the concrete, physical meaning of curia
(as royal palace, residence, seat of the judicial courts etc., i.e. a physical space where one can
stay);672 Attila Zsoldos traced it back to the “duality” of the court. His explanation, which
corresponds to some of Pál Engel’s observations concerning the Hungarian elite, 673 is basically the
Hungarian version of the Hoftag-Hofstaat division referred to in the definition cited above. In
Zsoldos’ opinion the use of the words curia and domus/aula reflects the structure of the royal court
in a way that it was divided into two groups: that of the barons or magnates (dignitaries) and that of
the courtiers (“udvartartás”).674
Nonetheless, regarding the master of the doorkeepers, master of the stewards, master of the
cupbearers and master of the horse a few remarks should be made here. First, fourteenth- and
fifteenth-century sources refer to these office holders as the dignitaries of the “king” (regis, regie
maiestatis, regalis or noster) and their title has never been combined with the word curia.675 It is
interesting to note that the parallel imperial positions were also defined as that of the ruler until
1200. From then on they were considered as functions of the aula imperialis,676 which brings us
670
ZSOLDOS, A királyné udvara 268; KURCZ, Lovagi kultúra 35-36.
For the use of the terms curia and aula in the Holy Roman Empire SCHUBERT, Erz- und Erbämter 202–204, 235. On
court structures see also HLAVÁČEK, Hof und Hofführung, 128–134. A few remarks on the Hungarian terminology and
thus the structure of the Hungarian court in Sigismund’s time see below.
672
KURCZ, Lovagi kultúra 34–37. E.g.: „aule nostre parvulus ... in nostra curia continuam faciat residenciam.” (CDH
VIII/4, 373.)
673
Engel talked about two groups regarding the members of the royal court: 1. the “political elite” (magnates, counts
(comites), capellans and captains of royal castles) and 2. the “outer circle of the ruling elite” (milites aulae regiae,
iuvenes aulae regiae, parvuli aulae regiae as well as the representatives and vices of the barons and counts). ENGEL,
Arch. Gen. I. XXVI.)
674
ZSOLDOS, A királyné udvara 299–301.
675
ZsO VI/481: Relatio Petri Kompolth magistri pincernarum regie maiestatis; ZsO III/2325: Relatio Iohannis filii
Henricy de Thamasy ianitorum nostrorum regalium magistri; ZsO VII/2266 Iohannem de Kanysa condam ianitorem
regie maiestatis; ZsO VII/2352: magistro dapiferorum no[stre / strorum] maiestatis (MNL OL DF 244341); ZsO II/
3712: Relatio Laurentii de Thar magistri pincernarum regis (1405); ZsO II/2921: dapiferorum, pincernarum, ianitorum
et agazonum nostrorum magistris (1404). Similarly capellanus nostre maiestatis (MNL OL DF 210125), capellani
nostri (MNL OL DL 10231).
676
The Hofämter were the offices of the aula, e.g. dapifer aule imperialis, marescalcus aule imperialis. SCHUBERT,
Erz- und Erbämter 203.
671
118
directly to our next point. Talking about the court of the Anjou kings Pál Engel divided it to a
private and a public part,677 and also Ivan Hlavaček reconstructed a similar structure as regards of
Charles IV’s and Wenceslas’ court. Hlavaček identified public “institutions” with politicaleconomic competences (jurisdiction, administration, economy) on the one hand, and “institutions”
of the inner court on the other, which he divided into two further parts: to an internal economic and
a social-religious sphere.678 The tasks the “masters” and courtiers fulfilled were related to the
personal needs of the king;679 thus, they were members of the private court and as such it is hardly
surprising that they accompanied the ruler on his journeys. Bernard Guenée reconstructed the
development as follows:
A growing distinction was made first between the domestic service of the prince and the
service of the State. The first was the concern of what was soon called the Household
(Hôtel). … In England the steward, butler and constable remained within the framework of
the household and played no more than a modest domestic role. … In both France and in
England only the chancellor, of all the great household officers, permanently survived this
structural revolution and continued to play a part in the administration of the State after the
fragmentation of the court. In effect, while the household confined itself to the personal
service of the prince and his entourage, the business of administering the State fell entirely
on the chancellor and his assistants, and upon the counsellors who, assembled in a purely
random fashion, assisted the ruler in the exercise of justice, the reckoning of accounts or the
making of any other decision.680
Converting these observations to the “aula-curia system,” it seems that in Hungarian context in the
first half of the fifteenth century Sigismund’s (travelling) private court with the courtiers and those
dignitaries whose functions served the king’s personal needs (masters of the stewards, cupbearers,
doorkeepers, horse and royal chaplains) was considered the aula, while the resident public court
with the rest of the dignitaries who stayed behind and represented the royal power in the kingdom,
the curia. These observations support in a sense Ágnes Kurcz’s thesis considering curia as a
concrete place (residence), too: in these years the “curial dignitaries” resided at the royal residence,
i.e. in the palace of Buda or Visegrád. (See also Chapter IV.) Aula, on the other hand, was indeed an
“abstract” (i.e. concretely non-definable) expression in a spatial sense; however, in terms of its
composition it was very concrete.
For the present thesis the main question regarding the court is what changes Sigismund’s
election to the dignity of German king caused on this structure? As mentioned above, by the
beginning of the fifteenth century the Erz- and Erbämter did not have any practical function around
the king or in the administration of the Holy Roman Empire any more and their tasks were taken
677
ENGEL, Realm 145.
HLAVÁČEK, Hof und Hofführung 128.
679
See also Erik Fügedi’s division of the baronial dignitaries, n. 593.
680
GUENÉE, States and Rulers 121.
678
119
over by paid court officials (Hofbeamte, Dienstämter) who did not have protocol or ceremonial
duties.681 The result of this development was that two positions were existing parallel, i.e.
Erbtruchseß (the Counts of Waldburg) – Hofmeister, Mundschenk (the Counts of Limpurg) –
Kellermeister, Erbkämmerer (the Counts of Falkenstein) – Kammermeister, Erbmarschall (the
Counts of Pappenheim) – Stallmeister. Under Sigismund’s reign, however, this scheme was not
present in such a crystallized form; from all the Dienstämter only the office of the Hofmeister was
occupied by Louis of Öttingen.682 The lack of Keller-, Kammer- and Stallmeister can be explained
on the one hand with the fact that Sigismund’s personal needs were looked after in fact by the
Hungarian dignitaries. It seems that when Sigismund became King of the Romans the inner or
private court was extended only with chaplains but not with other functionaries. 683 Besides, Conrad
of Weinsberg and to some extent also Haupt of Pappenheim were active members of the court as
Erbkämmerer and Erbmarshall and Conrad was sometimes even mentioned as Kammermeister in
the sources.684 Their function, however, just like that of the Hofmeister, was more an
administrative-governmental position than a classical court office.685
Speaking in structural terms, the imperial chancery, the Hofmeister Louis of Öttingen and
some courtiers became permanent part of Sigismund’s travelling court, the aula, moving
everywhere together with it. Thus, this part of the court got a mixed Hungarian-imperial
character.686 The other part, i.e. the curia with the curial high dignitaries, judicial courts and the
assembly of the prelates and barons, was residing in Buda or Visegrád and ensured the functioning
of the Hungarian central administration. Although most of the German dignitaries and courtiers also
left the king’s side when he was outside the territory of the Holy Roman Empire and stayed back in
their homeland they, unlike their colleagues in the Kingdom of Hungary, were not active in the
ruler’s absence. Thus, in the periods when Sigismund was not in the Empire there was practically
no royal court understood as a “curial residence” in the realm. (See also Ch. IV.)
681
RAHN, Person und Rang 298, 301.
Charles IV had a Bohemian and an imperial Hofmeister, Wenceslas most probably only one. HLAVÁČEK, Hof und
Hofführung 131.
683
It is interesting to note that sometimes even imperial representative tasks were fulfilled by Hungarians, e.g.
Sigismund’s adventus in Constance at Christmas 1414. SCHENK, Zeremoniell 304 and 304 n.309.
684
Kammermeister: RI XI/1573, 2023, 2419; Erbkämmerer: RI XI/2441, 2886, 3512, 3822. Haupt of Pappenheim was
always referred to as Erbmarschall or Marschall.
685
This observation in connection with the Hofmeister RAHN, Person und Rang 298.
686
Where the Hungarian part was dominant in number, at least between 1411 and 1419.
682
120
III.2.2. The Royal Council and the Fields of its Activity
In spite of its undebatable importance for the history of government and administration “the
problem of the late medieval German royal council has only been marginally studied so far.” Peter
Moraw expressed this opinion in his article on King Rupert’s (1400–1410) dignitaries and
counsellors in 1968.687 It seems that the topic has not generated a much greater interest since then
either, although this assembly was the one which took the decisions together with the ruler,688 it was
the “center of government and administration”689 or, as Otto Hintze called it, the “workshop” of
government.690 Sigismund’s rule was special in this sense, too, as he was the sovereign of two, later
three realms. Thus, when studying the problem of his royal council(s) it is necessary to handle it in
its complexity, i.e. not only as a part of the history of German or Hungarian government and
administration, but as a “common” element of the monarch’s ruling practice. Unfortunately, Moraw
himself, who thoroughly analyzed Charles IV’s, Wenceslas’ and Rupert’s period, has never got to
deal with Sigismund’s time – even though he obviously planned to do so.691
The functioning of the royal council is not discussed in primary sources in details and terms
like senatus or consistorium which could refer clearly to this “institution” occur only occasionally
in the source material. In Hungarian sources even the use of the word consilium in the sense of a
“counselling assembly” is quite rare, and the expression “in consilio” can be found only in charters
issued by the Dukes of Austria,692 King Albert or Ladislaus V in the middle of the fifteenth
century.693 Therefore, in order to be able to draw conclusions regarding its structure and
functioning, first the composition of the royal council has to be reconstructed and its members need
to be identified. Session protocols or lists of counsellors do not exist but the “de consilio prelatorum
et baronum nostrorum”694 formula of the Hungarian charters as well as ordinances mentioning
preceding royal decisions695 describe the circumstances of royal decision making in the late
fourteenth and early fifteenth century. Thanks to the research conducted first and foremost by Pál
687
MORAW, Beamtentum 79.
ENGEL, Nagy Lajos 395.
689
MORAW, Beamtentum 83.
690
HINTZE, Entstehung 268.
691
MORAW, König, Reich 816.
692
E.g. ZsO II/6444, III/1787, 1856, 1910, VI/1428.
693
E.g. BORSA (ed.), Justh 69, nr. 172, 173.
694
In certain cases also by the proceres et nobiles regni.
695
E.g. 20th January 1407: … unacum eisdem prelatis, baronibus et potioribus ipsius regni nostri proceribus decreto
unanimi sanximus, statuimus et super his statutum fecimus… (DRH I. 226.); 26th July 1409: … unacum eisdem prelatis,
baronibus, nobilibus et potioribus ipsius regni nostri proceribus decreto unanimi sanximus, statuimus et super his
statutum fecimus… (DRH I. 228.); 3rd September 1421: nobis Bude unacum prelatis baronibus ac proceribus ipsius
regni nostri Hungarie existentibus (DRH I. 242.); cum nos ex decreto nostro regio pridem unacum prelatis et baronibus
nostris edito, cum nos matura prelatorum et baronum nostrorum et regni nostri procerum uniformi sanctione (DRH I.
230.).
688
121
Engel and András Kubinyi, the group of the prelati and barones can be defined quite precisely: it
consisted of eighteen prelates (two archbishops, fourteen bishops, the provost of Fehérvár and the
Hospitaller Prior of Vrana) and about 35-40 lay notables (the current and former high
dignitaries).696 In terms of the Holy Roman Empire there is no such a clear indication but the
persons referred to as counsellors (Räte, consiliarii) can be collected from the source material. The
problem emerges, however, when it turns to questions regarding the functioning of the council. A
consulting body of fifty-plus prelates and barons or a large number of counsellors could barely
contribute to everyday administrative-governmental activity effectively. Moreover, it is hardly
believable that every one of these council members were or could be present at each and every
session. In fact, many of the lords who belonged to the group of prelati et barones or bore the title
of a counsellor were surely unable to be part of the king’s entourage for a longer period of time and
some of the German Räte were even appointed to manage imperial affairs at places where
Sigismund was usually not present.697 Nevertheless, without protocols it is not possible to eliminate
those persons who indeed participated at the meetings of the council.
Hungarian historiography has offered a solution to the problem at the beginning of the
twentieth century when the legal historians Bódog Schiller, Ákos Timon and Zoltán Kérészy
propagated the theory of two – that is great-small or complete-partial – royal councils. Then in 1930
Lóránd Szilágyi, an advocate of the single council theory, published his dissertation on the
administration of the Kingdom of Hungary 1458–1526698 and since then the scholarly debate
regarding the structure of the Hungarian royal council has not been settled. Szilágyi stated that the
relators were in fact the members of the royal council; consequently, based on relatio-notes it was
possible to reconstruct the structure and composition of the council. Quite a few of his
contemporaries and later collegues argued Szilágyi’s thesis, and it is hardly surprising that since
then almost all medievalists and legal historians expressed their opinions in the question so far. 699
Nevertheless, a decisive argument for the one or the other hypothesis has not been raised yet.
As regards the overlapping of the groups of referents and the king’s actual advisors
Szilágyi’s method is of course problematic. It is not only logical but also proven by case studies that
not all the active counsellors are documented as relatores;700 thus, the list of referents is of course
696
ENGEL, Nagy Lajos 399–403; ENGEL, Zsigmond bárói (a) 226–228; KUBINYI, Bárók esp. 150–153.
E.g. RI XI/264. See also n. 430.
698
SZILÁGYI, Magyar kancellária.
699
András Kubinyi summarized the debate in KUBINYI, Bárók 154–156. His own arguments and opinion ibid. 157–164.
700
Naming more than one referent in a documents is quite rare, an example is MNL OL DL 100405. For different
remarks under the seal and the top right corner of the charter see MNL OL DL 9900 and 10342.
697
122
shorter than that of the actual counsellors would be.701 Furthermore, the larger part of chancery
documents were issued under the note commissio propria domini regis (c.p.d.r.) or ad mandatum
domini regis (a.m.d.r.) meaning that the order of issuing came “directly” from the ruler and no
intermediary can be identified between the decision-making body (royal council) and the
chanceries. As a consequence of the prevalent use of these formulas we lose the direct trace to many
advisors; nonetheless, this practice also suggests that in most cases the chancellor or the leader of
the chancery and a scribe must have been present at the sessions. (Unless we suppose that the king
himself went to the chancery office after the council meeting and informed the personnel in person
about what should be put into a written form).
In spite of all the aforementioned methodological difficulties, from the lists of referents
important conclusions can be drawn about the overall functioning of Sigismund’s royal council
after 1411. Regarding the referents of the Sigismund-charters issued in the 1410s the following can
be said. (See also Ch. III. 1.1.2.) The documents issued by the two Hungarian chanceries before
November 1412 and by the Hungarian secret chancery between 1413 and 1419 mention, as
expected, quite a few names as relatores.702 What is surprising, however, is that between
Sigismund’s leave in November 1412 and Kanizsai’s in January 1416, only Queen Barbara,
Nicholas Garai and the John Kanizsai, in the following two years Pipo Ozorai, John Pelsőci Bebek,
Paul Özdögei Besenyő and Garai gave direct orders to the Hungarian Great chancery to issue
documents. The remarks of the imperial chancery mention only six persons as referents before the
autumn of 1414: Burggrave Frederick of Nuremberg, his marshal (Hofmeister) Ehrenfried von
Seckendorff, Benedict, the provost of Fehérvár, John Esztergomi, Pipo Ozorai (Filippo Scolari) and
Mikeš Jemništi. This list implies that in spite of the “extended personal basis” referred to by Sabine
Wefers703 and the large number of newly appointed counsellors in 1411 and 1412, in the first years
of his German kingship Sigismund strongly relied on the advice of his Hungarian followers even in
imperial affairs. In fact, Esztergomi and Pipo also received functions in the administration of the
Holy Roman Empire: the former was imperial vice-chancellor, the latter Sigismund’s
plenipotentiary in Aquileia and Friuli since 1411.704 Provost Benedict is a puzzling figure of the
701
In respect of the second half of the fifteenth and the early sixteenth century András Kubinyi referred to the problem
that the referents probably worked also “on their own” and some or many cases they were involved in had never got to
the royal council. (KUBINYI, Bárók 158.) This would mean, of course, that when investigating the advisors present at
the council sessions the list of the referents could not be considered as a “minimum.” Nevertheless, similar evidences
from the Sigismund-period have not been found so far.
702
On charters issued by the great and secret chanceries in Hungary between January 1411 and October 1412 thirtyfour, on the documents written by secret chancery outside the Kingdom of Hungary between November 1412 and July
1415 fifteen, between February 1417 and January 1419 twelve different names are mentioned.
703
WEFERS, Das politische System 31–33.
704
RI XI/144, 145, together with Frederick of Ortenburg and Stibor of Stiboricz.
123
Sigismund-administration: he seems to have been the person who was in fact always with
Sigismund705 and the only one besides the Hungarian Palatine Nicholas Garai, Sigismund’s brotherin-law, who gave issuing order to both the Hungarian and imperial chanceries.706 Still, his concrete
function and role is obscure.707 Mikeš Jemništi of Bohemian origin was mentioned in Hungarian
sources at the beginning of the 1410s for the first time. He went with Sigismund to Italy and
Constance, in 1413 he was two times referent at the imperial chancery which confirms Windecke’s
information that he was one of Sigismund’s important advisors.708
Thus, until late 1414 only Burggrave Frederick, his marshall and – taking the large number
of a.m.d.r. notes into consideration – most probably John Kirchen, the organizer and “technical”
leader of Sigismund’s imperial chancery, represented the imperial elite at Sigismund’s court in
decision-making. This situation obviously changed with the king’s arrival in the Empire. In the ten
months between October 1414 and July 1415 several new names appeared in the chancery notes
such as that of Duke Rudolf of Saxony, Bishop Raban of Speyer, Conrad of Weinsberg, George of
Hohenlohe, Günter of Schwarzburg, Bishop George of Trento709 or Erkringer of Saunsheim, and
this trend sustained after Sigismund’s return into the Empire in February 1417.710 It must be noted,
however, that only a part of these people (Frederick of Nuremberg, George of Hohenlohe, Günter of
Schwarzburg and Louis of Öttingen) referred regularly to the imperial chancery, the others’ name
appear only once or a few times in chancery notes (Appendix 11).711 Moreover, it seems that the
imperial advisors were active around Sigismund in larger number only when he was staying in the
German lands and, unlike his Hungarian courtiers, they rarely followed the ruler abroad to France
and England, or to Hungary.
These general conclusions concerning the referent-advisors raise two questions which touch
upon the problem of the structure and functioning of the royal council in the time of Sigismund.
First, it was shown that from 1411 on a smaller, from late 1414 a considerably larger number of
“non-Hungarian” counsellors were involved in decision making. Here, it needs to be investigated in
which form these lords took part in the process. In other words, besides the (one or two) Hungarian
royal council(s) was there also an imperial one? Secondly, is it justified to interpret the small
705
Also in Bosnia in 1410, MNL OL DL 95666.
Also Pipo on 25th August 1411 (RI XI/75), though it is not clear why the imperial chancery (and not the Hungarian
secret) issued this document.
707
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 251, 274, 291; BÓNIS, Jogtudó 119.
708
Referent on 26th June 1413 in Trento and on 1st August 1413 in Bozen/Bolzano; in fact, the only person named on
imperial documents between 7th September 1412 and 15th July 1414. WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 118, c. CXVIII
[139] and p. 133, c. CLII [156]. See also ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 54.
709
George I of Lichtenstein.
710
Louis of Öttingen, Count Louis of Brieg, Haupt II of Pappenheim, Eberhard of Nellenburg, Archbishop John of
Riga, Margrave Bernard of Baden, John of Lupfen etc. See Figures 7 and 8 on page 71 and 77.
711
See n. 401.
706
124
number of referents in the documents of the Hungarian great chancery between November 1412 and
February 1419 as the direct consequence of the fact that the royal council continued functioning at
Sigismund’s travelling court?712
Let us start with the first problem. The fact that the persons named by the Hungarian secret
and the imperial chanceries between 1413 and 1419 form two different groups implies the separate
handling of German-imperial and Hungarian administrative and judicial matters, and thus the
existence of two forums (royal councils) at the travelling court. Two exceptions, however, hint at a
different direction. The issues about which Benedict, the provost of Fehérvár and Palatine Nicholas
Garai reported to the imperial chancery were clearly not of Hungarian provenience.713 Besides, also
Windecke talks about council meetings of “speakers of Bohemian, Hungarian and German” (durch
der christenheit bestes nützes willen ruft er [Sigismund] zu im der zungen Behem Ungern Dutschen
und det offenlich in siner herbergen frogen, was sie rieten).714 Nonetheless, this contradiction can
be resolved if the royal council is not regarded as a modern bureaucratic institution with a fix
structure but an amoeba-like consulting body, the actual composition of which depended on the
very issue(s) to be discussed and decided. In other words, there must have been a number of
dignitaries and courtiers who were in general – due to their office, status, counsellor-title or simply
out of royal will – entitled to take part in decision-making, but in practice in most of the cases only
a small part of this numerous group acted as advisors by the king.715 The system could have been
similar to that in ancient Athens where the jurors for each trial were chosen from a large body of
Athenian citizens available for this duty – there, the actual decision-makers were selected by
allotment,716 here by the king. This analogy is in fact not at all too distant if we consider that the
forum of the king’s personal jurisdiction was also the royal council. 717 In fact, also Ivan Hlaváček
pointed out that Wenceslas’ royal council was surely responsible for and competent in both
Bohemian and the imperial issues, and when it came to matters concerning Luxembourg also
Luxembourgians took part in the meetings.718 Regarding the council members he came to the
conclusion that there were “real” counsellors who were involved in administrative and
governmental processes and who did not only participated in the council meetings regularly but also
took part in the execution of the decisions or acted as envoys and emissaries. Apart from them there
712
ZsO VI/1666, 2067.
Garai: RI XI/1692, Benedict: RI XI/206, 1681, 2205. Similarly John Uski, i.a. Provost of Pécs, RI XI/2742.
714
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 151, c. CLXX [176]; see also below. Besides, in most cases Sigismund’s diplomatic
delegations were also of “mixed composition”, e.g. RI XI/307, ZsO V/904, 988, 1418.
715
Similarly MORAW, König, Reich 451–453.
716
A distinct explanation of the procedure http://www.agathe.gr/democracy/the_jury.html
717
See KUBINYI, Bárók 163; LADÁNYI, Königlicher Rat.
718
HLAVÁČEK,Urkunden- und Kanzleiwesen 450–451.
713
125
were ad hoc invited “honorary members,” who appear in the chancery notes only every now and
then and usually referred cases of the same few persons.719
Such a flexible structure would explain the high number of “titular” counsellors documented
in the sources, and would perfectly fit the needs of an irregular-spontaneous decision-making
activity. For the latter speaks that the archive material does not show any sequence or periodical
concentration in terms of charter issuing, which was to be expected in the case of a system with prescheduled meetings.720 The intensity of the counselling activity seems to have depended on
political-governmental actualities. Windecke’s description of the gathering of the council on the
occasion of a Hussite alliance also gives the impression of an unscheduled and spontaneous meeting
which convened as a (necessary) reaction to a directly preceding diplomatic event:
By that time the King of the Romans received a message from the heretics and Hussites of
Bohemia who let him know that they had made an agreement among themselves. Thus,
Sigismund called for the Bohemian lords who were by that time present at his court […]
Right after the aforementioned letter […] had been read out in front of these Bohemian
nobles, the king sent a message to the prince electors and other lords staying at his court that
they were all expected to come to the great hall of the Buda castle in the morning to take a
council and discuss about the letter.721
Bearing all the aforesaid in mind it becomes clear why the exact dates and the members of the
particular meetings can hardly be identified. Nevertheless, it is possible to detect some general
characteristic features of the council’s composition. First, it seems that in spite of its unfixed
character Sigismund’s few most trusted men were always invited to the sessions if they were
available. Cases in point are the Hungarian palatine and the king’s brother-in-law Nicolas Garai and
Pipo Ozorai. The latter was six times relator at Sigismund’s side during the Italian campaign (three
times in Udine, twice in Ariis and once in Belluno), four times in Constance and once in Basel
during the four months when he visited the king in 1415 and six times in Hungary right after
Sigismund’s return in 1419. Although data concerning Benedict, the provost of Fehérvár, are rather
scarce, he was very likely Sigismund’s important advisor and constant member of the council. 722
Finally, as noted above, the high number of a.m.d.r. and c.p.d.r. chancery notes hints at the
direction that either a vice-chancellor (Késmárki, Esztergomi) or a chancery leader (Kirchen) was
almost always present in the council.
As regards Wenceslas’ rule Hlaváček considered those referents “real” counsellors who appear at least ten times in
the chancery notes in connection with different beneficiaries/addressees; a documented cancellarius-title was not a
precondition. HLAVÁČEK,Urkunden- und Kanzleiwesen 451–453. Similarly MORAW, Beamtentum 81: “Gewiß sind die
am häufigsten in den Vermerken genannten Personen Räte gewesen.”
720
C.f. with the Hungarian octavae, the periods when the judicial courts held their sessions. The most important were
the octave of the Epiphany, the octaves of St. George, St. James and St. Michael.
721
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 180–182, c. CCIII–CCIV [212-213]. Author’s translation.
722
See n. 707.
719
126
Secondly, as peace treaties, “international” arrangements723 and the subsequent lines of the
above cited paragraph by Windecke724 demonstrate, whenever the king was dealing with politicaldiplomatic issues he was advised and assisted by a larger group of aristocrats, high dignitaries and
prelates. Similarly, the assessors of the royal judicial courts also belonged to the socio-political elite
of the realms. On the other hand, Sigismund was keen on promoting talented people of nonaristocratic origin. He preferred working with a smaller group of advisors comprising learned jurists
and financial experts,725 and it seems that these “professionals” were not simply executors of the
royal will but they were the ones whom Sigismund consulted in issues of financial or
administrative-bureaucratic character.
Returning to the enigma of the Hungarian royal council(s), I believe that it is very much
possible that it was also a “flexible” one with a changing number of counsellors. It would explain
anomalies like why contemporary terminology did not make a clear distinction between the two
royal councils726 whereas expressions like totum / totale consilium or omnium prelatorum et
baronum communi consilio as opposed to a smaller consulting body occasionally appear in the
sources.727 If so, when Sigismund became King of the Germans the “new elements,” i.e. the
imperial issues and counsellors, could be integrated without any difficulties into this already
existing and functioning decision-making system. Thus, there was no need to set up a separate
imperial royal council, neither to make “structural” changes to the existing one.
The other problem is why the referents disappeared from great chancery documents after 1412 and
whether this phenomenon was the direct consequence of the absence of the royal council. On the
one hand, the aforementioned phrase de consilio prelatorum et baronum appears both in the letters
of donations issued in Hungary in Sigismund’s name in his absence, and in documents issued in
other parts of Europe where the king himself was present. In case behind the use of the expression
there was indeed a concrete act of (real or formal) endorsement, its regular occurrence in charters of
both the Hungarian great and the Hungarian secret chanceries would imply the continuous
functioning of two royal council-like bodies – one “normal” around Sigismund and one “kingless”
723
E.g. agreement with Wenceslas on 9th July 1411 (RTA VII p. 102–106, nr. 63); peace treaty with King Wladislas of
Poland on 15th March 1412 CDH X/5. 279–283, nr. 123; pledging of thirteen towns in the Spiš region (today Slovakia)
to the Polish king on 8th November 1412 (MNL OL DL 9984).
