Melega Miklós (szerk.): Remembering St Martin in his birth place (Szombathely, 2016)
F ollowing the collapse of the Roman Smpire the town was severely hit not only by the wars tri^jfered by the migration Period but also by natural disasters, including in all probability, the earthquake in 456. The town did, however, carry on and continued to flourish as attested by its name with a Latin origin. In the middle A^es locals believed to hear the word 'Sabbatum' (Saturday) in the name Sabaria. Ve have very few sources concerning the town's life back then because its archives in Németújvár/űüssincf where they were moved as a precautionary measure, were burnt to ashes in 1606 by Hsm&n űergely’s hajdúk troops together with the castle itself. Afew surviving deeds and certificates, however, aptly show the ceaseless presence of St martin’s veneration, the centre of which was the church built in the Saint's birth place, in the village of Szentmárton near Szombathely. The stone well in front of the church was used in 1360 as a well-known landmark.2 This church, in addition to the church in the castle, also served as a parish church. The names of a number of the parish priests, who performed both official church3 and secular assignments, have survived. They, too, indicate their relationship to St martin; one of them dated his letters as at St martin's just like Fbpes date their letters at 'St Peter’s'.4 making donations, people also did not necjled their parish church, dedicated to St martin.5 In 1525 Bishop GosztonYi dános of Felsőszeleste, Vas county, used particularly kind words to describe his beloved town, shows remarkable commitment to our faith, in particular to St martin, bishop and archbishop (!) of Tours, who was born here. Formerly a powerful city (civitas), the place has now been relegated to beimf a market town (oppidum), which is plagued by ajrindincj poverty that its old noble shine is hard to see.'6 - his words remind the reader of historical works by Bonfini. Literature and notes 1 St martin's well is mentioned on 15 dune 1360; iuxta puteum sancti martini in dvitate Sabatiae lapidibus constructum'. " magyar Nemzeti Levéltár Országos Levéltára (hereinafter: ITINL 01) Diplomatikai • Levéltár (hereinafter: DL) 101675. 3 magyar Nemzeti Levéltár Vas megyei Levéltára (hereinafter: ITINL ValTlL) DL 134.: mNL 0L Diplomatikai Fénykeptái;26l655. 4 mNL OL DL 19991. 5 mNL 0L DL 058263. 0 mNL VatTIL Szombathely város levéltára, oklevelek, irományok Fase I. Nr. L, Fasc 6. Nr. 143. 8 Remembering St martin in his birth place
