Szőcs Péter Levente (szerk.): Ecsed. Ghid cultural şi istoric (Satu Mare, 2009)

The Golden Age of Ecsed

Years’ War, and allied with prince Bocskai. The Protestantism became almost exclusive over the entire domain of Ecsed, at the same time. The branch of Ecsed of the Báthori family disappeared after the death of István IV. He was buried in the Calvinist church of Nyírbátor, where his sarcophagus is still preserved. His adoptive son, Gábor Báthori of Somlyó (Şimleu), inherited his lands and was elected as prince of Transylvania after Stephen Bocskai died in 1605. One of the first measures of Gábor Báthori was to settle the hajdú soldiers in Ecsed. They and their family became free by obtaining house places within the settlement. The same individual freedom (not collective) had the former inhabitants of Ecsed, owing military service for the landlord. All old and new privileges were renewed in the great charter of Ecsed, issued by Gábor Báthori in 1608. Ecsed was mentioned as oppidum (market town) in this charter for the first time. Although there is no reference on the fair itself in the charter, the most important privilege of towns of this type, parts referring to customs suggests an important trade of animals. The inhabitants of Ecsed considered this privilege of major importance and marked the event by making the first town seal of silver, in the same year. The inscription on the seal calls Ecsed as CIVITAS, meaning town, and it included the coat of arms of the settlement. This contained a crowned lion

Fragment de tun cu blazonul Báthori, sec. XVI-XVII Báthori-címeres ágyú töredéke, 16-17. sz.

Cannon with the coat of arms of the Báthori family, 16-17* c.

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