724
During the session the king was informed that the envoy of the sultan wished to be received, so he ordered the high
priests (among others the cardinal legate Placentinus and Louis of Teck, the Patriarch of Aquileia) to sit on his left, the
lay lords (the princes of Bavaria, Austria and Silesia, the Count of Schaumburg) on his right.
725
MORAW, Gelehrte Juristen 107–118; ARANY, Florentine Families 40–56. With regard to Emperor Frederick’s
counsellors HEINIG, Gelehrte Juristen 176: “ in hohem Maße mitgliederkonstante Beratungsgremium des Kaisers war
nicht der Hofrat als solcher, sondern der nur etwa 4-6 intime Vertraute umfassende „engere“ Rat.”
726
KUBINYI, Bárók 154.
727
KUBINYI, Bárók 160–161.
127
in the Kingdom of Hungary. Nonetheless, the current state of research tends to consider the phrase
only as a pure chancery formula and seriously doubts that these words would have referred to a real
act of approval by the barons. Still, although there is no evidence for the existence of a “kingless
royal council,” the complete exclusion of the Hungarian elite from decision-making is rather
unlikely. Regarding the period September 1414–January 1416, for instance, it would mean that
Kanizsai governed the land practically all on his own.728 Therefore, the question here is whether the
prelates and barons continued to express their opinion after 1412 and if yes, in which form they did
it.
As demonstrated in Ch.III.1.2.1.3. the commissio and deliberatio-notes always referred to
decisions made by prelates and barons at judicial courts, which means that on these occasions they
were definitely not consulting on political-governmental issues. Nonetheless, the analysis of these
remarks also revealed that the magnates were still involved in political matters. With the exception
of the personalis presentia the central judicial courts dispensed justice during established periods
called octavae; yet, a few charters issued ad commissionem (prelatorum et) baronum are not dated
from such days.729 The reason why there were still enough barons available on those dates to act as
judges and assessors was that they stayed in Buda for another cause. It seems that in August 1415730
and in July 1416731 the magnates assembled because of the Bosnian events, while in July 1417 a
diet took place in Buda with the participation of Nicholas Garai who, in the meantime, returned to
Hungary.732 These meetings were attended by aristocrats and nobles in a great number; it must be
emphasized, however, that it was a periodically active consulting and decision-making body.
To sum up the findings so far, around Sigismund there was a constantly, though rather
spontaneously functioning royal council with a changing number of members coming both from the
Hungarian and imperial part of the aula. In the Kingdom of Hungary a small group of the elite
(queen, royal vicars, “regency council”) ruled in Sigismund’s absence, and every now and then the
diet-like assembly of the magnates was also involved in decision making. (Besides, the prelates and
728
Between November 1412 and January 1416 the maximum period when all the three members of the supposed
regency council were staying in Hungary was not more than a year. Garai went with Sigismund to Italy in 1412; on 19
October 1413 he was relator in Buda (MNL OL DF 239343); in September 1414 both Barbara and Garai left the
kingdom for the coronation in Aachen.
729
10th and 15th August 1415 (ZsO V/928, 942), 29 th July 1416 (ZsO V/2158) as well as 15 th, 22nd and 23rd July 1417
(ZsO VI/684, 716, 723). On the problem of the king’s personal jurisdiction and the functioning of the personalis
presentia in Sigismund’s absence see Ch. III.2.3.1.
730
Pipo’s wife Barbara asked her brother-in-law to inform her husband about the decisions taken by the magnates
assembled in Buda. ZsO V/924.
731
In the charter issued by a group of barons on 4th September 1416 in Pécs: nobis nuper videlicet non longe ante simul
generali convocatione pro certis factis domini nostri regis Bude constitutis et existentibus. MNL OL DL 43338 and
71377 (ZsO V/2255.)
732
C. TÓTH, A király helyettesítése 296, n. 49.
128
barons traditionally fulfilled duties at central judicial courts, to which activity the deliberatio-notes
apparently refer to.) While the royal council around Sigismund was dominated by the lower aulici
and experts of non-aristocratic origin, the governing and consulting bodies/persons in the Kingdom
of Hungary seem to have been typically aristocratic. Whether the ruling elite – i.e. the queen, the
vicars, Özdögei or the “regency council” of barons – was working together with a formal,
continuously functioning, small advisory group or they indeed took the decisions on their own,
remains obscure for the moment. Nonetheless, as an example from August 1415 shows it is very
likely that instead of a permanent consulting body every now and then experts were invited to give
advice on current matters. In this concrete case Kanizsai, Pipo Ozorai and the two financial
advisors, Marc of Nuremberg and Andreas Holthalbreth,733 discussed the problem of the decline of
mining activity in Kremnica (Körmöcbánya) and decided to order the tax officers (comitibus vel
vicecomitibus urburarum) to pay seven florins (florenos nove monete) instead of the usual six for a
mark of mined silver (marca argenti).734 The consultation took place on Sigismund’s personal order
which was communicated most probably by Pipo, who had returned shortly before from his visit
taken to Sigismund in Constance and Basel. Compared to the Kingdom of Hungary, the imperial
administration in Sigismund’s absence seems to have been more an “executive” than a “decisionmaking” one. Nonetheless, this estimation definitely requires further refinement, more precisely the
evaluation of the charters issued by i.a. the count palatine during the periods in question.
III.2.3. Administration of Justice: Central Judicial Courts in Sigismund’s Lands
This subchapter aims at giving an overview of the Hungarian and imperial central judicial system in
order to present the frameworks in which the jurisdictional activity related to the king or derived
from his authority took place. Since works on legal and constitutional history deal with the topic
extensively, based on these secondary sources I am going restrict myself to sketching the
development and the most important characteristics of the systems. A special emphasis is going to
be laid only on the question whether and to what extent did the functioning of the central judicial
courts depend on the presence of the ruler. (III.2.3.1.)
733
Marc of Nuremberg: among other duties count of the mining chamber in Kremnica, see MÁLYUSZ, Zsigmond
központosító törekvései 172–173. Andreas Holthalbreth is mentioned in the charter as scansor dicti domini nostri regis,
most probably campsor regius, i.e royal banker who was entitled to change gold florins to silver denars and vice versa.
See GYÖNGYÖSSY, Pénztörténet 251.
734
MNL OL DF 250017, ZsO V/968.
129
In the medieval Kingdom of Hungary the main periods of legal history are that of the
“traditional law” until 1848, while the era of the modern legal system started in 1861.735 The
traditional law was dominantly customary law, the antiqua et approbata consuetudo, which was
recorded in a written form by Stephen Werbőczy at the turn of the fifteenth and sixteenth century
for the first time.736 Royal decrees (decreta), privileges (privilegia) and statutes (statute) played a
subordinated role in legal practice for a long time,737 even if there was absolutely no hierarchy
between customary law and royal ordinances. The regulations of royal decrees could became part of
the customary law as it happened in the case of praefectio introduced by Charles of Anjou in 1332,
but also customary law could influence royal legislation. An example of the latter is the renewal of
the Golden Bull (1222) in 1351 when Louis of Anjou did not include the fourth article of the
original document into the confirmation because it was in conflict with the traditional system of
avicitas.738
A charter issued by Sigismund on 14th April 1421 in Uherský Brod (Ungarisch Brod,
Magyarbród) gives a concise summary of the central judicial system: the king released Nicholas
Ásgúti Dacsó, his sons and his wife from paying judges’ part of the fines739 which were imposed on
them in nostra personali aut speciali sive palatinali et iudicis curie nostre presentiis.740 The judicial
courts of the palatine and the judge royal were the earliest ones which developed at the Hungarian
royal court. As the duty of personal jurisdiction heavily burdened the king already in the eleventh
century, soon was the palatine authorized to pass sentence in the name of the king at the court of the
presentia regia. Then, however, his own jurisdiction (curia palatinalis) had been established in the
twelfth century, as a consequence of which the judge royal (comes curialis, from the thirteenth
century comes curiae regiae) took over the palatine’s role and duties. (Appendix 2) They became
the great or ordinary judges (iudices ordinarii) of the kingdom, the documents were issued at their
chanceries in their own name under their seal. It must be noted, however, that the palatines and
The term “feudal law” used by older scholarship to characterize the pre-1848 Hungarian legal system is extremely
problematic. A very brief overview of the Hungarian central judicial courts TIMÓN, Verfassungsgechichte 675–683. A
concise legal history from the late nineteenth-century HAJNIK, Bírósági szervezet, the most recent one BÉLI, Magyar
jogtörténet. Besides, inquires and papers on various specific aspects of medieval legal history – unfortunately only in
Hungarian.
736
The most recent edition by BAK–BANYÓ–RADY (eds.), Tripartitum.
737
BÉLI, Magyar jogtörténet 25. On decrets BÓNIS, Begriff and TEKE, Begriff.
738
predictas litteras ipsius domini Andree regis … de verbo ad verbum presentibus insertas acceptantes ratificantes et
approbantes simul cum omnibus libertatibus eisdem expressis excepto solummodo uno articulo modo prenotato de
eodem privilegio excluso, eo videlicet quod nobiles homines sine herede decendentes possint et queant ecclesiis vel aliis
quibus volunt in vita et in morte dare vel legare possessiones eorum vendere vel alienare, imo ad ista facienda nullam
penitus habeant facultatem, sed in fratres proximos et generationes ipsorum possessiones eorundem de iure et legitime,
pure et simpliciter absque contradictione aliquali devolvantur.“ Facsimile- and text edition: ÉRSZEGI (ed.) , Aranybulla.
739
I.e. that part of the fines to which the judges were entitled to.
740
MNL OL DL 31408; ZsO VIII/406. See also n. 159.
735
130
judge royals were usually magnates for whom these offices were sheer source of income. The
everyday administration of justice was organized and run by the proto-notaries, who were not
chancery officials but “masters of sentence” (Hung. “ítélőmester”).
After the jurisdiction at the presentia regia became independent from the ruler the forum of
the king’s personal jurisdiction was called specialis presentia regia. Nevertheless, this “institution”
developed in the same way as the court of presentia regia and in Sigismund’s time it was already a
judicial court with its own structure and personnel. Its nominal head was the chancellor but he also
had a vicegerent: between 1401 and 1427 magister James who bore also the title of diffinitor
causarum in speciali presentia nostrae maiestatis. When Sigismund indeed passed sentence in
person the sources speak of the personalis presentia regia. By the middle of the fifteenth century
this forum also developed to a separate judicial court led by the judge royal, chancellor and then by
the secret chancellor, but it seized to exist in 1464. From then on the kings of Hungary very rarely
decided court cases in person (propria in persona), only when these issues concerned perpetual
counts (comites perpetui) or acts of caprice (actus maioris potentiae).
With regard to the Holy Roman Empire in the early fifteenth century the Hofgericht and the
Kammergericht have to be taken into consideration.741 In 1235 (Mainzer Landfriede) Emperor
Frederick II re-organized the Hofgericht based on the model of the Sicilian Magna Curia.
According to his directives the court judge or judge royal (Hofrichter) appointed for at least the
period of a year had a general juridical competence except in cases related to princes and andere
hohe sachen which remained royal prerogatives.742 For record-keeping (Achtbuch, Urteilsregister)
and issuing charters a court scribe (Hofschreiber) was responsible. This new system of a
permanently officiating judge royal, however, did not become firmly established until the reign of
Emperor Louis IV.743 Under Charles IV and Wenceslas usually two Hofrichters were in office at the
same time, and in cases of their absence or conflict of interest further vices (Hofgerichtsstatthalter)
were appointed.744 A new phase started with King Rupert’s reign when there was again only one
judge royal who received an annual payment from the royal chamber. Two procurators
741
Works focusing on the central imperial jurisdiction, i.e. on Hofgericht and Kammergericht i.a. BATTENBERG,
Achtbuch; BATTENBERG, Hofrichter; BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt; BATTENBERG, Herrschaft; BATTENBERG,
Hofgerichtssiegel; BATTENBERG, Kammergerichtsbarkeit;
DIESTELKAMP, Hofgericht;
DIESTELKAMP,
Königsgerichtsbarkeit; FRANKLIN, Reichshofgericht; LECHNER, Reichshofgericht; MORAW, Hofgericht; MORAW, Noch
einmal; PRESS, Reichskammergericht; SPANGENBERG, Entstehung; TOMASCHEK, Höchste Gerichtsbarkeit;
WOHLGEMUTH, Urkundenwesen.
742
Wir setzen, daz unser hof habe einen hofrihter, der ein friman si. Der sol an dem ampt beliben zem minsten ein jar,
ob er sih reht und wol behaltet. Der sol alle tage ze geriht sitzen ane den suntag und ane groze hohziten, und sol allen
liuten rihten, die im chlagent, und von allen liuten, ane fursten und ane ander hohe liute, swa ez get an ir lip oder an ir
reht oder an ir ere oder an ir erbe oder an ir lên, und von anderen hohen sachen. Daz wellen wir selbe rihten.
743
BATTENBERG, Herrschaft 21–22.
744
List: BATTENBERG, Hofrichter 252–253, n. 65.
131
(Hofgerichtsprokuratoren) were employed as a result of which the scribe stopped representing
clients and concentrated only on tasks of recording. From then on the chancery of the court had at
least one permanent subnotary.745 Nonetheless, although in an organizational-structural sense the
Hofgericht was relatively independent, it could operate only at the king’s place of residence and its
continuous functioning was not assured.
The Kammergericht, which was mentioned by this name in 1415 for the first time,
developed from the king’s personal jurisdiction and represented his unlimited and unrestrictable
judicial authority. According to Johann Lechner the Hof- and the Kammergericht were “two strictly
separated courts of justice with different fields of competence existing side by side at the royal
court.” The court cases in which the Hofgericht could not proceed due to restrictive privileges were
delegated to the Kammergericht,746 from the jurisdiction of which nobody was exempt – as
Emperor Sigismund emphasized it in 1434 and in 1435.747 Still, the basic problem is that “the exact
position of the Hofgericht in the curial jurisdiction has not been cleared yet”748 and this observation
seems to be valid for the early history of the Kammergericht as well.
III.2.3.1. The Personal Jurisdiction of the King: Remarks on the Personalis
Presentia and Kammergericht
The forum of the king’s personal jurisdiction in the early fifteenth-century Hungary was the
personalis presentia regia. Unlike the other central law courts, which administered justice during
the jurisdictional periods called octavae in Visegrád or later in Buda, the king heard and determined
legal issues when- and wherever he decided to do so. The litigants were notified to appear in front
of the king on a concrete day with the formula ubi Deo duce intra ambitum regni nostri Hungarie
fuerimus constituti. During Sigismund’s stay in Hungary the personalis presentia regularly handled
court cases.749 Before his leave for Italy the last summons was issued on 16th September 1412,750
which ordered the defendants of a property debate to appear in front of the king on 8th November.
As they failed to meet their engagement they were fined on 13th November 1412, when Sigismund
745
BATTENBERG, Rationalität 325–326.
LECHNER, Reichshofgericht 32/74.
747
BATTERBERG, Herrschaft 25, 176 n. 130, 132.
748
MORAW, Noch einmal 109. Corroboration formula: wir obgenanter grave Gunther … tzu urkunde haben wir de
obgenanten unsers herren des kunigs und des heiligen richs hoffgerichts insigel an diß vidimus laßen hencken. Both the
archives of the Hofgericht and the Kammergericht are lost, only a Hofgerichtsordnung (1409) and Sigismund’s
Achtbuch survived. JESERICH–POHL–UNRUH (eds.), Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte I. 47.
749
ZsO III/85, 185, 190, 666, 698, 814, 826, 944, 1109, 1140, 1184, 1262, 1294, 1680, 2036, 2124, 2373, 2392, 2430,
2454, 2941.
750
ZsO III/2686.
746
132
was already in Bihács (Bihać).751 Between 1413 and 1419 only a few documents mention the
personalis presentia by name. In two cases the date of the trial was postponed until Sigismund’s
return to Hungary,752 in other two cases the collegiate chapters of Pozsega (Požega) and Vasvár
were ordered to report back to the personalis presentia on ongoing processes.753 On 27th October
1413 the vice-voivode of Transylvania transferred a case to the presence of the king upon request of
the litigants who did not accept his decision.754 Finally, on 8th November 1414 the defendants of
another property debate protested because in spite of their appeal, the lawsuit to be handled by the
king, the proto-notary of the palatine gave a final judgement.755
Considering the king’s personal jurisdiction over Hungarian subjects and the personalis
presentia regia two questions need to be answered. First, are there any evidences of legal actions
taken by Sigismund between 1413 and 1419 outside the borders of the kingdom? Second, the legal
historian George Bónis wrote that when the ruler was not staying in the territory of the realm, i.e.
between 1414 and 1419 and especially in the 1430s, the royal vicars chaired the personalis
presentia regia.756 There is no doubt, the vicars had the right to proceed and pass sentences (see
Ch.III.1.2.1.2.) but is it justified to identify their judicial activities with the king’s personal
jurisdiction?
The answer to the first question is definitely yes. Of course, nobody was ordered to appear at
the king’s court in Italy, France or in the Empire, but Sigismund did not hesitate to dispense justice
for all who were staying with or came to him.757 An analysis of documents corroborated with the
Hungarian secret seal showed that Sigismund issued mandates related to property debates, 758 tithe
disputes759 and acts of caprice,760 decided to free litigants from paying the judging fee761 or changed
the judicial authority in charge.762 He also gave orders to postpone processes763 or the contrary, to
give final judgement.764 In other words, the personalis presentia regia kept functioning at
751
ZsO III/2941.
ZsO IV/604, 110; ZsO V/1507
753
ZsO IV/716, 797.
754
ZsO IV/1225. See also VI/1997, 2105.
755
ZsO IV/2654. See also IV/1555, 1556.
756
BÓNIS, Jogtudó 143–145; BÓNIS, Kúriai irodák 218, 237.
757
Mostly towns sent delegates to the royal court, e.g. the Saxons of Transylvania, ZIMMERMANN–WERNER (eds.),
Urkundenbuch III. 564–568, nr. 1708–1712; Kolozsvár (Cluj) ZsO V/57, Nagyszombat (Trnava) V/130; Kassa
(Košice) V/209, VI/75, 359, 396, 408, 413; Körmöcbánya (Kremnica) ZsO VI/848–853; Szeben (cives de Zepsy,
Sabinov) V/730 (895).
758
ZsO V/129, 351, VI/137, 293, 454.
759
ZsO V/57, 130, 209.
760
ZsO V/197, 198, 495; VI/202.
761
ZsO IV/496, 898, V/1824, 2505, VI/154 etc.
762
ZsO VI/153.
763
ZsO IV/1826; V/54, 730
764
ZsO VI/618, 1272, 1336.
752
133
Sigismund’s mobile court, although its “scope of action” was definitely restricted for technical
reasons: in most cases it was impossible to pass a final judgement without summoning the parties.
These lawsuits were then postponed or delegated to another judge.
In my opinion, these conclusions also give an answer to the second question. As Sigismund
indeed administered justice between 1413 and 1419 in person, the decisions of the royal vicars can
hardly be considered as those of the personalis presentia regia. Moreover, as pointed out in
Ch.III.1.2.1.2, they did not have full authority in cases of high treason and capital crime. Thirdly, if
in Sigismund’s absence the king’s personal jurisdiction had really been substituted by the
jurisdiction of the vicars, it would be difficult to find a reason why every now and then trial dates
were postponed until the return of the ruler.765 Finally, also the chancery terminology made a
distinction between the personalis presentia regia (see above) and the forum which issued judicial
documents under great seal in Sigismund’s absence.766 Although there was apparently no consensus
how to refer to the latter, the scribes and notaries tried to avoid the use of expressions similar to the
ones designating the “regular” central law courts (presentia, specialis presentia, personalis
presentia). On 31st July 1415 litigants were called coram nobis ac dictis prelatis et baronibus
nostris,767 on 7th November 1416 in nostram curiam nostro prelatorumque et baronum nostrorum
judicio.768 The telling detail lies in the expression which was crossed out by the scribe of the second
charter: here he had put the word presentiam which was then replaced by the term judicio. In my
opinion this means that in the chancery’s (and contemporaries’) understanding it was definitely not
the personalis presentia regia which intended to handle the issue.
MNL OL DL 53911
(7th November 1416)
Image 9: Charter reference to the “law court of the great seal” 1416
765
ZsO IV/604, 2740; V/4, 730 (also V/895); VI/1336. Following this logic the judicial documents issued under great
seal between 1416 February and June 1417 should also be considered as the decisions of the personalis presentia regia.
This would be even more problematic if it was a baronial council and not a royal vicar which ruled the kingdom in this
period, see Ch. III.1.2.1.3.
766
Examples of such documents are a letter of final judgement: ZsO V/1838, inquisitoria: V/2165, 2215, VI/173, 430,
statutoria: V/1616, 2200, VI/209, metalis: V/2248, postponement: V/2283, 2442, delegation of the lawsuit to other law
court: VI/166, evocatoria (to the specialis presentia) VI/241 etc.
767
MNL OL DL 103464.
768
MNL OL DL 53911.
134
It is true, however, that with regard to the recording of court decisions a change can be observed
after Sigismund’s leave. Normally the verdicts of the personalis presentia were put in a written
form by the great chancery and the documents were sealed with the Hungarian majestic seal.769
Nonetheless, when Sigismund was staying outside the borders of the realm he had only the secret
chancery and secret seal at his disposal; therefore, it was reasonable that this organ took over the
tasks of issuing charters related to lawsuits. It is not by accident that the first evidences of the
existence of a proto-notary at the secret chancery come from 1416.770 As in Hungary this function
was not only notarial but also judicial one – the proto-notaries were called “ítélőmester”, “masters
of sentence” in Hungarian –, the emergence of this office suggests that in these years the secret
chancery indeed started to deal with legal issues. At the same time the royal vicars in Hungary
definitely needed an authentic seal to corroborate i.a. court documents, so they applied the
Hungarian great seal on them. Still, I believe that this technical change in chancery practice did by
far not mean that the vicars were presiding the personalis presentia regia when they administered
justice.771 Instead, both the ruler and the vicars had their own forum to deal with court cases.
Staying abroad put practical limits to the king’s personal jurisdiction but he did not stop exercising
it.
In the Holy Roman Empire writs of summons issued in the 1410s named the “royal court” as
place of the king’s personal jurisdiction.772 From 1415 on there are scattered evidences for the
existence of two judicial law courts in the royal curia: besides the long-established Hofgericht
sources refer every now and then to the so-called Kammergericht.773 Before 1455, however, the
latter was not an institutional body with its own personnel and chancery. It must be also emphasized
that there was absolutely no hierarchy between these two forums, as in the middle ages the secular
jurisdiction in the Holy Roman Empire was characterized by one-step processes, i.e. it was a single769
BÓNIS, Kúriai irodák 219.
Martin Bossányi, mentioned as proto-notary in MNL OL DL 91099. BÓNIS, Jogtudó 103.
771
A further aspect why the vicarial juriscdiction can easily be identified with that of the king (i.e. with the personalis
presentia regia) is that the charters of the royal vicars were in general issued in the name of the king. C. TÓTH, Nádor
131–132.
772
E.g.: darumb fördern wir, als dein rechter Erbherr, dich fur vns vnd gebieten dir auch erstlich und vestiglich mitt
diesem brieffe, das du dich vor vns in vnserm hofe versprechen vnd verandtwortten sollest, CDB I/7. 140–141, nr. 31
and 32; Dorumb von Romischer kungicher maht und gewalt setzen vnd bescheyden wir uch dorumb ewern andern
rehttag fur uns oder wem wir die sache beuelhen in unsem kunglichen houe vber sechs wochen vnd drey tage nach dem
tag, als uch dieser brief geantwort ist. UB Lübeck VI. 38–39, nr. 37. Hofgerichtsladungen unter Sigi: Battenberg,
Gerichtsschreiberamt 284–285.
773
LECHNER, Reichshofgericht 70–85. The name Kammergericht does not refer to any financial aspect (JESERICH–
POHL–UNRUH (eds.), Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte 47–48.), the term was borrowed most probably from Wenceslas’
Bohemian chancery (DIESTELKAMP, Königsgerichtsbarkeit 27). In writs of summons the Hofgericht used the formula
“XY sol sich verantworten vor des … hern Sigmunds Romischen kunigs hofrichter” (BATTENBERG,
Gerichtsschreiberamt 284–285), other charters ordered the parties to appear in front of the king at his court (vor vns in
vnserm hofe).
770
135
level system without instances.774 As for the king’s utmost judicial authority, he could decide
litigations in person when- and wherever he wanted, and in his presence no one other could act as
judge.775 At the royal law court (Hofgericht) the judge royal (Hofrichter) had the right to pass
sentence in all lawsuits except the cases of imperial ban (Reichsacht) and which pertained princes
or individuals of this status. These cases fell under the competence of the sovereign. The chancery
of the Hofgericht issued the documents in the king’s or the judge royal’s name under the seal of the
judicial court (Hofgerichtssiegel), the decisions of the Kammergericht were recorded by the
imperial chancery in the name of the ruler.776 For this thesis and regarding the development of the
Kammergericht the interesting question is whether it is possible to find evidence of Sigismund’s
personal jurisdiction taking place outside the traditional frameworks of the Hofgericht in the first
decade of his German kingship.
While staying in the Kingdom of Hungary there was certainly no imperial judicial writing
body around Sigismund. Nonetheless, John Kirchen, former notary of the Hofgericht and notary of
Sigismund’s imperial chancery, had ample experience in issuing documents related to lawsuits.
Therefore, it was self-evident that in 1412 it was him who compiled the writs of summons
addressed to the council of Lübeck777 and to certain nobles in Brandenburg,778 which were sealed
with Sigismund’s imperial seal.779
The first evidences of the functioning of the Hofgericht under Sigismund’s rule come from
1415. Between 9th and 14th January 1415 Peter Wacker left the imperial chancery and became the
notary of the royal law court,780 and from then on there are continuous evidences for the activity of
the judge royal Günther of Schwarzburg in Constance.781 Here, Sigismund’s decisions concerning
imperial ban were put in a written form by the chancery and were recorded in the Achtbuch by the
notary of the Hofgericht. So far the procedure corresponds to the traditional imperial practice
referred to above. Nonetheless, the imperial chancery kept on being involved in judicial affairs,
which at least raises the possibility that the king’s personal jurisdiction went beyond the
774
DIESTELKAMP, Königsgerichtsbarkeit 19, 28.
The rulers of the early fifteenth century still took over the chair of the Hofgericht every now and then. As Friedrich
Battenberg wrote “Seit König Ruprecht beschränkten sich die Funktionen des Königs im Hofgericht immer mehr auf
Verkündung und Aufhebung Achtsprüchen, obwohl er nie ganz auf die Wahrnehmung des persönlichen Vorsitzes im
Hofgericht verzichtet hat.” BATTENBERG, Hofgerichtssiegel 64.
776
On the relation of the two chanceries see BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 217–222.
777
RI XI/195. See also BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 264–265.
778
RI XI/367–373. CDB I/7. 140–141, nr. 31–32; I/12. 239 -–240, nr. 38.3.
779
Wenceslas and Rupert: Kirchen as notary of the Hofgericht issued charters at the imperial chancery. BATTENBERG,
Gerichtsschreiberamt 146–147; Moraw, Kanzlei Ruprechts 496.
780
On Peter Wacker see BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 149–163.
781
Günther of Schwarzburg died in 1418 and his office was taken over by John of Lupfen.
