The Affiliation of Medieval Szilágy (Sălaj) Region in the Mirror of Social Relations Cover Image

Magyarország vagy Erdély? A Szilágyság hovatartozása a középkorban a társadalmi kapcsolatok tükrében
The Affiliation of Medieval Szilágy (Sălaj) Region in the Mirror of Social Relations

Author(s): Géza Hegyi
Subject(s): History
Published by: Erdélyi Múzeum-Egyesület
Keywords: Sălaj; Transylvania; Hungary; social relations; foreign landowners; places of authentication

Summary/Abstract: During the last two decades, some new views have emerged concerning the affi liation of medieval Middle Szolnok and Crasna counties (present-day Sălaj region). The study tries to decide whether these two counties can be considered parts of Transylvania or of the inner territory of the Kingdom of Hungary, examining the informal relations of the local society with the surrounding territories between 1200 and 1424. The aspects considered are geographical, social historical, and institutional. The author fi nds that the targeted counties were connected much more to Hungary from this point of view. Only one family of all the medieval owners of local castles (14 in number) had arrived from Transylvania. In 1341, 34 of 87 landowners (including the king as well) had external roots, but only 9 in the eastern province. For the authenticating activity, the Hungarian church institutions (especially, for this period, that of the chapter of Oradea) played an overwhelming role: they issued 75-85% of the local documents.

  • Issue Year: LXXIV/2012
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 23-45
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: Hungarian