A Historical and Archival Guide to Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár, 2003)

A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR

castle wall was pulled down so as to place the sanctuary of the chapel, and a new bastion was built. The reconstruction was not finished by the time of King Matthias's death, thus he was buried in a temporary tomb. Our medieval kings succeeding King Stephen were crowned in the Virgin Mary basilica, although, it did not become the burial place for all our kings. The kings succeeding Stephen were entombed in the churches founded bv themselves. King Kálmán was the first monarch, who was buried in the basilica beside the saint kings. Eight sovereigns of the Árpád dynasty (Béla II, Géza II, Ladislaus II, Stephen IV, Béla III, Ladislaus III), several of our kings from other dynasties (Charles Robert, Louis I (the Great) King Matthias of Hunyad, János of Szapolya) chose to be buried in the church. The basilica performed state duties as well; the royal throne stood here, the crown-jewels, the royal insignia, the treasury and later the royal archives were kept here. The central Salt-Depot and the site of minting were also here. The units of the royal measurements were kept in the Royal Treasury. The town's significance in state administration is also indicated by the fact that the office of the vice chancellor was held by the provost of Székesfehérvár in power (previously the post had been held by the Keeper of the Royal Seal)

. Later this custom changed, but we can claim that the provosts held important state offices and were made chancellors and royal secretaries. This fact proves the existence of a highly developed written culture in Székesfehérvár in the century that preceded the decree bv King Béla III in 1 1 81. This decree instituted the use of written records. King Stephen founded the prebendal school, where Prince Saint Emeric's tutor, Gerald the would-be bishop of Csanád was a distinguished teacher. It was also him who founded the chapter of Székesfehérvár. Due to the significant role the provost had at the coronation, the provostship did not belong to the Bishop of Veszprém, but was directly under the pope's authoritv. On account their dignity they participated in the royal council meetings as well. The church institution was in the king's patronage, usually the king appointed the provost personally. The country-wide activity of the provostry as loca credibilia was significant. In fact, Alba Civitas was the only town where more than one loca credibilias functioned with country-wide authority.