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The Order of the Dragon as reflected in Hungarian and Croatian Heraldry. Genealogica et heraldica. St Andrews MMVI. Myth and propaganda in Heraldry and Genealogy

A THE ORDER OF THE DRAGON On March 18, 2006 an exhibition (TAKÁCS ed. 2006) opened at the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, dedicated to Emperor and King Sigismund of the house of Luxemburg (b. Feb. 15, 1368 – King of Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia 1378-1437 – Margrave of Brandenburg 1378 – crowned King of Hungary March 31, 1387 - Roman King July 21, 1411 – crowned King of Bohemia July 28, 1420 – crowned Roman Emperor in Rome May 31, 1433 - d. Znaim, Dec. 9, 1437). In July of the same year it was opened in Luxemburg, at the Musée national d'histoire et art, in a reduced version. Before this exhibition, a symposium was held in Luxemburg in 2005, as an introduction to the forthcoming exhibition (PAULY – REINERT eds. 2005). The authors of both papers presented at the symposium and of the exhibition catalogue have succeeded not only in bringing this ruler and his era closer to us, but also from a historical distance to present his character and deeds in an objective manner. The exhibition itself was excellent and well concieved. At the Emperor Sigismund Exhibition one could, in one room (Section IV – Die Welt der Drachenritter), admire all the paraphernalia of the Order of the Dragon. It was a unique opportunity to see most of items, scattered all over Europe, assembled in one place for the first and probably the last time in history. The catalogue, for instance, listed the famous sword of King Charles I Robert's Order of St. George with the dragon (from Vienna), the founding charter of 1408 ; the founding charter of the Austrian Order of the Dragon of 1409 ; the large embroidered gold dragon in relief from Munich, the unique, but rather clumsily cast specimen of the Order itself (the dragon suspended from the flaming cross), probably found in Lithuania, which is in Berlin ; the ceremonial sword of 1416 from York ; the drawing of various items, among them the Order, lost in the meantime, found in 1755 in what might have been Sigismund's tomb in Nágy Várad (Oradea Mare, Grosswardein) ; the textile with the flaming cross bearing the Order's motto, from Vienna ; portraits and tombstones of various knights of the Order, on which the Order itself could be seen, including the fragment of a tomb stone of a Bosnian king from the Bobovac Castle ; stove tiles showing the Order of the Dragon tec. A collection of ivory and bone saddles, said to have been used by the knights of the Order were a unique sight. On the so-called Jankovich saddle the Order of the Dragon is on the rear side. Dragons and St. Geoge, killing the dragon, could also be seen on Sigismund's large ceremonial drinking horn, of the type King Henry V of England sent him as a gift to Calais in 1416. The Order could also be seen as depicted on charters by which King Sigismund granted coats of arms to the Palatine Nicholas (II) of Gara (Garai, Gorjanski) and to Andreas Csapi in 1416 and 1418 respectively. The founder of the Order too could be seen bearing it on a portrait by Pisanello and on several other portraits as well Sigismund, whose reign was a long one, doesn't seem to have attracted much sympathy either during his lifetime or afterwards. On the contrary, both he and his second consort since 1405, Countess Barbara of Celje (Cilli ; FÖSSEL 2005: 98-99 ; PÁLOSFALVI 2006), had a bad reputation and they continued to be vilified after their deaths (cf. BUDDAI, IV, 1722: 349-350 ; I, 1722: 318). Croatian historiography, literature and folk-lore agreed in this for several centuries. One of the leaders of this negative publicity was Enea Silvio Piccolomini, secretary of Emperor and King Friedrich III, who later became Pope Pius II (b. Pienza, Oct. 18, 1405 – pope Aug. 19, 1458 - d. Ancona, Aug. 14, 1464). Describing the emperor he wrote: « ; Fuit autem Sigismundus egregie stature, illustribus oculis, fronte spaciosa, genis ad gratiam rubescentibus, barba prolixa et copiosa, vasto animo, multivolus, inconstans tamen, sermone facetus, vini cupidus, in Venerem ardens, mille adulteriis criminosus, pronus ad iram, facilis ad veniam, nullius thesauri custos, prodigus dispensator ; plura promisit quam servavit, finxit multa.» ; (Enee Silvii Piccolominei postea Pii pp. 2. De viris illustribus. 