775
136
institutional frameworks of the Hofgericht.782 Moreover, on 11th July 1415 Sigismund ordered
certain notables from Brandenburg to appear at his court with the words „so ist vnser ernstliche
meynunge, das dieselben … zu vns, wo wir dann sin werden, vnuerzogenlich kommen,“783 which
recalls the above cited formula “ubicumque protunc Deo duce intra ambitum regni nostri fuerimus
constituti“ used to call the litigants to the court of the personalis presentia in the Kingdom of
Hungary.784 Therefore, regarding the first decade of Sigismund’s German kingship I tend to see a
tendency of detaching the king’s personal jurisdiction from the Hofgericht which, as Friedrich
Battenberg wrote, fulfilled predominantly notarial and quasi-notarial duties and its main task was to
deal with and record everyday issues.785 Such a practice recalls the Hungarian one sketched briefly
in the introduction of this subchapter and corresponded to the established routine of the Sigismundadministration. In an imperial context, however, it can be interpreted as further hints for the
emergence or existence of the Kammergericht.
Unsurprisingly, the Hofgericht did not follow Sigismund to Aragon, France and England.
Nevertheless, Peter Wacker, notary of the royal law court, was quite mobile in these months: in
1416 he accomplished legal-diplomatic missions in Branbant, Lübeck and Meißen786 and in January
1417 he was with Sigismund in Luxembourg. From February 1417 until November 1418 the
Hofgericht regularly issued documents in the German territories (Constance, Basel, Strassburg,
Hagenau, Baden, Ulm, Regensburg), in January 1419 in Passau and Vienna, in 1420 in Bohemia.
Interestingly enough, two charters dated from 30th April and 1st May 1419 attest that by that time
the judge royal John of Lupfen as well as Peter Wacker, the notary of the royal law court, were in
the king’s entourage in Hungary.787
Peter Moraw emphasized the importance of the king’s personal jurisdiction being flexible,
unrestricted and unbound.788 Thus, somewhat paradoxically, this traditional form of administering
justice had a potential for developing the royal jurisdiction to a professional one. Under
circumstances it could bring about changes such as involving trained jurists in decision making or
introducing new practices as it was the case with the appeal by the end of Sigismund’s rule.789
782
Besides, Battenberg identified six charters of the imperial chancery dated from 1417 and 1418, which were written
by Peter Wacker, the notary of the Hofgericht. BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 269–270, nr. 33–38, also p. 153.
783
CDB II/3. 237–238, nr. 1351. (RI XI/1822) - Ad m. d. r. Joh. prepos. de Strigonio vicecancell.
784
E.g. ZsO III/85, 185, 698, 814.
785
BATTENBERG, Hofrichter 289. The king decided in lawsuits related to the city of Straßburg (2025, 2036, 3160), the
prince of Bavaria (RI XI/2793, 2935), Pappenheim and Marquart von Schellenberg (RI XI/2118). See n. 782.
786
BATTENBERG, Gerichtsschreiberamt 157, 160.
787
RI XI/3850, 3860.
788
JESERICH–POHL–UNRUH (eds.), Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte 47–48. C.f. with MORAW, Hofgericht 311: Der
Hofrichter gehört nicht in bürokratische „moderne“ (wie zu einem Teil die Hofgerichtsnotare), sondern in patrimoniale,
archaistische zusammenhänge hinein.“
789
DIESTELKAMP, Appellation; WEITZEL, Dinggenossenschaft 1308.
137
Likewise, the emergence of the office of the proctor (Fiskalprokurator) was definitely a step
towards specialization.790 In spite of this, scholarly opinion concerning the nature of king’s personal
jurisdiction in the Empire in the fifteenth century is not unanimous. Regarding the Hofgericht, i.a.
Heinrich Koller said it was an outdated institution when it ceased to exist around 1451, while others
saw the reason of its disappearance in the professional character and independent functioning of its
chancery.791 In terms of the Kammergericht Friedrich Battenberg wrote that it hardly contributed to
the emergence of professionalism and bureaucratic specialization,792 whereas Bernhard Diestelkamp
considered it as “gate, through which scholarly law (gelehrtes Recht) penetrated the judicial
institutions of the royal court.”793 At any rate, an interesting problem for further research is why the
imperial system did not tolerate the existence of parallel or independently functioning central law
courts as it was the case in the Kingdom of Hungary.
790
The first evidences of ist existence come from 1421. JESERICH–POHL–UNRUH (eds.),
Verwaltungsgeschichte 49.
791
A summary of the scholarly views DIESTELKAMP, Königsgerichtsbarkeit 23–25.
792
BATTENBERG, Kammergerichtsbarkeit 526.
793
DIESTELKAMP, Königsgerichtsbarkeit 27.
Deutsche
138
IV. Spatial Features of the Sigismund-Administration
While in the previous chapter the main actors, “institutions” and characteristics of the governmental
activities of the Sigismund-administration were analyzed, this one focuses on the spatial and
geographic features of Sigismund’s rule. Thus, the main research question of this section is where
the administrative-governmental tasks referred to in chapter III.2. were carried out – a question
which cannot be handled separately from the problem of royal residence(s) and capital city. The
first subchapter (Ch. IV.1) concentrates on those sites where Sigismund spent longer periods of time
or which he visited on several occasions, but which cannot be considered as permanent royal
administrative centers. In view of the fundamental characteristic features of the administrative and
governmental structure of the Holy Roman Empire it is hardly surprising that nearly all the imperial
halts recorded in Sigismund’s itinerary belong to this category. Yet, Sigismund was not a ruler
without any adequate royal residence. In the late fourteenth–early fifteenth century Buda and
Visegrád in the Kingdom of Hungary were suited to play such a role.794 Besides, in the 1420s and
1430s Nuremberg and Pressburg seem to have received Sigismund’s special attention.
Court, residence and capital city – these terms are closely related to each other.795
“Residence” can be defined in many ways but hardly without referring to the court. 796 In fact, Peter
Moraw wrote that Hans Patze, the founder of the Residenzen-Kommission at the Academy of
Sciences in Göttingen, should have spoken of “Hofforschung” instead of “Residenzenforschung.”797
Oliver Auge and Karl-Heinz Spiess summarized the correlations between the changes in late
medieval court “structure” and development of residences as follows:
In the High Middle Ages (…) the court was moving together with the ruler all over the land.
In the Late Middle Ages it anchored more and more to the gradually developing residences,
whereas the ruler was still mobile – even if only to a more limited extent. Institutions and
organizations like the council, the royal law court (Hofgericht) and the chancery with the
C.f. with HOENSCH, Itinerar 1, according to whom “König/Kaiser Sigismund konnte Zeit seines Lebens seine
vielfältigen herrschaftlichen Funktionen nur durch ständiges Umherziehen wahrnehmen. Diese Reiseherrschaft erwies
sich vor allem deshalb als notwendig, weil es weder in Ungarn noch im Deutschen Reich zur Bildung einer wirklichen
Hauptstadt gekommen war, in der Teile des Hofes und der Verwaltung dauerhaft hätten seßhaft werden können. In
Böhmen dagegen hatte sich – nicht zuletzt während der glanzvollen Regierung Karls IV. – Prag als unangefochtenes
Regierungszentrum etabliert, wobei die wichtigsten Kron- und Hofämter in der Prager Burg auf dem Hradschin
residierten. Im Reich der St. Stefanskrone galt während der Herrschaft des Hauses Anjou Ofen (Buda) als ein „rechter
Ort“ und Lieblingsaufenthalt der Könige, ohne aber zur eindeutigen Metropole des Landes aufzurücken. Im
nahegelegenen Visegrád und dem Erzbischofsitz Gran (Esztergom) nahmen die Herrscher genauso häufig ihren
Aufenthalt wie im königlichen Palast zu Ofen.”
795
ENGEL–LAMBRECHT, Hauptstadt. See also AHRENS, Herrschaftsvorort.
796
STUDT, Residenz; GERLICH, Residenz; MORAW, Residenz; NEITMANN, Residenz; HIRSCH, Residenz; ENGEL–
LAMBRECHT, Hauptstadt; PATZE–PARAVICINI, Zusammenfassung.
797
MORAW, Residenz 462. On the Residenzenforschung in English see BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY–MÉSZÁROS (eds.),
Visegrád 11–17.
794
139
registers and archives, which had had their origins in the court, had been developing in its
environs and had accompanied the king on his journeys in the beginning, became entrenched
to the principal place (Hauptort) and detached from the closer court.798 The “immobility” of
these bodies made a place to a full-fledged residence. During this process of spatial affixing
also the courtiers and dignitaries started to sheer off from the king’s actual household and
his palace, and they began to establish themselves and their families in their own houses in
the city, which then served as their temporary or permanent residence.”799
Talking about royal residences, however, one also faces the problem of the difference between a
royal residence and a capital city. As regards the medieval Kingdom of Hungary this issue was dealt
with exhaustively by András Kubinyi in an article published in 1994,800 but the Haupstadtproblem
was also the starting point for Hans Patze’s research on residences.801 When studying the problem
of administration, residence and capital city the characteristic features of urban development, the
infrastructural conditions of settlements and their relations to the court cannot be disregarded
either802 – nevertheless, in the present thesis this aspect does not get a particular emphasis and it is
not going to be investigated in details. The following paragraphs aim at analyzing in which concrete
form the problem of “court–residence–capital city” manifested in the early-fifteenth-century Holy
Roman Empire and Hungary, and how the Sigismund-administration adopted itself to these
circumstances.
IV.1. Temporary Residences and Whereabouts in the Holy Roman Empire
Peter Moraw identified the Kontinuitätsproblem (problem of continuity) and Koherenzproblem
(problem of coherence) as the two fundamental characteristics of the political-administrative system
of the late medieval German realm.803 The “problem of continuity” refers to the lack of dynastical
stability as a result of the Empire being an elective monarchy: the fourteen kings of the German late
Middle Ages belonged to six (or rather eight) dynasties and only on one occasion (Charles IV–
Wenceslas) the son succeeded his father on the throne.804 Consequently, there was virtually no
chance of establishing a long-lasting royal center or a first city in the territory of the realm: the
798
That is the court around the king.
AUGE–SPIESS, Hof und Herrscher 6.
800
KUBINYI, Főváros. See also KUBINYI, Herrschaftsbildung.
801
HIRSCHBIEGEL, Fürstliche Höfe. Klaus Neitmann said that in terms of the Late Middle Ages there is no point of
arguing about the problem of “capital city or residence?”, because such a distinction developed gradually and very
slowly, if at all. NEITMANN, Residenz 32.
802
PARAVICINI–RANFT, Hof und Stadt 15; SZENDE, Városkutatás.
803
Moraw formulated this thesis in numerous articles, see e.g. JESERICH–POHL–UNRUH (eds.), Deutsche
Verwaltungsgeschichte I. 23–24; MORAW, Königliche Herrschaft 188–189; MORAW, Franken 125.
804
MORAW, Gedanken 47.
799
140
Empire was an “Empire without a capital” (Reich ohne Hauptstadt)805 or, rather an “Empire with
several capitals.”806 Neither a royal “core-territory” existed in the Empire, the German kings of the
later Middle Ages relied and resided on their dynastic lands or “home-territories” (Hausmacht).
This point takes us directly to the other structural problem of the Holy Roman Empire, that of
“coherence.”
It is rather obvious that rulers were normally accompanied by chancery personnel,
counsellors, servants, royal knights and soldiers, sometimes also by the queen and her ladies-inwaiting. Moreover, princes, prelates, envoys and diplomatic delegations were drawn to the places
where monarchs were staying.807 Thus, lodging and catering facilities determined where the royal
court could have an overnight stay or a longer halt. Sovereigns had to find sites which disposed of
the necessary infrastructure and financial resources and, last but not least, the owners or inhabitants
of which – princes, bishops or urban communities – were willing to provide their services to the
king. In this sense, from the point of view of the German kings the Holy Roman Empire was
divided into six different zones: 1. the homelands of the rulers (Hausmachtterritorien), 2. kingfriendly regions (königsnahe Landschaften) (Franconia, the Middle Rhine-Lower Main region and
parts of Swabia; for a while also the area around the Saale and Middle Elbe), 3. regions which were
willing to co-operate with the king from time to time (königsoffene Landschaften; Upper-Rhine and
inner Lower-Rhein territories), 4. territories of those prince electors who actively interacted with the
rulers (that is the western prince electors), 5. territories of the rival dynasties (in the late Middle
Ages the Habsburg, the Luxemburg and the Wittelsbach) and 6. distant zones (königsferne Gebiete)
of the north and the outer south-west. The lack of political unity reflected by this division was
referred to by Moraw as the “problem of coherence.”
It is hardly surprising that the German kings of the later Middle Ages could count primarily
on their homelands; Sigismund, however, lacked such a territorial basis in the Empire. His most
important political partners turned to be the king-friendly territories, more precisely the imperial
cities of these regions (königsnahe Reichsstädte).808 Peter Moraw has already noted that due to the
special circumstances most probably Sigismund’s rule would be the best subject for a study on the
805
BERGES, Reich 1.
MORAW, Hauptstadtproblem; MORAW, Mittelpunktfunktion 449; HEIMPEL, Deutsches Mittelalter 144-159.
807
MORAW (ed.), Unterwegssein 12.
808
Since the interregnum the rulers tended to choose imperial free cities as places of their stay instead of bishopric
settlements (HEINIG, Reischsstädte 186.), for which Anna Maria Drabek thinks to find the reason in the Gastungspflicht
(DRABEK, Reisen 58, cf. with LexMA IV. 1138 “Gastung” and LexMA VII. 1796 “servitium regis;“ BRÜHL, Fodrum
116–219.) On the second place stood bishopric cities in general; these, in contrast to lay sovereigns, did not reject to
welcome the king even if their lord was in bad terms with him. The Reichsstädte of the distant zones tried to avoid
hosting the king and preferred to have them far away.
806
141
functioning of king-friendly political elements in the Empire.809 Of course, this subchapter does not
intend to deal with this complex issue but aims at analyzing the question whether any centralimperial administrative or governmental role can be connected to these cities in Sigismund’s time.
The starting point is the king’s itinerary, which was first published by Jörg K. Hoensch in 1995810
and ten years later by Pál Engel und Norbert C. Tóth.811 In spite of the difficulty that itineraries of
medieval rulers do not correspond perfectly their actual travelling routes and stays, their analysis, in
my opinion, does contribute to a better understanding of administrative practices and systems. 812
Itineraries are compiled on the basis the information found in archive material and narrative
sources. As regards the former, the possible loss of once existing documents or the fact that perhaps
no chancery activity took place at a certain site where the ruler stayed for a shorter or longer period
of time cause insoluble problems. Considering narrative sources they are in many cases inaccurate
in terms of precise dating – Windecke’s chronicle is a telling example. Therefore, it must be
admitted and accepted that medieval itineraries can hardly ever be complete or indisputably
correct,813 with the consequence that the numbers presented in the appendices are not reliable in a
strict statistical sense. I firmly believe, however, that Sigismund’s itineraries, which are based on
the data of thousands of charters and of numerous narrative sources, adequately reflect the main
spatial characteristic features of his rule.
After his election to German king Sigismund was staying in Hungary for almost another two
years. Here, he visited several places but the dominance of Buda and Visegrád in his Hungarian
itinerary is undebatable (Ch. IV.2.1. and Appendix 13). Then, by the end of September 1412 he set
out from Buda and after two longer stays in Fehérvár (3rd–19th October) and Zagreb (26th October –
8th November) via Croatia, Dalmatia and Istria he arrived in Udine on 15th December. The king
spent one and a half year fighting against Venice in Friuli and Northern-Italy814 before he finally
left for the inner parts of the Empire in the middle of 1414.
Sigismund’s itinerary in the Empire was determined by events such as the coronation in
Aachen, the Council of Constance or later in the 1420s–1430s the Imperial Diets (Hoftag). Apart
from Constance there were seven settlements in the territory of the Holy Roman Empire where he
spent more than two weeks at one go between 1414 and 1419: Koblenz (1414), Aachen (1416),815
809
MORAW, König, Reich 817.
HOENSCH, Itinerar.
811
ENGEL– C. TÓTH, Itineraria.
812
See also OPPL, Herrschaft.
813
E. KOVÁCS, Megjegyzések 105–106.
814
Recently E. KOVÁCS, Itinerárium.
815
On the way back from England Sigismund spent twenty-three days here. In 1414 on the occasion of the coronation
he apparently left after a week.
810
142
Strassburg (1418),816 Hagenau (1418), Ulm (1418), Regensburg (1418) and Passau (1418–1419).
Nevertheless, also Speyer, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Cologne, Radolfzell, Donauwörth and
Augsburg were able to host the king for more than a week. (Appendix 14)
2 weeks or more
7-13 days
few days
Figure 13: Sigismund’s stays in the Empire 1414–1419
This list clearly illustrates what the above mentioned problem, the lack of Hausmacht meant for
Sigismund in terms of staying in the Empire. Unlike Wenceslas and Rupert, who resided first and
foremost in Bohemia (Prague) and in the Palatinate (Heidelberg) and spent considerable periods of
time only in Nuremberg and in Frankfurt,817 Sigismund did not have any other option than
“hopping” from one king-friendly urban commune to the other, from one princely residence to the
other. It is not by accident that eleven of the thirteen settlements listed above were imperial or free
816
Another six days in 1414.
HEINIG, Reichsstädte 187–188. Wenceslas resided dominantly in Prague, Bettlern (Zebrak) and Nuremberg; apart
from these further stays are recorded in Frankfurt, Cologne and Mainz. Rupert spent six out of ten years in his
homelands, stayed often, though only for short periods, in Frankfurt and almost a year in Nuremberg. (Besides, in
Strassburg and Augsburg twice, in Cologne, Regensburg and Ulm once.)
817
143
cities,818 whereas in Koblenz and in Passau Sigismund’s supporters, the Archbishop Werner of Trier
and Bishop George of Hohenlohe hosted the king. The relations between the king and the cities
were, of course, mutual as both parties gave and received – political support, loans, privileges. The
rulers’ recurring presence in these cities maintained and strengthened the already existing contacts
and they contributed to the “renewal and intensifying of the outposts of the Hausmacht”819 – in the
case of Sigismund rather to the establishment of an alternate power base.
Yet, in spite of Sigismund’s relatively long and/or recurrent stays the “royal administration”
appeared only as an independent on-the-go “institution” in the above listed places, and technically
no central administrative-governmental functions (judicial or financial) were anchored long-term to
any of the settlements. The case, which requires a somewhat longer excursus, is that of Constance
(and that of Nuremberg in Ch. IV.2.2). Between 1415 and 1418 Sigismund spent about 600 days in
the town, the average length of a stay was about three months.820 Although Constance also belonged
to the above mentioned group of king-friendly free and imperial cities, her outstanding position in
Sigismund’s itinerary is clearly due to the council. It must not be forgotten, however, that it was
Sigismund who decided for this site when preparing the meeting. A number of things spoke for the
settlement: it was located in the territory of the regnum teutonicum but close to Italy and the
Mediterranean. Furthermore, as an important commercial center it was not only a member of the
Magna Societas Alamannorum (Große Ravensburger Handelsgesellschaft) but maintained excellent
contacts with the southern parts of the continent. Important roads and trading routes ran in the close
neighborhood of the town821 whereas shipping on the Bodensee made it possible to provide the city
with the necessary goods at a good price.822 Of course, it was not a coincidence that the town caught
Sigismund’s attention. Quite a few of his advisors (Frischhans and Hans Conrad of Bodman, John
of Lupfen, Caspar of Klingenberg) came from this region; the most influential of them was
Eberhard of Nellenburg, who apparently made notable financial profit of Sigismund’s decision.823
818
For the terminology see HEINIG, Reichsstädte 48–54.
HEINIG, Reischsstädte 186.
820
Recently on his stay and the council BRAUN et al. (eds.), Konstanzer Konzil (Essays); BADISCHES LANDESMUSEUM
(ed.). Konstanzer Konzil (Katalog).
821
FRENKEN, Wohnraum 114.
822
BUCK (ed.), Richental 7. …wöl läg da von ain wirdige statt, hies Constenz … und lag an dem Rin und stieß der
Bodensee daran … da brächt man ze schiff alle genugsammen und möchtind die schiff uff und nider gon. … Do kemen
in all herren … und wer dahin in dem krieg kem, der hett herberg, essen und trinken, och alle sin notdurft in gemainem
und geichem kouff, das herren und menglich wunder nem. Und wär och ain statt, da flaisch, vischhöw und haber, och
alles, so man bedörfft, in gar ringen kost komen möchte.
823
FEGER, Konzil 311. Frenken says that the count was most probably involved in speculations, FRENKEN, Wohnraum
128.
819
144
Constance’s task was not easy but it seems that on the whole she met the expectations set for
a congress-city.824 Benedictus de Pileo (Benedetto da Piglio) wrote to his brother on 14th February
1415:
Constance is a small city, housing an amazing diversity of people. Concerning its length it is
about two throws of a good ballista, its width totals up to one throw. … It seems incredible
that such a small place lodges and hosts thousands of men and horses. … This place
provides dazzling white bread, wine which is said to be better than the Falernian, all sorts of
meat, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, fresh fruits, straw wine – why to continue? It offers an
overflow of everything basic or luxurious required for life, religious feasts, festive activities
and the daily needs of men and horses, whatever you can think of. 825
It can be hardly said, how many people came together in Constance. The population of the town at
the beginning of the fifteenth century is estimated between six and eight-thousand; according to
Helmut Maurer’s calculations at the time of the council approximately 20,000 people were
accommodated there on average.826 The chronicler of the council, Ulrich Richental provided an
impressive list of clerics and lay lords who visited Constance827 and he did not forget to mention the
craftsmen, bankers and courtesans (cortisani, wechsler, brotbekken, schnider) accompanying them
either.828 Sigismund, just like many other nobles,829 came with a considerable number of courtiers,
not to talk about the administrative personnel. Referring to his arrival in the city in 1417 Peter
Wormditt wrote to Grand Master Michael Küchenmeister that once the king was in the town, it
became impossible to find good places to stay (went so der romische konig komen wirt, so wil es
vaste swer warden umb bequeme hußer).830 Wormditt was familiar with the situation that the
accommodation in Constance was expensive831 and the number of places were limited: grooms
found accommodation in the stalls together with the horses, servants of noble lords in the
neighboring villages. Even empty wine-barrels were used as beds.832
824
FRENKEN, Wohnraum; FEGER, Konzil.
Constantia est civitas parva et mirabiliter multarum gentium capax. Habet in longitudine spatium quantum fere
vinceret bona balista in duobus iactibus, et in latitudine quantum in uno iactu transiret. … quasi incredibile videtur
hunc tam angustum locum tot virorum, tot equorum millia continere et pascere. … Locus iste pane candidissimo, vino
ut dicunt Falernum vincente, omni genere carnium, lacte, caseo, ovis, piscibus, pomis etiam nunc recentibus, uvis nunc
passis sed suo tempore maturis, quid singula prosequar? Omnibus abundans est quae ad vitam, cultum, ornatum et
usum hominum et equorum necessaria et splendida excogitari possunt. WATTENBACH, Benedictus 128–131.
826
MAURER, Konstanz 35–36. For the paticipants see HARDT, Constantiense Concilium V, 2. 11–50; RIEGEL,
Teilnehmerlisten (published without the lists); BALLENTINE, Representatives.
827
BUCK (ed.), Richental 138-207.
828
BUCK (ed.), Richental 168-169.
829
According to Richental Archbishop John of Mainz came with 600 horses, Count Palatine Louis and Frederick of
Nuremberg with 400, FRENKEN, Wohnraum 124.
830
FRENKEN, Wohnraum 119.
831
On 3rd November 1414 the city council maximized the price of a double-bed room in two gulden per months, shortly
after they fixed a(n even) lower price. FRENKEN, Wohnraum 122.
832
FRENKEN, Wohraum 123. The city council checked also the surrounding settlements for additional housing
opportunities; Richental himself went to Thurgau. FEGER, Konzil 321. C.f. with Sigismund’s stay in Siena in 1432 and
1433, E. KOVÁCS, Siena.
825
145
Sigismund stayed in at least four different places during the time he spent in Constance.833
Besides the Haus zur Leiter (“The Ladder”) close to the church of St. Stephen, the house at the end
of the then Münstergasse (today Katzgasse)834 and the abbey of Petershausen,835 in 1417 he was
accomodated in the Augustinian monastery in the Mordergasse (today Rosgartengasse).836 The
frescos of the nave of the Trinity Church were the ruler’s gift to the hermits.837 In fact, these sites fit
to a general pattern: Sigismund tended to use predominantly burgher houses and monasteries as
places of accommodation. In 1414 in Basel he was staying in the house of the cathedral canon Jost
Schürin,838 in Strassburg (1414) and in Augsburg (1418) in patrician houses.839 In Freiburg im
Üchtland he preferred the Franciscan,840 in Bern the Dominican friary.841 Even in Nuremberg he –
and the German kings in general – chose to stay in the city instead of the residence of the Zollern
during their visits.842 There is no information where Sigismund was housed in Frankfurt in 1414,
but before his arrival Jacob Brun and Konrad Wisse, the envoys of the city, wrote from the royal
court to the council that vice-chancellor John Esztergomi needed an accommodation close to that of
the king.843
The royal court with the appertaining administrative bodies (chanceries, Hofgericht), the two
Hoftags (1415, 1417)844 and the visits of – first and foremost German – prelates, princes (or at least
their delegates) and envoys of cities fostered by the king’s presence must have had a significant
influence on the life of townsmen of Constance. Still, the protocols of the town council reveal
833
Ulrich von Richental informs us as follows: Gelich nach dem, do zoch unser herr der küng mitt den künginen und
mit miner fröwen von Wirtemberg glich in das huß, genant zů der Laiter vor sant Steffan, das dozemäl Conratz in der
Bund genannt Rüll waz, und beliben darinn dry tag und nächt. Do zoch der hertzog von Sachßen in des kirchherren huß
uff den Platten, darinn er och belaib, untz daz er von Costentz riten wolt. Nach den dryen tagen, do zoch unser herr der
küng mit den künginen usser der Laiter gen Petershusen in das closter; und was da ettwelang zit. Und was das die sach,
das er die Unger nit wol in der statt behaben mocht von irs groß unfrids wegen, und kond sy des ersten nit wol
gezemmen, als darnach beschach. Darnach wol by vier wochen, do zoch unßer herr der kung wider in die statt und ließ
die Unger zů Peterßhusen, die da vil unrichtikait ze Peterhusen anfiengen. Es ward inn aber nit ze lieb, dann die von
Peterßhusen, wenn gelöff ward oder geschray, do luffend sy zesammen und leitend sich uber die Unger und
züchtigottend die. Unßer herr der küng, der zoch in des Friburgers hoff an Münstergassen. Die römisch küngin und die
von Wossen zugend in des Bündrichs hoff, darinn sy och beliben, der daran gelegen ist. Die von Wirtenberg zoch in
herr Hannsen Bischoffs hoff, och daby gelegen, hinder sant Steffan, darinn sy och belaib. BUCK (ed.), Richental 23.
834
MAURER, Konstanz 18.
835
RÖBER (ed.), Petershausen.
836
MAURER, Konstanz 18; FRENKEN, König und Konzil. Bündrichshof: today Lanzenhof.
837
Heinrich Grübel, Kaspar Sünder and Hans Lederhoser painted them in less then four months. DERSCHKA,
Wandbilder; DERSCHKA, Konstruierte Vergangenheit.
838
WURSTISEN, Basler Chronik 252 (book IV, c. 21.)
839
DRABEK, Reisen 121, n. 228.
840
RÜEGG, Hohe Gäste 3.
841
JUSTINGER, Berner Chronik 218; HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 486.
842
TWELLENKAMP, Burggrafen 160.
