Widow of Gáspár Mágócsy’s case at the Convention of Lelesz

Abstract

The Hungarian magnate Gáspár Mágócsy tried to bequeath the fate of his properties and wealth in his testament with the utmost thoroughness. He also tried to leave some land for all his relatives from his significant lands in the northeastern part of the Hungarian Kingdom. Without children of his own, most of his wealth went to his grandnephews and other members of the family. He left a few villages and towns with their incomes, chateaus and houses to his widow, Anna Horváth. His grandnephews, Gáspár Mágócsy jr. and Ferenc Mágócsy were his primary heir. They were however underage, so they needed a guardian. Gáspár Mágócsy choose Zsigmond Rákóczi – the ambitious lord of Szerencs – for the guardianship. To strengthen his position, Rákóczi married the mother of his wards, Judit Alaghy. Despite this and the testament, after Mágócsy’s death, conflict emerged between Rákóczi and the magnate’s widow Anna Horváth, regarding the heritage. The widow relinquished parts of the lands and wealth she inherited, to form alliances against Rákóczi, who pressured the widow quite aggressively. Anna made money from these lands or gifted them to other noble lords for their services. Rákóczi managed to deprive Anna out of most her inheritance, so in her desperation she tried to find justice at the convention of Lelesz, where her plaints and grievances were registered. Anna Horváth however could not make a good impression on the convention. Her requests were poorly collected and the attempt failed. Zsigmond Rákóczi took most of the heritage successfully.