Várdai Ferenc erdélyi püspök egyházi és világi helyettesei
Clerical and Secular Placeholders of Ferenc Várdai Bishop of Transylvania

Summary/Abstract: The paper is a prosopographical analysis regarding the placeholders of Ferenc Várdai, bishop of Transylvania between 1513 and 1524. As well as in other bishoprics of late-Medieval Hungary, the exercise of episcopal authority was divided between three categories of personnel: the suffragan, the vicars in spiritualibus and the provisors of episcopal estates and revenues. Brief biographies of each member of the group are followed by the proper analysis. This shows that noble origin was necessary only for being a provisor, personal relationship with the bishop was important, albeit not sufficient, for the recruitment, a certain level of education and competence being also required for each office. The inquiry also partially reveals the complex relationship network between the members of the group. There is some evidence regarding the fact that the bishop and his entourage were perceived by other clerics as a united group, which allows the conclusion that the selection of placeholders was efficiently used in order to enhance the power of the bishop in local society.

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