Fidelitas ako základ vzťahu kráľa a šľachty v 13. storočí. Vernosť a mocenské väzby na dvore Bela IV.
Fidelitas as the Basis of the Relationship between the King and the Nobility in the 13th Century: Loyalty and Power Relations at the Court of Bela IV.

Summary/Abstract: The study focuses on a specific group of secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries whom the monarch referred to as fideles nostri and rewarded for their demonstrated – mostly military – services in the 1230s – 1260s. I focus on how the loyalty (fidelitas) of King Béla IV’s supporters was represented, particularly in royal donation charters, which include arengae and narrationes that are the main sources of information on this topic. In these charters, the term fidelitas plays a central role, demonstrating the mutual relationship between the monarch and other actors of the time. Loyalty to the king was primarily demonstrated through military service and heroism in battle, but loyalty shown through diplomatic or judicial activities, or the settlement of territories, was also rewarded. Descriptions of the deeds of the king’s supporters reflect contemporary ideals of chivalric culture, especially emphasizing loyalty and bravery. Through proven loyalty, an image of the ideal or exemplary faithful servant of the king was constructed. The above mentioned examples show the close link between loyalty and disloyalty, a loyal nobleman expressed his fidelitas by, for example, fighting against or judging those who had “fallen into disloyalty.” During dynastic conflicts, it was not uncommon for a faithful servant of Béla IV to be seen as the arch enemy or traitor to the younger king, Stephen. Demonstrated loyalty to the king and the virtues of the nobles served as justification for acquiring property or holding various positions at court or in the administration of the kingdom.

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