Umanisti del capitolo di Várad con esperienza di studio in Italia (1440–1526)

Abstract

Evidence shows that 32% of the 130 canons of the Chapter of Várad had studied at university in the researched period. According to the findings the scholary activities of the members of the Chapter of Várad were very similar to those in Transdanubian chapters in the discussed period (Pozsony, Győr, Fehérvár, Buda, Pécs). Though there is a difference in their preferences, higher ratio of canons of Várad studied at university (65%) went to the Italian universities and received a degree, than their Transdanubian fellow canons. In the analyse we have to highlight two periods – bishopric of János Vitéz in the mid-15th century, and the beginning of the 16th century. János Vitéz as a bishop did not only take great care of his nephews’ education, but he also made other young talented men possible to study abroad. Besides organizing humanist circles in his court as bishop and archbishop, he also managed to create a sense of co-operation in the future generation of intellectual elite. In the second part of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century the number of canons studying increased. Perhaps it was due to the impact of György Szatmári humanist bishop’s court. In spite of the uncertainties, some conclusions can be reached comparing the canons from the two given periods and the humanist circles in Várad in the 15th and 16th centuries. In both cases the role of a patron – Vitéz and Szatmári – was of utmost importance. They meant guarantee in person for the cooperation of scholarly communities Vitéz’s circle consisted primarily of foreigners, who brought the new ideas to Hungary, and his alumni only spent a short time in Várad as ordinary canons, because this position in Várad provided a perfect opportunity for talented young men to rise to higher positions. But the humanists in Várad in the early 16th century were mostly Hungarians and served in Várad as canons for a long period. The collection and edition of the works of Janus Pannonius who was almost admired as an idol became more important. It could be even more important under bishops Szatmári, Thurzó and Perényi, considering Janus’s and his uncle’s connections with Várad. Besides the individuals’ personal qualities and the “tradition” which created by Vitéz, proper financial conditions also contributed to the flourishing of humanism in Várad.