Organised by the Hungarian Military Science Society and the “Szülőföldünk” Local History Association, the conference entitled “Győr County in Hungarian Military History” was held in Győr between 29 September and 1 October 2025, with Gábor Nemes and Viktor Kanász representing the Research Group.
On the first day, Gábor Nemes reconstructed the military unit of the Győr Cathedral Chapter on the basis of data drawn from the chapter’s medieval account books for the period 1495–1528. He demonstrated that although the Győr Chapter was not among the landowners obliged to maintain military contingents under Act 20 of 1498, from 1502 onwards it demonstrably employed mercenaries. These included both cavalry (heavy and light) and infantry soldiers, each with their own captain and banner. The payment of wages, as well as the provision of weapons, clothing, and food, placed a considerable financial burden on the canons, who had to cover war expenses not only through the war tax but also from their own private revenues. Nemes precisely reconstructed the process of mobilisation and the division of military responsibilities within the chapter.
On the second day, Gábor Nemes conveyed the greetings of András Veres, Bishop of Győr, after which Viktor Kanász gave a lecture entitled “Maurice of Saxony and the Győr Encampment of 1552.” In his presentation, he explored how Maurice’s 1552 Hungarian campaign was interpreted in an overwhelmingly negative light by both contemporaries and later historians and writers. He examined why King Ferdinand I or the archduke did not lead the forces, how the previously rebellious duke eventually marched to the Hungarian theatre of war as a Habsburg ally, and what is known about his encampment at Győr and the fortification of the town. He also discussed in detail the forgotten raid on Esztergom, analysing its short- and long-term consequences.
(A more detailed treatment of the topic can be found in the 2023 issue of Arrabona.)
