„…fő nélkül csak egy nap sem jó volna azt a földet hadni”

Abstract

The military defence of the northeastern part of the country, known at the time as Upper Hungary, was operated in the 17th century through the system of captaincies under the Hofkriegsrat (Imperial War Council). This region was not only threatened by constant Ottoman raids, but also by the growing ambitions of the princes of Transylvania, which were often supported by the gentry class of the area. At the same time the political significance of counties had grown significantly, as well as the power of the wealthy gentry, who just started finding their political identity. Therefore the position of the captain-general of Upper Hungary was always a role where finding a balance between the goals of the monarch and the interests of the county nobles was a primary political consideration, unlike in the captaincies of the western part of the country. At the same time the military defence system also had to be maintained, and only after addressing all these issues could the captain-general try to realise his own ambitions, or improve the status of his family. This essay analyses János Drugeth de Homonna’s tenure as captai-general to showcase the unique characteristics of the captaincy of Upper Hungary.