At the end of 2025, the holdings of the Hungarian National Archives were enriched\u2014thanks to the Hungarian Heritage Archives Foundation\u2014by nearly a dozen medieval and early modern documents.<\/p>\n\n
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\u2014the identification of their Czobor provenance relied on an expert report prepared by the archives in the early 2000s. <\/p>\n\n
Ultimately, the Foundation succeeded in acquiring ten of the eleven documents\u2014comprising nine medieval and two early modern charters\u2014and 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). <\/p>\n\n
The medieval documents were incorporated into the Diplomatic Archives of the National Archives (HU-MNL-OL-Q 500) under the reference numbers DL 109014\u2013DL 109021. The charter of King Ferdinand II dated 12 August 1619 and the charter of Palatine Zsigmond Forg\u00e1ch of Gimes dated 10 June 1621 were placed in the series Family Fonds Fragments \u2013 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).<\/p>\n\n
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 \u2013 Vikt\u00f3ria Kov\u00e1cs \u2013 Gy\u00f6rgy R\u00e1cz, A Czobor csal\u00e1d lev\u00e9lt\u00e1rt\u00f6red\u00e9k\u00e9nek kalandos \u00fatja a k\u00f6zgy\u0171jtem\u00e9nyig [The Adventurous Journey of a Fragment of the Czobor Family Archives into a Public Collection], Turul 98 (2025\/4), 186\u2013196. <\/p>\n\n
Vikt\u00f3ria Kov\u00e1cs<\/p>\n\n
1. 7 December 1349 \u2013 Convent of V\u00e1radel\u0151hegy \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109014<\/p>\n\n
2. 30 December 1381 \u2013 Chapter of V\u00e1c \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109015<\/p>\n\n
3. 21 March 1422 \u2013 Chapter of B\u00e1cs \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109016<\/p>\n\n
4. 10 September 1444 \u2013 Chapter of Feh\u00e9rv\u00e1r \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109017<\/p>\n\n
5. 28 December 1450 \u2013 Chapter of B\u00e1cs \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109018<\/p>\n\n
6. 5 January 1465 \u2013 Chapter of Buda \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109019<\/p>\n\n
7. 26 September 1467 \u2013 Chapter of Buda \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109020<\/p>\n\n
8. 1 October 1488 \u2013 Imre Czobor \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-X 10815-75.-DF 296694<\/p>\n\n
9. 9 October 1505 \u2013 II. Ul\u00e1szl\u00f3 kir\u00e1ly \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109021<\/p>\n\n
10. 1619.08.12. 10. 12 August 1619 \u2013 King Ferdinand II \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-1. <\/p>\n\n
11. 1621.06.10. 11. 10 June 1621 \u2013 Palatine Zsigmond Forg\u00e1ch of Gimes \u2013 HU-MNL-OL-P 2257-766.-1.-2.<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
1.<\/strong> Charter of the Convent of V\u00e1radel\u0151hegy \u2013 7 December 1349 (in octavis festi Beati Andree apostoli) <\/p>\n\n Before the convent appeared Master Andrew, son of Master L\u00e1szl\u00f3, Count of the Sz\u00e9kelys, together with his son Master Gy\u00f6rgy, 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\u2014daughter of Master J\u00e1nos, son of Mikl\u00f3s of Gyarmath, and wife of Gy\u00f6rgy\u2014he 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 Gy\u00f6rgy.<\/p>\n\n Original on parchment (60 \u00d7 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109014.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 2.<\/strong> Charter of the Chapter of V\u00e1c \u2013 30 December 1381 (feria secunda proxima post festum nativitatis Domini) <\/p>\n\n Frank, son of the late K\u00f3nya, Count of the Sz\u00e9kelys, appeared before the chapter and declared that, following litigation with Provost Mikl\u00f3s of Cs\u00e1zma and his kinsman \u00c1goston concerning the estate of Hodus in Veszpr\u00e9m County and related damages, he renounced all claims to the estate and agreed to permit its boundary inspection without objection. <\/p>\n\n 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109015.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 3. <\/strong>Charter of the Chapter of B\u00e1cs \u2013 21 March 1422 (in festo Beati Benedicti abbatis) <\/p>\n\n S\u00e1ndor, son of P\u00e9ter, son of Jakab, son of S\u00e1ndor of Babazenthpeter, declared on behalf of himself and his children that, in return for 300 florins received from Palatine Mikl\u00f3s Garai, he grants his share in the estate of Babazenthpeter (B\u00e1cs County) to the palatine and his heirs, with warranty.<\/p>\n\n Original on parchment (39 \u00d7 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor Pestini, A. 1769.<\/em>) can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109016. \u2013 18th-century copies: DL 11190 (NRA, fasc. 1709. No. 6.), DF 266095 (Slovensk\u00fd n\u00e1rodn\u00fd arch\u00edv, Pezinsk\u00e1 vetva p\u00e1lffyovsk\u00e9ho rodu, Czoborovsk\u00fd arch\u00edv \/Acta Czoboriana\/, No. 238.)<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 4. <\/strong>Charter of the Chapter of Feh\u00e9rv\u00e1r \u2013 10 September 1444. (feria quinta prox. ante festum Beatorum Prothii et Jacinti martirum) <\/p>\n\n A settlement was reached between members of the Bathy\u00e1n family and the clergy of the Feh\u00e9rv\u00e1r chapter regarding unpaid lease fees for the estate of Zam\u00e1rd in Somogy County. The agreement stipulated payment obligations, penalties for default, and renewal of the lease under specified conditions. <\/p>\n\n Original on parchment (57 \u00d7 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109017.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 5.