Az Abaúj megyei szolgabírói társadalom a Zsigmond-korban
The Society of the Noble Judges in Abaúj County During the Reign of King Sigismund

Summary/Abstract: In my present paper I examined the social group of the noble judges (iudices nobilium, szolgabírók) in Abaúj (Abov-Turna) county in the age of King Sigismund (1387–1437). In the charters I found 36 noble judges and other emissaries of the county. These persons stemmed from about twenty noble families. My research was based upon the reconstruction of the families and the social contacts of the noble judges. I used the method of genealogy, archontology and prosopography. With them I managed to determine the social status and the local prestige of these noble families. The most important characteristics of the social group of the noble judges can be summarized as follows. In respect to their property most families of the iudices nobilium belonged to the lesser nobility, but there were also wealthier nobles among them. Furthermore, their social contacts with the well-to-do noblemen, as well as their inter-comital family relations show that they enjoyed a more extended social prestige. These persons or members of their families could be retainers for the barons, and they could also be castellans or officiales. This social background could play a part in their election to the judge’s position, which also promoted their later carriers. In most cases the iudices nobilium of Abaúj county in the first half of 15th century were not poor curialis nobles, and the office of the “szolgabíró” enjoyed at least a moderate prestige.

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