Magyar News, 1994. szeptember-1995. augusztus (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1995-05-01 / 9. szám
Rev. Dr. Anthony Szilagyi JANOS HUNYADI: SOLDIER AND DEF1 Who was Janos Hunyadi? He lived during the middle of the 15th Century. He was a soldier and owner of vast estates in Hungary and Transylvania. There were even rumors that he was the illegitimate son of King Sigismund of Hungary. He was the lord of Munkács, Bereg, Szatmarnemet, Nagybanya, Tokaj, Debrecen, Csongrad, Temesvár, among others. Along with all of this he also rose to the position of Governor of Hungary and the manager of the king’s income. He was the father of one of Hungary’s greatest king: Matyas Corvinus. Still, it was his last title that will always be remember as his greatest: “The Defender of Europe.” Yet Janos Hunyadi’s beginnings were comparatively simple. His father, Vojk, was a middle class Wallacian from an area presently in Romania while his mother was Hungarian. This fact gives rise to the claims of Romanian historians who claim Hunyadi as their own. Because of some special service, King Sigismund elevated Vojk in 1409. In keeping with this move up the social ladder, the king also gave Vojk a castle:VajdaHunyadvar in Transylvania. Vojk then changed his name appropriately to Hunyadi. One has to go to present-day Romania to see this castle which is still standing. Vajda Hunyadvar became the family center for the Hunyadi family for years to come. THE FIRST/THE FINEST HOWE DRIVING SCHOOL JOYCE HOWE - SPEAKS HUNGARIAN 2318 MAIN STREET 588 MONROE TPKE. STRATFORD, CT 06497 ROUTE 1 1 1 (AT THE FLAG POLE) MONROE, CT 06468 375-HOWE 261-0500 The coat of arms given to Vojk had a raven in the center, holding a ring. Vojk’s grandson, King Matyas would take this symbol and make it his own. He had it placed on many official buildings throughout Hungary and Transylvania. Even though his origins are disputed by some, the fact that Hunyadi considered himself Hungarian is conclusive. Hunyadi’s entire career was dedicated to the twin causes of Christianity and Hungary. He cemented his ties to Magyar history when he married a Magyar noblewoman, Erzsébet Szilagyi. His children were raised as Magyars. Hunyadi saw himself as a Magyar and has come down to us as one of Hungary’s greatest champion’s. When you examine Hungarian history during the time of Hunyadi’s ascent to power, you discover a number of reasons for why he was able to rise so high, so quickly. Along with the patronage of the King and his marriage into a famous family, Janos Hunyadi happened to be the right man at the right time. Hungary in the 15th century, as well as all of Europe, viewed the newly emerging Ottoman Empire with foreboding. The Turks were expanding. They saw Hungary as the doorway to the rest of Europe. The road to a European empire led through Budapest and Vienna. The opportunity was there and Hunyadi, being an ambitious man, seized it. As the leading military figure fighting the Turks, Janos Hunyadi’s star would rise higher with each battle and each victory. Hunyadi was uniquely prepared for the role he would play. While still a young man, Hunyadi was a member of King Sigismund’s bodyguards. This position offered the young man a marvelous education in the ways of the world, especially military matters. Hunyadi was there when the king battled against Venice. When Sigismund was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome, young Hunyadi was there as well. All this time Hunyadi was observing and learning his craft as a soldier. This period of education helped Hunyadi develop the tactics he would employ in his fight against the Turks later in his life. These tactics would be crucial. They would allow Hunyadi to often be victorious against armies far greater than his own. Another reason for Janos Hunyadi’s success was his knowledge of the people in the region. He was able to draw to himself numerous nationalities. His years living in Serbia, Croatian and Italy familiarized him with different languages and customs. The various nationalities who would be needed to fight against the Turk would follow a man who knew them, rather than a king or other leader who had very little in common with them. Janos Hunyadi was also a very religious man. His belief in the power of prayer would never falter. His military exploits were shaped by his religious belief that he was saving Christian Europe from the threat of an Islamic takeover. He would become to be known in Europe as the Athleta Christi, or Champion of Christ. As such, Hunyadi fought with the Turks on numerous occasions. But his greatest victory was to take place at Nandorfehervar which is present day Belgrade in Yugoslavia. On May 29, 1453 Constantinople fell into Turkish hands. This was a crushing blow to Christian Europe It meant that the capital of the Christian East was in Islamic hands. Some in Hungary drew the conclusion from this that it would Hungary’s turn next. Sensing the need for a united front, Janos Hunyadi allied himself with various other powerful men in the country, even his otherwise enemies. Unfortunately, this alliance fell apart as some of Hunyadi’s allies Titusz Dugovits during the siege of Nandorfehervar plunges off the wall to take intruding Turks with him. 4
