Protestant and Catholic elites in Szeklerland

Abstract

The study examines the denominational groups within the elite of Szekler society in the early modern Principality of Transylvania. At the time of confessionalisation, Szeklerland was an exceptionally multi-denominational region, with the largest number of Catholics remaining here. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, however, it was the Protestant nobles of Szeklerland who were able to establish significant power. From the twenties and thirties of the 17th century, the Catholic families of Háromszék and Csík began to gain ground and, even in the era of the Reformed princes, they were trying to establish a closely cooperating elite group of Catholics. As an opposition, influential Reformed nobles emerged, but for them, it was not an imperative to form an elite group precisely because of the state support for the Reformed denomination. This study presents the struggle between these two denominations, focusing on the second half of the 17th century.