Századok – 1999

Tanulmányok - Kristó Gyula: I. Károly király főúri elitje (1301–1309) I/41

62 KRISTÓ GYULA in these years is still unknown. In the early days of King Charles's reign his rule was not consolitated yet, which is indicated also by the quickly changing composition of the aristocratic elite. The arbitrary use of titles (such as palatine or the voivode of Transylvania) also enhances the difficulties of research. There were forty-four persons mentioned in the nine sources in question. The article discusses them one by one to establish their family background, the position their families reached in the hierarchy of the aristocracy, and the reasons of their becoming members of the power elite. It is also ascertained when and how they joined the king's party and whether they remained faithful to him or turned against him. It is also an interesting aspect how far the sons of the power elite were able to exploit their fathers's political prestige to build their own careers. Finally the article makes some general remarks on medieval ways of acquiring and exercizing political power.