At the end of 2025, the holdings of the Hungarian National Archives were enriched—thanks to the Hungarian Heritage Archives Foundation—by nearly a dozen medieval and early modern documents.
The valuable set of records, formerly held in private ownership in Canada and comprising charters dated between 1349 and 1621, had already come to the attention of the archives around the turn of the millennium. At that time, however, the acquisition could not be completed due to insufficient financial resources available for archival purchases. More than two decades later, in 2024, the Hungarian Heritage Archives Foundation learned that a Hungarian collector was offering for sale nine medieval and two early modern documents originating from the Czobor family archive. It was soon established that these items belonged to the long-dispersed Canadian collection—the identification of their Czobor provenance relied on an expert report prepared by the archives in the early 2000s.
Ultimately, the Foundation succeeded in acquiring ten of the eleven documents—comprising nine medieval and two early modern charters—and donated them to the Hungarian National Archives. In addition, it made available to the archives digital images of the eleventh document (a German-language charter issued by Imre Czobor on 1 October 1488; see item no. 8 in the list below).
The medieval documents were incorporated into the Diplomatic Archives of the National Archives (HU-MNL-OL-Q 500) under the reference numbers DL 109014–DL 109021. The charter of King Ferdinand II dated 12 August 1619 and the charter of Palatine Zsigmond Forgách of Gimes dated 10 June 1621 were placed in the series Family Fonds Fragments – Czobor Family (HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.). The digital images of the German-language charter were accessioned among the security copies of protected and exhibited documents (HU-MNL-OL-X 10815).
A study on the document collection prepared by the staff of the National Archives will be published in issue 4 (2025) of the journal Turul: Anton Avar – Viktória Kovács – György Rácz, A Czobor család levéltártöredékének kalandos útja a közgyűjteményig [The Adventurous Journey of a Fragment of the Czobor Family Archives into a Public Collection], Turul 98 (2025/4), 186–196.
Viktória Kovács
List of the Charters with Their Archival References
1. 7 December 1349 – Convent of Váradelőhegy – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109014
2. 30 December 1381 – Chapter of Vác – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109015
3. 21 March 1422 – Chapter of Bács – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109016
4. 10 September 1444 – Chapter of Fehérvár – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109017
5. 28 December 1450 – Chapter of Bács – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109018
6. 5 January 1465 – Chapter of Buda – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109019
7. 26 September 1467 – Chapter of Buda – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109020
8. 1 October 1488 – Imre Czobor – HU-MNL-OL-X 10815-75.-DF 296694
9. 9 October 1505 – II. Ulászló király – HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109021
10. 1619.08.12. 10. 12 August 1619 – King Ferdinand II – HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-1.
11. 1621.06.10. 11. 10 June 1621 – Palatine Zsigmond Forgách of Gimes – HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-2.
Descriptions and Regesta of the Charters
1. Charter of the Convent of Váradelőhegy – 7 December 1349 (in octavis festi Beati Andree apostoli)
Before the convent appeared Master Andrew, son of Master László, Count of the Székelys, together with his son Master György, on the one hand, and Master Joachim, son of Peter, son of Dorog of Gyouzeg, on the other. Joachim declared that, out of kinship affection for Ilona—daughter of Master János, son of Miklós of Gyarmath, and wife of György—he donates to her his acquired estate named Magasabran in Szolnok County, located by the Berekyou River, neighboring Molnuspetri and Fonchuka, on condition that should Ilona die without heirs, the estate shall remain with György.
Original on parchment (60 × 7.8 cm) with a pendant seal on red silk cords. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1349. No. 2366.) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109014.
2. Charter of the Chapter of Vác – 30 December 1381 (feria secunda proxima post festum nativitatis Domini)
Frank, son of the late Kónya, Count of the Székelys, appeared before the chapter and declared that, following litigation with Provost Miklós of Csázma and his kinsman Ágoston concerning the estate of Hodus in Veszprém County and related damages, he renounced all claims to the estate and agreed to permit its boundary inspection without objection.
Original on parchment (26.7 cm x 21.3 cm), the seal hanging from a red silk cord has been lost. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1381. No. 1999.) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109015.
