Armoriale transilvănene din epoca lui Sigismund de Luxemburg
Grants of Arms Issued by Sigismund of Luxemburg for Transylvanians

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present those ten grants of arms that were given for Transylvanians, during the reign of Sigismund of Luxemburg, king of Hungary, focusing on the analysis of the standard and individual elements included in the charter. Also of great importance are the questions of what kind of information one can get from the study of this source type, and to what extent this information helps historians to reconstruct careers and biographies? Is there a general pattern in the structure and the ideas presented? What are the similarities and differences among the studied examples? Besides demonstrating what information one can expect to derive from the study of this source type, even this limited sample of ten charters can show how the contents and purpose of this special kind of document determined the use of the standard elements of charters. Those parts which reflected royal power and even selffashioning were always present with a pompous, but fairly standardized terminology: the salutatio, the arenga, and the special clause, on enhancing the fidelity of the grantees by this manifestation of royal grace. Furthermore, the individual elements refering to the grantee’s deeds and the members of the family included in the grant, as well as a high-level depiction of the coat of arms before the text, the phrases on royal grace set the solemn and elevated tone of these documents. Sigismund and his chancery did not miss the opportunity to declare his power and glory while „radiating it out” onto his faithful subjects. It is conspicuous how consistent the use of the standard elements was for the almost 30 years comprised in this sample.

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