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1. The Legacy of Sigismund
Sigismund of Luxemburg reigned longer than almost any other Hungarian ruler. He took the Hungarian throne in 1387 and added the titles King of Germany (1411), King of Bohemia (1420) and Holy Roman Emperor (1433) before his death in 1437. His memory was subsequently held in great reverence in the Empire. Several dozen paintings depict him as the ideal emperor, and he was regarded as one of the great historic rulers, mentioned alongside Charlemagne and Otto the Great. Memories of Sigismund among the Germans were all the fonder for the failure of a worthy successor to emerge for several decades.
In the Hungarian historical consciousness, however, the image of Sigismund was much less favourable. It was during his rule that the Ottoman intrusions started, the Hussites captured entire towns, and the Angevin-friendly families who had been close to King Charles II and Ladislas King of Naples never forgot how he dealt with his opponents. Matthias’ Hungarian historian János Thuróczy also propagated this none-too-friendly account.
Nonetheless, the name of King Sigismund was still equivalent to the memory of the good old days long after he died. Albert’s brief reign left little impression, and during the ensuing civil war, which lasted for more than two decades and was known by contemporaries as the “turbulent times”, the people of Hungary looked back with yearning to the Sigismund Era.
The legislation which Sigismund had embarked on in his final years was continued by Matthias, he also issued a great statute book, and in his decrees frequently referred to those of King Sigismund. Matthias also took to granting his followers the badge of the Order of the Dragon, founded by Sigismund. From the time he started on the Bohemian wars, Matthias followed Sigismund’s policy, aiming to take control of the empire with a base in the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia.
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