Hungarian Heritage Review, 1989 (18. évfolyam, 1-9. szám)
1989-02-01 / 2. szám
Gara had hated and envied Hunyadi since the time of Vladyslav; Újlaki, once a close friend and ally, disliked Hunyadi because the latter had become sole Regent rather than sharing the position with him. And both men were envious of Hunyadi’s great popularity among the people and the lesser nobility. The Regent, appealing to them to put aside their personal grievances in the best interests of the nations as a whole, managed to persuade them to do just that. The three men entered into a solemn compact that was then reported to the entire nation: they would rule the country as a Triumvirate until the return of the King. This powerful alliance immediately eased the mood of the country. It also counterbalanced the influence of the continuing conspiracies and plots against the Regent. With the temporary muting of the voices of opposition, the Triumvirate moved to reopen negotiations with Frederick III for the return of the King and Crown. In addition they turned their attention to the serious problem of foreign intrusion onto Hungarian soil. Since the revolts instigated by the late Queen Elizabeth, Bohemian mercenaries were still roaming through northern Hungary, pillaging and looting. Others were ruling over the counties of Szepes, Lipto and Thurocz where they actually built strongholds and fortified numerous towns. Under the protection of these bandit chiefs, many Hussites had crossed the Hungarian border and had settled in Magyar communities where they proceeded to convert many Catholics to their beliefs. To justify these actions and their occupation of Hungarian territory, the leaders proclaimed that they were acting on behalf of and in the name of Ladislas Posthumous. One of them, John Giskra, called himself "The Supreme Captain of the Very Illustrious Prince and Lord Ladislas, King of Hungary." Leaving Gara and Újlaki to manage the affairs of the state, Hunyadi led his personal army against the bandit forces. His successes were uniform; the strongholds of the bandit chiefs fell before him; their armies were scattered, and they themselves fled for their lives. Hunyadi then moved against Losoncz, stronghold of Giskra. Securing some of the local magnates to support him, Hunyadi began a siege of Losoncz. One night, as the Hunyadi camp was sleeping, Giskra sprang a surprise attack at the head of a great force. The local lords deserted Hunyadi. Rallying his men around him, the Regent managed to cut his way out of the trap. He learned later that, once again, he had been betrayed and actually led into the snare. Hunyadi hastened back to Buda where he issued a call to all the veterans who had served with him against the Ottomans. From all over Hungary these hardened troopers rallied to the General. At the head of his experienced and loyal forces, Hunyadi struck repeatedly and took stronghold after stronghold, routing one army after the other. He then took up the chase of Giskra, who had been reinforcedwithfresh troopsfrom Bohemia recruited by Cilii. Before he could bring Giskra to battle, however, Hunyadi was summoned back to Buda. It appeared that, despite the fact that Gara and Újlaki were governing in the Regent’s absence, the Diet itself had entered into secret negotiations with the enemy. But Hunyadi had no recourse save obedience. The nature of the ambush at Losoncz and the interruption of his Bohemian campaign made Hunyadi’s task as Regent extremely difficult. He was surrounded by spies and saboteurs; sold out by alleged friends and allies, and defamed and slandered at home and abroad. It was no wonder, after all the years, that Hunyadi began to doubt that he would ever achieve his life’s goal. He knew that he could, using his power and the support of the lesser nobility and the people of Hungary, simply sweep into supreme office in the land. Such action, however, was completely opposed to the nature of the man and of all (continued next page) 18 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW FEBRUARY 1989
