A respublica és az ecclesia szolgálatában. A Rhédeyek szerepe a fejedelemség megmaradásáért folytatott küzdelemben
In the Service of the Respublica and the Ecclesia: The Role of the Rhédeys in the Struggle for the Survival of the Principality

Summary/Abstract: Francisc Rhédey was a nobleman from the Kingdom of Hungary who sought and found refuge in the Principality of Transylvania at the end of the 16th century. From the autumn of 1604, he was given military duties by Stephen Bocskai, Prince of Transylvania. He and his army of hajdús were the conquerors of Szécsény, Fülek and Korpona. He became a member of the princely council and was awarded the title of magnificusPrince Sigismund Rákóczi made him the chief captain of Várad, then the sheriff of Bihar county, as well as the owner of the castle and the estate of Szentjobb. After the fall of Prince Gabriel Báthory, Francisc Rhédey entered the service of his brother-in-law, Prince Gabriel Bethlen, from whom he received the estate of Zsáka, consisting of 18 villages. In the counties of Bihar, Kraszna, and Közép-Szolnok he was engaged in military organisation, the recruitment of mercenaries, the fortification of the fortress of Várad, and the control and management of the hajdús. He helped Bethlen’s diplomatic relations by delivering his letters. During Bethlen’s first campaign against the Habsburgs (1619-1621), he once again added to the successes of the princely armies as a military leader. His son, Francisc Rhédey Jr., who was married to Stephen Bethlen’s daughter, Fruzsina, also used the Bethlen family connections. He became a member of the princely council and first the sheriff of Küküllő, then of Máramaros county, and the owner of Huszt castle. From November 1657 he was the prince elected by the orders of Transylvania and accepted by the Porte, but in January 1658 he abdicated in favour of the former prince, George II Rákóczi. His decision gave Rákóczi the opportunity to gather strength and return. Of the two Rhédeys, it was the activities and military successes of the captain of the fortress of Várad that contributed to the survival of the Principality of Transylvania.

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