Habits, historical curiosities, legends:
There is an interesting legend saying that wandering Hungarians softened meat under their saddles. However, no written evidence of this unusual habit of storing food has been found. This funny example probably refers to the fact that Hungarians were wandering so much on their horseback that they had hardly enough time to have dinner in one place.
"Hungarians don’t clink with beer!" – I heard my grandpa say so many times. The reason? It goes way back in history. Legend has it that when the 13 martyrs had been executed in Arad after the Hungarian War of Independence in 1848, Austrian officers clinked with beer celebrating their victory. Whether it is a fact or just a legend, historians cannot confirm. One thing is certain: Hungarians commemorate the victims of the war of independence with this tradition. So, don’t be offended if a Hungarian does not offer to clink his glass of beer! They simply commemorate these victims. Otherwise, we really don’t care if foreigners clink their beer in Hungary. Don’t worry, we aren’t hurt. It applies to us only.
Hussars, the light cavalery established in the 15th century played an important role in the military strategy of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy until WWI. Breaking out from behind a shielded unit with their fast, light-weight horses, they effectively reduced the number of the enemy with their swords. The rapid attack technique became popular in the military, and Hussars later appeared in Russia, Italy, and Poland. Our most famous Hussar, László Bercsényi (Ladislas Ignace de Bercheny) organized the first French Hussar regiment under Louis XV. The effective style of fighting was also used in the Napoleonic wars and the Bercheny Hussards have been the oldest French military unit.
You must find it hard to believe that Slovakia, the western part of Ukraine, the Transylvania part of Romania, northern Serbia and the whole of Croatia were once ruled by Hungarian kings. Hungarians are proud of their conquering years and 1000 years of history. So, the legend of a historical Hungary spreading to three seas was developed easily. It is a bit of an exaggeration, but it isn’t far from the truth.
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea belonged to Hungary "permanently". Croatia was the autonomous territory of Hungary from the 9th century. The sister of the then Hungarian king Saint Ladislaus I was married to the Croatian king Zvonomir. Zvonomir, however, died without a child, and among the surrounding "heirs", Ladislaus was the first to claim the vacant throne. The Croatian-Hungarian Union was known for having close connection until 1981. So, if you have a Hungarian acquaintance there, you might hear them say: "I’m at home, after all."
Black Sea
The Hungarian king Louis the Great used the Moldovan territory on the coast of the Black Sea as a "buffer state" against the invading Tatars. He planted Dragos as Voivode of Maramures, who in return served his king with devotion. In all his three years in charge, Hungarians could not enjoy the neighborhood of the Black Sea, as in 1359, Dragos’ grandson, Balc was removed by Voivode Bogdan who also founded the independent Moldova.
Tyrrhenian Sea
The third sea – Tyrrhenian Sea – belonging to Hungary can also be related to the times under Louis the Great. Louis the Great dreamed of ruling Naples and uniting the two kingdoms. This was the reason why his brother, Andrew married Princess Joanna I of Naples. However, the King of Naples did not accept the brother of Louis the Great as his heir, so he left all power to Johanna. The rest of the story would fit a well-written Shakespearean tragedy: the relationship between the married couple turned bitter and by the time Louis arrived in Naples, Johanna poisoned Andrew. Therefore, Louis the Great launched a campaign against Johanna, and despite the fact that he won an easy victory, he was never able to consolidate his power in Naples. Thus, the king – who had lost his brother – finally gave up on his dream and returned to the Kingdom of Hungary.
One of the most tragic figures of Hungarian legends was the descendant of “the Turk Beater” Hunyadi family who dedicated their life and blood to the protection of the country. László Hunyadi – who was only twenty-one at the time – was envied for his power and wealth, so he was convicted on trumped-up charges. According to the verdict, he was to be beheaded on 16th March 1457. Under Hungarian law, at the time if someone survives being struck three times by the hangman, they were pardoned. The hangman did strike him three times, yet he stood up. Fearing for their power, the tribunal disregarded the law and ordered a fourth strike, which eventually killed Hunyadi.
