Matthias corvinus family tree
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Matthias Corvinus of Hungary — A Ruler Straddling Two Epochs
Hungary has repeatedly celebrated Matthias Corvinus, also called King Matthias I (r. 1458–1490), most recently in 2008 and again in 2018, while his son John Corvinus was last commemorated this year, in 2023. The latest research shows that there are still plenty of aspects of the king’s reign that offer new insights, especially when considered from a broader Central European perspective.[1]
King Matthias, a great warrior, whom Hungarian folklore, in agreement with official historiography, honours as one of the most important military leaders of his time, in fact never ventured into open-field battles against the Turks. He rather achieved his military successes in campaigns against his Christian neighbours. The conquest of Austria and the capture of the city of Vienna were particularly dear to his heart, but he also fought many wars for the title of King of Bohemia and Silesia. At the same time, Matthias never forgot for a moment that the Ottoman Empire was the country’s archenemy, and he carefully guarded his kingdo
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Matthias Corvinus
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King of Hungary, son of Janos Hunyady and Elizabeth Szilagyi of Horogssey, was born at Kolozsvar 23 Feb., 1440; d. at Vienna, 6 April, 1490. In the house of his father he received along with his brother Ladislaus, a careful education under the supervision of Gregor Sanocki, who taught him the humanities. Johann Vitez, Bishop of Grosswardein from 1445, the friend of Matthias's father when a boy, and himself an enthusiastic patron and promoter of classical studies, had a decided influence on his education. The checkered career of his father likewise left its imprint on the life of Matthias. On political grounds he was betrothed in 1455 to Elizabeth, the daughter of Count Ulric Czilley, his father's deadly enemy, with the aim of effecting the reconciliation of the two families. The early death of Elizabeth interfered with this plan, and after the d
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Economic reforms of Matthias Corvinus
Economic Reforms of Matthias Corvinus
Matthias Corvinus, or Matthias I, ruled the Kingdom of Hungary from 1458 to 1490. His reign is widely regarded as the golden age of Hungary, marked with territorial expansion and consolidation of monarchial power. Matthias’s territorial ambitions frequently brought his realm into conflict with neighboring states, such as the Ottoman Empire, Poland, Bohemia, and the Holy Roman Empire. To meet his demand for a professional defense force, Matthias established one of the first standing armies at the time, the Black Army of Hungary. Matthias was successful in delivering the financial resources required to maintain such a large standing army. Through administrative and financial reforms, Matthias Corvinus increased royal revenues, strengthened monarchial power, and suppressed magnate influence on state governance. Even though the magnate class and the upper nobility retained their traditional power in Hungary, Matthias’s reforms allowed the crown to act independently through royal revenues.
Administrative
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