“With Good Hope, One is Welcomed into Our Town” Citizenship Rights in Rimaszombat (1796–1848)

Abstract

This study focuses on the significance attributed to citizenship rights in the privileged market town of Rimaszombat and how the use of these rights led to social differentiation among the population. Rimaszombat was one of the few settlements that, even before the 1840 Act VII, attempted to secure the permanent redemption of feudal obligations, services, and taxes. However, the town’s efforts were not entirely successful; the Royal Council did not approve their redemption agreement with their secular landlords, though this had a significant impact on the use of citizenship rights within the town. Through a systematic analysis of records from 1796 to 1848, this study examines the number of citizens, their social composition, place of origin, and the role of citizenship rights in the town.