1991: XXII. De Sigismundo Cesare). About the beautiful empress Barbara he wrote less in his De viris illustribus (ibid. XXXII. De Barbara imperatrice), and more in Historia Bohemica, nevertheless there wasn't much flattering in either. In order not only to repair their reputation, protect their persons, support their political aims, but also befriend the most important feudal lords of their realms and tie them closer to their persons, Sigismund and Barbara – with king Charles Robert of Anjou's short-lived Order of St. George (universitas societatis fraternalis militiae titulo Sancti Georgii insigniti) of 1326 as its model - founded the Society of the Dragon on December 12, 1408. The founding charter could also be seen at the exhibition (TAKÁCS ed. 2006: 338-339, No. 4.38). These statutes are also preserved in a more recent copy, in the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest. Its first twenty two knights were members of the leading Hungarian, Croatian, etc. aristocracy. The order's aim was, among other things, to protect the Christian faith and to ensure the female succession to the throne – something which appeared once more much later, under Charles VI, under the name of the Pragmatic Sanction, which ensured the succession of Maria Theresia. The motto of the Order was “ O quam misericors and bonus est Deus/ O quam pius et justus” . Among the first twenty two knights were: Stephen Lazarević and George Branković, despots of Serbia ; counts and later princes of the Holy Roman Empire, Hermann of Celje (Cilli), the king's father-in-law, and his son Friedrich ; Nicholas, the Palatine and John de Gara (Garai, Gorjanski) ; Stibor of Striborze, former Duke of Transylvania ; Princes of Transylvania John Tamási and James Lacković (Lack de Szántó) ; John Morović (Maróti), Banus (Ban)of Mačva (Macsó) ; Pipo de Ozora (Ozorai), banus of Syrmia ; Nicholas Széchy, treasurer ; Count Charles of Krbava (de Corbavia, Korbáviai), supreme treasurer ; John of Krbava, master of the court ; Simon Széchény, guardian of the gates ; John Alsáni, cupbearer ; Peter Lévai Cseh, equerry ; Paul of Bissen (Besenyő) and Paul de Pegh (Pécsi), both former viceroys (banovi, ban) of Croatia and Slavonia ; Nicholas Csáki, former Prince of Transylvania ; Nicholas Nádasdi ; Peter and Emeric Perényi, secret counsellor. Already in 1412 Sigismund called all the Knights of the Order of the Dragon to take part in his war against Friedrich of Austria. The emblem of this Order was the dragon vert, turned either right or left, forming a circle, with its tail wound around its neck, and a gules cross on its back. As P. Lővei, quoting Éva Kovács, wrote: « ; with his Order of the Dragon Sigismund took part at the international stock exchange of orders» ; (LŐVEI 2006: 260), his propaganda worked well and it has had far-fetched consequences, even down to our times. The dragon became a favourite element of Hungarian heraldry. Already less than three months after the Order’ s foundation, in Sopron (Ödenburg), on February 16 1409 Sigismund incorporated 24 Austrian and Styrian noblemen into the Order, headed by Dukes Ernst the Iron One and Albrecht V (SEYLER 1885-1889: 466 ; Fig 1). Later in the same year a mighty Croatian aristocrat also became member: Hrvoje Vukčić-Hrvatinić, Duke of Split and Bosnia. Several Italian aristocrats joined the Order in 1411, 1412, as