‘Füzér, the Highland Keep, once bore the solemn charge of safeguarding Hungary’s most revered symbol of nationhood, embodying the spirit and continuity of the realm.’

On 29 August 1526, the Hungarian royal army suffered a devastating defeat on the plain of Mohács. In a battle that lasted a mere two hours, a significant portion of the Hungarian forces was annihilated, and the young King Louis II fell. The nation was left without leadership, and the political power vacuum swiftly divided the nobility. One faction supported Ferdinand of Habsburg, while the other backed John Szapolyai, Voivode of Transylvania.

The royal election assembly on 11 November 1526 in Székesfehérvár crowned John Szapolyai as king. The coronation, however, took an especially dramatic turn. After the ceremony, the Holy Crown was not taken to Visegrád but was eventually transported to Füzér Castle, held by the Perényi family.

Füzér Castle and the Perényi Family

As Szabolcs László Kozák-Kígyóssy, researcher at the Hungarian Defence Forces Historical Institute and Museum, noted on the honvedelem.hu website, the responsibility for safeguarding the crown fell to Péter Perényi, who had already held the office of Crown Guard. Füzér Castle came into the possession of the Perényi family in 1389. Following the death of King Matthias Corvinus in 1490, Imre Perényi initially supported John Albert’s claim to the throne but soon shifted allegiance to Vladislaus II of the Jagiellons, a decision that proved wise. Gaining the king’s trust, he received prominent titles and positions.

As Master of the Table, Perényi was responsible for welcoming Anna of Candale, the bride of King Vladislaus II, to Hungary. After Queen Anna’s death in 1506, the grieving king neglected state affairs, which were managed mainly by Perényi Imre and Chancellor György Szatmári. In recognition of his services, Perényi Imre was granted Füzér Castle in the same year.

Keeper of the Crown

Perényi Imre’s son, Péter Perényi, assumed the office of crown-guard in 1519. He, along with his brother Ferenc, Bishop of Várad, fought at the Battle of Mohács, commanding the left wing of the Hungarian army. By legend, Bishop Ferenc, having assessed the hopelessness of the Hungarians, proposed at the war council, together with several companions, that the battle be postponed. He warned that if the battle continued, the king could immediately send the Bishop of Szerém to Rome to petition for the canonization of 20,000 Hungarian martyrs who had died heroically for the faith of Christ. Ferenc lost his life, while Péter survived the engagement, retaining the royal regalia. After Mohács, he moved the crown first to Trencsén, then to the Hungarian Diet in Székesfehérvár. Following the coronation of John Szapolyai as king, Perényi bypassed the traditional route through Visegrád and secured the crown in his own stronghold, Füzér Castle, ensuring its protection.

According to György Szerémi’s recollections, initially, King John Szapolyai intended to keep the insignia with him, but Perényi seized custody of the crown. In the memoirs we read: ‘And Péter Perényi immediately ran off to Buda with joy; he did not wait for the king at all. And from Buda, he quickly rushed to Füzér Castle and placed the crown in a safe location there.’ From that point onward, Füzér Castle served not only as a noble residence but also as a treasury.

The historian emphasizes that the exact circumstances of the crown’s placement in Füzér remain unknown. Some theories suggest it was kept in the castle chapel, while others propose the cellar, though the latter is less likely given the crown’s constitutional significance. What is certain is that the crown returned to Visegrád after nearly a year.

On 3 November 1527, Péter Perényi shifted his allegiance to Ferdinand I, entrusting the sacred Hungarian Crown to the Austrian archduke, the rightful heir to the throne. Although he had earlier supported another claimant, his change of loyalty was rewarded; in recognition of his steadfast service and devotion to the realm, he received Sárospatak along with the usufruct of the revenues of the prestigious bishopric of Eger.

Later that same year, on 11 November, Perényi renewed his oath as Guardian of the Crown at Székesfehérvár, pledging loyalty to both the crown and the retainers stationed in the castle. After Ferdinand’s coronation, the crown was kept at Visegrád. However, in 1529, following the castle’s capture, it fell into the hands of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

In 1529, during the Ottoman campaign, Perényi was captured while fleeing with the Holy Crown. He was handed over to the Ottomans by János Bánffi, a supporter of Szapolyai, who had intercepted him.

The Holy Crown in the Hands of Suleiman

In 1529, Sultan Suleiman launched his third campaign into Hungary. His aims were twofold: to consolidate his influence over the Kingdom of Hungary and to extend his rule as far as Vienna—thereby directly threatening the Habsburg Empire. The Turkish army advanced swiftly, soon capturing Buda and Visegrád. Consequently, the Holy Crown fell into the hands of the Sultan.

The campaign, however, did not end successfully. The siege of Vienna failed. This represented a sensitive loss both militarily and diplomatically for Suleiman. To preserve the authority of the Porte, it was necessary to counterbalance this military failure with political means.

‘The fortress endures as a lasting tribute to the guardianship of the Holy Crown’

At this moment, the Hungarian domestic political situation became of heightened importance. The kingdom was undergoing a dual royal election, with one half supporting Ferdinand of Habsburg and the other John Szapolyai. Suleiman’s interest lay in ensuring that a ruler dependent on his support, rather than a Habsburg ally, occupied the Hungarian throne. Thus, in September 1529, while his forces were stationed near the village of Tass, two days’ march from Buda, the Sultan decided to return the Holy Crown to John Szapolyai, releasing the Crown Guard Péter Perényi and Archbishop Pál Várday, whom they had captured en route. The crown, therefore, returned to Szapolyai by the latest on 4 October.

The decision was motivated simultaneously by political, strategic, and prestige considerations. Politically, Suleiman sought to weaken Ferdinand’s power and secure a Hungarian king beholden to the Porte. Strategically, it facilitated the pacification of conquered territories, creating peaceful conditions in the occupied regions and easing the organization and supply of future campaigns. Prestige considerations were also not negligible, since the attack on Vienna ended in military failure, Suleiman needed a political achievement to offset the campaign’s poor military record. Control of the crown and its ‘generous’ return served this purpose, demonstrating that he determined who ruled Hungary.

The Renewed Castle of Füzér Today

Today, the fully restored Castle of Füzér stands tall, welcoming visitors with its remarkable presence. Between 2014 and 2016, extensive restoration revived the Lower Castle, refurbished the palace wing of the Upper Castle, and renewed the chapel and lower bastion. These efforts allow the spirit of the past to resonate within its historic walls, while the fortress endures as a lasting tribute to the guardianship of the Holy Crown. Visitors can now immerse themselves in its rich cultural heritage, explore engaging exhibitions, and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views.

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