843
On 2nd September 1414, Rhens: Und darumb duncket uns gut sin, daz ir yme [probst Johann, i.e John Esztergomi]
die herberge bestellet eczwaz in der nehe by unsers herren der koniges herberge. JANSSEN (ed.), Frankfurt I. 261–262,
nr. 472.
844
RTA VII, 255–384. BOOCKMANN, Reichstag.
146
surprisingly few details about the measures taken for the reason of the king’s stay (or that of the
council).845 In fact, a regulation issued by the municipality of Koblenz gives a more thorough
picture of what the visit of the monarch meant for the host town. In 1411 Sigismund was planning
to go to Aachen and he apparently intended to stay in Koblenz for a while. Thus, the town council
took measures and although Sigismund arrived only three years later, the regulations were not made
in vain: it seems that in 1414 as well as on the occasion of Frederick III’s visit in 1475 very similar
or the same policies were put in force. In accordance with the council’s decision during the ruler’s
stay most of the gates were kept closed, the few used ones (Leerpforte, Fährpforte and
Lindenpforte) were guarded by twelve to twenty-four persons each. In order to prevent fire people
equipped with bags and buckets were waiting at the Grain Market (Kornmarkt) at night and the
streets were well-illuminated. Also the major and their servants rode along the streets from time to
time at night, the aim of which control was to prevent riots and fires. The butchers and bakers were
ordered to provide meat and produce bread in a sufficient amount, and the prices – just like in
Constance – were maximized (2 schillings for a meal, 10 schillings for 1 sester oat, 1 schilling for
hay and straw per horse per day).846
During the council Constance was indeed the place of imperial governmental administration.
When the king was present in the city the court institutions and the Hofgericht had their seat here,847
when he left the Count Palatine Louis was residing in Constance as Sigismund’s representative
(imperial vicar) and protector of the council.848 On the whole, however, during these years no closer
links developed between the royal court and the town of Constance. In relation with the king and
royal court the city council concentrated on very practical issues such as safety, accommodation and
catering,849 and in exchange for the services Sigismund granted them the right to seal with red wax
and the so called “Blutzagel” (ainen roten Zagel) for the banner as a symbol of the ius gladii.850
Nonetheless, neither Sigismund nor his advisors seem to have had intention to strengthen
Constance’s positions851 or to establish administrative bodies in the town and make Constance to a
permanent royal administrative center. Thus, the city remained far from becoming a royal residence.
845
FEGER, Konzil 315–319.
MICHEL, Koblenz 184–185.
847
Between 14th January and 2nd July 1415 as well as between 17th February 1417 and 4th June 1418. BATTENBERG,
Hofgerichtssiegel 257–263.
848
EBERHARD, Ludwig 71–77.
849
Otto Feger noted that Konstanz “am Konzil nicht viel mehr beteiligt war als durch die Stellung von Verpflegung und
Unterkunft.” FEGER, Konzil 321.
850
C.f. with FEGER, Konzil 328–329, according to whom there are no evidences that the town-dwellers strove for
privileges other than those “which satisfied their vanity.”
851
Sigismund rejected the city council’s wish for a market (Handelsmesse) and privileged economic status (das wir in
der Hanse in Flandern syen mit andern Österlingen; möcht das nit sin, das wir den die rechten hetten als Kölner und
die von Nürenberg), FEGER, Konzil 328.
846
147
A telling fact is that after the council Sigismund came back here only once, at the end of 1430–
beginning of 1431. The reason for this lies probably not only in the inner tensions and social
problems the city was characterized by after the years of economic boom, but also in the unpaid
debts Sigismund accumulated during his stays. Before leaving the town in 1418 he had made these
recorded in two copies and agreed with the members of the council that he would leave golden and
silver objects as collaterals. Then, however, he changed his mind and informed the town council
that he would have been in a rather uneasy situation if he had to travel without tableware; thus,
instead he placed cloths in pawn and issued a (new) letter of debt. It is hardly surprising that he has
never released his royal belongings. The really annoying thing for the people of Constance was,
however, that the textiles were of absolutely no use for them: they were all decorated with the royal
coat of arms, thus literally impossible to sell.852
Apart from Constance and the above-mentioned king-friendly imperial free cities where
Sigismund could spend even weeks when it was necessary there was a group of settlements he used
for a short, usually one-night stays (Appendix 14). These, however, had even less chance to acquire
a stable central position in the political-governmental system of the Empire. During the first decade
of Sigismund’s German kingship the imperial administration kept being attached to the travelling
court; the settlements which come up in the itinerary acted simply as hosts which temporarily
provided the physical space for this mobile “courtly” administration. In the Holy Roman Empire
there was no permanent royal seat or capital city, and Sigismund, lacking the territorial basis
(Hausmacht), did not have a dynastic residence which could eventually serve as a center.
IV.2. Permanent Centers – Royal Residences
IV.2.1. Buda and Visegrád
In the Kingdom of Hungary the circumstances were different, although up to the thirteenth century
neither here did the kings favor one single permanent place of residence. Instead, they used several
“residence sites” (Residenzorte) such as Fehérvár, Esztergom, Buda or Dömös.853 These settlements
were located in the central part of the kingdom where they were rather easy to approach. It is not by
accident that primary sources between the eleventh and sixteenth-century refer to the triangle of
852
FEGER, Konzil 330–331.
On royal residences and castles in Hungary MAGYAR, Királyi székhelyek; BUZÁS–KOVÁCS, Udvari élet (with
reconstruction drawings).
853
148
Óbuda-Esztergom-Fehérvár as medium regni.854 A few of the settlements of the medium regni
performed central functions855 and they obtained a special character during the centuries: Esztergom
became the ecclesiastical center of the kingdom whereas Fehérvár, where the rulers were crowned,
became the symbolic site of the royal power. Talking about royal residence and capital city we have
to focus on two urban centers, Buda and Visegrád.856 The geographical and topographical
characteristics of the settlements were similar: they were located in the medium regni along the
river Danube, with castles built on well-defendable hilltops.857 In terms of long distance trade Buda,
which formed an economic unit together with Pest, was the most important town of the kingdom
since the first half of the fourteenth century; according to András Kubinyi’s ranking system it was
the first settlement in Hungary with 55 points, the only really big city of the country.858 Buda was
referred to as sedes regni, maxima civitatum and civitas principalis already in 1308, and in terms of
royal representation the city and its townsmen played a unique role. 859 Nevertheless, from 1323
until the beginning of the fifteenth century (except for the period 1347–1355) the rulers were
resided in Visegrád. Although this town belonged to the group of second-rate towns, in diplomatic
and administrative-governmental sense after Buda it was the second most important settlement in
the kingdom. With regard to the Anjou- and Luxembourg-era Orsolya Mészáros considered
Visegrád as a “residence town” in the sense that it was more than a permanent residence of an
itinerant court but less than a privileged, economically dominant, representative capital city where
all the ruling functions are concentrated.860 The town, however, gradually lost its significance after
the royal court had moved away,861 which also meant that the duality of the “medieval capital” of
Buda and the royal residence of Visegrád was replaced by Buda’s hegemony: Buda became capital
and residence.862 The aim of the following paragraphs is to present the signs which hint at this
change in the 1410s.
854
First KUMOROVITZ, Buda. For more detailed information on the subject see ALTMANN et al. (eds.), Medium Regni;
on the impact of long-distance trade routes on the urban development of the towns of medium regni SZENDE, Towns
171–183.
855
On the theory of central places in Hungary see the articles written by András Kubinyi, esp. KUBINYI, Városhálózat
but also KUBINYI, Városfejlődés and KUBINYI, Központi helyek.
856
A recently summary of the problem FELD, Königsrezidenzen.
857
On the thirteenth-fourteenth century development of Buda and Visegrád see VÉGH, Urban development.
858
KUBINYI, Magyarországi városhálózat 49.
859
KUBINYI, Buda. In the second half of the fifteenth century also sedes et solium dignitatis regiae and solium regale,
KUBINYI, Hof 148.
860
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 102. On the problem of residence–residence town–(royal) seat–capital city MÉSZÁROS,
Visegrád 13, 100–102, on the concept of residence BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY–MÉSZÁROS (eds.), Visegrád 11–17.
861
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 58–62. After 1426 the royal couple did not visit Visegrád.
862
KUBINYI, Magyarországi városhálózat 49. See also KUBINYI, Főváros; KUBINYI, Herrschaftsbildung; KUBINYI,
Nagybirtok.
149
Although in connection with the ruler the terms residentia personalis, residentia specialis or
residentia continua et perpetua indicating a permanent place of residence do not appear in the
charters,863 the data of King Sigismund’s itinerary in the Kingdom of Hungary indisputably attest
Buda’s first and Visegrád’s second place. Between August 1403 and November 1412 Sigismund
stayed thirty-eight times (a total of 974 days) in Buda, and twelve times (128 days) in Visegrád. As
for the latter it is interesting to note that Sigismund’s recurring sojourns in Visegrád are dated only
from 1409; before that he spent only once (1405) eleven days there. In these years Sigismund often
visited Zólyom (Zvolen, before 1406), Tata (from 1409 on), Végles (Vígľaš) and Pressburg.864
Of course, here again, the itinerary is only a starting point. 865 In order to prove that one or
the other settlement can really be considered as royal residence it is necessary to address other
questions; the issue of the immovable institutions referred to by Oliver Auge and Karl-Heinz Spiess
in the description quoted at the beginning of the chapter is only one of these. Based on the results of
the predominantly German scholarship the following aspects are going to be investigated here: 1.
The representative appearance of the space.866 2. The functioning of the place as an administrative
center, concretely the presence of the chamber, chanceries and archives for performing the tasks of
central administration. In the case of the Kingdom of Hungary the seat of the central judicial courts
is also a decisive factor. 3. The presence of a collegiate chapter (partly for the training of chancery
and administrative personnel), foundation of monasteries and churches. 4. The possession of real
estates (houses) by the ruling elite as well as by the administrative and court personnel in the city. 5.
The use of the place as royal burial site. 6. University.867
As for the last two indicators neither Buda nor Visegrád meets the criteria. The cathedral of
Fehérvár can be considered to some extent as the traditional burial place of the Hungarian kings but
it was by far not the only one. The first royals buried there were the founder St. Stephen (†1038)
and his son Emmerich (†1031). Then, however, most of the kings of the Árpád dynasty preferred
their own foundations as burial places and only a few twelfth-century rulers (Coloman, Béla II,
Géza II, Ladislas II, Stephen IV, Béla III and Ladislaus III) and the Anjous, Charles and Louis,
863
In the Hungarian archive material these Latin expressions, similarly to that of locus habitationis or domus
habitationis, were used mostly in letters of citation and they refer to the place where the given person was most likely to
find, i.e. to his permanent place of residence in a legal sense. KUBINYI, Főváros 303.
864
Zólyom and Végles was built during Louis of Anjou’s reign, Tata and Pozsony became royal residence castles under
Sigismund’s rule. BUZÁS–KOVÁCS, Udvari élet. Due to political reasons Sigismund spent longer periods of time in
Kassa (Košice) and Diakó (Đakovo) as well.
865
Also NEITMANN, Residenz 20.
866
A related aspect is the permanent spatial manifestation of practical tasks related to courtly life and representation
such as safety, catering, clothing etc. SZENDE, Városkutatás 18.
867
Zur Residenzfrage und -definition vgl. z. B. NEITMANN, Residenz; MORAW, Residenz; STUDT, Residenz 755–756;
ENGEL–LAMBRECHT, Hauptstadt 21–22; PATZE-–PARAVICINI, Zusammenfassung.
150
chose again this site.868 In fact, Louis I erected a new chapel (St. Catherine) in the cathedral and
most probably he planned to make it the burial place of his family. Nevertheless, his second
daughter Mary, Sigismund’s first wife, decided for Oradea (†1395) and more than forty years later
the Luxemburg ruler also found his final resting place there. Their choice was definitely influenced
by the by that time flourishing cult of St. Ladislaus, whose relics were lying there.869 Queen Barbara
was buried in Prague, Sigismund’s and Barbara’s daughter Elisabeth in Fehérvár.
Sigismund indeed made efforts to establish a university in Hungary. He was not the first in
this respect as his father-in-law, Louis the Great, had already founded one in Pécs in 1367.870 The
foundation bull for the second Hungarian university with four faculties (free arts, theology, law and
medicine) was issued by Pope Boniface IX on 6th October 1395; its chancellor became Lucas
Szántói, provost of Buda and bishop of Csanád.871 The university, however, was not located in
Buda or Visegrád but in Óbuda, which was the seat of the collegiate chapter of Buda.872 Between
1403 and 1410 it was not functioning, on 1st August 1410 Pope John XXIII signed the re-foundation
charter, the copy of which is preserved in the Vatican Secret Archives.873 According to Ulrich
Richental seven professors represented the University of Óbuda at the council of Constance, and the
delegation was headed by the university chancellor Lambert Sluter of Geldern. Thanks to the
chronicler also the coat of arms of the college has been handed down to us. After the mid-fifteenth
century primary sources do not mention the institution or any teaching activity in Óbuda.
868
On royal burialsin the medieval kingdomof Hungary see LASZLOVSZKY, Gertrúd.
C.f. with KLANICZAY, Holy Rulers 175. and KERNY, Begräbnis 475, according to whom Sigismund’s decision for
Oradea was most probably motivated by the Anjou family tradition.
870
The foundation charter was issued by Pope Orban V on 1 st September 1367 in Viterbo for a university with three
faculties. The initiative came most likely from Bishop William of Pécs; after his death the university fell into decline
and by the end of the fourteenth (according to some scholars by the middle of the fifteenth) century it stopped
functioning.
871
From 19th October 1395.
872
On Óbuda see ALTMANN et al. (eds.), Medium Regni 89–109, on the university DOMONKOS–SZÉKELY–BERTÉNYI
(eds.), University of Óbuda; SZÖGI–VARGA (eds.), Universitas Budensis and FONT–SZÖGI (eds.), Universitätsbildung.
The collegiate chapter functioned as one of the loca credibilia of the kingdom, in the thirteenth century its provost was
royal vice-chancellor.
873
Digital photos of the charter: http://www.uni-obuda.hu/files/image/1006.jpg
869
151
Image 10: Coat of Arms of the University of Óbuda
Writing about the royal palace in Buda Antonio Bonfini says that before Matthias Corvinus’ time
there had been nothing worth seeing except for the magnificent edifices erected in the time of
Sigismund.874 Indeed, during Sigismund’s reign grandiose construction works took place both in
Buda and in Visegrád. These works actually started under Louis I who donated the so-called
Kammerhof, the royal house in Buda, to the Pauline monks in 1381875 and relocated his residence to
the other end of the castle hill. The buildings of the first courtyard (so-called “Nagyudvar,” Great
Yard) next to the Stephan’s Tower in the Buda palace were most probably erected in the Anjouperiod.876 Louis planned to build an impressive residence complex in Visegrád, too, where the
construction works were going on during his entire rule almost without interruption.877 Queen Mary
and Sigismund continued and finished these plans; the result was glamorous and splendid.
The first construction works in Buda which can be connected to Sigismund’s name were
modifications to the Stephan’s Tower: two small buildings were attached to the western and eastern
sides of the tower, the first became domus tavernicalis, the other was used as residential wing.878
The so-called Csonkatorony (“Unfinished-Tower”) was erected as an addition to the Anjou-palace
of the Great Yard but at the same time it was an integral part of a new courtyard. The most
impressive edifice of this second courtyard, which was separated from the rest of the castle hill by a
trench, was a palace of 70/75x20 meters in the northern side. This building is not identical with the
so-called “Friss-palota” mentioned in the sources, which was in fact a town house at a so far non874
Budensem arcem, ubi praeter magnifica Sigismundi edifice nihil spectatione dignum erat,… nimis exornavit.
BONFINI, Rer. Ung. 631. (Decadis IV. Liber VII.)
875
In the sources curia nostra regalis (1362), antiqua domus regis (1416) and Chammerhoff (1423). VÉGH, Buda I.
269–272. The monks exchanged the Kammerhof for Hermann of Cilli’s house located in the media platea on 3rd July
1423 (MNL OL DL 11384).
876
For details see MAGYAR, Budai palota; GEREVICH, Budai vár.
877
BUZÁS-LASZLOVSZKY (eds.), Medieval Palace 26–63.
878
ALTMANN et al. (eds.), Medium Regni 193, but also MAGYAR, Budai palota 94–95.
152
identified site.879 The biggest room of Sigismund’s palace used for receiving envoys and organizing
festive events was referred to by Windecke as the “great hall” (große Stube880) and by Hans
Seybold as a 100 steps long and 25 steps wide vaulted hall with 8 columns in the middle.881
Image 11: The Royal Palace of Buda in the 1420s
ALTMANN et al. (eds.),, Medium Regni 192.
In Visegrád Sigismund made alterations both on the citadel and the palace by the river Danube. The
new, third wall of the castle on the citadel and the representative gate did not have a real defensivemilitary function but strengthened the residence character of the complex.882 The buildings of the
palace by the river Danube were lying on an area of approx. 14400 square meters around a huge
reception courtyard. According to recent investigations great (council) halls were located in the
northern and western, a mint in the south-eastern, the living area (royal suites) in the north-eastern
wing of the building complex. Opposite to the gate tower a chapel was raised, whilst arcades,
niches, fountains and gardens contributed to the splendor of the building complex.883 The major
works of the Sigismund-period can be dated to the first half of Sigismund’s reign, i.e. before 1409,
VÉGH, Buda I. 137–138. MAGYAR, Budai palota 117. On Sigismund’s palace see also BUZÁS–VÉGH, Zsigmondpalota; BUZÁS, Hozzászólás; NAGY, Friss palota.
880
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 186.
881
der Sal ist hunndert schritt lanng vnd XXV schritt praitt vnd hat Jn der mitt nach der lenng herab, acht hoch pfeiler,
da die gewelb zue geschlossen sein. SEYBOLD 52.
882
On replacing old castles of defensive character with representative palace buildings see STUDT, Residenz 756.
883
BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY (eds.), Medieval Palace 143–196; BUZÁS, Visegrádi palota 93; BUZÁS, Kápolna 114. See also
BUZÁS–SZŐKE, Visegrádi vár; LASZLOVSZKY (ed.), Medieval Visegrád; BUZÁS (ed.), Visegrád.
879
153
and included construction of the south-western kitchen wing and alterations in the north-eastern
palace.884 Only the Franciscan friary (see below) was erected later, in the mid-1420s.885
Image 12: The royal palace of Visegrád at the beginning of the sixteenth-century
Reconstruction by Gergely Buzás and Márton Zoltán Tóth. (BUZÁS–KOVÁCS, Udvari élet 11)
1) Field for equestrian games, 2) reception courtyard, 3) great hall, 4) kitchen, 5) field for infantry
tournament, 6) terrace in front of the chapel 7) chapel dedicated to Virgin Mary, 8) royal suits, 9) domicile of
the court judge, 10) garden, 11) Franciscan friary.
BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY (eds.), Medieval Palace 63–65, 150.
BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY (eds.), Medieval Palace 112. Fig. 201. and chronological ground plan at the very end of the
book.
884
885
154
Image 13: Ground plan of the Visegrád palace at the end of the Sigismund period
BUZÁS-LASZLOVSZKY (eds.), Medieval Palace 62, Fig. 94.
In the case of diplomatic events it was clearly Buda which played the role of the host. Already in
1366, when the royal residence was still in Visegrád, King Louis I met Emperor John V Palaiologos
in Buda. In 1395 Paulus de Armaninis, Francesco Gonzaga’s envoy wrote to his lord that
Sigismund received him there in the house of the archbishop of Esztergom.886 By that time the old
royal house (Kammerhof) had already been donated to the Pauline monks and it is possible that the
palace was not yet suitable and representative enough for diplomatic meetings and negotiations. In
1412 Sigismund received King Wladislas of Poland and a number of other Central-European rulers
here,887 in 1424 John VIII Palaiologos and King Eric of Denmark. Besides, Sigismund was
seriously thinking of organizing the council aiming at the union of the Latin and Orthodox churches
in Buda. In 1437 even the possible places of accommodation were registered,888 but in the end the
synod took place in Ferrara-Florence.889
As for the foundation of new ecclesiastical bodies Sigismund established a chapel outside
the Buda palace dedicated to Virgin Mary and St. Sigismund in 1410, about which Windecke
reports as follows: In der selben wilen stifte konig Sigemont ein halp thumherrnstift in der stat zu
Ofen in der Juden gassen in der nuwen capellen in gotes ere und och in sant Sigemunts ere.890
According to Bernát Kumorovitz the construction works finished around 1417/1418, the artistic
886
THALLÓCZY, Mantova 101.
The list of the participants ZsO III/2224. On Wladislas’ visit C. TÓTH, Zsigmond és Ulászló.
888
BTOE III/2. 284–285, nr. 1162.
889
See also NAGY, Royal summits.
890
WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 179, c. 201.
887
155
furnishings by 1424.891 The model for this Buda church was the Church of Our Lady
(Frauenkapelle) in Nürnberg founded by Charles IV, which was also a royal (imperial) chapel with
a double patrocinium (Our Lady-Wenceslas) erected in a residence town.892 In terms of Visegrád, in
1424 Franciscan observants arrived here from Bosnia and they took over the once royal chapel (St.
George) of the Anjous located by that time already outside the palace walls.893 Sigismund’s original
intention was to build a house for the monks and transform the chapel to church but then he
changed his mind and decided to erect a monastery and a completely new church dedicated to
Virgin Mary.894
Talking about the main institutions of administration the chancery, the archives and the
treasury are considered as indicators of the residence status of a settlement. Regarding the royal
writing organs in Hungary the great chancery and the chanceries of the central judicial courts
require an investigation, as the secret chancery was always travelling together with the ruler. In
fifteenth-century Hungary the judicial courts of the chief judges (judge royal, palatine and master of
the treasury) just as the office of the royal chaplain (comes capellae regiae) were integrated into the
central, i.e. curial system, and they were working at the royal seat.895 (In the first four centuries of
the Kingdom of Hungary the functions of the royal chapel changed considerably. Until King Béla
III the royal chaplain was responsible for the great seal, from ca. 1185 for the ring seal. Between
1317 and 1374 the royal chapel was functioning as a locus credibilis896 at the royal court and its
documents authenticated with the royal middle seal were issued in the name of the chaplain. By
Sigismund’s time it fulfilled tasks related to jurisdiction: complaints were submitted here and this
body decided at which court a given case should be dealt with. At that point this “audentia” issued
the necessary mandates in the name of the king.897) In the fourteenth-century the judicial courts had
their seat in Visegrád, the houses of the judges served as their workplaces.898 Earlier it was
supposed that the courts moved to Buda some time between 1405 and 1408. Yet, according to the
results of my investigations published in 2008 between the end of 1412 and 1415 they were surely
891
KUMOROVITZ, Várkápolna 123–124. See also PAPP, Statues.
VÉGH, Szent Zsigmond 25–29; VÉGH, Buda I. 70. See also Budapest régiségei 33 (1999): 7–139. and TÓTH,
Szentkultusz. On the castle hill of Buda there was another royal chapel dedicated to Virgin Mary which was located in
the palace (curia) itself.
893
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 49, 52–53.
894
LUKCSICS, Oklevelek 160, nr. 744 and 172, nr. 818. LASZLOVSZKY (ed.), Medieval Visegrád 28; BUZÁS-–
LASZLOVSZKY (eds.), Medieval Palace 207–218. See also LASZLOVSZKY, Crown; LASZLOVSZKY, Ferences kolostor.
895
Except of course the congregatio palatini generalis which took place in different parts of the kingdom. BÉLI,
Magyar jogtörténet 234–235.
896
Chapters or convents acting as places of authentication in Hungary-Croatia (instead of public notaries). Their
members served as witnesses to legal acts, authenticated private instruments with their seal and kept archives. See
ECKHART, Glaubwürdige Orte.
897
KUMOROVITZ, Kápolnaispán 458–465; KUMOROVITZ, Audentia.
898
BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY–MÉSZÁROS (eds.), Visegrád 175–176, 177.
892
156
functioning in Visegrád during the session periods (octavae) and the final move to Buda took place
only by end of 1415.899 It seems that in Buda the judges were also working in their own houses.900
A similar pattern can be detected in the issuing of the documents authenticated with a great
seal. Before Kanizsai’s leave (January 1416) and after Sigismund’s return (February 1419) the great
chancery was moving mostly together with the royal vicar and the king and thus issued documents
in different places, whereas between February 1416 and March 1419 all the charters are dated from
Buda. Unfortunately, there are hardly any information regarding the exact location of the great
chancery in Visegrád901 or in Buda. Taking the analogies into consideration it is possible that just
like in Prague under the rule of Charles IV the chancery did not use a “public building” but it was
bound to the very person of the chancellor also in a spatial sense.902 John Kanizsai (chancellor
1387–1403) surely had houses in both in Visegrád and Buda,903 whereas Eberhard of Alben
(chancellor 1404–1419) conceivably possessed a property in Buda: in his testament dated from
1433 his nephew John (also chancellor 1420–1433) left “all the houses and palaces” he owned in
Buda to his successors at the seat of the bishopric of Zagreb.904 From the first half of the fourteenth
century there are evidences that – at least a part of – the official documents were stored in the
chancellor’s and the vice-chancellor’s houses in Visegrád,905 while in Buda the archives was located
in the already mentioned domus tavernicalis. This building provided place for the treasury, too,
where also the crown jewels were deposited after they had been moved from Visegrád to Buda.906
Nevertheless, due to the problems related to the exact location and thus the dating of the domus
tavernicalis907 the only thing which can be said for sure is that the archives and the treasury were
moved from Visegrád to Buda in the second half of Sigismund’s rule at the latest.908
Finally, when sketching the main trends of the real estate possession of the kingdom’s ruling
elite in Visegrád and Buda we can rely on two monographs published in the past ten years by
899
KONDOR, Királyi kúria. The last court sessions were held in Visegrád on the octave of St. Michael in 1415.
VÉGH, Buda I. 318–321.
901
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 50. C.f. with BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY–MÉSZÁROS (eds.), Visegrád 43, n. 149. and oklevéltár nr.
23.
902
MORAW, Über den Hof 88. According to SPANGENBERG, Kanzleivermerke 476, the chancery and the place of the
council meetings were located close to each other.
903
ZsO III/2728: Bude in domo habitationis reverendissimi in Christo patris domini Iohannis archiepiscopi
Strigoniensis.
904
VÉGH, Buda I. 297.
905
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 27, 66–67.
906
Under Charles and Louis of Anjou the crown jewels were kept in the Visegrád castle (together with the Polish
crown, C.TÓTH, Zsigmond és Ulászló 346.) RUPP, Magyarország I. 43, 46; WENZEL, Visegrád 397; BERTÉNYI, A
magyar korona 68–69.
907
MAGYAR, Budai palota 94–95. The western wing of the Stephan’s Tower was built under Sigismund, the southwestern palace at the western side of the great yard cannot be dated precisely (Angevin or Luxembourg-period).
MAGYAR, Budai palota 76–78.
