Ban Simon und seine Beteiligung an politisch-militärischen Ereignissen in den Jahren 1301–1324 in Siebenbürgen

Abstract

In this article we refer to ban Simon, an obscure and enigmatic character from the history of Transylvania. According to Hungarian historiography, he is part of the Szalók clan, the Transylvanian branch called Kendy (after the Chendu citadel, today in Mureș county). As for his properties, they are concentrated around two domains: Chendu and Dârlos. Ban Simon is mentioned directly in documents from 1296, 1299, 1301, 1317 and indirectly in other documents from the 14th century where his sons are referred to. The dignity with which he is remembered, namely “ban”, is an honorific one. At the time of his mentions in the documents, Simon did not run a Banate. The first three decades of the 14th century are tumultuous, encompassing the rise of the voivode Ladislaus II Kán as an autocrat over Transylvania (1301–1315), the rebellion of the Transylvanian nobility led by the sons of Ladislaus II Kán (1316–1321) and the rebellion of the Transylvanian Saxons (1324). Regarding the involvement of ban Simon and his family in these events, Simon was part of the Káns' camp in the first phase, being loyal to the voivode; after 1317 he joined the king's camp, but the documents do not clearly and directly refer to his involvement in the mentioned events. It is not known when he died, but most likely between 1324–1325. On May 2, 1325, the chapter of Alba of Transylvania passes the sentence regarding the division of ban Simon's wealth among his 6 sons. His descendants will form local noble families: Somogyoni-Almási (Șmig-Alma), Kendhidái (Chendu), Bekscsényi (Becsehely, in Hungary), Darlaci (Dârlos), Csikmántori (Țigmandru) and Baládfi (after the proper name Balád).