well as after Sigismund’ s coronation as Emperor in Rome 1433. In 1416 King Ferdinand of Aragon, his sons and 30 Aragonian noblemen became knights of the Order. Of particular interest is Sigismund’ s visit to England in the same year, from May onwards, when King Henry V made him Knight of the Order of the Garter on May 24 and was in his turn created Knight of the Order of the Dragon. The testimony of this event was Sigismund’ s sword, decorated with dragons, which was hung above his seat in St. George’ s Chapel at Windsor Castle: since 1439 this sword is carried in front of the Lord Mayor of York and the City of York. One must bear in mind that Sigismund’ s sister Anne was the queen of King Richard II of England (BÁRÁNY 2006). In 1418 several more men were ennobled and also became knights, thus for instance Andrew of Chapi (together with the families Agócsy, Széchy, Szerdahelyi, Szürthey, Sóos de Sóvár, Bocskai) and Sigismund Guartius Fernandi, in 1419 King Eric of Denmark, in 1420 the Bohemian aristocrat Schanko von Wartenberg, in 1429 King Wladislaw Jagiello of Poland and Alexander Witold Grand Duke of Lithuania (who too was empowered to distribute the Order to others) ; in 1430 the notorious Vlad Dracul of Wallachia joined them. Pope Eugene confirmed the somewhat altered statutes on July 24, 1433. Albrecht V (II) of Austria (b. Aug 10, 1397 – 1411 – crowned King of Hungary Jan. 1, 1438 - 1438 Emperor - d. Oct. 10, 1439) was the second grand master of the Order (SEYLER 1885-1889: 466 ; Figs 1, 2) and he conferred it to Alphons, Bishop of Burgos in 1438 and John Duke of Norfolk on June 22, 1439. They were empowered to knight 30 and six aristocrats each. Other rulers, Matthias Corvinus (b. 1443 – 1458 – crowned Aug. 29, 1464 – d. Apr. 6, 1490) and Friedrich III (V ; b. Sept. 21, 1415 – Roman King 1440 – German Emperor Mar. 19, 1452 – d. Aug. 19, 1493), possibly Vladislaus II (crowned Sept. 21, 1490 – d. Mar. 13, 1516) and members of the Báthori family continued decorating aristocrats with the Order. Thus the Order of the Dragon can also be seen on several types of Transylvanian coins. The Order continued to exist in Hungary and Transylania for some time, then ceased to function with the arrival of the Turks and fell into oblivion, but only partly. The dragon still survives as a very important element of Hungarian heraldry and the arms of some of Hungarian nobles boast of a dragon either protecting the shield or wound within the shield. THE DRAGON IN HUNGARIAN AND CROATIAN HERALDRY The dragon (WETZER – WELTE III, 1884: 2013-2014 ; BADURINA 1979: 592) can sometimes be seen on some variants of coats-of-arms of several states, in the past and present, such as Assam (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 88), Austria (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 92), « ; Celtae» ; (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 48) ; China (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 75, 77, 78), Cochinchina (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 97), Georgia (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 79), Hungary (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 74, 89), Poland (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10), Silesia (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 82, 91), and cities, such as Basle (RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 81), Cincinnati (Ohio, RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 80), Kolin, (Bohemia, LIND 1885: pl. II), Ljubljana (Slovenia, RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 81 ; LIND 1885: pl. Dalmatien, Krain), Perast (ZMAJIĆ 1996: 53) ; Perù ; (Illinois, RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 80), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 80), « ; Slavonia maris Balthici (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 81) ; Sycamore (Illinois, RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 80), and Verona (?RENTZMANN 1876: Pl.10, 85). On statues, reliefs, paintings, stained windows, seals, medals can be seen various saints killing the dragon. On coats-of-arms for instance depicting St. George of Cappadocia, Archangel Michael St. Margaret, St. Martha, St. Philip the Apostle, St. Sylvester etc. there is a dragon. Daniel killed the dragon of Babylon (Dan. 14, 22). St. George is on the coats-of-arms of the following cities: Kamnik, Slovenia (LIND 1885: pl. Krain) ; Pag, Croatia (LIND 1885: pl. Dalmatien) ; Senj, Croatia (LIND 1885: pl. Croatien und Slavonien ; ZMAJIĆ 1971: Pl.xix, 2 ; Suczawa, Poland (LIND 1885: pl. Galizien III) ; Szent-György, Hungary (LIND 1885: pl. Ungarn, V) ; Vis, Croatia (LIND 1885: pl. Dalmatien). Archangel Michael appears on the coats-of-arms of: Alba Julia, Rumania (LIND 1885: pl. Siebenbürgen) ; Fünfhaus, Austria (LIND 1885: pl. I) ; Heiligenstadt, Austria (LIND 1885: pl. I) ; Łańcut, Poland (LIND 1885: pl. Galizien) ; Sechshaus, Austria (LIND 1885: pl. I) ; Šibenik, Croatia (ZMAJIĆ 1971: Pl.xxi, 4) ; Tasnád-Trestenberg, Hungary (LIND 1885: pl. Ungarn, V). The dragon itself also appears on some older coats-of-arms of various noble families from both kingdoms (Hungary and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia), as well as the Principality of Siebenbürgen (Transylvania, Sedmogradska or Erdély), sometimes even before the establishment of the Order. Let us name the following ones: Aleksić, ancient Croatian nobility, of the Kačić clan (DUIŠIN 1938: 8 ; Fig 79) Andrijašević, ancient Croatian nobility, of the Kačić clan (DUIŠIN 1938: 19 ; Fig 80) Bányai, nobles (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 261, Pl. 192 ; Fig 81) Barišić, ancient Croatian nobility, of the Kačić clan (DUIŠIN 1938: 47 ; Fig 82) Bartulović, ancient Croatian nobility, of the Kačić clan (DUIŠIN 1938: 48-49) Bassegli, nobles, counts (HEYER 1873: 11-12, 27, Pls. 7, 18, 57 ; Figs 83-86) de Dragazzo, nobles (HEYER 1873: 9, Pl. 5 ; Fig. 87) de Drago, nobles (HEYER 1873: 9, Pl. 5 ; Fig. 88-89) Gazzari (Gazarović), nobles (HEYER 1873: 46, 79, 107 Pls. 48, 61 ; DUIŠIN 1938: 263-264 ; Figs 90-91) Gozze-Bassegli, nobles (HEYER 1873: 11, Pl. 7 ; DUIŠIN 1938: 284 ; Fig 92) Genus Hermán (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 64, Pl. 41 ; Fig 93) Jurčević (Jurčev), ancient Croatian nobility, of the Kačić clan (DUIŠIN 1939: 847 ; Fig 94) Kacich (Kačić), ancient Croatian nobility (I, II) (HEYER 1873: 51-52, 114, Pl. 34 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 81, Pl. 57 ; BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 182 ; Figs 95-97) Laczk, Laczkovich (Lacković), nobles of German origin, extinct 1456 (I) (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 353, Pl. 266 ; 255 ; REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 184-185, Pl. 123 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 101, Pl. 72 ; Fig 98) Lenkovich (Lenković), nobles (BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 102, Pl. 73 ; Fig 99) Lo Presti di Fontana d'Angioli, Spanish nobles, barons (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 377, Pl. 282 ; Fig 100) Manczikovich (Manciković), nobles, 1711 (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 395, Pl. 295 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 109, Pl. 78 ; Fig 101) Miossich (Miošić), nobles (HEYER 1873: 62, Pl. 40 ; ZMAJIĆ 1996: 52 ; Fig 102) Miske (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 425, Pl. 314 ; Figs 103-104) Semonich, nobles (Semonić ; HEYER 1873: 78, Pl. 48 ; Fig 105) Slavogosti, nobles (HEYER 1873: 79, 81 130, Pl. 48, 68 ; Fig 106-107) Zmajevich (Zmajević) (HEYER 1873: 92, Pl. 55 ; ZMAJIĆ 1971: Pl.x, 20 ; 1996: 51 ; Fig 108) THE ORDER OF THE DRAGON IN HUNGARIAN AND CROATIAN HERALDRY In the heraldry of this part of Europe the difference