3. Charter of the Chapter of Bács – 21 March 1422 (in festo Beati Benedicti abbatis)
Sándor, son of Péter, son of Jakab, son of Sándor of Babazenthpeter, declared on behalf of himself and his children that, in return for 300 florins received from Palatine Miklós Garai, he grants his share in the estate of Babazenthpeter (Bács County) to the palatine and his heirs, with warranty.
Original on parchment (39 × 17 cm), with a pendant seal on red and purple cords. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1422. No. 238. Ex fasc. 12. Bachiensis) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor Pestini, A. 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109016. – 18th-century copies: DL 11190 (NRA, fasc. 1709. No. 6.), DF 266095 (Slovenský národný archív, Pezinská vetva pálffyovského rodu, Czoborovský archív /Acta Czoboriana/, No. 238.)
4. Charter of the Chapter of Fehérvár – 10 September 1444. (feria quinta prox. ante festum Beatorum Prothii et Jacinti martirum)
A settlement was reached between members of the Bathyán family and the clergy of the Fehérvár chapter regarding unpaid lease fees for the estate of Zamárd in Somogy County. The agreement stipulated payment obligations, penalties for default, and renewal of the lease under specified conditions.
Original on parchment (57 × 18.5 cm) with a pendant seal on red, natural colored and green cords. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1444. No. 1611.) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109017.
5. Charter of the Chapter of Bács – 28 December 1450 (sedecimo die diei intr. et stat.)
The Chapter of Bács reported that it had received and transcribed the charter of Nicholas Újlaki, voivode of Transylvania and ban of Macsó, issued on 12 December 1450:
Nicholas Újlaki ordered the Chapter of Bács, stating that Michael Czobor and Matthias Czobor had represented before the king that Susanna widow of Gabriel deák of Zamlyen, together with her sons Ladislaus, Michael, and Nicholas, intended to take possession of one half of the estates Czoborzentmichal and Halmos, as well as two forests called Zargyep and Egetherdeu in the estate Janosy (all in Bodrog County), which belonged to them by inheritance and exchange. The king therefore ordered the chapter to send its testimony for the formal introduction (with designated royal men including Balázs Chama, László Thordas, Benedek Zaka, Mátyás Regh, Pál Kakath, Barnabás Chukath of Zenthmiclos, and Jakab).
In accordance with the voivode’s command, the chapter sent its witness together with the royal man Barnabás of Zenthmiclos, namely Master Lawrence of Zalankemen, canon, who upon return reported that on 13 December (feast of Saint Lucy) they went to the estates and forests and, in the presence of the neighbors and boundary holders, introduced Michael and Matthias into possession without objection.
Original on parchment (33 × 18.2 cm) with a pendant seal on dark blue silk cords. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1450. No. 382.) and a note by Joseph Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor de Czoborszentmihaly. Pestini 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109018. – 18th-century copy: DF 266114. (Slovenský národný archív, Pezinská vetva pálffyovského rodu, Czoborovský archív /Acta Czoboriana/, No. 382.)
6. Charter of the Chapter of Buda – 5 January 1465 (vigesimo die diei intr. et stat.)
The Chapter of Buda reported that it had received and transcribed the order of Matthias Corvinus, issued on 15 December 1464:
King Matthias declared that, in satisfaction of a debt of 332 gold florins, he had pledged the estate of Lorew in Fejér County to Michael Czobor, on condition that the estate be returned upon repayment, and he ordered that Michael be introduced into possession. For this purpose, he instructed the chapter to send its testimony (designated royal men listed).
The chapter accordingly sent its witness, Benedict of Wyfalw, canon, together with the royal man Éliás of Thas, who upon return reported that on 17 December they went to the estate of Lorew and, in the presence of neighbors and boundary holders, introduced Michael into possession without objection.
Original on parchment (35.7 × 17 cm) with a pendant seal on brown and natural silk cords. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1465. No. 219.) and a note by Joseph Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor de Czoborszentmihaly. Pestini 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109019.
