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In the 14" and 15" centuries, they held different local offices, for example,
clerks, land-stewards, sheriffs, tax -collectors, and so on, in these countries.
Meanwhile, in 1327, the Gyapol family received a village named Rákócz (now
Rakovec nad Ondavu in Slovakia) as a fief from King Charles I of Angevin (Anjou)
(1301-1342) in return for their services. From this year, the Gyapol family com¬
menced to call itself after this village known as Rakoczi. Additionally, this family
had been divided into innumerable branches during the 14" and 15" centuries.
In this manner, in my brief presentation, I will focus only on the history of the
Räkôczis Felsévadäsz-branch, which had become politically the most influential
vineyard holder in Tokaj Wine-Region.*
Until the late 15th century, there were no hints or traces in the manuscript
sources about the Rakéczis’ possession of a vineyard in Tokaj Wine-Region. The
first concrete data on their wine-growing holder’s activity was recorded in 1471. In
this year, the three members of the Rak6czi family, namely Paul, Gaspar, and Ste¬
phen, purchased one courthouse, one wine cellar, and two vineyards (presumably
in the promontory of Hatäri; Eng. Border’s Hill) from another nobleman called
Gregory Szentkirályi in the village of Erdőbénye.?
For almost a century, members of the Rákóczi family had remained a minor vi¬
neyard-holder in Tokaj Wine-Region. In the mid-16" century, the family prosely¬
tised to Calvinist Protestantism and became a strong supporter of the New Faith.
Ihe family confiscated some minor vineyards, which were held by the Catholic
Church, previously. For example, John Rákóczi (1517-1561) I, as a Sub-Prefect
(Deputy-Lieutenant) of County Zemplén, confiscated autocratically a large vi¬
neyard of the Catholic Parish in the promontory of Bányász (Eng. Miners Hill)
in Tállya for himself and his family, too.‘
At the same time, from the Rakéczis vineyard holdings’ point of view, radical
changes occurred in the second half of the 16" century. The two members of the
family, namely Sigismund Räköczi (1544-1608), and his cousin Louis Räköc¬
zi (1570-1512) quickly pushed their fortune thanks to their services achieved to
the Hungarian Royal Court ruled by the Habsburgs. In other words, they were
bestowed the title of Baron by Emperor and King Rudolf II (1576-1612). So,
their political influence in the Hungarian Kingdom became increasingly stronger
and stronger.”
By virtue of their successful carriers, newer and newer vineyards were pur¬
chased and confiscated in the Tokaj Wine-Region neighbouring the market towns
Szerencs, Mad, Mezézombor, and Tallya. Moreover, Sigismund Rakéczi, by his
marriages, radically increased his vineyards’ number as he had married ladies
? MNL-OL DL. No. 14808., No 14060., No. 14067., No. 15775., No. 15777., No. 16057., No. 16070., No.
25667., No. 45338., No. 66979.
3 MNL-OL DL. No. 17163., No. 21762.
* MNL-OL A 57 (= Magyar Kancelläriai Leveltär, Kirälyi Könyvek - Liber Regii/ Archive of The
Hungarian Royal Court’s Chancellery, Book of Kings - Liber Regii). Vol. 3. No. 378., No. 466.
> MNL-OL A 57. Vol. 4. No. 524., No. 543.; MNL-OL A 57. Vol. 5. No. 327., MNL-OL A 57. Vol. 6.
No. 128., No. 129.
150