Ságvári Ágnes (szerk.): Budapest. The History of a Capital (Budapest, 1975)
Documents
Ill After the suppression of the popular movement in Buda in 1402, King Sigismund confirms certain listed clauses of the Buda charter of Libertás, and issues new regulations, especially in connection with the election of the Council December 9th, 1403 We, Sigismund, by the grace of God King of Hungary, Dalmatia, Croatia, etc., Margrave of Brandenburg, etc., Vicar-General of the Holy Roman Empire and Governor of the Kingdom of Bohemia. Let this document remind all whom it may concern of all that the learned and wise men, the magistrate and the aldermen and other councillors of the ancient Commune of the city of Pest Újhegy or else Buda, in their own person, as well as representative of all the citizens, hospes and inhabitants of that city, concerned with public affairs and the common good there, have aspired to make known in appearing before us. Whereas the liberties instituted for them and graciously conceded to them by the most serene princes, the kings of Hungary, namely, by our predecessors of blessed memory, have been arbitrarily altered and changed in many clauses by certain of them, sometimes in revenge, moved by their own anger, sometimes carried away by dolorous and odious counsel, and turned against the people with evil designs. The magistrate, aldermen and Commune of said city have therefore often impressed on us with entreaties and persistance that certain of them have recently introduced many ill customs, and do not shame to harm the public good in seeking their own profit, and have importuned us that we may in our royal graciousness be disposed to change these customs, maintain them within bounds and regulate them... they are confident that these entreaties will prove beneficial and will beyond doubt ever promote the public good and the peace of the kingdom, and will prove to the benefit of many, and in particular in that a great bitterness of disunity, strife, hatred and injury has existed among the citizens of our city of Pest Újhegy or else, Buda, which it is proper to take more care to avoid, in order that the royal providence shall gain more respect, the state of the city be preserved, to the advantage of matters of public import, and the greater cherishing of peace, unity and joy. Considering therefore this matter, and willing that any and all liberty and prerogatives of liberties granted, given and conceded to the citizens and inhabitants of the said city by the blessed kings of Hungary, that is our predecessors, shall hold good and stand firm, and adding others pertaining to the preservation, renewal and increase of the state of said city, we have, after due consideration and counsel by the prelates, lords, notables, and noblemen of our kingdom, and by many others beside us, graciously ordained: first, no man shall be elected from amongst them, no man shall be admitted magistrate or alderman unless he be landowner among them, or in default of this, shall give such security which shall satisfy our Royal Majesty or our Lord Chief Treasurer or the Castellan of Buda. Further, no man shall bear arms at the time of the election of the magistrate and the aldermen, and should he do so he shall be punished by the loss of a hand, and if by deed or act he incites to dissension he shall be put to death. They shall not admit any man to their Commune of citizens, unless he be the father of a family, of good character and fame owning a house or other property, and if he fails in these respects he shall give surety that he shall continue to abide among the citizens and shall faithfully serve the Royal Majesty. The magistrate and the aldermen elected by the 81
