The Anatomy of a Political Assassination: The Assassination of Cardinal György Fráter (Martinuzzi) and its Consequences
The Anatomy of a Political Assassination: The Assassination of Cardinal György Fráter (Martinuzzi) and its Consequences

Summary/Abstract: On 17 December 1551 on the grounds of alleged treason, soldiers of Chief Sergeant Sforza Pallavicini and Giovanni Battista Castaldo, the head of Ferdinand I’s army, killed the Pauline monk, Archbishop of Esztergom, and Voivode and Governor of Transylvania, Primate György Fráter (Martinuzzi/Utyaszenich) in his castle at Alvinc. It all happened after the monarch himself had recommended Fráter, one of the most prestigious politicians of the contemporary Kingdom of Hungary, for the red hat to Pope Julius III. This controversial act created a stir throughout the Christian world, and it had an effect on not only the subsequent history of the Kingdom of Hungary, but also on the relations between the Habsburgs and the papacy, as Ferdinand I was only temporarily absolved from excommunication. Regarding the murder, an investigation was launched headed by Nuncio Girolamo Martinengo, during which 139 statements were recorded and numerous letters and letter extracts were collected, which form a unique source collection on the relations between Hungary, the Habsburg Empire and the papacy.

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