The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-02-01 / 2. szám
GALÉRIA HUNGARICA THE HEROIC WOMEN OF EGER “THE WOMEN OF EGER” A dramatic painting by Bertalan Székely. BOOK REVIEW — by — Harry G. Ladanye THE LAND AND PEOPLE OF HUNGARY — by — Emil Lengyel 1965 J.B. Lippincott Company Philadelphia Although copies of this book may be difficult to obtain in book stores or libraries today, nevertheless it is recommended reading for the present generation of American-Hungarians in particular. For this book will give them a “feel” for their Hungarian heritage. Mr. Lengyel’s book traces the history and culture of the land and people of Hungary by spotlighting people, places, and events affecting its course from the time of the early Magyars. While reading his story is certain to evoke feelings of sadness, it will also stimulate pride in the determination and courage of a people who loved their land so much that they were willing to endure incredible sufferings in order to protect and preserve it. Mr. Lengyel’s story is the saga of a proud people, indeed! The history of the land and people of Hungary revealed in this volume is not a happy one. But, in this easy-to-read book, the reader will have no difficulty understanding why it was — and still is, in fact — so tragic. At the same time, however, the reader will also find valid reasons for being proud of his or her heritage. For young American-Hungarians, who know little or nothing about their Hungarian roots, this book would make an excellent start in their learning process. “The Land and People of Hungary,” in fact, will whet their appetite for more! Support “The Eighth Hungarian Tribe” Magazine with your Subscription and Readership Thirty-one years after the disastrous Battle of Mohács on August 29, 1521, which resulted in the Turkish occupation of more than half of Hungary, the Turks came to the conclusion that enough was enough out of those stubborn Hungarians who still refused to surrender themselves to their tender mercies and enlightened rule. Accordingly, they launched a Turkish-style “blitzkrieg” designed to foreclose on the rest of the country’s real estate. And, so it was that their mighty army finally got around to laying siege to the Hungarian fortress of Eger in the year 1552, only to learn at frightful cost that István Dobo, the commander of the obstacle to their advance, was a tough cookie to crumble and that the women of Eger were even tougher. The Turkish hordes besieging Eger under the personal command of “The Pasha of Buda,” Ali Pasha, numbered about 150,000 battle-hardened troops, while the defenders of the Hungarian bastion of Eger numbered only 2,000 men. Perhaps this is why it was that, when the cocky Ali Pasha reached the walls of Eger, he shouted, “This is but a decrepit pen, a little nothing to me!”and then arrogantly proceeded to demand the unconditional surrender of the fortress — or else. To his utter dismay, however, he was told to drop dead in a symbolic manner. István Dobo replied by placing an iron coffin, with a lance embedded in each end of it, on the fort’s ramparts. One of the lances held the Hungarian flag, while the other flew the flag of the Turks. Ali Pasha, of course, got the message. The Hungarians would not surrender and would fight to the last man. Because of their refusal to accept his kind invitation to partake of his generous hospitality, Ali Pasha went berserk. He gave the order to attack. Day after day, week after week, the Turks mounted assault after assault. Each was beaten back with heavy losses in men and material. But the price paid by the valiant Hungarians was ghastly, also. The casualties were so high that the women of Eger had to go into action. When they did, they gave Ali Pasha something to remember them by. They beat the hell out of his crack troops! After 38 days of murderous battle, the siege was lifted. The Turks were defeated. Ali Pasha lost 10,000 men, while the heroic defenders of Eger lost 700 men and women! February 1984 Page 13
