Povijesni prilozi, Vol. 27 No. 35, 2008.
Original scientific paper
Ethnic and political groups in a medieval city: the example of Gradec ‘languages’
Bruno Škreblin
Abstract
The medieval Gradec was populated by Slavs, Latins, Germans and Hungarians. The settlement of these four ethnic groups in the town was part of the colonizing process in medieval Europe. The favourable geographical location and a trade boom in this period enabled Gradec to reach the peak of its development under the house of Anjou, for which the city was an important stop en route to the south. For that reason
the Anjou built a residence in the town. Between 1377 and 1437, these four linguistic groups shared power in Gradec. Judges were elected from rotating groups, and each language had two assessors and five councillor seats. The political organization that followed linguistic divisions was a result of an agreement within the Gradec urban elite that aimed at reforming the magistrate in a manner that satisfied most citizens. A division that followed linguistic boundaries was seen as a best way to achieve an appearance of democracy and unity in decision-making. A similar mode of organization was implemented in Buda in 1440, following a
conflict between Germans and Hungarians. Yet in the case of Gradec no immediate motive for the division is known. It might have followed the linguistic division at contemporary European universities.
Over a 60-year period, ‘languages’, as these groups were known, took turns in occupying municipal offices. Changes took place on two occasions only, in the early fifteenth century and in 1429. ‘Languages’ did not strictly follow linguistic boundaries because some citizens belonged to groups that did not match their ethnic origin and some changed groups. ‘Languages’ were mentioned in documents such as those describing the magistrate composition, so it seems likely that this organization was
formal, pertinent to the city administration only, and of no direct relation to the everyday life in Gradec.
The reason why this organization was abandoned in 1437 is not known. Yet by the early fifteenth century Gradec had begun to lose its economic and political power. The volume of the trade was reduced, fewer wholesale merchants were arriving in the city, and the Latin colony gradually died out. Gradec was of little importance to the new ruler, Sigismund of Luxembourg. The monarch pledged some of the estates
previously owned by Gradec to the Celjski family, which at the time fought against Ban Matko Talovec for the supreme power over the city. These political events could have influenced the abolition of the language-based magistrate organization.
The analysis of the preserved magistrate documents from 1377 to 1437 shows some names repeat in the registers of the city offices’ occupants. They also reveal family ties between some officials. These citizens belonged to the urban oligarchy, the formation of which took place precisely during the existence of ‘language’ groups.
Keywords
the Middle Ages; Gradec; ethnic groups; organization of the urban rule
Hrčak ID:
35530
URI
Publication date:
11.12.2008.
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