Imre király történelmi emlékezete a XIII-XVIII. században

Abstract

This survey leeds the reader from the medieval Hungarian chronicles to István Katona's time, to the beginning of the Hungarian critical historiography, and demonstrates the development of a royal portrait. King Emeric had reigned between 1196 and 1204, his memory turned pale soon after his death. The main stream of the medieval knowledge remembered only his reigning time, his widow's second marriage, and his funeral place. This frame became filled with details by foreign historiographical influence. Bonfmi wrote first about Emeric's foreign policy, and his most famous action: the king went to the camp of the rebels without arms, and by his royal authority captured his brother (later King Andrew II). The XVIIIth century brought the age of the organized historical researchment. The most important narrative sources and charters were found and known, so King Emeric's internal policy could be documentated well. The Jesuit historians emphasized his southern conquests, but disliked his action against the bishop of Vác. Nevertheless King Emeric was regarded as a positve historical person, and the most important Jesuit scholar, István Katona gave a whole royal portrait about King Emeric's life and reign.