Changes in land tenure patterns in Upper Hungary in the 16th–17th centuries

Abstract

In the course of the 16th and 17th centuries, the status of Hungarian aristocracy changed in the oppsite way compared to their contemporaries in Western Europe, i.e. the aristocracy’s position consolidated. In the decades of civil wars after the battle of Mohács royal power weakened to such an extent that not only was it unable to perform its previous function of government, but it was also very slow to act in a centralised manner in organising defence against the Turks. In this situation, the function of providing for and defending local communities was taken over entirely by the large estates, which had already been an increasingly important political factor for almost a century, as the monarchy had developed and strengthened.