Esztergom szabad királyi város 1708. évi kiváltséglevele (Esztergom, 2002)

PREFACE TO THE CHARTER

T

JL HE HISTORY OF ESZTERGOM is closely connected to the development of the one thousand years old Hungarian statehood, wich is one thousand years old. As the seat of Prince Géza and the first monarchs' from the era of the Árpád kings and also as the birthplace of St Stephen, "the first capital" occupied an important position among our most significant towns. Surrounding the royal and ecclesiastical centre at the top of the Castle Hill, several small settlements emerged and among them the most significant one was the so-called royal town. Until the 11th century mainly merchants, artisans and royal servants inhabited the town when a series of new immigrants appeared. These affluent burghers, who were engaged in various crafts and long-distance trade, were called the famous Latini and they arrived form Western and Southern Europe. The Latini burghers, together with the local craftsmen, formed a separate community within the walls of the royal town. Their importance can be illustrated by the fact that not long after their arrival they gave the members of the governing body to the town and the seal of the town, which indicates their origin. We know only little about the franchises of the town but most probably they had the right to lay duty on goods transported on the compulsory commercial route. Having had this exclusive privilege of controlling the trade of the country, Esztergom became extremely prosperous.

In the 13 th century new Charters were given out one after the other, for example: for Nagyszombat in 1238, for Pest in 1244, etc. It is very likely that Esztergom also received a Charter around that time and that is why it carried on a struggle with the archbishopric and the chapter for the franchises. Although the Church won the fight-partly due to the Tatar invasion - some of the rights remained in the hands of the Latini community.

Esztergom was liberated from the 140 year-old Turkish occupation in 1683. While the burghers of Esztergom took part in the bloody battles of the Rákóczi War of Independence, they also renewed their equitable claims on the former rights. In 1708, at a price of great sacrifices, the town finally received the Charter, on which the town's new coat of arms can be seen.

The town had to ask for the endorsement of the Charter on two more occasions. First in 1725 from Károly III when the right to use the Latini's town seal, which got lost during the Turkish occupation and was found near Gyöngyös in the 18 th century, was also included. Then Ferenc I endorsed the Charter in 1807 for the second time.

The Local Council and the Archives of Komárom-Esztergom County Council would like to publish the facsimile edition of the Charter and the new translation of the whole text in honour of the millennium.

There is no future without past, and if we do not face the challenge of the present and keep the glorious traditions there is no future. The inhabitants of the town can take pride in the history and the beautiful Charter of Esztergom. It is a good opportunity to continue the development and the popularization of the town and to encourage people to visit the charming Esztergom.- 22 -