The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-05-01 / 5. szám
BOOK REVIEW — by — Harry G. Ladanye HUNGARICA - by - Zoltán Bodolai Hungária Publishing Company Sydney, Australia 1983 Here is a fascinating book that should have an appeal for readers of all ages, and the Author solves the language problem by relating the same stories in both English and Hungarian. It is actually two books in one volume. HUNGARICA is an account of events and personalities out of Hungarian history and culture. Chosen at random, these chronicles vary in length from a one sentence notation of an important date to stories five or six pages in length. They are all presented in a month by month sequence and allow the reader to browse through centuries of interesting anecdotes. Not only do we learn new details of generally well known events, but the Author also relates some unusual and less known stories. An example is the story of Aladar Maurice Benyovsky, the Magyar who was elected as the supreme ruler and Emperor of Madagascar in 1776. What a romantic adventure that was! The time period covered goes as far back as pre-Arpad times, and is as current as an up-to-date description of Hungarians in Australia today. As noted in the foreword, “this undescribable magic attraction of Hungary and all things Hungarian is, perhaps, explained by some of these tales.” The Author also quotes Count István Széchényi, whom he believes to be the greatest of all Hungarians, as follows: “Some people believe Hungary to be a noble relic, a fine thing that was. I like to believe the contrary, that our country was NOT but will be . . .” What a fine thought for our present day and age! May, 1984 GALÉRIA HUNGARICA Stephen Báthory, Prince of Transylvania STEPHEN BÁTHORY: and King °f Poland The Hungarian King of Poland who Defeated “Ivan the Terrible” and Took Moscow Napoleon couldn’t do it. Neither could Hitler. But a Hungarian did do it. He not only defeated one of the blood-thirstiest Czars in Russian history, but he also took Moscow. While achieving the almost impossible, he also neutralized the Germans and then succeeded in getting Russia and Germany to sign treaties under his own terms and conditions. This Hungarian was Stephen Báthory, Prince of Transylvania and the greatest soldier-king of Poland! How Báthory became Prince of Transylvania and then the King of Poland, was by chance. He was the right man, in the right place, at the right time. Besides, he was also the husband of Anne Jagelló, a princess of the royal “House of Jagelló”, which certainly enhanced his chances. When John Sigismund Zapoly, Prince of Transylvania and King of Hungary, died in 1571, Transylvania was left without a sovereign. The Royal Electors, by unanimous vote, solved this problem by electing Stephen Báthory, who did not seek the honor at all. Thus, he became the first elected Prince of Transylvania. A few years later, however, when Henry III of Valais, who was at that time the King of Poland, surrendered his crown to become the King of France, the Polish Diet reached out for the Prince of Transylvania to become his successor. And so it happened that a Hungarian was crowned King of Poland on May 1st, 1576, in Cracow. The only Hungarian to become the King of Poland before him was King Louis the Great of Hungary, who also ruled Poland until his death in 1382. Stephen Báthory became King of Poland at a time when the Turks were riding high in East Central Europe; his new realm was in the grip of rival factions aspiring to power; when it was in a state of apathy; and when the royal army was weak and undisciplined. But not for long. Báthory cleaned house, shook up the Polish people, and, with the help of Transylvania (Szeklers) recruits, whipped the army into fighting shape. He then blitzkrieged the Russians and the Germans, who were bent on carving up Poland, and beat them both. During his short reign of only ten years, Stephen Báthory brought peace and progress to Poland. He instituted political, economic, educational, cultural, and social reforms. Before he could complete his “Grand Design for Poland”, however, which was the establishment of a Polish-Hungarian Union, he died suddenly on December 13, 1586. So suddenly, in fact, that there are suspicions voiced to this very day that he may have been assassinated! Page 9
