Hungarian Heritage Review, 1986 (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1986-08-01 / 8. szám
22 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW AUGUST 1986 official positions. The famous, unnamed notary of Bela’s court, known as Mater P, or ANONYMUS, had been educated in Paris. It was he who wrote one of the earliest histories of Hungary — the famous GESTA HUNGARORUM (History of the Hungarians). After his first wife’s death, Bela married Margaret Capet, daughter of King Louis VII of France. This caused a great influx of French influence into Hungary. The Hungarian court attracted many foreigners of distinction, and it soon became famous as one of the most elegant and opulent of the European Royal establishments. Bela’s Legacy Under Bela III Hungary became one of the most prosperous agricultural monarchies of Europe. And when the King died, on April 23, 1136, he left a strong, wealthy nation, powerful and respected, whose new leader would be an equal to even the most powerful rulers of the West. King Bela III When Bela III (l 172-1196) was king of Hungary, the country ’s southern and western frontiers were extended to the rivers Danube and Szava; north and east she was bordered by the Carpathian Mountains. Under rulers who were just and wise, the country was given the opportunity to develop in peace and safety. Thick forests, countless waterways, and artificially flooded areas were excellent bulwarks against enemy invasion. Besides, the borders were fortified throughout, and communication with neighboring lands was possible only through certain ‘ ‘gate areas' ’ inhabited by specially selected martial groups who were well able to defend them in case of need. King Bela 111 built his royal castle in Esztergom. French sculptors, who came to Hungary with the queen, worked on the buildings. The king’s palace was later donated to the Church and became the residence of the prince ’s primates. It was enlarged and decorated with frescoes. The castle and the church were fine examples of Middle Age architecture, containing priceless art treasures. Unfortunately, all was ruined during the wars against the Turks. Anonymus The first records of Hungarian literature were written in Latin by Anonymus (Unknown), notar at the court of Bela 111. Anonymus was a learned scholar who probably studied in Paris. In his work the Gesta Ungarorum, he writes about the origin and wanderings of the Hungarian people. Names of persons and places had to be written down, and here, for the first time, the Latin alphabet was used for Hungarian words. The early use of Latin and the fact that the Latin alphabet was accepted made it easier for Hungary to become a part of Western culture. From “Hungarian Heroes and Legends” by Joseph Dómján, D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey 1963 The Sepulchre of King Bela III and His Wife in the Holy Trinity Chapel of the Coronation Church in Buda.
