Tanulmányok Budapest Múltjából 25. (1996)

TANULMÁNYOK - Horváth J. András: Díszpolgárok Pest-Budán és Budapesten (1819-1947) 115-153

ANDRÁS J. HORVÁTH, "FREEMEN OF BUDAPEST" SUMMARY The relationship between the decreasing importance of the old type of citizenship, which had existed under feudalism, and the increasing significance of the citizenship given gratis, as well as the distinction of honorary freeman seems to be evident in the first half of the last century. As the importance of the old type of citizenship declined, the latter two, as a kind of compensation, were granted more often. The citizenship given gratis was usually conferred on inhabitants for some special service to the city. This type of honor seems to have been closely tied to the interests of the city. It had existed during the feudal period before 1848 as a way of obtaining citizenship. Granting the distinction of honorary freeman had also existed under feudalism, and it was retained in the modem period after the unification of Pest and Buda. On some occasions direct political considerations characterized the donation of the title of honorary freeman. After the suppression of the Revolution of 1848 prominent supporters of the Habsburgs gained the distinction. For Hungarian patriots these conferments signified oppression, while the ruling house saw them as a way of providing greater unity for the empire. Between 1867 and 1947 the prize was often awarded on the basis of political motives, national interest, and for cultural contributions. The aldermen of Budapest believed that the city should serve as the center of the Hungarian part of the empire, and gave the title of honorary freeman to ministers, writers and artists, whose activities were only in part connected to the capital. Obvious political interest revealed itself again at the dawn of the Communist era in 1947, when I. V. Stalin was decorated with the award. 153