Archívum - A Heves Megyei Levéltár közleményei 14. (Eger, 1996)

TANULMÁNYOK • KÖZLEMÉNYEK - Sugár István: Az egri vár gyalogsága (1548-1564) • 5

István Sugár InfantryofEger (1548-1564) The author is well versed in this theme and based his study on information from the Chamber's account. After the Habsburg king became the proprietor of Eger, two infantry companies were established (both contained 100 soldiers) and both had seperate commanders. Before the Turkish rule in 1552, temporarily the number of soldiers were increased to between 206-280 people. The king brought 250 royal infantries to Eger who were seperated intő two companies after the victory (one of 100 one of 150 soldiers). In a company there were 10 subcommittees (each of 9 soldiers) managed by 10 corporals. This study analyses the salaries of the soldiers and officers and alsó the way they were paid. The names of the soldiers are alsó shown in a special time-table. The number of infantries in Eger often varied, it was said to be „unequal". In spring 1526, the infantry was reorganised. There were no longer four companies but three because 2 royal and one local companies defended the castle. The number of soldiers kept on decreasing. Between June 1562 and April 1563, 320-330 soldiers served in the castle but by October 1563 there were only 233 serving. The economical situation became worse and worse for example between 16th August 1559 and 15th October the infantries didn't receive a salary due to „lack of money". The study proves that the rest of the infantries in Eger were Hungárián and that there were a few Serbian and Slovenian soldiers who escaped from the Turkish expansion. In March 1564 the Habsburg ruler appointed a commander - in - chief in Eger and it changed the military and economical life of the castle radically. 37