<\/strong> Charter of the Chapter of B\u00e1cs \u2013 28 December 1450 (sedecimo die diei intr. et stat.) <\/p>\n\n The Chapter of B\u00e1cs reported that it had received and transcribed the charter of Nicholas \u00dajlaki, voivode of Transylvania and ban of Macs\u00f3, issued on 12 December 1450: <\/p>\n\n Nicholas \u00dajlaki ordered the Chapter of B\u00e1cs, stating that Michael Czobor and Matthias Czobor had represented before the king that Susanna widow of Gabriel de\u00e1k 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 Bal\u00e1zs Chama, L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Thordas, Benedek Zaka, M\u00e1ty\u00e1s Regh, P\u00e1l Kakath, Barnab\u00e1s Chukath of Zenthmiclos, and Jakab). <\/p>\n\n In accordance with the voivode\u2019s command, the chapter sent its witness together with the royal man Barnab\u00e1s 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.<\/p>\n\n Original on parchment (33 \u00d7 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.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109018. \u2013 18th-century copy: DF 266114. (Slovensk\u00fd n\u00e1rodn\u00fd arch\u00edv, Pezinsk\u00e1 vetva p\u00e1lffyovsk\u00e9ho rodu, Czoborovsk\u00fd arch\u00edv \/Acta Czoboriana\/, No. 382.)<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 6.<\/strong> Charter of the Chapter of Buda \u2013 5 January 1465 (vigesimo die diei intr. et stat.) <\/p>\n\n The Chapter of Buda reported that it had received and transcribed the order of Matthias Corvinus, issued on 15 December 1464: <\/p>\n\n King Matthias declared that, in satisfaction of a debt of 332 gold florins, he had pledged the estate of Lorew in Fej\u00e9r 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). <\/p>\n\n The chapter accordingly sent its witness, Benedict of Wyfalw, canon, together with the royal man \u00c9li\u00e1s 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.<\/p>\n\n Original on parchment (35.7 \u00d7 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.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109019.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 7. <\/strong>Charter of the Chapter of Buda \u2013 26 September 1467 (sextodecimo die diei intr. et stat.)<\/p>\n\n The chapter reported that it had received and transcribed the order of Matthias Corvinus, issued on 20 August 1467: <\/p>\n\n 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 Fej\u00e9r County, and ordered that he be introduced into possession. He therefore instructed the chapter to send its testimony. <\/p>\n\n The chapter sent its witness, Benedict of Dywyn, canon, together with the royal man \u00c9li\u00e1s 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.<\/p>\n\n Original on parchment (39 \u00d7 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor de Czoborszentmihaly. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109020.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 8. <\/strong>Charter of Imre Czobor \u2013 1 October 1488 (am Mittichenn nach sannd Michaelstag) <\/p>\n\n 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 \u201czum goldenen Hirschen,\u201d 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\u2019s cathedral.<\/p>\n\n Original in German on parchment (22 \u00d7 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor de Czoborszentmihaly. Pestini, 1. Octobris 1769.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-X 10815-75.-DF 296694.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 9.<\/strong> Mandate of King Vladislaus II to Palatine Imre Per\u00e9nyi \u2013 9 October 1505 (in festo Beati Dionisii martiris) <\/p>\n\n Vladislaus II issued an mandate to Palatine Imre Per\u00e9nyi. From the petition of Susanna, widow of J\u00e1nos 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. <\/p>\n\n Original on paper (28.7 \u00d7 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 J\u00f3zsef Czobor (Revisum per me Josephum Czobor. Pestini, Anno 1769.) <\/em> can be seen. HU-MNL-OL-Q 500-DL 109021. \u2013 18th-century copy: DF 266158. (Slovensk\u00fd n\u00e1rodn\u00fd arch\u00edv, Pezinsk\u00e1 vetva p\u00e1lffyovsk\u00e9ho rodu, Czoborovsk\u00fd arch\u00edv \/Acta Czoboriana\/, No. 510.)<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 10.<\/strong> Charter of King Ferdinand II \u2013 12 August 1619 (12. die mensis Augusti) <\/p>\n\n Ferdinand II recorded that Benedek Pakay, personalis and royal councillor, appeared before him and reported that Mikl\u00f3s Zerdahely had appeared at the Diet of Pozsony on behalf of J\u00e1nos Czobor of Czoborszentmih\u00e1ly and protested against a legal action initiated by Susanna Thurz\u00f3 of Bethlenfalva, widow of the late Mih\u00e1ly Czobor, which had summoned J\u00e1nos to court contrary to law and noble privilege. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\n 11.<\/strong> Charter of Palatine Sigismund Forg\u00e1ch of Gimes \u2013 10 June 1621 (decima die mensis Junii) <\/p>\n\n Sigismund Forg\u00e1ch, acting as royal lieutenant, granted to Wolfgang Morocz, in recognition of his services, a noble curia on the estate of Grenaw in Pozsony County\u2014formerly belonging to the late Mikl\u00f3s Istv\u00e1nffy of Kisasszonyfalva, master of the door and councillor of King Matthias, and reverted to the Crown upon his death without heirs\u2014together with two vineyards and a mill site on the Grenaw vineyard hill, to be held by him and his heirs.<\/p>\n\n Original on paper with a seal beneath the text and the palatine\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n Vikt\u00f3ria Kov\u00e1cs \u2013 Anton Avar<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n