908
SZENTPÉTERY, Oklevéltan 183. He was of the opinion that the relocation took place already under the reign of Louis
I. On the archives see also R. KISS, Közjog 298–300.
900
157
Orsolya Mészáros and András Végh.909 The aim of the authors was to collect all the available
information regarding the medieval topography and the real estate owners of the two settlements in
the late Middle Ages. Talking about Buda under Sigismund’s rule, besides the high dignitaries and
their family members (John and Nicholas Kanizsai, Nicholas and Johannes Garai, Simon Rozgonyi
and his sons Stephen and George, Stibor, Filippo and Andrea Scolari, Nicholas Marcali etc.) also
important financial advisors (Francesco Bernardi, Hans Siebenlinder), courtiers and knights owned
houses in the city. Even the Serbian Despots Stephen Lazarević and George Branković were in
possession of a domicile there. Written sources related to Visegrád are preserved in a lesser
number,910 but the judge royals James Szepesi,911 Frank Szécsényi912 and Simon Rozgonyi913 surely
owned houses in the town. The latter was lying next to Peter Cudar’s dwelling, who was i. a. master
of the cupbearers between 1360 and 1372 and ban of Slavonia between 1368 and 1381.914 It seems
that in the beginning of 1410s the high dignitaries were still interested in acquiring real estates in
Visegrád: in 1412 the Kanizsai family managed to obtain a plot next to the one they had already
possessed there, in 1413 Stibor tried to get hold of the house of the deceased James Szepesi. Stibor,
however, was not successful as Szepesi’s daughter Margarethe appealed at the court of the palatine
against the donation and her objection was sustained.915 The fact that after 1415 no charters dealing
with real estate transactions survived could perhaps hint at the dropping interest in buying real
estates in Visegrád,916 which might have been an outcome of royal law courts’ move to Buda.917
Nevertheless, the vice-chancellor John Szászi definitely had a residence in the city between 1421
and 1423.918 Topographical changes of the town structure can be observed only in the 1430s, when
town dwellers started to take over buildings once belonging to high dignitaries and court
officials.919
Although a precise dating in most of the studied aspects is not possible, it seems very likely
that from 1415 on Visegrád gradually but undoubtedly lost importance for the benefit of Buda. For
another ten years, until the middle of the 1420s there are evidences of governmental-residential
activities taking place there (itinerary of the royal couple, foundation of the Franciscan friary, vice909
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád and VÉGH, Buda.
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 13–15.
911
Judge royal in 1372 and between 1373 and 1380.
912
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 182. Judge Royal between 1397 and 1408.
913
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 141–142, 172–173. Judge royal between 1409 and 1414. 1397: Nicholas Tótselymesi donated
a house (domus et fundis curie) to Mag. Ladislaus Rozgonyi and his brother Simon Rozgonyi.
914
Further documents from 1363 and 1364, MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 68, 78, n. 361, 124–125, 130–132. etc. Peter Cudar
owned a house in Buda as well, VÉGH, Buda I. 218–219.
915
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 70, 146, 148.
916
The charters related to Visegrád collected in MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 105–160.
917
KONDOR, Királyi kúria.
918
BÓNIS, Jogtudó 104; MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 73, 184.
919
MÉSZÁROS, Visegrád 99.
910
158
chancellor Szászi’s house possession), after then the town and the royal palace “served as an
accessory residence besides Buda.” 920
IV.2.2. Plans of a Capital? The Cases of Pressburg and Nuremberg
Sigismund as ruler … intended to establish his fame (splendor) purposefully by dedicating
himself to tasks which pertained the whole western Christian world: he wanted to put an end
to the Great Schism, to create the union with the Greek Orthodox Church, to fight against
the Ottomans, to succur Byzantium and to free the Holy Land.921
Jörg K. Hoensch wrote these sentences in his Sigismund-biography but also Alois Gerlich and
Dieter Weiss expressed a similar opinion on the pages of the third volume of the Handbuch der
bayerischen Geschichte. They emphasized the fact that after becoming the King of the Romans
Sigismund demonstrated everywhere “that he did not want to get involved in the grueling triviality
of local-territorial everyday life; instead, he aspired to concentrate his energies on the major tasks
related to the Empire and Church.”922 In other words, to certain extent Sigismund sacrificed the
“management” of his second kingdom to all-European affairs and the inner imperial matters stayed
outside the focus of his political interests at least for a while.
Yet, it was not only his character which drove him to this direction but, in my opinion, also
the circumstances of governing he got used to in the Kingdom of Hungary. There, except the
highest levels of decision making (at the royal council or at the judicial court of the personalis
presentia regia) Sigismund did not have to deal with practical governmental-administrative issues
personally. Compared to the Holy Roman Empire, where for the functioning of the imperial
bureaucracy the ruler’s personal presence was still very much needed, most of the central (curial)
administrative institutions in fifteenth-century Hungary were independent from the very person of
the king and from the royal court understood as the close surroundings of the ruler. A telling
example is that of the Hofgericht: although the presence of the king at the meetings was not
necessary any more, the institution was not working when he was not staying in the Empire and so
in the absence of the ruler there was practically no central-imperial judicial high court. In Hungary
the personalis presentia regia was also the personal jurisdiction of the king but it had an exclusive
competency only in cases of serious crimes (high treason and actus maioris potentiae); all the other
BUZÁS–LASZLOVSZKY–MÉSZÁROS (eds.), Visegrád 93.
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 503.
922
KRAUS (ed.), Geschichte Frankens 420.
920
921
159
processes could be handled on a higher instance at the other curial law courts in Buda or in
Visegrád. (See Ch. III.2.3.)
Such a “royal presence”-centered administrative-governmental system was especially
disadvantageous for the land when the ruler was the king of several countries or – due to reasons of
military expeditions or diplomatic journeys – he was often not accessible.923 In the first half of the
fifteenth-century the need of a reform targeting the imperial administrative-governmental system
became evident and not only Reformatio Sigismundi but also tractates compiled by Job Vener,
Nicholas of Cusa924 and John Schele925 addressed the problem.926 From time to time the Sigismundadministration faced one or another concrete aspect of the problem, too, and it indeed tried to find
solutions to them.927 It must be emphasized, however, that these early “reform-steps” taken by the
ruler and his administrative personnel were not parts of a general concept or well-developed
program aiming at the “modernization” of the imperial bureaucracy (at least there is no evidence of
the existence of such an overall concept in Sigismund’s court) but practical responses to existing
everyday difficulties of the administrative-governmental system.928 In my understanding, also the
indications hinting at the growing importance of Pressburg and Nuremberg in the 1420s must be
interpreted in this context.
The question of a suitable administrative-governmental center and an imperial capital city
had already been touched upon by Job Vener in his tractate in 1417.929 Most probably around this
time – after the end of the Council of Constance – the issue became a current one for Sigismund
himself, too. In fact, after Wenceslas’ death Prague would have been a plausible option but the
political situation in Bohemia made it impossible for Sigismund to develop a stable administrativegovernmental center there.930 On the other hand, he expressed his wish to establish his seat in the
castle of Devin (Dévény) located approx. 15 km west of Pressburg already in 1413 or at the very
beginning of 1414 in a letter written to Stibor of Stiboricz (volumus in eodem [castro de Wyii]
facere locum nostre residencie et mansionis),931 which suggests that the idea of shifting the center
Also KOLLER, Reformpläne 64. WEFERS, Das politische System 2: “Ein wesentliches Kriterium für den
Zusammenhalt dieses Gemeinwesens [Reich] war seine Herrscherbezogenheit.”
924
Concordia Catholica.
925
KOLLER, Reformpolitik 21–23.
926
LexMA VII. 634–635; ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform; KOLLER, Reformpläne.
927
WEFERS, Das politische System 2–3: “Die Vergrößerung des Innovationspotential unter dem Druck der Krise ist für
die Erforschung politischer Entwicklungsprozesse ein Phänomen von besonderer Wichtigkeit. Als „Krise“ wird dabei
eine Situation verstanden, bei der die Fähigkeit eines Systems auf die Anforderungen der Umwelt adäquat zu reagieren,
unerwartet aufs äußerste beansprucht wird. So müssen neue … Organisationsstrukturen entwickelt werden.”
928
See also KOLLER, Reformpolitik.
929
HEIMPEL, Die Vener von Gmünd II. 1128–1140.
930
KOLLER, Ausbau 429, KOLLER, Reformpläne 65, KOLLER, Reformpolitik 22–23. See also MORAW,
Mittelpunktfunktion.
931
HEIMPEL, Aus der Kanzlei 179. Dating ZsO IV/662.
923
160
to the border of the two realms emerged soon after his election to a German king. Devin finally did
not get any special function but Pressburg came to the fore.932 It had a perfect geographical location
as it was the westernmost town in Hungary, from where the king could easily get to Bohemia or to
the Empire; it was also ideal for (diplomatic) meetings with the Austrian princes or envoys from the
Empire.933 Besides, the town had flourishing economic connections with southern-German
territories,934 and such an orientation can be detected also in the extra-urban connections of the
Pressburg burghers.935 On 28th September 1421 Elisabeth’s engagement to Albert was conducted in
the town, in 1429 an Imperial Diet summoned here.936 From 1426 on Sigismund spent frequently
longer periods of time here and after 1429 he clearly preferred Pressburg to Buda as a place of
residence:937 under the supervision of Stephan and George Rozgonyi the Romanesque citadel of
Pressburg was gradually converted to a Gothic palace. After construction works in the 1420s which
aimed at the reinforcement of the fortifications in regard to the Hussite threat, from 1429 on Konrad
von Erling was commissioned to erect a representative royal residence.938 The relations between the
royal court and the town in the early fifteenth-century were also tightened by the setting up of a
mint939 and by the continuation of the works on the parish church of St. Martin.940 In July 1436 a
solemn charter confirmed the coat of arms of the town, and in 1437/1438 the new king Albert of
Habsburg was elected here. Although during Sigismund’s reign Pressburg did not replace Buda as a
capital, the growing influence of the royal administration and the court on the life of the town is
obvious. The town created a new office, namely that of the chamberlain, the functions and
competencies of the major changed, to certain town positions (e.g. judge of the Jews) the king
proposed candidates, the Corpus Christi confraternity became a lay elite religious companionship
by the 1420s and topographical changes took place insofar as the location of royal houses (domus
regis), craftsmen’s workshops, public baths and brothels (frauenhaus) shifted.941 Judit Majorossy
Between 1386 and 1389 it belonged to the Margraves of Moravia, since 1390 it was in Lessel Hering’s hands. For
the first time Sigismund tried to release it in 1411 (RI XI/140) but in this respect only Nicholas Garai was successful in
1414. In 1417 Garai paid another 12 000 ducats to Sigismund as pledge sum for the castle; finally, Sigismund donated it
to him and her wife Anne of Cilli in 1419. Until 1459 it was owned by the Garai family, then by the Counts of
Szentgyörgy-Bazin (until 1520).
933
SZENDE, Between Hatred and Affection. Pressburg is also depicted on the oldest city plan of Vienna, on the so-called
Albertinischer Stadtplan (1421/1422).
934
SKORKA, Pozsony; SKORKA, Pozsony gazdasági szerepe. “In the first half of the fifteenth century Pressburg took
over the leading role from Buda in the transit trade from the west.” DRASKÓCZY, Commercial Contacts 287.
935
MAJOROSSY, Regionalitás.
936
RI XI/7473a, 7486–7495; JANSSEN (ed.), Frankfurt 368–371, nr. 679–681.
937
Besides Sigismund’s itinerary see also ORTVAY, Pozsony 12–42.
938
SZŰCS, Középkori építészet 318, on Konrad von Erling ibid. 316–317, detailed accounts from the year 1434 ibid.
340–356. On the architectural details of the construction works see PAPP, Residenz.
939
GYÖNGYÖSSY, Pénzverde 2 and 4, n. 12.
940
Principally the western part of the church was erected under Sigismund’s reign. SCHMIDT, Bécs 256.
941
MAJOROSSY, Pozsonyi elit. On the town hall see also MAJOROSSY, Judge’s House 163.
932
161
considered these changes related to the presence of the royal court as “short-term residential
tendencies.”942 Such trends re-emerged later under King Matthias’ reign when the town got the right
to seal with red wax (1459) and the king founded Hungary’s third university here (Academia
Istropolitana, 1467). Nonetheless, in the second half of the fifteenth century Pressburg did not play
the same residential role as in Sigismund’s time. After the battle of Mohács (1526) the town served
as refugee for Queen Maria and it became a “provisory capital city” (locus autem administrationis
Regni donec Deo auspice regnum recuperabitur).943
It seems that in the 1420s the Sigismund-administration tried to assign also Nuremberg a
stable central function.944 Peter Moraw pointed out that besides the dynastic residences
(Hausmachtsresidenzen) one of the king friendly imperial cities usually served as a further center of
a somewhat different character but with similarly important functions. For most of the time this city
was Nuremberg, then under Maximilian Augsburg.945 Also Paul-Joachim Heinig characterized late
medieval Nuremberg along these lines as the “perhaps most important city,” the “secret capital” of
the Empire; by the fifteenth-century a political, communication and financial center.946 Both Louis
IV (the Bavarian) and Charles IV favored Nuremberg and came often here: the former seventy-four,
the latter fifty-nine times.947 Charles called it the “noblest and best located town of the Empire”
(furnemste und basz gelegiste Stat des Reichs)948 and in the Golden Bull of 1356 the town got the
right to host the first imperial diet after the election of the new German king (in opido Nuremberg
prima sua [regis Romanorum futuri imperatoris] regalis curia haberetur949). Unlike Charles und
Wenceslas, Rupert did not make members or groups of the upper middle-class (großbürgerliche
Verbände) an “institutionally” integrated part of his administrative appartatus but he strongly relied
on the city Nuremberg as a political partner.950 The Nurembergers contacted also Sigismund soon
after his election and sent envoys to Hungary: in the autumn of 1411 Peter Haller, Jacob Grolant
and Sebold Pfinzing, in the spring of 1412 Albrecht Fleischmann, Erhard Schürstab and Sebold
Pfinzig turned up at the royal court.951 Although in 1414–1419 Sigismund visited Nuremberg only
once (on his way to Aachen), between 1410 and 1437 he spent a total of 238 952 days here, which is
942
MAJOROSSY, Pozsonyi elit 190.
DEÁK, Zentralfunktionen 163–172; SZENDE, Maria.
944
HOENSCH, Itinerar 9–10.
945
JESERICH–POHL–UNRUH (eds.), Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte I. 34.
946
HEINIG, Reichsstädte 18, 21, 188. On financial aspects STROMER, Oberdeutsche Hochfinanz; Nuremberg as
communication center SPORHAN-KREMPEL, Nürnberg; POLÍVKA, Nürnberg; HOFMANN, Raumfunktion.
947
GOETZ, Nürnberg 12.
948
Mon. Zoll. IV. 106–107, nr. 95
949
FRITZ (ed.), Goldene Bulle 87, c. 29, 1.
950
MORAW, König, Reich 814.
951
RI XI/121a, 206a.
952
HEINIG, Reichsstädte 188: 223 days.
943
162
the third longest period after the council-cities of Constance and Basel.953 In the 1420s and 1430s
the Imperial Diet met seven times (1421,954 1422, 1426, 1430, 1431 and twice in 1438) in the city;
thus, besides playing a leading role in financing the kingdom Nuremberg became also a political
center. Under Sigismund’s reign Frankfurt, Mainz and Regensburg did not back the kingdom with
loans and presents any more, Strasbourg and Cologne did it only for a short while.955 Nuremberg,
on the other hand, was always ready to support the ruler, even without direct rewards. In 1414 the
king received presents in value of 1000 fl. (and Queen Barbara for 400 fl.), in 1422 for 800 and 400
fl., in 1430, when his stay cost the city 11 815 fl., for 900 fl.956 Sigismund, of course, compensated
the town with privileges: in total he issued forty-two confirmations and thirty-three times he
conferred new rights.957 On 29th September 1423 he gave the right to hold a yearly market
(Handelsmesse) of 14 days in spring starting on the feast of the Holy Lance, and this privilege was
confirmed on 9th February 1424. In 1431 the market received the status of an imperial market
(Reichsmesse) and its length was extended to 24 days – which, of course, resulted in tensions first
of all with Frankfurt.958 Besides, with the same charter issued on 29th September 1423 Sigismund
ordered to bring imperial insignia from Karlstein (castle of Karlštejn in Bohemia) to Nuremberg to
be safeguarded here “for ever, irretrievably and indisputably.” Due to the Hussite wars these could
not stay in Bohemia and Sigismund’s decision for Nuremberg was again a reward for the city’s
financial and political support.959 Via Visegrád and Buda the insignia finally arrived in the city on
24th February 1424 and from then on they were presented to the public every year on the feast of the
Holy Lance.960
Also the burghers of Nuremberg appeared at the royal court soon. Albert Fleischmann was
officially proto-notary at the imperial chancery, in fact rather Sigismund’s diplomat,961 Sigismund
Stromer became royal servant (Hofgesinde) in 1425 and five patricians were dubbed knight in
1433.962 It must be noted, however, that the presence of Nurembergers around Sigismund was not a
On Sigismund’s arrival in Nürnberg in 1414 RTA VII. 214–222, nr. 151-155; Chron. Nürnberg III. 337–348. In
1431 Sigismund stayed in Nuremberg between February and May and then between June and September.
954
Sigismund was not present.
955
HEINIG, Reichsstädte 112–124. Ulm and Augsburg were not active in this sense either under Sigismund’s
predecessors.
956
HEINIG, Reichsstädte 122–124, 216–221. The present given by the city of Aachen to Sigismund and Barbara RTA
VII. 250, nr. 171.
957
KAMMEL, Sigismund und Nürnberg 480. Nevertheless, in April 1412 Nuremberg paid 2000 gulden for the
confirmation of their privileges (RTA VII. 166–169, nr. 121, here p. 168–169.), though this money went to the chancery
personnel and not to Sigismund (KOLLER, Reformpolitik 19).
958
SCHNELBÖGL, Reichskleinodien 131.
959
SCHNELBÖGL, Reichskleinodien 90–91.
960
RI XI/5619. On the feast SCHNELBÖGL, Reichskleinodien 106–129. For parallels OPAČIĆ, Architecture.
961
RI XI/121. See n. 304.
962
KAMMEL, Sigismund und Nürnberg.
953
163
new phenomenon as the administration of the Hungarian mining and minting chambers had been in
the hands of Nuremberg companies (Kammerer-Seiler and Flextorfer-Zenner) for quite a while, and
Ulrich Kammerer as well as Marc of Nuremberg occupied leading financial posts in the Kingdom
of Hungary.963
The analyses conducted in chapters III and IV revealed that the spatial conditions of ruling
influenced the development of the administrative system but also the main characteristic features of
the latter affected where governmental-administrative acts could take place. The spatial
characteristics of Sigismund’s governmental administration can be summarized in four points. 1.
With regard to the Kingdom of Hungary the fact that the functioning of (most of) the curial
administrative bodies was independent from the person of the king resulted in spatial stability. In
the time of the Angevin kings and at the beginning of Sigismund’s rule Visegrád, from the middle
of the 1410s Buda was a firm and established royal administrative center. 2. In the late-medieval
Holy Roman Empire the central administration was attached to the king’s person, in a spatial sense
to the ruler’s dynastic-royal residence. Since Sigismund did not have a territorial base in the realm
and most of the time he was on the move, in his case the central institutions were operating at the
travelling court. The settlements recorded in his German itinerary provided a temporary physical
space for the administration but they did not obtain any long-lasting central administrative or royal
residential character. 3. Nonetheless, due to the considerably increased amount administrative issues
and related documents, and because most of the dignitaries and officials did not leave the territory
of the Empire such a travelling administration was hardly manageable. As an alternative solution
from the 1420s Sigismund apparently tried to rely on Nuremberg, the “secret capital” (Heinig) of
the Empire, and took measures which, on a long term, could have contributed to making the city a
stable, “non-dynastic” imperial center. 4. Finally, from the late 1420s he spent more and more time
in Pressburg where i.a. also the castle was gradually transformed to a royal residential palace. This
decision must have been motivated by practical political-administrative considerations: Pressburg,
located by the river Danube, was the westernmost town in Hungary, from where Sigismund could
reach the other parts of his multiple kingdom, i.e. Bohemia and the Empire rather quickly and
easily.
963
STROMER, Oberdeutsche Hochfinanz 90–154; GYÖNGYÖSSY, Gazdag föld 257–259; ARANY, Florentine Families 43–
56, 109–117; DRASKÓCZY, Commercial Contacts. Nuremberg played an important role in Buda becoming an
international trading center KUBINYI, Magyarországi városhálózat 49–50.
164
Image 14: Charlemagne and Sigismund
Panel paintings by Albrecht Dürer (1512) ordered by the city council of Nuremberg for the Treasure Chamber in the
Schopper House where the imperial regalia were kept the night before they went on ceremonial display on the feast of
the Holy Lance.
165
V. Conclusion: Sigismund’s Rule and his Multiple Kingdom
“How successful a medieval ruler has to be?”964 Oliver Auge searched the answer to this question in
an article written on King Rupert and his rule. Besides referring to scholarly opinions of German
historiography he focused on three aspects and studied how Rupert’s activity can be evaluated as a
Wittelsbach, as count palatine and as King of the Romans. Applying these research principles on
Sigismund, his deeds should be rated from the point of the Luxembourg dynasty, the Kingdom of
Hungary, the Holy Roman Empire and Bohemia. Nonetheless, based on the results of investigations
conducted in the framework of this thesis dealing with only ten years of Sigismund’s rule such a
general picture cannot be presented here. It is possible, however, to appraise Sigismund’s first
decade as King of Hungary and King of the Romans. How successful was he in “wearing two
hats,” did he manage to meet or eliminate the challenges of ruling and administering two realms?
What were the elements which can be considered as achievements and what were his failures in the
first ten years of this personal union? In other words, was he really so overwhelmed with the tasks
as usually suggested by both German and Hungarian historiographies?
The first part of this concluding chapter deals with these questions by lining up the
conclusions around the dichotomies of dynastic-universal and medieval-modern. (Ch.V.1.) The
second part touches upon political theory insofar as it summarizes the most important features of
this personal union. For reasons explained below I did not focus on questions whether and to what
extent the one or the other realm or Sigismund’s composite monarchy as a whole fit to the trends of
– western – state development, if the Holy Roman Empire should be considered as a powerless and
impotent monstrum, a Sonderweg, or certain social-political institutions characteristic of the
Kingdom of Hungary (or other lands of East-central Europe) as “degenerated edition” of a specific
western model.965 Based on the results of the previous chapters the last part highlights those points
where the two systems met in terms of functioning and discloses how the two parts of this multiple
kingdom influenced each other. (Ch. V.2.)
V.1. Dynastic or Universal, Medieval or Modern?
The first question to be analyzed here is whether or to what extent Sigismund’s political aims and
decisions were motivated by dynastic interests and how his success in acquiring the German crown
influenced or changed his political targets. With regard to the Polish-Teutonic conflict Sabine
964
965
AUGE, Ruprecht.
SZŰCS, Vázlat 61–62.
166
Wefers said that at least until August 1411 Sigismund’s decisions and diplomatic steps were
determined by the Luxembourg family interests competing with that of the Jagellonians.966 Martin
Kintzinger, on the other hand, could not identify strong dynastical elements in Sigismund’s
politics967 and neither did Pál Engel when he studied the characteristics of Sigismund’s rule. The
Balkans and the Ottoman advance, Bohemia and the Hussite problem or Western Europe alternately
stood in the focus of Sigismund’s politics.968
Dynastic policy in general aimed at preserving and passing on the family’s possessions to
the descendants intact and, if possible, augmented.969 This aim could be achieved either by dynastic
marriages or by wars. Unlike most of his contemporaries Charles IV, Sigismund’s father realized
the opportunity offered by family ties and marriage contracts: during his reign he developed twentynine marriage plans with which he intended to strengthen the Luxembourg positions in EastCentral-Europe, i.e. in Poland and in Hungary.970 It is not by accident that none of Charles’
predecessors left such a huge complex of territories to his successors as he did.971 In this regard,
however, Sigismund had a very limited sphere of action. His first wife, Mary of Anjou died in a
horse accident while being pregnant, and from his second marriage with Barbara of Cilli only a
daughter, Elisabeth was born. Sigismund’s military campaigns were not entirely successful either,
in most cases he could be happy when he could take control of (Bohemia) or did not lose (Dalmatia,
Friaul) the territories he was entitled to.
In one respect, however, Sigismund’s way of ruling can be labelled as dynastic. Medieval as
well as early modern monarchs thought of their lands as their own possession and acted as their
owners.972 This view manifested not only in marriage contracts but also in succession matters,
dynastic wars or pledgings. Although this feature of governing is considered to be the characteristic
of Western-European dynastic states of the early modern period, in my opion, it was a basic
principle of politics in the high and later middle ages all over Europe. Talking about Sigismund an
example of this attitude is how he was dealing with the issue of inheritance regarding the Kingdom
of Hungary. As Wenceslas complained (according to Windecke):
966
WEFERS, Das politische System 28 -29.
KINTZIGER, Hausmachtpolitik 41.
968
ENGEL, Travelling King 94–100.
969
VAN CAENEGEM, Historical Introduction 77.
970
VELDTRUP, Eherecht 13.
971
HOENSCH, Die Luxemburger 174.
972
SASHALMI, Államfejlődés 100, 102. C.f. with REYNOLDS, Kingdoms 325: “Although in much discourse king and
kingdom were undifferentiated and although boundary between public and private interest and property was not always
drawn consistently, nevertheless some people were capable to make distinction between king and kingdom, private
profit and public welfare. … Even before the tenth century kings had on occasion distinguished their family inheritance
from royal office.”
967
167
On our first journey our brother the King of Hungary ensured us that we were going to
inherit the Kingdom of Hungary and he issued a document about that. Somewhat later he
gave the very same kingdom to our cousin and prince, the Margrave Jobst of Moravia;
seventy lords put their seal on the charter. And just now he promised this realm to our uncle
and prince, Duke Albert of Austria, Styria etc.973
Similarly, there were no traces of consultation when he agreed on the borders of Austria and
Hungary with Albert IV or decided over Elisabeth’s bethrothal with Albert V.974 Besides, although
the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary formed two separate entities in
administrative, structural and political sense, there are examples of pledging estates in one realm to
subjects of the other, as it happened in the case of Frederick of Nuremberg who received i.a. the
castles of Pressburg and Komárom, the town of Tata etc. in July 1410.975 Every now and then
Sigismund granted imperial coats of arms to Hungarian subjects 976 and at the beginning of his
German kingship members of the Hungarian aula received imperial positions: Kanizsai and
Esztergomi at the imperial chancery, Stibor, Pipo, Nicholas Marcali and John Maróti in Friuli.977
Vice versa, George Hohenlohe became the administrator of the archbishopric of Esztergom in 1418
without any problems.978 It is hardly surprising that most probably the Hungarian gold mines
provided the raw material for Sigismund’s imperial monetary reform starting in 1418.979
Although for the question of dynastic ruling it would be extremely informative how the
financial resources were managed, such conclusions are impossible to be drawn since it cannot be
said from which incomes exactly which expenditures were paid. Pledging charters and documents
of loans, for instance, do not give clear indication whether these sums of money were meant to
973
Ouch an der ersten reise do glopt uns unser bruder konig von Ungern das konigrich von Ungern, das erbelich uf uns
solte gefallen, daruf er uns sinen gůten brief geben hat. Und darnoch zu hant so hat er das selbe konigrich verschriben
unserm vetter und fursten marggrofen Jost zu Merhern und das vermacht mit sübenzig herren ingesigelen. Und aber
ietzunt hat er das selbe konigriche unserm öheim und fürsten herzig Albrecht herzoug zu Östenrich zu Stier etc
verschriben. WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 58, c. 64. ZsO II/1 1833, 1895, 1900, 1917, 1937. Hungary’s prelates,
barons, nobles and towns confirmed on Albert’s succession on 21st September 1402. On the charter there are 112 seals,
the text has recently been edited by Péter Kóta in LŐVEI, Pecsétek 156–157.
