Der Hermannstädter Gesandte Simon Baußner in Wien (1707)
Simon Baußner, envoy of Hermannstadt/Sibiu/Nagyszeben in Vienna (1707)

Summary/Abstract: From autumn 1706, Transylvania was occupied by the armies of Rákóczi’s Insurrection (1703–1711) for the second time. The blockade around Hermannstadt, seat of the Transylvanian Imperial Military Headquarters and centre for Habsburg government through the Gubernium, commenced in October. The Saxon citizens, the residing Hungarian aristocracy favourable to the emperor from 1703, and the villagers of the municipality (Hauptstuhl) of Hermannstadt faced the difficulties of the arrival of the imperial army led by the Baron of Tige at the beginning of 1707. After the devastation of the insurgent military forces, provisioning the imperial army also fell on the city and municipality of Hermannstadt. While the Gubernium and the Hungarian aristocrats favourable to the emperor sent their representative to Vienna to inform the court about their situation, the town council of Hermannstadt also delegated their envoy in the name of the Saxons. The city chose counsillor Simon Baußner, the future Saxon prefect (comes). His instructions give an insight into the situation of the Saxon territories including Hermannstadt and its municipality, the city’s relationship with Vienna, and its strategies to protect its interests. Baußner had to cooperate with Johann Hossman, the Saxon member of the Transylvanian Court Chancellery in order to contact the „patrons” of Saxons, leaders of government institutions, and the state officials familiar with Transylvania. Besides, he had to prevent the Hungarians of Transylvania working in Vienna from hindering their plans. Baußner’s task was to compose and submit a memoir suiting the current political situation. The leaders of Hermannstadt considered the prospect of peace as well, thus, the instructions elaborate on the question of economic reconstruction of Saxon territories after the war. The article uses mainly sources from Hermannstadt in order to explore the antecedents of Baußner’s embassy, his instructions along with his activity in Vienna, finally it adumbrates the events in Transylvania while he was away.

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