7. Charter of the Chapter of Buda – 26 September 1467 (sextodecimo die diei intr. et stat.)
The chapter reported that it had received and transcribed the order of Matthias Corvinus, issued on 20 August 1467:
King Matthias declared that, in recognition of the merits of Michael Czobor, he had granted him the estate of Symonfalwa and a meadow called Kysreth in Fejér County, and ordered that he be introduced into possession. He therefore instructed the chapter to send its testimony.
The chapter sent its witness, Benedict of Dywyn, canon, together with the royal man Éliás of Hyhaz, who upon return reported that on 11 September they went to the estate Symonfalwa and the meadow Kysreth and, in the presence of neighbors and boundary holders, introduced Michael into possession without objection.
Original on parchment (39 × 20.8 cm) with a pendant seal on pink and green silk cords. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1467. No. 220. ex Fasc. 11. Albensis) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor de Czoborszentmihaly. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109020.
8. Charter of Imre Czobor – 1 October 1488 (am Mittichenn nach sannd Michaelstag)
Imre Czobor royal chamberlain, count of Pressburg and captain of Nagyszombat (Trnava), declared that he lawfully possessed one half of a house in Vienna, located on the Haarmarkt and known as “zum goldenen Hirschen,” which he had received as a donation from Matthias Corvinus and which had also been entered into the municipal register of Vienna. The other half of the house was held by a councillor named Sigismund and church warden of Saint Stephen’s cathedral.
Original in German on parchment (22 × 28 cm) with an impressed ring seal. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1488. No. 2524. Fasc. 131. Varia) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor de Czoborszentmihaly. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-X 10815-75.-DF 296694.
9. Mandate of King Vladislaus II to Palatine Imre Perényi – 9 October 1505 (in festo Beati Dionisii martiris)
Vladislaus II issued an mandate to Palatine Imre Perényi. From the petition of Susanna, widow of János Chomory of Aranyan, it had been reported that Bertalan Weres of Zenthlazlo, together with the peasants of Ferenc Harazthy and Sigismund Lewa of Thothfalw (Bodrog County), had killed her husband. Since Harazthy and Lewa failed to bring their peasants to justice despite the order of Bodrog County, they had been fined 200 florins. The king had already ordered them to pay the fine and provide satisfaction; by the present letter he instructed the palatine to compel them by all means to fulfill these obligations if they failed to do so.
Original on paper (28.7 × 21 cm) with a seal beneath the text. Below the text, to the right: relatio magistri Petri Beryzlo prepositi secretarii regie maiestatis. On the reverse, an old archival reference number (Anno 1505. No. 510.) and a note by József Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, Anno 1769.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109021. – 18th-century copy: DF 266158. (Slovenský národný archív, Pezinská vetva pálffyovského rodu, Czoborovský archív /Acta Czoboriana/, No. 510.)
10. Charter of King Ferdinand II – 12 August 1619 (12. die mensis Augusti)
Ferdinand II recorded that Benedek Pakay, personalis and royal councillor, appeared before him and reported that Miklós Zerdahely had appeared at the Diet of Pozsony on behalf of János Czobor of Czoborszentmihály and protested against a legal action initiated by Susanna Thurzó of Bethlenfalva, widow of the late Mihály Czobor, which had summoned János to court contrary to law and noble privilege.
18th-century copy. HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-1. Old archival reference number: Anno 1619. No. 166. HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-1.
11. Charter of Palatine Sigismund Forgách of Gimes – 10 June 1621 (decima die mensis Junii)
Sigismund Forgách, acting as royal lieutenant, granted to Wolfgang Morocz, in recognition of his services, a noble curia on the estate of Grenaw in Pozsony County—formerly belonging to the late Miklós Istvánffy of Kisasszonyfalva, master of the door and councillor of King Matthias, and reverted to the Crown upon his death without heirs—together with two vineyards and a mill site on the Grenaw vineyard hill, to be held by him and his heirs.
Original on paper with a seal beneath the text and the palatine’s signature to the left. On the reverse, the old archival reference numbers (No. 17. and, crossed out, No. 651.) as well as the date (Anno 1621.) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-2.
Viktória Kovács – Anton Avar