King Mathias (Mátyás Corvinus) Hunyadi
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The most popular of all Hungarian Kings Matthias
Corvinus. The Renaissance King's (1458 - 1490) popularity was based on
his uncomplicated, traditional character. Since 1301 (the extinction of
the Hungarian House of Árpád) he was the first Hungarian on the throne.
The heraldic animal of the King was the raven. Because of the raven, King
Matthias accepted the epithet Corvinus (latin corvus).
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King Matthias (Mátyás) was born on February 23rd 1443 in Kolozsvár Transylvania. He was the second son of John Hunyadi and Elizabeth Szilágyi. John (János) Hunyadi was the legendary Hungarian general who defeated in the summer of 1456 the mighty Turkish army of Mehmet II at Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) and thus stopped the Turkish advance into Western Europe.
John Hunyadi's name is not widely known in the West, but his memory of defeating the Turks has been honored since 1456. Pope, Calixtus III called Hungary the "Shield of Christianity" and ordered Catholic countries all over the world to ring the church bells every day at noon to commemorate this victory. Dukas, the Greek historian, compared him to the two most valiant figures of Greek mythology, Achilles and Hector.
John Hunyadi died (most likely from the plague) on August 11, 1456.
The jubilation of victory turned to sorrow when the world learned of Hunyadi's untimely death.Even Sultan Mehmet II paid him tribute: "Although he was my enemy I feel grief over his death, because the world has never seen such a man."
Although the Turks would not attack Hungary for another 70 years, political strife continued totrouble the kingdom. On his deathbed, Hunyadi told his countrymen: "Defend, my friends, Christendom and Hungary from all enemies... Do not quarrel among yourselves. If you shouldwaste your energies in altercations, you will seal your own fate as well as dig the grave of our country."
After Hunyadi's death, King Leslie (László) V 1444 - 1457 ceded to the discord of the Hungarian lords (Cillei - Garai league of the ruling upper class accused him of treason. During a discussion at Nándorfehérvár between the King, Cillei and Hunyadi, Cillei a relative of the King got into a heated argument, drew his sword but Hunyadi's men broke into the room and killed him.), who wanted the Crown for themselves, beheaded Leslie (László) Hunyadi in 1457 (firstborn of John Hunyadi) and he imprisoned Matthias in Vienna and later in Prague. The incensed Hungarian (lesser - below Baron) nobility proclaimed the 15 years old Matthias King in January 1458 and on February 14th they put him on the Hungarian throne. The actual crowning of Matthias was in 1464 after they were able to regain possession of the Saint Crown from Frederick III (in order to give up the crown, Frederick III made a deal that if there is no male successor to Matthias, the Hungarian Crown would revert to the Habsburgs). Later in 1469 the Bohemian Catholic order also proclaimed him King.
King Matthias organized his personal "select" forces called the Black Army, which comprised of 20 000 hussars (light horse soldiers or cavalry), 8 000 foot soldiers, 9 000 horse carriages, 200 river boats and an artillery brigade with about 100 cannons. To support this large army and to continue with reforms, he completely reformed the tax system, eliminated tax exemptions for feudal landlords and for religious masters. Although taxes were high he provided protection for serfs (feudal tenants) farmers against the Turks and the power hungry lords as well. He also guaranteed them free movement and protection of law. He was instrumental in raising the standard, quality of life and aided the growth of country towns. He was just in his rule and often favoured ordinary citizens and punished high-ranking nobles. He centralized power and increasingly used a court system, employing highly educated lawyers, judges and administrators.
Matthias valued the sciences, arts and architecture. he invited foreign humanists, writers, musicians and artist. In his court he was entertaining such outstanding guests as the renaissance poet Janus Pannonius, the Italian historian Antonio Bonfini and the astronomer Regiomontanus (Johann Müller). He also ordered the renovations of buildings in Buda around the Palace of Buda there were 31 churches, 28 monasteries, 8 chapels). The first Hungarian press and set up the Corvin library that held at least 500 volumes. Culturally Hungary was equal to any West European nation. Under King Matthias Hungary also became one of the most powerful nations in Europe. He fought successfully against the Turks, a long war against Bohemia (1468 - 1476). he quickly defeated Jagello of Poland who was looking to take the throne from him. Eventually a peace compromise was agreed to, which allowed Matthias to keep the title of King of Bohemia, and to keep Moravia, Silesia and Lausitz. King Matthias also defeated the attacks by Frederick III and eventually in 1485 advanced his army, occupied most of present day Austria and set up his rule from Vienna.
King Matthias died April 5th 1490 at the young age of 47 and without accomplishing his dream of eliminating the Turkish treat forever from Hungary and Europe.
After his death anarchy followed, the High Nobles refused to support King Matthias' son John Corvin to the throne fearing that he might continue his fathers' policy of taxation and justice against them. This is how a foreign King Louis II (1490 - 1516) (from the House of Jagello) came to rule over Hungary once again. He was known to fulfill all the wishes of the Baron's by saying " dobrze" good. The decentralized country weak and disorganized lost a major battle against the Turkish army at Mohács 1526. The Turkish army of Suleiman Sultan II consisted about 80 000 well-trained and disciplined men in contrast, the Hungarian army totaled 26 000 with no proper training and no trained leader. This was followed by over 150 years of Turkish occupation and the breakup of Hungary into three parts. The Hungarian struggle continued throughout the occupation against the Turks and against the Habsburg's.
King Matthias was said to be cultured, wise, patient, brave, quickly decisive, self reliant, self assured and last but not least JUST.
Image and information by: Robert Szabados