“…It is impossible to endure the above mentioned serious matters and grievous injuries…”
Misunderstandings between István II. Koháry, General-Captain of Fiľakovo and the Nobility (1667–1682)

ZOLTÁN IGOR KOMJÁTI
Private researcher, Abasár, Hungary

Abstract: In the 17th century Fiľakovo was not only the base for the royal garrison, but at the same time the fort was the seat of three counties: Novohrad, Pest-Pilis-Solt and Heves and Külső-Szolnok earlier fleeing before the Ottomans. By the common sense and the practical reason, we could believe that the dependency on each other, the mutual national interest and the patriotic solidarity would bring about cooperation between the border soldiers and the nobility. The stark reality was, however, that they could not agree: mutual accusations, disagreements, atrocities, severe debates — occasionally with the intention to kill — characterised the relationship of the Fiľakovo troops and the nobility residing or temporarily staying in the border castle. The main problem was the lack of supplies for the army. As the border soldiers did not receive their dues, they procured food and goods needed for their living and clothing from the nearby settlements in the county, which was ever so often violent. The county nobility was deeply harmed by the attacks of the soldiers that not only hindered their living, but they saw it as the derogation of their ancient noble rights and their sanctity, which they could not tolerate. As a result the nobility had to limit the privileges of the Fiľakovo border soldiers that the other party could not stand, either. The war between the two social strata both regarding themselves privileged precipitated in legal debates: who is to accuse and punish the guilty and captured border soldiers? who has the right to call to account and punish the guilty captured soldiers? whose jurisdiction is stronger and in what case? Heves and Külső-Szolnok County sent their representatives either together with other counties or on its own to Pál Esterházy, Ferenc Nádasdy, then from 1670 to Ádám Forgách, Chief Judge of Hungary, but they could have even presented their grievances to the Emperor. The other frontline of the confrontation between the two parties manifested in the use of violence. People were treated roughly by the soldiers due to the mutual conflict, but the village inhabitants instigated by the County Magistrate did not hold themselves back when capturing a soldier. This way, there were often human casualties. When a person of noble origin committed an atrocity, no matter how significant it was he was treated carefully and judgement was very slow. This is shown in the study through the case of Menyhért Ebeczky, the Deputy-Lord-Lieutenant of Novohrad County and Noble Judge of Heves and Külső-Szolnok County from 1678.

Keywords: István II. Koháry, Fiľakovo castle, Ottoman-Hungarian conflict, border defence.