Communication between the Towns and the County Authority: The Free Royal Towns and Šariš County at the Beginning of the 16th Century

A study reveals that the free royal towns of Šariš, notably Bardejov and Prešov, developed intricate communication channels with the county authority during the early 16th century. These towns, having become feudal landowners, maintained close ties with the county nobility through both official documents and private letters, often penned by noble judges. Verbal communication was also significant, with emissaries—frequently former or acting noble judges from neighboring villages—acting as envoys to the towns. This practice allowed towns to leverage the legal expertise of these individuals, who were subsequently employed as town lawyers. The research highlights how these dual channels of communication facilitated both official and personal exchanges, shaping the relationship between the towns and the county authority during this period.

Kádas, I. (2020). Communication between the Towns and the County Authority: The Free Royal Towns and Šariš County at the Beginning of the 16th Century. Mesto a Dejiny, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.33542/cah2020-2-02