974
ZsO III/1023, 1030. In dem selben jore, als man zalt tusent 411 jor vor sant Michels tag, do was [zu Ofen] konig
Sigemint unde burggrofe Fridrich von Nüremberg und herzog Ernst von Osterich und herzog Albrecht von Österich der
jung, der was wol bi sin 14 jorn, und der grofe von Maideburg, item Růprecht von Walsee, her Hans von Missen, item
Hartnit von Bottendorf, item her Cristoffel von Liechtenstein. Do wart herzog Albrecht des koniges Sigemondus dochter
zü der ee geben und gelopt. Und wart her Růprecht von Walsen dem herzogen con dem konige zu eime fürmonder
geben: daz verdroß herzog Ernst gar sere. WINDECKE, Denkwürdigkeiten 23, c. 24.
975
Mon. Zoll. VI. 618–619, nr. 561. Viginti milia florenum auri puri eidem de fisci nostri regalis … assignanda
deputavimus … Et volentes eundem de rehibicione ipsorum viginti millium florenorum auri indubium reddere et utique
certificare civitatem et castrum Posoniense, item castra Komarom, Geztes et Vytan, nec non opida Nezmeel et Tata ac
locum venacionis nostre Gerencher vocatum cum ipsius pertinentiis (etc.) … duximus obligandum.
976
To Anton Somkereki in 1415 (MNL OL DL 104 871; Mon. Herald. I. 37–38, nr. 3), to Stephan Kölkedi in 1429
(MNL OL DL 50 521, Mon. Herald. II. 39–40, nr. 11.) and to John and Anton Básznai in 1434 (MNL OL DF 202553,
Mon. Herald. II. 47–48, nr. 15.)
977
Stibor and Pipo (besides Frederick of Ortenburg) in November 1411, Marcali and Maróti in May 1412.
978
C. TÓTH, Esztergom; SCHWEDLER, Hohenlohe.
979
REINERT, Reichsprägung 173.
168
satisfy the king’s personal or the/a country’s needs; in fact, the two possible “beneficiaries” always
appear together in these sources (nostris et regni nostri arduis agendis or pro arduis nostris et regni
nostri negotiis).980 Nevertheless, it seems that in general the regular royal revenues of a given land
were usually spent to the administration of the very land and direct cross-financing between the
Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary was not even exceptionally practiced. It is true, however, that
Sigismund did not make a distinction from where he paid his debts or covered the expenses of
magnates or dignitaries: that is how Frederick of Nuremberg became the pledgee of Komárom and
his brother John received imperial taxes as a compensation for his military services in Hungary. 981
Nevertheless, in this respect Sigismund’s finances definitely require further research.
Sigismund knew how to impress people around him with his profound knowledge, languae
skills (he fluently spoke seven languages) and eloquence. It cannot be argued that he had the talent
and apparently also the enthusiasm for diplomacy; mediating, negotiating or searching for solutions
seem not to have been straining to him at all, especially when it was about “large-scale” diplomatic
projects. As Jörg K. Hoensch wrote, he was resolute to enhance his splendor by devoting himself to
great issues which concerned the western Christendom as a whole.982 He took the tasks and duties
related to the officium imperiale very seriously and, at least for a while, he indeed managed to stop
the weakening of royal power and restore the prestige of the Empire.983
The German kingship practically meant the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, and the
concept of the empire984 in the fourteenth-fifteenth centuries comprised the idea of universalism. By
bringing the legal, theological and philosophical traditions together Dante “produced a theory of
universal imperial rule” in his De monarchia already around 1310, and this work had a long-lasting
influence on western political thought.985 Thanks to his tutor Niccolò Beccari and his relations to
Italian humanists986 Sigismund must have been familiar with these ideas, although it is doubtful
whether he really thought of himself as a universal lord, a true dominus mundi. Sándor Csernus
interpreted his stay in Paris as a manifestation of imperial universalism987 and Sigismund’s concerns
about the western schism or the union of the Orthodox and Latin Churches indeed point to this
980
Recently on pledgings see INCZE, War from loan.
ZsO II/7784; RI XI/1905.
982
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 503.
983
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 524.
984
Since the twelfth century “the Empire of the Roman law and medieval political thought” was the Holy Roman
Empire. While the papacy and the canon lawyers saw the empire “as an office within the Church, a tool to be employed
in the service of spiritual power,” the imperial side considered it “as a political institution that did not obtain its
legitimacy from the papacy.” MULDOON, Empire 86, 142.
985
MULDOON, Empire 90–93. See also FOLZ, Empire 145–161.
986
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 36; PAPO, L’umanesimo 29–38. On Sigismund’s library FRAKNÓI, Bibliotheca 88–89,
n. 7.
987
CSERNUS, Francia források. Peter Haldén understood universalism as “the idea that an order can, could or ought to,
in a normative sense, be extended to cover the entire world or the theological cosmos.” HALDÉN, Empire 282.
981
169
direction. In his book on the reform of the Empire Heinz Angermeier noted that by the fifteenth
century the “national” and dynastic aspirations connected to the imperial rule diminished and the
emperorship was understood as a supranational “institution” of Christendom as a whole.988
Nevetheless, many issues which could be and were labelled as efforts aiming at safeguarding the
welfare of western Christianity (e.g. Ottoman or Hussite wars) had also a practical side and thus a
“double,” universal and current political character. Thus, in Sigismund’s case dynastic and
universal were not competing or mutually exclusive but complementary attitudes, they could exist
together without any problems. As Susan Reynolds pointed out: “Governments then often tried to
assimilate the public good to governmental interest and governmental interest to the private interest
of the rulers.”989
It is similarly difficult to appraise Sigismund’s politics and means of governing as clearly
medieval or modern. To start with, there is no doubt, in his way of thinking and behavior Sigismund
was strongly influenced by medieval traditions. He was educated according to chivalric values and
ideas, he admired Alexander the Great and King Ladislaus of Hungary, he thought of his father
Charles IV and father-in-law Louis of Anjou as ideals to be followed.990 Nevertheless, being an
intelligent and open-minded monarch he did not hold himself aloof from novelties and innovations,
which made it possible that occasionally “modern” elements appeared in the administrativegovernmental system of the time. When talking about a “modern governmental system” or “modern
administration” as opposed to medieval scholars usually refer to professional and specialized
bureaucracy with officials of lay and middle-class (burgher) origin on the one hand, centralization
on the other. Of course, it cannot be said that the Sigismund-administration was modern in its
character but signs of such a tendency could be identified. The “modernization” of record keeping
at the chancery was first fostered by Johannes Kirchen (1417) then by Caspar Schlick (1433), while
Conrad of Weinsberg tried to make the financial administration more effective.991 Also Sigismund’s
imperial monetary policy, both in technical and iconographic sense, aimed at centralization and
standardization.992 Having a look at the appointment of chancellors and vice-chancellors we also
witness a change – even though not in the 1410s but two decades later. Up to the 1430s
Sigismund’s chancellors (Eberhard of Alben, John Kanizsai, George of Hohenlohe, John of Alben)
were nominal heads of the writing organs, while the vice-chancellors steered the real work. In 1433,
988
ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 53.
REYNOLDS, Kingdoms 325.
990
HOENSCH, Kaiser Sigismund 37, 489, 503.
991
KOLLER, Reformpläne 71; KOLLER, Registerführung 170–173. Nevertheless, until the death of Emperor Frederick III
such efforts were isolated, not parts of a general reform. Ibid. 175.
992
REINERT, Reichsprägung.
989
170
however, the two vice-chancellors Matthias Gatalóczi and Caspar Schlick became chancellors
which clearly pointed to the direction of professional bureaucratization. Besides, officials of lay and
middle-class origin appeared in the central administration: Emmerich Perényi and Caspar Schlick
became the first lay chancellors, whereas Perényi’s vice George Késmárki was not only of middleclass origin but also baccalaureus in artibus.993 Similarly, the notaries of the Hofgericht between
1350 and 1450 represented the burgher element in the noble environment of the royal court, had
close contacts with south-Geman cities and some of them pursued studies.994
Learned jurists, who started to play a decisive role at judicial courts in the fourteenth
century, gradually became involved in governmental administration995 and diplomacy. Unlike in the
fourteenth century when “important embassies were always led by a pre-eminent individual, prelate
or a high-ranking noble” in the fifteenth “there was inevitably an increasing preponderance of
specialists, of businessmen and above all of lawyers.”996 As examples Benedict Makrai or Ottobono
Belloni can be mentioned: Makrai was involved in settling the dispute between Poland and the
Teutonic Order, while Ottobono Belloni was usually sent to Aragon to King Ferdinand with
Michael Kusalyi Jakcs.997 On 16th February 1416 the latter were appointed as Sigismund’s
plenipotentiaries and procurators.998 Talking about office-holders and officials in general, János
Bak’s observation made in connection with Matthias Corvinus’ rule is also valid for Sigismund’s
time: “The clerks and legal practitioners whose numbers increased under Matthias Corvinus and his
Jagello successors, and whose relationes appear even more frequently on the documents were
different from the old type aristocratic council members but hardly civil servants in any
Renaissance or modern sense.”999 He also noted that the chamber and treasury were the least
medieval-feudal in their nature, even though the structure of royal incomes was archaic.1000 The
active participation of professional businessmen of Italian or south-German origin in financial
affairs was not a new phenomenon of the Sigismund-era, already in the last decades of the
fourteenth century they played a dominant role in regnal financial politics – in Hungary as well as
in Central-Europe in general.1001
993
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 45, 61, 62.
The first Hofgerichtsnotar of middle-class origin was John Kirchen.
995
MORAW, Gelehrte Juristen 107–118; BÓNIS, Jogtudó. Nevertheless, this trend is not discernable at the Hofkanzlei,
MORAW, Gelehrte Juristen 111–113.
996
GUENÉE, States and Rulers 145–146. On envoys and embassies see also DALDRUP, Zwischen König und Reich.
997
ZsO V/904, 988, 1391, 1419. On 1st September 1415 also Archdeacon Thomas of Hont, decretorum doctor.
998
ZsO V/1546.
999
BAK, Matthias Corvinus 342.
1000
BAK, Matthias Corvinus 344; BAK, Monarchie.
1001
Recently ARANY, Florentine Families.
994
171
During Sigismund’s reign some of the late medieval judicial and administrative bodies made
their first steps on the way of becoming offices in a modern sense. Peter Moraw referred to the
Hofgericht (“an island with elements of early bureaucratization”) and its chancery as institutions in
the functioning of which both “medieval elements and modern features” could be identified,1002
while György Bónis pointed out that from the early fifteenth century the personalis presentia regia
started to lose its exclusively aristocratic character. Originally it was a forum where the king and the
magnates passed sentence but from 1409 on there are evidences that vice-chancellors, protonotaries and “legis et iuris periti viri” took part in sessions.1003 The setting up of the office of fiscal
procurator in the Holy Roman Empire was a step taken towards the departmental specialization of
jurisdiction,1004 and the royal council, the closest advisory body around Sigismund also lost its
princely-baronial character – as demonstrated in Ch. III.1.1.2. and III.2.2. Lower-ranked nobility
and courtiers took part in its everyday work and from time to time experts were invited to consult in
financial or diplomatic matters. As for the financial administration Heinrich Koller pointed out that
in the time of Conrad of Weinsberg the royal chamber was not mobile any more but resided at the
chamberlain’s seat.1005
Efforts taken towards centralization are less visible. In an administrative sense the term
“centralization” refers to the growing dominance of the central authority over local
administration,1006 and if we accept Guenée’s opinion, according to which “the ruler’s power
depended primarily on the activities of the central administration,”1007 this aspect was crucial for
successful ruling. In the Kingdom of Hungary the need for (further) centralization was not really an
issue in Sigismund’s time. The curial institutions were effective and loyal in operating even without
the ruler at centers related to the royal power, i.e. at the royal residence (Visegrád) or in the capital
(Buda). What can be seen in Hungary, however, is that by the end of Sigismund’s rule the territorial
governmental-administrative offices were concentrated in the hands of a few baronial families:
besides Queen Barbara the Rozgonyi, the Csáki and the Tallóci family managed to create an
established system of dominia.1008
In the Holy Roman Empire the structural problems (Kontinuitäts- and Koherenzproblem)
blocked the development of a central administration independent from the very person of the ruler.
1002
MORAW, Noch einmal 104–107; MORAW, Königliche Herrschaft 200.
BÓNIS, Jogtudó 146–147.
1004
HEINIG, Gelehrte Juristen 172.
1005
KOLLER, Reformpläne 71.
1006
“Centralization” can also refer to “unification and the reduction of local sovereignties.” Bak, Matthias Corvinus
346.
1007
GUENÉE, States and Rulers 132.
1008
ENGEL, Királyi hatalom 65.
1003
172
The new monarchs had to set up their own royal administration each and every time (although there
were personal continuities between the administrative systems) which was then functioning at their
dynastical seat of residence. The difference between the two kingdoms is visible if we consider that
while in Hungary even the baronial government of 1402 used the central royal administrative
institutions (only that they made a new seal), in the Holy Roman Empire the vicars did not take
control over the institutions of the royal administration at times of interregnum or ruler’s absence
but they relied on their own administrative resources. Although in practice this imperial system
definitely caused difficulties – especially when taking over the tasks from the previous “team” –, in
general it did not block the functioning of governmental administration. For Sigismund, however, it
became a heavy drawback. The increasing number of documents issued and preserved by
administrative bodies gradually prevented them from accompanying the ruler on the continual
journeying, so they stayed behind at the royal residence.1009 Nonetheless, Sigismund did not have a
territorial basis or permanent seat in the Empire as a consequence of which he – unlike his
predecessors – was forced to strive for the establishment of a firmly located imperial center
independent from any Hausmacht–territory. The strenghtening of Nuremberg’s position pointed to
this direction. Besides, the mobile character of his reign could have fostered the establishment of an
administration operating effectively also without the active participation of the ruler. In my opinion,
the foregrounding of the Kammergericht as main forum of the king’s personal jurisdiction could
have helped to transform the Hofgericht into an independently functioning central judicial court or
to strenghten features of this kind. Yet, in the end nothing like that came to existence. Should it be
considered as Sigismund’s failure?
Heinz Angermeier in his book on the reform of the Empire sketches a very positive picture
of Sigismund. He talks about him as initiator and considers his reign the beginning of the reform era
– even if the ruler’s efforts remained practically fruitless. 1010 Although I would argue his statement
according to which “the idea of the reform was already present when Sigismund came to
power,”1011 in general his conclusions resonate with my observations that the Luxembourg ruler was
indeed aware of problems related to government and administration and he was striving to find
solutions. Heinrich Koller sees Sigismund’s role somewhat differently and emphasizes that
although Sigismund was open to calls for reform, “in the first years of his rule he tried to restore old
Berhard Guenée as well as Oliver Auge and Karl-Heinz Spiess pointed out: “The later medieval ruler was still
itinerant, his administration was not.” GUENÉE, States and Rulers 129; “Im Spätmittelalter setzte er [der Hof] sich dann
mehr und mehr an den entstehenden Residenzen fest, wiewohl der Herrscher weiterhin, wenn auch in
eingeschränkterem Maße, mobil blieb.” AUGE–SPIESS, Hof und Herrscher 6.
1010
ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 26, 35–36, 55–84.
1011
ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 69–70.
1009
173
routines, revive practices of the Staufer period and, above all, to use his father’s governmental
techniques in the correct manner.”1012 It must be noted, however, that these intentions in fact
corresponded to the medieval notion of reform, as the word reformare was understood in the sense
of “resuming the original form, restoring or re-establishing the earlier state of things.”1013
The urgent need of changes was also discussed in works of political theory including the socalled Reformatio Sigismundi.1014 It was compiled after Sigismund’s death, most probably in 1439
in Basel, but “it is possible that the Reformatio Sigismundi indeed aimed at presenting the
Emperor’s plans or it even does so.”1015 Moreover, the anonymous author of the Reformatio
apparently knew John Schele’s tractate written around 1436, who was definitely familiar with the
Emperor’s ideas.1016 Such tractates and works of political theory prove that the reform of the
Empire is not only a modern scholarly concept but the contemporaries also saw the need, discussed
possibilities and evaluated means and measures. They are collections of reform ideas of certain
periods or groups but, as Angermeier noted, they never present the real state of the reform. 1017
Therefore, an issue which is worth further investigation but exceed the frames of the present thesis
is the relation between political theory and political reality.1018
V.2. Two Crowns – Sigismund’s Multiple Kingdom
The administrative-governmental features and measures mentioned above can indeed be seen as
steps contributing to specialization, professionalization and bureaucratization as a result of which
medieval-feudal structures started to vanish. One important point, however, must be made here.
Even though the need of a sweeping reform was an important theme of fifteenth-century political
discussions, the concrete measures and changes mentioned above were not motivated by some spirit
or will aiming at abstract notion of modernization but by the practical needs of the royal power: it
was crucial to improve the efficiency of the governmental administration, to find supporters other
than the traditional feudal-baronial elite or to get money in all possible ways. Under the given
circumstances it was a practical must to take these concrete steps and enforce changes which then
1012
KOLLER, Reformpolitik 25.
ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 22.
1014
ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 84–99.
1015
KOLLER, (ed.), Reformatio 7.
1016
KOLLER, Reformpolitik 15, 21–22.
1017
ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 90, 97–98.
1018
In the frameworks of such a research Sigismund’s entire rule needs to be studied, especially because he apparently
dedicated himself to reforms with greater eagerness only after his imperial coronation. ANGERMEIER, Reichsreform 70–
84.
1013
174
proved to be functioning on a long term – and so they became integrated elements of later polities
labelled by scholars as “modern states.”
I would like to emphasize this because I am convinced that models and theories can indeed
contribute to the understanding, sometimes even to the reconstructing historical reality.” They can
help scholars understand the reasons behind the existence or non-existence of certain phenomena
referred to in or missing from the sources and in certain cases they facilitate revealing or correcting
failures of interpretation. Nevertheless, these models should not be trusted unreservedly. On the one
hand, “most narratives and theories of the shift from medieval to modern outline linear histories of
no return” and research often tends to project modern state backwards into history. 1019 Obviously
neither Sigismund nor any other ruler or representative body took concrete steps with the intention
of creating a new type of order (e.g. the “modern state”) but it happened the other way around: a
series of answers given to existing problems and challenges led to the change of the system.
Therefore, I believe, it is mistaken to leave these direct and very concrete causes out of
consideration when explaining the history of Europe in terms of state building – and exactly this is
the second weakness of numerous models. In most cases theory is strictly separated from the
“practical side” and “concrete form” of its research objects. For instance, terms and
characterizations – centralized government, professionalization, bureaucratization etc. – of works
dealing with one or another aspect of European state formation are hardly ever confronted with the
sometimes in greater, sometimes in lesser number but still existing evidences of politicaladministrative “reality” of the time. “First-hand” archival documents produced by the very objects
of the research are completely missing from these studies. Moreover, apart from this rift between
“political ideas and political reality”1020 the “disregard” of the praxis and reality appears on a
second level, too. As Susan Reynolds wrote,
medieval political thought is generally studied only, or largely, through the works of
systematic and academic writers. … Political thought is not, however, the prerogative of
political philosophers, jurists, or theologians. Kings, barons, and even commoners, as human
beings thought too, though less systematically. … To understand the ideas which informed
lay collective activities we need to look not at treatises written by intellectuals but at records
of law-suits, at charters and chronicles, and at all the other documents in which the activities
themselves were recorded. These were written by clerks, and most chronicles, for instance,
1019
HALDÉN, Empire 281–282.
A colloquium held in Göttingen in 1996 aimed at exploring “the interface between political ideas and political
reality in the Middle Ages.” The organizers also pointed out that the “theme, because it lay on the borderlands between
theory and praxis, provided the participants (who were both historians and political scientists) with particularly difficult
questions. … The papers given and the accompanying discussions showed the fruitfulness of this approach.” CANNING–
OEXLE (eds.), Political Thought 7.
1020
175
were written by monks … but nevertheless they were observers of the lay scene and were
much closer to it than were most of the treatise-writers.1021
Such a one-sided approach can easily lead to oversimplified if not biased conclusions.1022 It is not
by accident that with regard to the late-medieval political-governmental system of the Holy Roman
Empire Peter Moraw argued for the equal consideration of the abstract and the concrete, of the
classification and the objects to be classified, Sabine Wefers for a method proceeding from the
concrete towards the abstract without determining the features to be looked for in advance. 1023 In
my research I tried to move along these lines with the intent of placing the results of my analytical
investigations into a wider, theoretical context at the end of the study. In spite of this, in this last
subchapter I am not going to search for an answer to the question whether or how Sigismund’s
realms and his personal union fit into the “model” of European state building and that for a very
plausible reason. At present models of European state formation are models of western state
development concentrating on England and France, taking only occasionally Scandinavia, the
Iberian penninsula and the Holy Roman Empire into consideration. Other parts of the continent do
not appear in the analyses at all. Thus, for the moment such an evaluation would be
methodologically mistaken. The question whether the different development is really to be
considered a “deviation from the norm” (monstrum, Sackgasse, Sonderweg etc.) or perhaps another
model is needed to explain these processes – a model which also takes regional structural
differences into consideration1024 – requires further research from historians and political theorists.
Therefore, to close down the present study it is going to be focused on what can be said
about the Hungarian-German personal union in the light of the research conducted so far. Was it
more than the accidental, temporary and nominal engagement of two politically, economically,
socially and culturally different sovereign kingdoms? If yes, in what way? When dealing with such
questions political theory usually concentrates on the representative assemblies and on the question
whether there was a common forum in the union or each constituting land had its own institutions
operating independently and separately. In the case of Sigismund’s composite state, however, other
characteristics than this need to be taken into consideration.
1021
REYNOLDS, Kingdoms 4–5.
For instance, a lot has been written on diets and parliaments (representative institutions) but hardly anything on
royal councils. The term “status” is referred to or analyzed in almost all publications whereas there is hardly anything to
find on “regnum.” The influence of wars on finance and administration is usually an important aspect in works dealing
with early modern statehood, but in terms of the (high and) later middle ages it is very rarely dealt with.
1023
“…das Einzelne mit de Ganzen unntrennbar zusammenhängen scheint, so dass weitgespannte Abstraktion und
konkrete Details, die Einordnung und das Einzuordnende, das gleiche Recht haben.” MORAW, Königliche Herrschaft
187; “Das ältere deutsche Mediävistik hat ihrem Bemühen, das spätmittelalterliche Reich zu erklären, lange Zeit ein
Verständnismodell zugrunde gelegt, das vom abstrakten Anstaltstaat hergeleitet war. Dabei galt das Interesse der
Forschung traditionell mehr dem Gefüge als dem Funktionieren.” WEFERS, Das politische System 1.
1024
SZŰCS, Vázlat.
1022
176
By following a very similar iconographic pattern Sigismund’s majestic and secret seals
clearly proclaimed the unity of his realms. The imperial eagle (Reichsadler) was put as the main
figure on the ruler’s fifth Hungarian secret seal, his second Hungarian great seal became the model
of the majestic seal used as a German king and vice versa in the case of the majestic seals used after
1433. Besides, on verso of the gulden minted in 1419 in Nuremberg the imperial eagle can be seen
with the Hungarian double cross on his chest. But to which extent did these iconographic
declarations correspond to the administrative reality of the personal union?
Image 15: Iconographic patterns on Sigismund’s seals and coins
Sigismund’s Hungarian and German secret seal1025
Sigismund’s Hungarian and German majestic seal used before 14331026
1025
1026
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.15 (MNL OL DL 57476) and DOZA Urk. 2904.
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.11 (MNL OL DL 8295) and TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.12.
177
Sigismund’s Hungarian and German majestic seal used after 14331027
Gulden minted in Nuremberg in 14191028
Merging and mingling of the two administrations manifested first and foremost on a personal level,
whereas on an “institutional” level influences and interactions can be perceived. The most important
common point was certainly the king himself. The “institutions” which were attached the most to
his very person, i.e the travelling court (aula) and the royal council were of course not doubled but,
as it was demonstrated in the previous chapters, their composition changed in a way that both
Hungarian and imperial subjects found entry to these. Although the forum of the king’s personal
jurisdiction was also the royal council, due to the completely different imperial and Hungarian law
systems it would have been very difficult to pass sentence with an assembly of mixed composition.
Therefore, it is somewhat surprising that in a few cases Hungarians (Nicholas Garai, Hermann of
Cilli, Stephan Rozgonyi, Benedict Makrai, Provost Benedict of Fehérvár) were involved in
1027
1028
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.22 (MNL OL DL 64295) and TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.18.
TAKÁCS (ed.), Sigismundus 3.51.
178
decisions concerning imperial lawsuits. It was also the different practice and tradition which made a
structural unification of the chanceries impossible; this, however, did not prevent Sigismund from
appointing members of the Hungarian aula (Kanizsai, Esztergomi) as leaders in the imperial
chancery. In terms of leadership, in the 1420s he even tried to concentrate the control of the three
chanceries (Hungarian great, Hungarian secret and imperial) in one hand (John of Alben). Finally,
fields of competence were not always shared between the writing organs but in certain cases
delegated entirely to the imperial authorities. Documents related to foreign politics (letters of
credence, peace treaties, agreements etc.) were issued there even if negotiations were conducted by
Hungarian councellors or the diplomatic matter in question pertained exclusively the Kingdom of
Hungary.1029 Thus, with regard to diplomacy the Sigismund-administration understood the multiple
kingdom definitely as one political entity.
Apart from these direct interactions and “infiltrations” institutional practices of one
administration could cause changes in the other system. Before Sigisund’s rule there were no vicechancellors at the imperial chancery, this was clearly the influence of the Hungarian practice. At the
same time the appointment of royal vicars was a German specific which Sigismund implemented in
the Kingdom of Hungary – although the career of the institution did not last long here. It is also
interesting to note that according to recent research the imperial “Graf” title of the counts of Cilli
became a model for Hungarian magnates and from the beginning of the fifteenth century many of
them (Kórógyi, Frangepán, Tallóci) strived for it with the intention of improving their prestige. The
“Grafs” had the right to seal with red wax and this title preceded all the other in the intitulatio –
even that of the palatine.1030
In the later middle ages empires, composite monarchies and multiple kingdoms “had
become the overwhelmingly most important form of polity in Europe.” 1031 Whereas with regard to
the early modern age these political formations are considered as “the greatest causes of
instability,”1032 fourteenth-fifteenth-century personal unions were apparently well-functioning
political entities, integrated and established parts of the European political system. Sigismund’s
multiple kingdom was one of these formations but in order to put it into the context of European
state formation further studies of late medieval personal unions and their comparative analyses need
1029
SZILÁGYI, Personalunion 180–183. E.g. ZsO III/2694.
Tibor Neumann’s lecture (“Főnemesi címek kialakulása a középkori Magyarországon“) held at Eötvös Lóránd
University Budapest on 11th March 2015.
1031
KOENIGSBERGER, Monarchies 11; ELLIS (ed.), Empires and States xiv. On composite states and multiple monarchies
see also ELLIOTT, Composite Monarchies.
1032
RUSSEL, Composite Monarchies 133.
1030
179
to be done. Studies which focus less on the political development than on the structural
characteristics and working mechanisms of these polities.
Sigismund’s reign, as pointed out at the beginning of the thesis, is often approached very
critically or negatively. In view of the results of the present research the main reason for this, in my
opinon, is that it does not fit into any of the classical categories describing ways and forms of
governing. Instead, it can be characterized by a series of dichotomies which in Sigismund’s case are
not opposed or contradictory but complementary: his rule was still medieval but in some respect
already modern, his kingly attitude simultaneously dynastic and universalist, and his administration
resident and mobile which combined elements of continuity with reforms. And even though he lost
many battles in the most different fields, his resolute commitment to meet the expectations and
respond to challenges ensured that he gained important victories on the political scene of the
Western Christendom time and again.
