KING MATHIAS (MÁTYÁS CORVINUS) HUNYADI

The most popular of all Hungarian Kings was 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 King Matthias (Mátyás) was born 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 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) in 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 to trouble 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 should waste 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. 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 nobility proclaimed the 15 years old Matthias King in January 1458. 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 invite
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). 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. King Matthias died  1490 at the young age of 47 and without accomplishing his dream ofeliminating the Turkish treat forever from Hungary and Europe. King Matthias was said to be cultured, wise, patient, brave, quickly decisive, self reliant,self assured and last but not least JUST.

Lilla Gonczi
Berze Nagy Janos Grammar School, Gyongyos