Functions Voivode of Transylvania

1 functions

1.1 jurisdiction
1.2 honour of voivodes
1.3 judicial functions
1.4 military functions

functions
jurisdiction

the territories under jurisdiction of voivodes known voivodeship of transylvania or voivodate of transylvania (hungarian: erdélyi vajdaság, romanian: voievodatul transilvaniei). voivodes chiefs of ispáns of transylvanian counties. although counties in transylvania first attested 1170s, earlier references fortresses @ seats , archaeological finds suggest system of counties existed in 11th century. instance, torda county first mentioned in charter of 1227, royal castle @ torda (turda) had been documented in 1097, , 3 burials coin-dated reign of stephen of hungary (1000 or 1001–1038) unearthed in same fortress.

administrative division of transylvania in 16th century

the ispáns of transylvanian counties of doboka, hunyad, kolozs, küküllő , torda not listed among witnesses of royal charters beginning of 13th century, hinting direct connection monarchs had time been interrupted. thereafter employed voivode appointed , dismissed them @ will. heads of szolnok county remained directly connected monarchs longer period, until office united voivodeship in 1260s. similarly, voivodes simultaneously ispáns of nearby arad county between 1321 , 1412.

the kings exempted communities jurisdiction of voivodes. diploma andreanum, royal charter of 1224, placed territory of saxons between broos (szászváros, orăștie) , barót (baraolt) under authority of count of hermannstadt (nagyszeben, sibiu), appointed , directly subordinate monarchs. likewise, special royal official, count of székelys, administered székely community around 1228. in latter case, 2 offices united custom in 1462: on each voivode appointed count of székelys.

following mongol invasion of 1241 , 1242, king béla iv of hungary exempted inhabitants of bilak (mărişelu), gyalu (gilău), gyulafehérvár (alba iulia), harina (herina), tasnád (tășnad) , zilah (zalău). king charles of hungary granted immunity saxon communities of birthälm (berethalom, biertan), kleinschelken (kisselyk, Şeica mică), , mediasch (medgyes, mediaș) in 1315, same monarch annulled other communities similar privileges in 1324. altrodenau (radna, rodna) , bistritz (beszterce, bistrița) received immunity in 1366.

honour of voivodes

the office of voivode 1 of important royal honours in kingdom. income lands attached transylvanian royal castles collected voivodes. enjoyed income fines, royal revenues taxes, tolls , mines remained kings due.

ruins of kőhalom castle (cetatea cohalmului, romania), held voivodes between 1324 , c. 1418

during of 14th century, voivodes held castles @ bánffyhunyad (huedin), boroskrakkó (cricău), csicsóújfalu (ciceu-mihăieşti), déva (deva), hátszeg (hațeg), kőhalom (rupea), küküllővár (cetatea de baltă), léta (lita), nagy-talmács (tălmaciu), torja (turia) , Újvár (gogan varolea), lands. additionally, voivodes enjoyed revenues of royal estates in transylvania. instance, estates @ bonchida (bonțida) , vajdahunyad (hunedoara) attached them decades. however, monarchs started grant castles , estates noblemen, bishops of transylvania or saxon community after 1387. consequently, küküllővár , lands pertaining remained last piece of voivodal domain in 1450s.

the inhabitants of transylvanian counties compelled accommodate voivodes , officials. guest settlers @ boroskrakkó, magyarigen (ighiu) , romosz (romos) first released duty in 1206. in alvinc (vinţu de jos) , borberek (vurpăr), obligation not abolished, limited 2 occasions year. king charles exempted transylvanian noblemen , serfs irksome duty in 1324.

the voivodes preferred stay in royal court seldom resided in province, represented deputies. earliest record of vicar of voivode dates 1221. later title vice-voivode , first documented in 1278, came general use. in addition vice-voivodes , ispáns of transylvanian counties, voivodes appointed castellans of royal fortresses. tended choose among noblemen serving in own retinue, ensured followers received fair share of revenues. accordingly, when king dismissed voivode, men replaced successor s men.

judicial functions

along palatine, judge royal , ban, voivode 1 of kingdom s highest judges. in capacity, authorized issue credible charters. earliest preserved charter dates 1248. voivodes or vice-voivodes heard disputes local noblemen knew local customs. initially, voivodes , deputies held courts @ marosszentimre (sântimbru), heard disputes @ own abodes 14th century. voivodes headed courts after 1340s , rather represented deputies.

although limiting own jurisdiction, in 1342 voivode thomas szécsényi recognized right of transylvanian noblemen judge legal cases of peasants owning parcels in estates, exception of 3 cases, such robbery, highway robbery, , violent trespass . concession confirmed in 1365 king louis of hungary. furthermore, monarchs granted jus gladii (the right application of capital punishment) more , more nobles in course of same century.

according customary law, noblemen not sued outside province until 15th century. king louis prohibited prelates , noblemen owned lands in transylvania bringing legal proceedings of lesser importance concerning these estates royal court. nevertheless, legal actions between transylvanians , inhabitants of other parts of kingdom remained outside jurisdiction of voivodes. litigants appeal royal court against decision of voivode 14th century, voivode remained involved in proceedings. legislation prescribed appeals against decisions of voivodes addressed judge royal 1444.

tripartitum

general assemblies convoked , presided on principal judges of realm became important judicial institutions in last decade of 13th century. general assemblies representatives of transylvanian counties presided on voivode or vice-voivode. first such assembly held on june 8, 1288. became important legal institutions 1322. thereafter held on regular basis, @ least once year @ keresztes (cristiş) near torda.

with authority of monarch, voivodes invited representatives of saxon , székely communities counties general meetings. contributed development of legal connections among future 3 nations of transylvania . threat peasants revolt of 1437 gave rise first joint meeting of hungarian noblemen , representatives of saxons , székelys, convoked without former royal authorization vice-voivode. romanian cneazes once, in 1355, invited general assembly. otherwise, vice-voivodes organized separate meetings them.

military functions

ruins of déva castle (cetatea deva, romania), fortress of voivodes 1321 c. 1443

the etymology of title ( commander ) suggests voivodes had significant military duties. supreme leader of troops recruited in counties under jurisdiction. although law obliged noblemen fight in king s army, transylvanian nobles fought under command of voivode. furthermore, voivodes had own private retinue, formed armed noblemen. right raise army under own flag confirmed legislation in 1498.

military functions attested, instance, pousa, voivode @ time of mongol invasion fell in battle on march 31, 1241. voivode lawrence of aba clan fought in royal army in war against austria in 1246. mongol army attacking southern regions of transylvania defeated voivode ernye of Ákos clan in 1260. roland borsa fought against invading mongols in 1285.

voivode nicholas csáki failed repel ottoman invasion of transylvania in 1420. in contrast, john hunyadi, voivode between 1441 , 1446, defeated major ottoman army @ gyulafehérvár in 1442. successor stephen báthory likewise won resounding victory @ breadfield (hungarian: kenyérmező, romanian: câmpul pâinii) on october 13, 1479. contrast, john zápolya (szapolyai), last voivode before battle of mohács on august 29, 1526 did not arrive battlefield in time, summoned late. battle ended ottomans annihilation of royal army. king louis ii of hungary killed on battlefield.