180
APPENDICES
181
Appendix 1: The Luxemburg Dynasty 1180–1440
(simplified)
182
Appendix 2: Central judicial courts in Hungary in the 11th–15th centuries
11th c.
12th c.
13th c.
15th c.
14th c.
1st half
personalis
1378–79:
presentia
personalis
presentia
1296:
specialis
presentia
→
curia regis (since the1470s tabula regia)
→
propria in persona
king
regia
→
king,
regia
later judge
King
royal or
chancellor
regia
→
(1435), secret
king
and
chancellor
2nd half
→
chancellor
1464:
(1453)
personalis
specialis
specialis
presentia
presentia
presentia
regia
regia
regia1
Personal2
chancellor /
specialis
→
presentiae
chancellor /
specialis
1499:
sedes
personalitia
Personal
→
presentiae
maiestatis
maiestatis
vicesgerens
vicegerens
presentia
regia
presentia
presentia
presentia
regia
regia
king
and
palatine
regia
→
and judge →
royal
/comes
/comes
palatinus/
curialis/
judge royal
regiae/ or his
/iudex curiae
regiae/
regia
/iudex curiae
judge royal
king
presentia
judge royal
/iudex curiae
vice3
→
/viceiudex
presentia regia
→
→
judge royal
/iudex curiae regiae/
regiae/
curiae regis/
tavernicus4
tavernicus
/magister
tavernicus
→
palatine
→
mid-15th c.: sedes
tavernicalis
tavernicorum/
curia palatinalis
since
ca.1110:
palatine’s
jurisdiction
in curia
palatine’s
→
jurisdiction
in curia sua
→
since 1342:
palatine
→
Palatine
sua
1
Until 1429. (BÓNIS, Jogtudó 128.)
cancellarius personalis presentiae regiae, personalis presentiae locum tenens
3
between 1260 and 1380
4
passes sentence at the court of the presentia regia in cases related to towns
2
183
Appendix 3: Chancellors and vice-chancellors of the Hungarian and imperial chanceries (1387–1437)
(on the following page)
Notes:
1
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 32. Also bishop of Transylvania (1389–1391), ENGEL, Arch. Gen.
Provost of Oradea (Várad), c.f. with C. TÓTH, Archontológia 67–69.
3
MÁLYUSZ, Kaiser Sigismund 68–69, 290.
4
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 64, 73 n. 360.
5
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 25.
6
John of Aussig. C. TÓTH, Archontológia 55, 58.
7
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 57.
8
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 45, 61, 62.
9
First mentioned as imperial chancellor on 8th July 1411 (DF 241435; ZsO III/1014). According to Ulrich
Richental Kanizsai died on 30th December 1417, Forstreiter says on 18th May 1418 (FORSTREITER, Die
deutsche Reichskanzlei 23). Nonetheless, there is a charter issued in Kanizsai’s name dated from 20 th May
1418 (DF 236431; ZsO VI/1934; Fejér X/6. 143.); he was referred to as “late” only on 25th June 1418 (DF
236429; ZsO VI/2090).
10
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 40.
11
Between late August 1419 and early August 1420, C. TÓTH, Hiteleshely 422.
12
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 22, 25. Also cathedral canon of Pécs (since 1412), died in 1428. FEDELES, Pécsi
székeskáptalan 446.
13
Custos of Čazma (Csázma). BÓNIS, Jogtudó 130.
14
C. TÓTH, Archontológia 55, 74. Also bishop of Vác (1438–1439), ENGEL, Arch. Gen.
15
FORSTREITER, Kanzlei Sigmunds 23–24; RI XI Neubearb. I. 172 and 173 n. 4.; C. TÓTH, Archontológia
38.
16
Cathedral canon of Zagreb, BÓNIS, Jogtudó 110.
2
184
Chancellor
1387
1388
1389
1390
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
1396
1397
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402
1403
1404
1405
1406
1407
1408
1409
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419
1420
1421
1422
1423
1424
1425
1426
1427
1428
1429
1430
1431
1432
1433
1434
1435
1436
1437
Vice-chancellor
Secret chancellor
Secret vicechancellor
Imperial
chancellor
Imperial vicechancellor
?
Wencelas’
and
Rupert’s
chancellors
—
1388–1390
Peter Knoll1
Matthew2
1387–1403
John Kanizsai
1392–1397
John Szepesi3
?
Archbishop of
Esztergom
1397–1401
Stephen Upori4
1403–1404
Lambert of Geldern5
1402–1404
John Uski6
1405–1409
Nicholas Csebi
(Csicseri) Orosz
1405–1409
Clement Korpádi7
1404–1419
Eberhard
?
?
1405–1418
Emmerich Perényi
Bishop of Zagreb
1411–1417 John
Kanizsai9
1411–1418
George Késmárki8
Vacant11
1411–1425
John Szászi12
1419–1423
Emmerich und
Matthew Pálóczi
1421–1433
John of Alben
Bishop of Zagreb
?
1423–1433
John of Alben
1428–1430
Andreas
Szentgyörgyi13
Bishop of Zagreb
1419–1423
Ladislaus Csapi
1424–1433
Matthias Gatalóci14
Archbishop of
Esztergom
1417–1423
George of
Hohenlohe
1412–1417 John
Esztergomi10
Vacant
Bishop of Passau
1423–1433 John
of Alben
1422–1430
Franz Gewitz /
Gewitsch15
Bishop of Zagreb
1430–1433
Caspar Schlick
?
1433–1439
Matthias
Gatalóci14
?
1433–1439
Matthias Gatalóci14
Stephen
Büki16
Stephen
Büki16
1433 –
Caspar Schlick
—
185
Appendix 4: Changes of the corroboratio and intitulatio in the Hungarian charters in 1411
(based on the originals)
Great
Secret
Title
Hung. until:
18th Sept. 14111
Rom. from:
20thNov. 1411
Corrob
After 1411
litteras
nostras
privilegiales pendentis
autentici sigilli nostri
novi dupplicis munimine
roboratas
litteras
nostras
privilegiales
pendentis
autentici
sigilli
nostri
novi
dupplicis quo ut
rex
hungarie
utimur munimine
roboratas
pendenti secreto nostro regio
sigillo quo ut rex Hungarie
utimur
sigilli nostri secreti quo ut rex
Hungarie utimur appensione
Title
Rom. From
6th Febr. 1411
6th Febr. –
30th Sept. 1411:
Not uniform2
Rom. From
23rd Febr. 1411
Title
Corrob
NONE3
Corrob
SI verso
NONE
Hung. until
6th Febr.
1411
After 1411
litterae armales issued outside
the Kingdom of Hungary from
1414 on:
Romanorum Rex
NONE
Corrob
SI recto
Letters patent
Letters closed
Before 1411
Hung. until
26th Jan. 1411
Title
SP
Privileges
Before 1411
Hung. until
[1410]
Presentes autem sigillo
nostro maiori quo ut rex
hungarie utimur fecimus
consignari
Rom. From
4th May 1411
Presentes autem sigillo
nostro maiori quo ut rex
hungarie utimur fecimus
consignari
Hung. until
18th Jan. 1411
Rom. From
9th March 1411
9th March –
7th Sept. 1411:
sub sigillo nostro
solito / sub solito
nostro sigillo4
1
Except in April 1411 MNL OL DL 63734, DF 228561, 281705; in July 1411 MNL OL DL 7091, DF
210892, 210893; on 11th September 1411 MNL OL DF 285867 (rex Romanorum).
2
presentes autem sigillo nostro solito / consueto / solito et consueto fecimus consignari; datum sub sigillo
nostro minori etc. See p. 35.
3
Except MOL DL 92397 announcing the introduction of the new secret seal (Appendix 7).
4
Also sigillo nostro minori quo ut rex Hungarie utimur fecimus consignari (MNL OL DL 9767).
186
Middle Seal
Corrob
Hung. until
[1410]
After 1411
Before 1411
Specialis presentia
After 1411
Rom. From
7th June 1411
NONE
sub appensione sigilli nostri mediocris
Corrob
NONE
Hung. until
[1410]
Corrob
Title
Corrob
SI
Letters closed
SI verso
Title
Letters patent
SI recto
Title
SP
Privileges
Title
Before 1411
Rom. from
2nd July 1411
Hung. until
6th February 1411
Rom. From
6th June 1411
NONE
Hung. until
3rd June 1411
Rom. From
12th June 1411
… propter absentiam venerabilis patris domini
Eberhardi episcopi ecclesie Zagrabiensis aule nostre
cancellarii et sigillorum nostrorum erga ipsum
habitorum sigillo eiusdem fecimus consignari
Hung. until
15th Febr. 1411
Rom. From
14th Febr. 1411
… propter absentiam venerabilis patris domini
Eberhardi episcopi ecclesie Zagrabiensis aule nostre
cancellarii et sigillorum nostrorum erga ipsum
habitorum sigillo eiusdem fecimus consignari
5
Sometimes presentes autem propter celerem expeditionem aliarum causarum regnicolarum nostrorum
sigillo venerabilis Eberhardi episcopi Zagrabiensis aule nostre cancelarii fecimus consignari. C. TÓTH,
Hiteleshely 416.
187
Appendix 5: Charter announcing the introduction of Sigismund’s fifth Hungarian secret seal
MNL OL DL 923971033
1033
Nineteenth-century copy of the mandate addressed to the county of Bács MNL OL DL 107946, p. 5.
188
Appendix 6: Entries in the Reichsregisterbuch (Fol. 1r–11r)
The first fifty entries of the Reichsregisterbuch E, Fol.1r–11r
Fol. 1r
1412-03-31
1412-04-26
1412-04-26 (Not.)
1412-03-28 (cont. fol. 1v)
Kassa
Kassa
Kassa
Kassa
Fol. 2r-3r
1411-07-08 (2r-2v-3r)
1411-07-14
Buda
Buda
1411-07-21 (cont. fol.3v)
Visegrád
Fol. 1v
1412-03-28 (cont. fol.1r)
Kassa
1412-04-08
Kassa
Fol. 3v
1411-07-21 (cont. fol.3r)
Visegrád
1411-07-03
Buda
1411-07-21
Visegrád
1411-08-25 (cont. fol.4r)
Visegrád
Fol. 4r
1411-08-25 (cont. fol.3v)
Visegrád
1411-08-09
Hévkút
1411-08-09 (Not.)
1411-08-09 (Not.)
Fol. 4v
1411-08-09 (Not.)
Hévkút
1411- 08-28(Not.)
Visegrád
1411-08-25 (cont. 5r-5v)
Visegrád
Fol. 5r
1411-08-25 (cont. 4v-5v)
Fol. 5v
1411-08-25 (cont. 4v-5r)
Visegrád
1411-08-26
Visegrád
1411-08-25 (cont. 6r)
Visegrád
Visegrád
Fol. 6r
1411-08-25 (cont. 5v)
1411-08-28
1411-08-28 (Not.)
1411-08-31
Fol. 6v
Visegrád
Visegrád
Visegrád
Visegrád
1411-09-06
1411-09-07
Visegrád
Visegrád
1411-10-12 (cont. 7r)
Pressburg
1411-10-12 (cont. 6v)
Pressburg
1411-08-31 (Not.)
1411-08-31 (cont. 7v)
Visegrád
Visegrád
1411-08-31 (cont. 7r)
[1411-08-31] (Not.)
1411-08-31
[1411-08-31] (Not.)
1411-08-31
Fol. 7r
Fol. 7v
Fol. 8r
1411-08-31
1411-08-31
1411-10-02 (Not.)
1411-10-02 (Not.)
1411-10-02 (Not.)
1411-10-02 (Not.)
1411-09-12
Visegrád
Visegrád
Pressburg
Pressburg
Pressburg
Pressburg
Visegrád
Visegrád
[Visegrád]
Visegrád
[Visegrád]
Visegrád
Fol. 8v
1411-09-28
Pressburg
1411-10-05 (cont. 9r-9v)
Pressburg
189
Fol. 9r
1411-10-05 (cont. 8v-9v)
Pressburg
Fol. 9v
1411-10-05 (cont. 8v-9r)
Pressburg
1411-10-07 (cont. 10r)
Pressburg
Fol. 10r
1411-10-07 (cont. 9v)
1411- 10-17 (cont. 10v)
Pressburg
Pressburg
Fol. 10v
1411-10-17 (cont. 10r)
Pressburg
1411-10-19
Pressburg
1411-10-31 (cont. 11r)
Visegrád
Fol. 11r
1411-10-31 (cont. 10v)
1411-11-03 (Not.)
1411-09-29 (Not.)
1411-09-29 (Not.)
1411-09-29 (Not.)
1411-09-29 (Not.)
1411-09-29 (Not.)
1411-11-20 (Not.)
Visegrád
Visegrád
Pressburg
Pressburg
Pressburg
Pressburg
Pressburg
Visegrád
190
Appendix 7: Palatine Nicholas Garai’s services rendered for Sigismund
MNL OL DL 10390
[…] Fidelis noster dilectus magnificus Nicolaus de Gara regni nostri Hungarie palatinus etc. ad singularem
nostram requisitionem et nostrum regium mandatum ad celsitudinem nostram in Istrie et in Cast accedens
terras quas tunc Veneti nostri et sacre nostre regni Hungarie hostes et inimici Sacrique Romani Imperii
rebelles notorii occupatas tenebant, ubi in plurimorum castrorum et fortaliciorumque circumvalacione
expugnacione et obtencione nobis fideliter serviendo adherebat. Et deinde versus Foriiulii partes nobiscum
progrediens in quibus similiter in quamplurimorum castrorum, fortaliciorum et terrarum circumvalacione
expugnacione et optencione tunc aput prefatos Venetos et eorum complices existentium, que Altissimo
auxiliante expugnavimus et optinuimus potenti manu Maiestati nostre viriliter assistebat. Post hoc vero in
treugarum et pacis coacti fuerunt sempe suis propriis nonmodicis sumptibus et expensis quamplures
incomoditates gravissimas ad honorem nostre regie celsitudinis sacreque predicti regni nostri Hungarie
corone maximum ad profectum sustulit et labores. Et demum idem Nicolaus palatinus de nostra voluntate
beneplacita et permissione in prefatum regnum nostrum Hungarie regrediens ex nostre maiestatis singulari
requisitione et precepto serenissimam principem dominam Barbaram predictorum regnorum reginam
conthoralem nostram carissimam anno proxime preterito de eodem regno nostro Hungarie in Alemanie
partes in Aquisgranum ubi cum eadem serenissima principe domina Barbara regina primam imperialem
coronam favente domino honore magnifico suscepimus cum honesta ipsius familia associando et
festivitatibus susceptionis eiusdem sacre imperialis corone ibidem adherens, de eodem Aquisgrano in
pretactis Alamanie partibus in Constanciensem civitatem nobiscum et cum predicta serenissima principe
domina Barbara regina in ipsius propriis sumptibus et expensis proficiscendo; in qua quidem Constanciensi
civitate ad extirpandum supradictum scisma pestiferum et ad felicem unionem in ecclesia dei faciendam. Pro
cuiusquidem unionis felici confirmatione idem Nicolaus palatinus quia ex unione huiusmodi et perfecta
sancte ecclesie Dei reintegracione universitatem christiani populi et precipue felicem populum Hungarice
nationis a natione barbarica et presertim a crudelissimis Turcis liberari considerebat unacum nostra maiestate
sollicitudine laboravit pervigili predictum sacrum generale concilium tunc erat et nunc exstitit congregatum
nobiscum et cum antedicta serenissima principe domina Barbara regina similiter in ipsius propriis sumptibus
et expensis plurima onerorum incomoda pertulit et labores. Deindeque de dicta Constanciensi civitate cum
celsitudine nostra in Francie partes presertim in civitatem Narbonensem eciam cum decenti et nonmodica
ipsius familia in suis propriis sumptibus et expensis venit ad nostram requisitionem et mandatum.
Quemquidem Nicolaum palatinum de cuius prudentia et sollerti procuratione confisi fuimus de predicta
Narbonensi civitate in regni Aragonie partes in villam Perpiniani ad serenissimum principem dominum
Ferdinandum regem Aragonium fratrem nostrum carissimum et ad antedictum Petrum de Luna cum quibus
personaliter propter sancte ecclesie unionis finalem consumationem convenire spoponderamus ad
preparandam maiestati nostre viam nostri accessus. […]
191
Appendix 8: Relators of documents issued by the Hungarian Secret Chancery
November 1412–January 1419
Name
Title1
Alsáni, John
Béládi, Tompa
master of the cupbearers
vice-master of the horses
Benedict
provost of Fehérvár
Csapi, Andreas
Garai, Nicholas
[aule regie iuvenis]
Palatine
Gebser, Peter
Hatvani, Nicholas
Kompolti, Peter
Aule regie miles
[aule regie miles]
master of the cupbearers
Kórógyi, Philip
[magister tavarnicorum
reginalium 1413–1419]
Kusalyi Jakcs, Michael
[aule regie miles]
Lévai Cseh, Peter
Pálóci, Emmerich
Pelsőci Bebek, Andreas
master of the horses
[aule regie miles]
master of the horses
pataki Perényi, Nicholas
[aule regie miles]
Pipo
count of Temes
Roskoványi, John
Rozgonyi, John
Rozgonyi, Stephan (the
Elder, Ladilaus’ son)
Aule regie iuvenis
Supremus thesaurarius
[aule regie miles]
Rozgonyi, Stephan (the
Younger, Simon’s son)
Date and archive signature
of the charter
1415-02-14 (DF 259518)
1413-03-20 (DF 243935)2
1413-05-14 (DL 58895)
[1415-05-11
[1417-04-20
1417-09-18 (DL 43368)
1413-04-28 (DF 275692)
1413-01-01 (DL 25899)
1414-11-19 (DF 226218)
1415-01-01 (DL 105585)
1415-02-02 (DL 105587)4
1413-12-05 (DF 202066)
1416-02-03 (DL 92478)
1415-05-01 (DL 10342)5
1417-05-29 (DL 58931)
1417-05-30 (DL 79405)
1417-05-30 (DL 79406)
1417-06-03 (DL 79411)
1417-06-06 (DL 79418)
1417-06-24 (DL 10517)
1417-11-30 (DF 268857)
1418-05-08 (DL 57166)
1415-01-09 (DL 10296)
1415-03-26 (DL 70804)
1415-04-22 (DF 253176)
1415-04-22 (DF 253177)
1418-06-20 (DF 250854)
1418-06-25 (DL 43408)
1412-12-08 (DF 230922)
1413-04-09 (DF 253684)
1413-04-14 (DF 244659)
1413-04-28 (DL 53663)
1413-05-21 (DL 57433)
1413-06-02 (DL 96844)
1415-04-07 (DL 49779)
1415-04-14 (DL 10332)
1415-04-14 (DL 10333)
1415-07-13 (DF 249464)
1415-07-25 (DF 261157)
1418-02-27 (DL 96954)
1418-03-06 (DL 57476)
1416-05-22 (DL 84838)
1416-12-13 (DL 10512)
1417-02-24 (DL 96927)
1417[-02-24] (DL 96948)6
1418-03-08 (DL 73 246)
1418-04-08 (DL 23097)
1418-09-05 (DF 282822)
Place of issue
Constance
Aquileia
Udine
Constance]3
Constance]3
Constance
Udine
Udine
Cologne
Constance
Constance
Lodi
Lyon
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Strassburg
Strassburg
Udine
Ariis
Ariis
Udine
Udine
Belluno
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Basel
Constance
Constance
London
Aachen
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
Ulm
192
Sitkei, Michael
Stibor the younger
Szanai, Nicholas
Szántói Lack, David
Szántói Lack, James
(Kálnai) Szendi,
Michael
Walchia, Georgius de
Aule nostre regie iuvenis
Aule regie familiaris
[vice-palatine]
[aule regie miles]
former voivode
[aule regie iuvenis]
Dispensator
1416-08-16 (DL 10487)
1417-11-25 (DL 98819)
1415-04-01 (DL 43640)
1415-02-02 (DL 105587)4
1414-07-07 (DL 10239)
1418-06-18 (DL 84357)
1415-03-17 (DL 49758)
1415-03-20 (DL 72587)
1418-01-17 (DL 70132)
1418-01-17 (DL 70133)
Leeds
Constance
Constance
Constance
Solodero
Strassburg
Constance
Constance
Constance
Constance
1
In [ ] when not mentioned in the chancery note
In the relatio-note agazonum regalium magister.
3
imperial chancery document
4
relatio Nicolai de Gara per Nicolaum de Zana facta
5
upper right corner: commissio propria domini regis, under the seal: relatio Petri de Compolth
6
Relatio Stephani de Rozgon
2
193
Queen Barbara
Archbishop John of Riga
Bishop Hartmann of. Chur
Bishop John of Chur
Albert, prior of Vrana
Alse(e) of Ronow (Ronaw)
Alsso of Sternberg
Bernard Blessing/ Blessnitz
Burkart of Mannsberg
Conrad of Freiburg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Constance,
major and council of ~
David Szántói Lack
Eberhard of Kirchberg
Eberhard of Nellenburg
Egon of Fürstenberg
Erkinger of Sensheim
Frederick of Nuremberg1
Frederick of Toggenburg
Frischhans of Bodman
Günther of Schwarzburg
Hans Conrad of Bodman
Hans of Lupfen
Hans of Homburg
Hans, Count of Freiburg
Haupt of Pappenheim
Henry of Blumenau
Henry of Fürstenberg
Henry of Latzembock
Henry Tamási
●
Mentioned on 29 June 1417 RI XI/2432
15 December 1418 Passau / 3 500 rhein.Gulden
15 October1418 Augsburg / 4 000 rhein.Gulden
3 May 1418 Constance / 10 400 rhein. Gulden
28 March 1418, Constance / 7 000 rhein.Gulden
20 October 1417, Constance / 8 000 rhein. Gulden
20 October 1417, Constance / 7 000 rhein. Gulden
20 September 1417, Constance / 360 rhein. Gulden
9 July 1417, Constance / Schutz
12 April 1417, Radolfzell / 360 Gulden
7 November 1416, Dordrecht / 3 000 Gulden
10 July 1415, Constance / 23 000 ung. Gulden
1 July 1415, Constance/ 3 000 Gulden
14 June 1415, Constance / 23 000 ung. Gulden
5 August, 1413, Meran / 2 000 Dukat
Appendix 9: Guarantors of loans granted to Sigismund
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●*
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●*
●
●3
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
194
●
Mentioned on 29 June 1417 RI XI/2432
15 December 1418 Passau / 3 500 rhein.Gulden
15 October1418 Augsburg / 4 000 rhein.Gulden
3 May 1418 Constance / 10 400 rhein. Gulden
28 March 1418, Constance / 7 000 rhein.Gulden
20 October 1417, Constance / 8 000 rhein. Gulden
20 October 1417, Constance / 7 000 rhein. Gulden
20 September 1417, Constance / 360 rhein. Gulden
9 July 1417, Constance / Schutz
12 April 1417, Radolfzell / 360 Gulden
7 November 1416, Dordrecht / 3 000 Gulden
10 July 1415, Constance / 23 000 ung. Gulden
1 July 1415, Constance/ 3 000 Gulden
14 June 1415, Constance / 23 000 ung. Gulden
5 August, 1413, Meran / 2 000 Dukat
Hug, Count of Werdenberg
James Szántói Lack
John Esztergomi
John of Lupfen
John Rozgonyi
John, Count of Görz
John, Duke of Bayern (?)
Jorg of Zedlitz
Ladislaus Blagai
Louis of Öttingen
Louis, Count Palatine of Pfalz
Louis, Duke of Brieg
Matthias Lemlin/Lemmel
Matthias Pálóci
Mikeš Jemništi
Nicholas Bunzlau
Nicholas Perényi2
Nickel of Reibenitz
Peter Gewisser
Peter Silstrank
Pipo Ozorai
Stefan Smyher, knight
Wigleis Schenk of Geiern
William Hase of Waldeck
* Also co-sealers
●
●
●
●
●
●*
●
●4
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
?
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
1
See also RI XI/3130.
Nikolaus v. Perin Sohn: Most probably Nicholas Pataki Perényi, see n. 372 and Appendix 9.
3
RI XI/2633.
4
RI XI/2619.
