Novák László Ferenc: „Hej, Nagykőrös híres város…” (Az Arany János Múzeum Kiállítási Monográfiái 4. Nagykőrös, 2008)
Summary - János Arany Museum
Nagykőrös is not only one of the most characteristic countrytown of the region between the rivers Duna and Tisza, but also that for the whole of the Great Hungarian Plain. This exhibition displays its history and its development in to a country-rown. A diploma issued in 1266 by King Béla IV is on show, in wich also the name of Kőrös was mentioned. In thell th and 12 th centuries there existed seven hamlets in the surroudingsof Kőrös. They were destroyes during the 13 th century. Sacred reléics (e.g. the famous cross of Ludas), jewels, agricultural implements, household utensils represent this period of village-like character. the decay of these villages promoted the development of Kőrös. In the 16 th century the immigration of the population gave an impulsion to the development into a country-town. Under the Turkish rule Kőrös became a privileged community, having obtained the status of a „Khasz" town. This epoch has been documented by Turkish characters, other writings and object (copper stirrup, Turkish vessels). The town grew stronger, it became an autonomous organization under the Turkish rule (16 th to 17 th cennturies), and safeguarded its indepedence also in the 18 th century. Its landowners could not lower the inhabitants into serfdoms. The more intensive ways of 18 th century farming are represented by farming implements (wooden plough, harrow made of thorny twigs etc.), further by material and documental remains of the guild organisation and by their products. During the feudal period mainly animal husbandry, farming and vinegrowing were pursued in the town and in its surroundings. Industry wwas practised in guilds within the town-walls. In the years 1848/49, during the War of Independence Nagykőrös had a significant role. Two „honvéd" cavalry regiments were organized in this town: the Thirteenth („Hunyadi") and the Sixteenth („Károlyi") Hussar Regiments.
