Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
RESETTLEMENT AND THE AGE OF THE GREAT CONSTRUCTIONS - THE 18TH CENTURY m János Vak ("Blind' of Máté Szabó and István Jenei.The population fled from the ordeals to settlements farther away, Szentendre Island and the neighbouring forests. Although Prince Rákóczi himself provided several safe-conducts for the inhabitants of Vác, on several occasions they managed to escape imminent death only due to the balancing and protective policy of Grand Provost András Berkes, the excellent priest-politician of the era. Because ofthefortunes of warthe town changed hands several times; it was first occupied by the fugitives' army and then by the Austrian imperial army. In 1703 Colonel János Bottyán Vak (“Blind”) of the imperial army defeated the fugitives at Vác. Later he changed sides and became one of Rákóczi's best generals. In April 1704 the imperial mercenaries of the Castle of Esztergom attacked the fugitives' guard. In May 1707 the fugitives fled the town and their place was immediately taken by the imperial forces. In 1708 the town was again taken over by the fugitives. Vác suffered the most troublesome times in 1709 when Serbian mercenaries employed by the emperor plundered and burnt it down. The archives of the town were also destroyed. Most of the population ran away or died in the ensuing plague epidemic, to which Vak Bottyán, the defender of the Iso fell victim. TOWN LIFE The basic infrastructure of coexistence, such as town administration, religious life and education, was established during the period of resettlement. One example would be the new town seal depicting the Virgin Mary in 1689. The fate of the town was de- I Bottyán termined by the contracts made with the bishop-landowner. These contracts were usually renewed every three years following a series of arguments and bargaining. They laid down tax rates, wine and beer licences, and amount of rent payable by the butcher's The front and back side of Ferenc Rákóczi ll's coin, the poltura The imprint of the seal of the town of Vác made in 1689 .A ■ÍL. JiM* e. sr~y,., ; j HyeoUvm, i fyoJtrrrinifivjt AmtnnJmn. LA*l ** /3S Oj •yjmfj'eynalj , rrrrntUm '***Itliel ■suk'Hp. my tax4a*x mm 1^/«/ c* mtffyeJc b* r«*»i L iemrrri •*•"»« ^ iilniL. rmnQ' m> mji jH&j » viCmj** mi., ai Jtitvne•nm.L, £\*njb*tilti ml Sit iX £-r\ itnedmlcm» •&& ftifLtiU /nyp ml *J***m.yJ!> ^ *'**'fo«X tj£ ffytinJivtU «I jmVi A., m. fixtruJSyr ínyy r Jetit ilP* János Bottyán's statue in Vác Kristóf Migazzi’s Statutes issued for the town in 1764 18TH CENTURIE 1775 1786 1793 1799 devastation of an icy flood. ?nc Ambró is granted a patent on printing The town obtains the right to levy toll on the ferry The first civil association, the Shooting Society of Vác is formed The Russian army marches through the town
