Hungarian Heritage Review, 1987 (16. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-07-01 / 7. szám
3Hile0tone0 ,3n Hungarian Historg Bohemia, an alliance of Casimir, King of Poland and the Emperor Frederick III made a move against Matthias. Its purpose was to put Casimir on the throne of Hungary. Adding to the peril of this attack was the fact that some of Matthias’ old companions, including Archbishop John Vitéz, joined the conspiracy against him. With his customary ease and calm, Matthias persuaded each of the plotters to meet with him privately. During these meetings he won them over by offering high positions and appealing to their patriotism. When he had finished his maneuvering, King Casimir of Poland found himself all alone. And he had no desire to face Matthias without allies. Breslau In 1474, four years after he had concluded a peace with Matthias, Casimir, with Frederick III struck at Hungary once again. The two kings moved against Matthias at his fortress-city of Breslau. They were to learn once again, to their bitter chagrin, that they were dealing with a military as well as a political genius. For Matthias divided his forces into three parts so that he could withstand a strong frontal attack while still being in the position of harassing the flanks of any besieging armies. In addition he had the entire area around the city put to the torch. The invading forces found themselves in a situation where they could not live off the land, and the chances of bringing supplies from afar were practically nil because of the mobile troops surrounding them. It was, in effect, a case of the besieged besieging the besiegers. Matthias’ strategy worked brilliantly. The armies of Casimir and Frederick found themselves literally starving. When they had surrendered, Matthias opened his supplies to his enemies and fed them generously. His victory was complete. And it was just at this time that Matthias, whose two previous wives had died, was wed to Princess Beatrix of Aragon, daughter of the King of Naples. Now Matthias and his radiant Queen entered upon a period unique in the history of the realm. For the Court was to become the most brilliant in all of Europe. —continued next issue. ‘King Maty as and His Scholars’ Once the king and his scholars were walking past a reedy swamp. A hot day it was. “A bit of rain would be just in time for these reeds,” said the king, though the reeds stood in water. The scholars caught each other’s eye and began to laugh. What need was there of rain when the reeds stood in water? The king made no reply. When they got home, he gave orders to serve them the finest dishes generously salted and without any drink to wash the meal down. And at his order big bowls were placed under the table, at the feet of each scholar. The bowls were filled with water, and the scholars had to put their feet into the bowls. When they had finished supping, the scholars desired some drink as the good dishes made them thirsty. They asked the king to let them have some water as they were nearly dying of thirst. Said the king, “What for? Your feet are in water. You were laughing at me when I said the reeds wanted a good rain. You said, 'Why should they want rain as they stood in water?’ Well, why should you want water when your feet are in it? You will get none.” [Hungary] From "Favorite Folktales From Around the World. ” RODRIGO SHOPIS JULY 1987 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 15