2
195
Archbishop Bartholomeo of Milan
Archbishop Dietrich of Cologne
Archbishop John Kanizsai of Esztergom
Archbishop John of Riga
Archbishop Werner of Trier
Bishop Albert of Regensburg
Bishop Conrad of Metz
Bishop George of Passau
Bishop George of Trient
Bishop John of Brandenburg
Bishop John of Lebus
Bishop John of Worms
Bishop John of Würzburg
Bishop Nicholas of Merseburg
Bishop Raban of Speyer
Bishop Simon of Trau
Adolf, Count of Cleve
Adolf, Duke of Berg, Count of Ravensberg
Albert of Hohenlohe
Albert, Duke of Saxony- Lüneburg
Albert Schenk of Landsberg
Albert Schenk of Seida
Anton of Chalant (cardinal)
Bernard, Margrave of Baden
Brunoro della Scala
Caspar of Klingenberg
Conrad, Count of Freiburg
Eberhard, Count of Nellenburg
Emicho of Leiningen
Ernst, Duke of Bayern
Francesco Zabarella (cardinal)
Frederick, Margrave of Meissen
Frederick, Burggrave of Nuremberg, Margrave of
Brandenburg
Frederick of Veldenz
Frischhans of Bodman
Günther, Count of Schwarzburg, Hofrichter
16 January 1419, Linz
17 July 1418, Hagenau
14 January 1418, Constance
8 January 1418, Constance
12 July 1417, Constance*
28 April 1417, Constance
18 April 1417, Constance
8 November 1414, Aachen (3)
23 October 1413, Sala
8 November 1412
9 July 1411
Appendix 10: Witnesses and co-sealers of Sigismund’s charters
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196
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16 January 1419, Linz
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17 July 1418, Hagenau
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○
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●
14 January 1418, Constance
8 January 1418, Constance
12 July 1417, Constance*
28 April 1417, Constance
18 April 1417, Constance
8 November 1414, Aachen (3)
23 October 1413, Sala
8 November 1412
9 July 1411
Hans Conrad of Bodman
Hans, Count of Lupfen
Hartmann of Chur
Haupt of Pappenheim, Hofmarshall
Henry, Duke of Bayern
Henry of Krawar
Hermann, Count of Cilli
James Szántói Lack, Voivode of Transylvania**
John [Albeni], Ban [of Dalmatia-Croatia]
John of Katzenellebogen
John of Lupfen
John of Michelsberg
John, Prince of Münsterberg
John of Wertheim
Louis, Count of Öttingen, Hofmeister
Louis, Count Palatine of Pfalz
Manuel Chrysoloras
Nicholas, Abbot of Pegau
Nicholas Garai, Palatine
Otto, Duke of Bayern
Puota of Eulenburg
Rainald, Duke of Jülich
Rudolf, Duke of Saxony
Thomas of Rieneck
Wenceslas of Duba
Wigleis Schenk of Geyern
William of Bagnum
William, Duke of Bayern
William Hase of Waldeck
William of Frauenhof
William of Monfort
●
○
●
●
* also dignitaries and envoys of Savoy
** voivode of Transylvania between 1403 and 1409, the queen’s master of the doorkeepers and master of
the household between 1413 and 1417
○ members of the judiciary court
197
Appendix 11: Referents of the imperial chancery
Referents mentioned in chancery notes of documents issued by the imperial chancery
1410-08-05 Buda
1410-08-06 Buda
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
1411-06-30 Buda
1411-07-03 Buda
1411-07-21 Visegrád
1411-08-25 Visegrád
1411-08-26 Visegrád
1411-08-28 Visegrád
1411-08-31 Visegrád
1411-09-28 Pressburg
1411-09-29 Pressburg
1411-10-19 Pressburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Pipo of Ozora
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Ehrenfried von Seckendorff, Frederick of Nuremberg’s marshal
1412-03-31 Košice
1412-09-07 Buda
Benedict Provost of Fehérvár
John Esztergomi
1413-06-26 Trento
1413-08-01 Bozen
Mikeš Jemništi
Mikeš Jemništi
1414-07-15 Frankfurt
1414-10-03 Nuremberg
1414-10-15 Heilbronn
1414-10-15 Heilbronn
1414-10-16 Heilbronn
1414-10-22 Speyer
1414-10-22 Speyer
1414-10-29 Koblenz
1414-11-01 Bonn
1414-11-08 Aachen
1414-11-08 Aachen
1414-11-08 Aachen
1414-11-13 Lechenich
1414-11-16 Bonn
1414-11-26 Cologne
1414-12-13 Frankfurt
1414-12-14 Frankfurt
1414-12-16 Mainz
1414-12-17 Mainz
1414 Frankfurt
1414 Frankfurt
John Esztergomi
Rudolf, Duke of Saxony
Frederick of Nuremberg
Raban, Bishop of Speyer (d. Spirensis)
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Raban, Bishop of Speyer
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Michael Priest*
John Esztergomi
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Conrad of Weinsberg
George of Hohenlohe
Günter of Schwarzburg
Raban, Bishop of Speyer
Raban, Bishop of Speyer
John Esztergomi (RI XI/1354)
Conrad of Weinsberg (RI XI/1355)
January 1415 – July 1415: Constance
1415-01-02 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1415-01-07 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1415-01-08 Constance
John Esztergomi
1415-01-09 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1415-01-10 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1415-01-18 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1415-01-22 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1415-01-24 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1415-01-25 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1415-01-25 Constance
John Esztergomi
1415-01-27 Constance
John Esztergomi
1415-01-28 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1415-02-01 Constance
John Esztergomi
1415-02-02 Constance
John Esztergomi
1415-02-03 Constance
John Esztergomi
198
1415-02-03 Constance
1415-02-04 Constance
1415-02-06 Constance
1415-02-06 Constance
1415-02-06 Constance
1415-02-14 Constance
1415-02-14 Constance
1415-02-14 Constance
1415-02-16 Constance
1415-02-17 Constance
1415-02-27 Constance
1415-02-21 Constance
1415-02-27 Constance
1415-03-02 Constance
1415-03-04 Constance
1415-03-11 Constance
1415-03-13 Constance
1415-03-15 Constance
1415-03-19 Constance
1415-03-20 Constance
1415-03-20 Constance
1415-03-22 Constance
1415-03-23 Constance
1415-03-24 Constance
1415-03-25 Constance
1415-03-26 Constance
1415-03-26 Constance
1415-03-27 Constance
1415-03-30 Constance
1415-03-30 Constance
1415-04-01 Constance
1415-04-03 Constance
1415-04-05 Constance
1415-04-06 Constance
1415-04-10 Constance
1415-04-10 Constance
1415-04-12 Constance
1415-04-19 Constance
1415-04-20 Constance
1415-04-21 Constance
1415-04-22 Constance
1415-04-22 Constance
1415-04-24 Radolfzell
1415-04-27 Constance
1415-05-02 Constance
1415-05-03 Constance
1415-05-08 Constance
1415-05-11 Constance
1415-05-18 Constance
1415-05-22 Constance
1415-05-23 Constance
1415-05-25 Constance
1415-05-27 Constance
1415-06-03 Constance
1415-06-07 Constance
1415-06-07 Constance
1415-06-10 Constance
1415-06-13 Constance
1415-06-14 Constance
1415-06-21 Constance
1415-06-26 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
John Esztergomi
John Esztergomi
Günter of Schwarzburg
Wygleys Schenck de Geyern
George I von Lichtenstein, Bishop of Trento
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
John Esztergomi
John Esztergomi
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
George of Hohenlohe
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Rudolf, Duke of Saxony
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Wigleis Schenk of Geiern
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
John Esztergomi
John Esztergomi
Benedict, Provost of Fehérvár
Nicholas Garai
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
John Esztergomi
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Erkinger de Saunsheim
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
199
1415-06-27 Constance
1415-07-04 Constance
1415-07-06 Constance
1415-07-11 Constance
1415-07-13 Constance
1415-07-13 Constance
1415 Constance
1415 Constance
1415 Basel
John Esztergomi
John Esztergomi
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
John Esztergomi (RI XI/1511, 1742)
R[umpold], Duke of Silesia (RI XI/1539)1034
Frederick of Nuremberg (RI XI/1877)
July 1415 – January 1417:
1416-03-25 Paris
William Hase of Waldeck
1416-06-30 Leeds
William Hase of Waldeck
1416-07-08 Leeds
Matthias Lemmel
1417-01-28 Luxemburg William Hase of Waldeck
February 1417 – May 1418: Constance
1417-02-11 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-02-11 Constance
N. de Ribnitz
1417-02-15 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-02-17 Constance
Conrad of Weinsberg
1417-02-20 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-02-26 Constance
Conrad of Weinsberg
1417-02-27 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-02-27 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-03-01 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-03-01 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-03-03 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-03-18 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-03-19 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-03-20 Constance
Conrad of Weinsberg
1417-03-21 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-03-23 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-03-27 Constance
Henry of Latzembock
1417-03-29 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-03-29 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-03-30 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-03-31 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-02 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-02 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-04-03 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-03 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-04-04 Constance
Bishop George of Hohenlohe (!,G. Patav. episcop.)
1417-04-06 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-15 Constance
Louis of Öttingen
1417-04-16 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-19 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-20 Constance
Benedict Provost of Fehérvár
1417-04-21 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-26 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-29 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-30 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-04-30 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-05-02 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-05-02 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
1417-05-03 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1417-05-04 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
1034
Henry X Rumpold, Duke of Żagań = Henry X of Głogów.
200
1417-05-05 Constance
1417-05-05 Constance
1417-05-06 Constance
1417-05-06 Constance
1417-05-06 Constance
1417-05-07 Constance
1417-05-09 Constance
1417-05-10 Constance
1417-05-11 Constance
1417-05-11 Constance
1417-05-12 Constance
1417-05-12 Constance
1417-05-13 Constance
1417-05-14 Constance
1417-05-15 Constance
1417-05-17 Constance
1417-05-18 Constance
1417-05-20 Constance
1417-05-21 Constance
1417-05-22 Constance
1417-05-25 Constance
1417-05-27 Constance
1417-05-27 Constance
1417-05-28 Constance
1417-05-29 Constance
1417-05-29 Constance
1417-05-29 Constance
1417-05-30 Constance
1417-05-31 Constance
1417-05-31 Constance
1417-06-02 Constance
1417-06-03 Constance
1417-06-05 Constance
1417-06-05 Constance
1417-06-06 Constance
1417-06-07 Constance
1417-06-09 Constance
1417-06-13 Constance
1417-06-21 Constance
1417-06-23 Constance
1417-06-24 Constance
1417-06-26 Constance
1417-06-28 Constance
1417-06-28 Constance
1417-06-29 Constance
1417-06-29 Constance
1417-07-01 Constance
1417-07-01 Constance
1417-07-01 Constance
1417-07-02 Constance
1417-07-04 Constance
1417-07-04 Constance
1417-07-08 Constance
1417-07-09 Constance
1417-07-09 Constance
1417-07-10 Constance
1417-07-13 Constance
1417-07-16 Constance
1417-07-16 Constance
1417-07-20 n. p.
1417-07-20 Meersburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frischhans of Bodman
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis, Count of Brieg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
William Hase of Waldeck
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
Louis of Öttingen
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Eberhard of Nellenburg
Wenceslas of Duba
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Günter of Schwarzburg
William Hase of Waldeck
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
S(imon), Bishop of Trau/Trogir
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
201
1417-07-22 Meersburg
1417-07-23 Constance
1417-08-04 Constance
1417-08-04 Constance
1417-08-05 Constance
1417-08-11 Constance
1417-08-12 Constance
1417-08-13 Constance
1417-08-16 Constance
1417-08-26 Constance
1417-08-29 Constance
1417-09-01 Constance
1417-09-01 Constance
1417-09-09 Constance
1417-09-10 Constance
1417-09-16 Constance
1417-09-20 Constance
1417-09-20 Constance
1417-09-22 Constance
1417-09-22 Constance
1417-09-23 Constance
1417-09-23 Constance
1417-09-24 Constance
1417-09-25 Constance
1417-09-25 Constance
1417-09-27 Constance
1417-10-02 Constance
1417-10-04 Constance
1417-10-04 Constance
1417-10-09 Constance
1417-10-12 Constance
1417-10-13 Constance
1417-10-13 Constance
1417-10-19 Constance
1417-10-20 Constance
1417-10-20 Constance
1417-10-23 n. p.
1417-10-23 Constance
1417-10-28 Constance
1417-10-30 Constance
1417-10-30 Constance
1417-11-05 Constance
1417-11-09 Constance
1417-11-12 Constance
1417-11-13 Constance
1417-11-14 Constance
1417-11-15 Constance
1417-11-15 Constance
1417-11-16 Constance
1417-11-16 Constance
1417-11-17 Constance
1417-11-17 Constance
1417-11-17 Constance
1417-11-19 Constance
1417-11-19 Constance
1417-11-20 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg, Albert Schenk of Seida1035
John Esztergomi
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
John Esztergomi
Frederick of Nuremberg
Bishop and Imperial Chancellor George of Hohenlohe (!,G. Ep. Pat canc.)
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
George of Hohenlohe
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Wigleis Schenk of Geiern
Frederick of Nuremberg
George of Hohenlohe
George I von Lichtenstein, Bishop of Trento
Frederick of Nuremberg1036
[John of Borsnitz] Bishop of Lebus[-Fürstenwalde]
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
John Esztergomi
John (Frischhans) of Bodman
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
1035
RI XI/2502: Per d. Fr. march. Brand. etc. Schenk de Seyda referente Michel
RI XI/2639: on the original Ad m. d. r. Friderico marchione Brandenb. referente Joh. Kirchen, in the register book
Ad m. d. r. Joh. Kirch.
1036
202
1417-11-22 Constance
1417-11-25 Constance
1417-11-25 Constance
1417-11-27 Constance
1417-11-30 Constance
1417-12-01 Constance
1417-12-03 Constance
1417-12-03 Constance
1417-12-04 Constance
1417-12-05 Constance
1417-12-06 Constance
1417-12-07 Constance
1417-12-08 Constance
1417-12-08 Constance
1417-12-09 Constance
1417-12-09 Constance
1417-12-09 Constance
1417-12-10 Constance
1417-12-11 Constance
1417-12-11 Constance
1417-12-13 Constance
1417-12-14 Constance
1417-12-14 Constance
1417-12-16 Constance
1417-12-16 Constance
1417-12-17 Constance
1417-12-19 Constance
1417-12-21 Constance
1417-12-23 Constance
1417-12-24 Constance
1417 Constance
1417 Constance
1417 Constance
1417 Constance
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
John Esztergomi
Conrad of Weinsberg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Louis of Öttingen
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
John Esztergomi
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
John Uski, Provost of Pécs
Louis of Öttingen
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
John Esztergomi
Frederick of Nuremberg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg (RI XI/2727, 2732)
Günter of Schwarzburg (RI XI/2153, 2733, 2751)
Louis of Öttingen, Günter of Schwarzburg (RI XI/2352)
Frederick of Nuremberg, Louis of Öttingen, Günter of Schwarzburg
(RI XI/2725, 2726)
1418-01-01 Constance
1418-01-02 Constance
1418-01-04 Constance
1418-01-07 Constance
1418-01-08 Constance
1418-01-09 Constance
1418-01-09 Constance
1418-01-10 Constance
1418-01-12 Constance
1418-01-13 Constance
1418-01-14 Constance
1418-01-15 Constance
1418-01-15 Constance
1418-01-16 Constance
1418-01-16 Constance
1418-01-17 Constance
1418-01-18 Constance
1418-01-19 Constance
1418-01-20 Constance
1418-01-21 Constance
1418-01-22 Constance
1418-01-23 Constance
1418-01-23 Constance
1418-01-23 Constance
S(imon), Bishop of Trau/Trogir
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
Conrad of Weinsberg
George of Hohenlohe
Frederick of Nuremberg
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe (2)
Haupt II of Pappenheim
George of Hohenlohe
Haupt II of Pappenheim
George of Hohenlohe
Haupt II of Pappenheim
George of Hohenlohe
Frederick of Nuremberg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
George of Hohenlohe
Günter of Schwarzburg
Conrad of Weinsberg
George of Hohenlohe
203
1418-01-24 Constance
1418-01-25 Constance
1418-01-26 Constance
1418-01-26 Constance
1418-01-27 Constance
1418-01-27 Constance
1418-01-27 Constance
1418-01-28 Constance
1418-01-28 Constance
1418-01-29 Constance
1418-01-30 Constance
1418-01-31 Constance
1418-01-31 Constance
1418-02-03 Constance
1418-02-04 Constance
1418-02-04 Constance
1418-02-04 Constance
1418-02-04 Constance
1418-02-06 Constance
1418-02-07 Constance
1418-02-09 Constance
1418-02-09 Constance
1418-02-10 Constance
1418-02-12 Constance
1418-02-14 Constance
1418-02-15 Constance
1418-02-16 Constance
1418-02-17 Constance
1418-02-19 Constance
1418-02-20 Constance
1418-02-21 Constance
1418-02-22 Constance
1418-02-22 Constance
1418-02-23 Constance
1418-02-23 Constance
1418-02-23 Constance
1418-02-23 Constance
1418-02-23 Constance
1418-02-24 Constance
1418-02-24 Constance
1418-02-26 Constance
1418-[02-27] Constance
1418-03-04 Constance
1418-03-06 Constance
1418-03-07 Constance
1418-03-09 Constance
1418-03-10 Constance
1418-03-12 Constance
1418-03-12 Constance
1418-03-12 Constance
1418-03-13 Constance
1418-03-14 Constance
1418-03-20 Constance
1418-03-21 Constance
1418-03-28 Constance
1418-03-30 Constance
1418-03-31 Constance
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Conrad of Weinsberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
George of Hohenlohe (2)
Louis of Öttingen
Conrad of Weinsberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Haupt II of Pappenheim1037
George of Hohenlohe
Günter of Schwarzburg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
John V of Wallenrode, Archbishop of Riga
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Matthias Lemmel
Conrad of Weinsberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Eberhard of Nellenburg
S(imon), Bishop of Trau/Trogir
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
Günter of Schwarzburg
1037
On the original Ad relac. Houpt de Bappenheim marscalko regio Joh. Kirchen, in the register book Ad m. d. r.
Houpt marschalk referente J. K.
204
1418-04-04 Constance
1418-04-12 Constance
1418-04-17 Constance
1418-04-17 Constance
1418-04-18 Constance
1418-04-19 Constance
1418-04-19 Constance
1418-04-24 Constance
1418-04-25 Constance
1418-04-25 Constance
1418-04-27 Constance
1418-[05] Basel
1418-05-04 Constance
1418-05-06 Constance
1418-05-09 Constance
1418-05-10 Constance
1418-05-10 Constance
1418-05-14 Constance
1418-05-15 Constance
1418-05-16 Constance
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Haupt II of Pappenheim
[John,] Bishop of Chur
John V of Wallenrode, Archbishop of Riga
Günter of Schwarzburg
John V of Wallenrode, Archbishop of Riga
John V of Wallenrode, Archbishop of Riga
Frederick of Nuremberg
Günter of Schwarzburg
Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
John of Lupfen
Frederick of Nuremberg
Frederick of Nuremberg
[Simon,] Bishop of Trau/Trogir
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
June 1418 – December 1419:
1418-06-20 Strassburg George of Hohenlohe
1418-06-21 Strassburg* George of Hohenlohe
1418-06-22 Strassburg George of Hohenlohe
1418-06-23 Strassburg Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
1418-06-26 Strassburg George of Hohenlohe
1418-06-27 Strassburg George of Hohenlohe
1418-06-28 Strassburg Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
1418-06-29 Strassburg George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-03 Strassburg George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-04 Strassburg Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
1418-07-04 Strassburg John of Lupfen
1418-07-11 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-12 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-13 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-13 Hagenau
Louis of Öttingen
1418-07-14 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-15 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-15 Hagenau
Louis of Öttingen
1418-07-17 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-18 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-18 Hagenau
Louis of Öttingen
1418-07-19 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-22 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-07-22 Hagenau
Louis of Öttingen
1418-07-25 Hagenau
Louis of Öttingenee
1418-07-26 Hagenau
George of Hohenlohe
1418-08-01 Baden
George of Hohenlohe
1418-08-03 Baden
George of Hohenlohe
1418-08-04 Baden
Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
1418-08-04 Baden
Louis of Öttingen
1418-08-05 Ettlingen
Louis of Öttingen
1418-08-07 Ettlingen
Louis of Öttingen
1418-08-07 Ettlingen
George of Hohenlohe
1418-08-09 Pforzheim
George of Hohenlohe
1418-08-10 Weil (?)
Bernard I, Margrave of Baden
1418-08-26 Weingarten S(imon), Bishop of Trau/Trogir
1418-09-06 Ulm
John of Lupfen (! mag. curie RI XI/3442)
1418-09-08 Ulm
George of Hohenlohe
205
1418-09-10 Ulm
1418-09-13 Ulm
1418-09-14 Ulm
1418-09-14 Ulm
1418-09-16 Ulm
1418-09-17 Ulm
1418-09-17 Ulm
1418-09-18 Ulm
1418-09-18 Ulm
1418-09-22 Öttingen
1418-09-23 Öttingen
1418-09-26 Öttingen
1418-09-27 Donauwörth
1418-10-02 Donauwörth
1418-10-05 Augsburg
1418-10-06 Augsburg
1418-10-06 Augsburg
1418-10-07 Augsburg
1418-10-08 Augsburg
1418-10-09 Augsburg
1418-10-11 Augsburg
1418-10-13 Augsburg
1418-10-14 Augsburg
1418-10-15 Augsburg
1418-10-15 Augsburg
1418-10-16 Augsburg
1418-10-24 Regensburg
1418-10-29 Regensburg
1418-10-30 Regensburg
1418-11-03 Regensburg
1418-11-06 Regensburg
1418-11-07 Regensburg
1418-12-04 Passau
1418-12-12 Passau
1418-12-14 Passau
1418-12-20 Passau
1418-12-29 Passau
1418-12-31 Passau
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Mikeš Jemništi
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Haupt II of Pappenheim
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Matthias Lemmel
Louis of Öttingen
Georg of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Matthias Lemmel
Louis of Öttingen
1419-01-02 Passau
1419-01-04 Passau
1419-01-16 Passau
1419-01-07 Passau
1419-01-08 Passau
1419-01-15 Ebelsberg1038
1419-01-15 Linz
1419-01-15(?) Vienna
1419-01-25 Vienna
1419-01-28 Vienna
1419-01-30 Vienna
1419-01-31 Vienna
1419-02-01 Vienna
1419-02-02 Vienna
1419-02-07 Pressburg
1419-02-08 Pressburg
1419-02-14 Skalica1039
1419-03-04 Pressburg
Matthias Lemmel
Georg of Hohenlohe
Matthias Lemmel
Louis of Öttingen
Georg of Hohenlohe
Haupt II of Pappenheim
Louis of Öttingen
Georg of Hohenlohe
John of Lupfen
Louis of Öttingen
Georg of Hohenlohe
Georg of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Georg of Hohenlohe
Georg of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
1038
1039
In Linz.
Szakolca, Skalitz (Slovakia).
206
1419-03-12 Fehérvár
1419-03-17 Esztergom
1419-04-10 Esztergom
1419-04-11 Esztergom
1419-04-14 Esztergom
1419-04-23 Visegrád
1419-04-23 Visegrád
1419-04-28 Visegrád
1419-05-04 Visegrád
1419-05-24 Kassa
1419-05-26 Kassa
1419-05-27 Kassa
1419-06-21 Kassa
1419-07-03 Kassa
1419-07-28 Esztergom
1419-08-12 Buda
1419-08-13 Buda
1419-08-12 Buda
1419-09-15 Kassa
1419-09-24 Varasd
1419-10-01 Varasd
1419-10-27 Neuhaus?
1419-10-28 Neuhaus?
1419-10-28 Orsova
1419-12-25 Skalitz
1419-12-29 Brno
Georg of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Georg of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
John [of Waldow], Bishop of Brandenburg
John [of Waldow], Bishop of Brandenburg
Louis of Öttingen
George of Hohenlohe
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
Louis of Öttingen
207
Appendix 12: Queen Barbara’s charter issuing
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1406 1410 1414 1418 1422 1426 1430 1434 1438
208
Appendix 13: Sigismund’s whereabouts in the Kingdom of Hungary 1404–1412
Buda
Visegrád
Kassa
Zólyom
Pozsony
Diakó
Nagyszombat
Végles
Fehérvár
Lőcse
Körös
Temesvár
Zagreb
Várad
Tata
Késmárk
Lubló
Bács
Esztergom
Pozsegavár
Dobor
Bihács
Diósgyőr
Pécs
Vác
Eger
Korpona
Hévkút
Kapronca
Dragotin
Nagyeng
Szentgyörgy
Gara
Igló
Sempte
Susicasztgyörgy
Tokaj
Árki
Besztercebánya
Debrecen
Komárom
Világosvár
Zólyomlipcse
Bánhida
days
nr. of stays
974
128
106
72
70
45
39
36
35
34
32
32
29
25
24
20
14
13
13
13
11
10
10
10
10
7
7
6
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
38
12
7
9
6
6
2
7
3
4
3
3
2
3
8
3
3
2
4
4
1
1
3
2
5
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
3
1
2
1
2
2
2
3
1
1
3
1
Buda
Visegrád
Zólyom
Tata
Kassa
Végles
Diakó
Pressburg
Vác
Esztergom
Lőcse
Pozsegavár
Debrecen
Diósgyőr
Dragotin
Fehérvár
Gara
Hévkút
Kapronca
Késmárk
Körös
Lubló
Temesvár
Várad
Zólyomlipcse
Árki
Bács
Besztercebánya
Böszörmény
Breznóbánya
Eger
Korpona
Miskolc
Nagyeng
Nagyszombat
Neszmély
Pécs
Sempte
Szentgyörgy
Tokaj
Zágráb
Ászár
Bánhida
Bát
nr. of stays
days
38
12
9
8
7
7
6
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
974
128
72
24
106
36
45
70
10
13
34
13
3
10
5
35
4
6
6
20
32
14
32
25
3
3
13
3
2
2
7
7
2
5
39
2
10
4
5
4
29
1
2
1
209
Böszörmény
Breznóbánya
Lippa
Miskolc
Neszmély
Nevna
Sopron
Szávasztdemeter
Ászár
Bát
Báta
Béla
Bjenik
Bojna
Csáktornya
Császár
Dédes
Dobronya
Dombró
Dömsöd
Eperjes
Ercsi
Erdöd
Érsomlyó
Gerencsér
Hosszúbács
Izdenc
Keve
Körmöcbánya
Környe
Krapina
Krassófö
Krupa
Lipcse
Ludbreg
Majsa
Maros
Mohács
Nagyhatvan
Nekcse
Nyitra
Orsova
Pécsvárad
Rudabánya
Siklós
Solymár
days
nr. of stays
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Báta
Béla
Bihács
Bjenik
Bojna
Csáktornya
Császár
Dédes
Dobor
Dobronya
Dombró
Dömsöd
Eperjes
Ercsi
Erdöd
Érsomlyó
Gerencsér
Hosszúbács
Igló
Izdenc
Keve
Komárom
Körmöcbánya
Környe
Krapina
Krassófö
Krupa
Lipcse
Lippa
Ludbreg
Majsa
Maros
Mohács
Nagyhatvan
Nekcse
Nevna
Nyitra
Orsova
Pécsvárad
Rudabánya
Siklós
Solymár
Sopron
Susicasztgyörgy
Szalatna
Szár
nr. of stays
days
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
1
1
1
1
1
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
1
1
210
Szalatna
Szár
Szentkereszt
Szepesbéla
Szikszó
Szond
Tamáshida
Tétény
Torony
Trencsén
Újbánya
Újlak
Újvár
Valpó
Vizsoly
Zsolna
days
nr. of stays
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Szávasztdemeter
Szentkereszt
Szepesbéla
Szikszó
Szond
Tamáshida
Tétény
Torony
Trencsén
Újbánya
Újlak
Újvár
Valpó
Világosvár
Vizsoly
Zsolna
nr. of stays
days
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
211
Appendix 14: Sigismund’s whereabouts in the Empire 1412–1419
Constance
Passau
Aachen
Strassburg
Koblenz
Regensburg
Speyer
Hagenau
Luxembourg
Ulm
Basel
Augsburg
Cologne
Heidelberg
Nuremberg
Radolfzell
Vienna
Donauwörth
Mainz
Nijmengen
Weingarten
Bonn
Baden
Heilbronn
Lüttich
Meersburg
Öttingen
Rothenburg
Bern
Dordrecht
Ettlingen
Linz
Montbéliard
Andernach
Frankfurt
Kolmar
Lechenich
Rottweil
Solothurn
Überlingen
Villingen
Weil
Wetzlar
Aarberg
days
nr. of stays
600
55
31
27
26
17
17
16
16
16
14
13
13
11
11
11
9
8
8
7
7
6
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
6
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
5
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
Constance
Basel
Aachen
Strassburg
Koblenz
Speyer
Cologne
Radolfzell
Mainz
Bonn
Solothurn
Passau
Regensburg
Hagenau
Luxemburg
Ulm
Augsburg
Heidelberg
Nuremberg
Vienna
Donauwörth
Nijmengen
Weingarten
Baden
Heilbronn
Lüttich
Meersburg
Öttingen
Rothenburg
Bern
Dordrecht
Ettlingen
Linz
Montbéliard
Andernach
Frankfurt
Kolmar
Lechenich
Rottweil
Überlingen
Villingen
Weil
Wetzlar
Aarberg
nr. of stays
days
6
5
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
600
14
31
27
26
17
13
11
8
6
2
55
17
16
16
16
13
11
11
9
8
7
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
212
Breisach
Dattenried
Ebelsberg
Friedberg
Gelnhausen
Ingolstadt
Lausanne
Pforzheim
Ravensburg
Seyssel
Stuttgart
Wissembourg
Worms
days
nr. of stays
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Breisach
Dattenried
Ebelsberg
Friedberg
Gelnhausen
Ingolstadt
Lausanne
Pforzheim
Ravensburg
Seyssel
Stuttgart
Wissembourg
Worms
nr. of stays
days
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
213
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BAK–BANYÓ–RADY (eds.), Tripartitum =
Bak, János M. – Banyó, Péter – Rady, Martyn (eds.). Stephen Werbőczy: The Customary
Law of the Renowned Kingdom of Hungary in Three Parts. (The “Tripartium.”) (Laws of
the Medieval Kingdom of Hungary 5.) Budapest: 2005.
BARABÁS (ed.), Teleki =
Barabás, Samu (ed.). A római szent birodalmi gróf széki Teleki család oklevéltára.
Budapest: 1895.
BONFINI, Rer. Ung. =
Bonfini, Antonio. Rerum Ungaricarum decades. Frankfurt: 1581.
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Borsa, Iván (ed.). A Justh család levéltára 1274–1525. [Archives of the Justh Family.]
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BTOE =
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Zsoldos, Attila. A királynéi intézmény az Árpádok korában. Doktori értekezés tézisei. [The
Institution of the Queen in the Age of Árpáds. Theses of the Doctoral Dissertation.]
Budapest: 2003. http://www.history.mta.hu/munkatarsak/tezisek/hu_zsoldosattila2.html
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