between the dragon and the snake is sometimes difficult to establish, though the dragon is normally winged, sometimes it isn't. It also normally bears a crown. Its colour is normally vert, sometimes or, but sometimes one can only guess, unless a description of the coat-of-arms has been preserved. The real Order's dragon also had a cross gules on its back. Of course, there are variants. The dragon normally has the tail wound around its neck, which we ought to consider as the order's authentic dragon, sometimes also it bites its tail. It occurs that genealogists and specialists in armoury are not sure whether the dragon wound around the shield is the genuine order, or just its reminiscence. There are many cases in which the dragon has slided into the shield. In any case, the families boasting the Order of the Dragon around or inside its shield, considered this as a very prestigious detail. In Hungarian, Transylvanian, as well as Croatian armoury there are more than thirty families boasting the Order of the Dragon: Azcell (II), nobles 1605 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 3, Pl. 2 ; Fig 3) Agóczy (Agócsy), nobles, crest 1418 (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 2, Pl. 1 ; Fig 4) Bagossy de Bagos, nobles (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 10, Pl. 6 ; Fig 5) Balassa de Gyarmath, ancient nobility, barons 1568, counts 1721 (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 88, Pl. 37 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 9, Pl. 7 ; Fig 6) Balassa de Gyarmath, counts, 1664 (I) (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 293, Pl. 23 ; Fig 7) Barlabasi de Héderfaja (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 120, Pl. 59 ; Fig 8) Báthory, Vyda, the original coat-of-arms (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 7, Pl. 6 ; Fig 16) Báthory, Stephen (+1535), the Palatine, signet ring 1522, crest (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 7, Pls. 6-7 ; Figs 14-15) Báthory, Gabriel, prince, seal 1608 (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 8, Pl. 7) ; taler 1609 (Figs 11-12) ; uniface taler 1611 (Fig 13) Báthory de Gagy, prince, seal 1555 (II) (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 16, Pl. 10) Báthory de Somlyó et Ecsè ; d, counts (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 89, Pl. 37) Berzeviczy de Berzevicze and Kis (Kakas)-Lomnicza, nobles, early 15th c., barons, 1775 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 60-61, Pl. 48 ; CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 21, Pl. 14 ; Figs 17-18) Bethlen de Iktár, nobles 1420, counts 1742 (I) (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 61-62, Pl. 49 ; REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 89, Pl. 37 ; Figs 19-38) ; Gabriel B., talerklippe, 1627, Figs 29-30 ; taler 1627, Figs 33-34 Bocskay (Bocskai) de Bocsko et Kis Maria (Marja), nobles 1418 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 68, Pl. 54 ; Fig 36) Bocskay de Bocsko et Kis Maria (Marja), Stephen, prince, seal 1605, seal 1606, coin 1612 (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 7, Pl. 7), Stephen Bosckai, taler 1605, Figs 37-38 Bodroghy, nobles 1563 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 71, Pl. 56 ; III, 1889-1890: 480, Pl. 351 ; Fig 39) Buzlay de Gergellak, nobles (II) (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 29, Pl. 19 ; Fig 40) Chapi (Csapi) de Eszén et Polyánka, nobles 1418 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 96, Pl. 76 ; TAKÁCS ed. 2006: 345-346, No. 4.46 ; Figs 41-42) Cheorge, nobles 1563 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 97, Pl. 76 ; Fig 43) Csanády de Nagy Kerek (III) (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 105, Pl. 81 ; Fig 44) Galszéchy (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 189, Pl. 152 ; Fig 45) Gara (Gorjanski ; cf CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 190, Pl. 152 ; Fig 46) Gúthy de Kis et Nagy-Gúth, ancient nobility (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 208-209, Pl. 164 ; Fig 47) Istvánffy de Baranyavár and Kis-Asszonyfalva, nobles (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 69, Pl. 46 ; Fig 48) Kállay de Nagy-Kálló, ancient nobility (I) (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 281-282, Pl. 212 ; Fig 49-50) ; Benjamin Kállay, plaquette 1903 (Fig 51-52) Károly de Nagy-Károly, ancient nobility, barons 1609 ; counts 1712 (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 290-291, Pl. 218 ; Fig 53) Keményi, de Gyerö-Monostor, ancient nobility, barons, counts ; Prince John's coins, 1661 (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 16, Pl. 16 ; Fig 54) Kende de Kölcse, ancient nobility (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 300, Pl. 225 ; Fig 55) Kis-Várdai (Wárdai), nobles (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 314, Pl. 237 ; Fig 56-57) Kölcsey de Kölcse, ancient nobility (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 300, Pl. 255 ; Fig 58) Morović (Maroth, Maróthi, Maróti) (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 402-403, Pl. 300 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 113-114, Pl. 81 ; MAŽURAN 2004: 18 ; Fig 59-60) Nadányi de Körös Nadányi, ancient nobility, barons 1659 (CSERGHEÖ III, 1889-1890: 437, Pl. 322 ; REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 278, Pl. 207 ; Fig 61) Pap aliter Bodroghy, nobles 1563 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 71, Pl. 56 ; III, 1889-1890: 480, Pl. 351 ; Fig 62) Radvánszky de Radvány et Sajókaza, ancient nobility, barons since 1875 (b) (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 528, Pl. 381 ; Fig 63) Salczer de Kolosvár (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 105-106, Pl. 75 ; (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 214, Pl. 151 ; Fig 64) Sárkany de Ilenczfalva, nobles (CSERGHEÖ and CSOMA, suppl., 1894: 106, Pl. 75 ; Fig 65) Schirmer de Brassó, nobles, 1507 (I, II) (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 566, Pl. 404 ; REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 215-216, Pl. 152 ; Fig 66) Sigray de Felsö et Alsó Surány, ancient nobility, barons 1724 and 1728 (b, c) (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 579, Pl. 412 ; Fig 67) Sóos de Sóvár, ancient nobility, crest 1418, 1569 (I b, c) (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 591-592, Pl. 419 ; Figs 68-69) Statilio (Statileo, Statilić, Stanošević), Dalmatian nobility, alteration of the coat-of-arms, 1515 ; French acknowledgement 1538 (HEYER 1873: 80-81, Pl. 49 ; FISKOVIĆ 1962: 100, Fig.14 ; ANDREIS 2006: 266-267 ; Figs 70-73) Széchy de Gál-Széch, nobles, arms 1418 (II, III) (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 619-620, Pl. 419 ; Fig 74) Szerdahelyi de Egyházas- and Vásáros-Szerdahely, ancient nobility, arms 1418 (I) (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 633, Pl. 445 ; Fig 75) Szürthey de Szürthe, ancient nobility, crest 1418 (CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 648-649, Pl. 454 ; Fig 76) Vécsey de Hajnácsekeö and Hernád-Vécse, barons and counts, 1507, 1532 (I, a, b) CSERGHEÖ IV, 1891/1892: 705, Pl. 483 ; Fig 77-78). The Order of the Dragon with a double cross on its back can also be found on the coat-of-arms of the town of Hajdu-Bözsörmény in Hungary (LIND 1885: pl. Ungarn, II). For the Croatian heraldry the most interesting and important are the two examples of stone reliefs with the coats-of-arms, where the order of the dragon is wound around the shield, one in Valpovo in continental Croatia, and the other in Dalmatia, near Trogir. The older coat-of-arms is that of one of the first knights of the order, Ivan of Morović de Genere Gutkeled (János Maróti, Maroth) Banus of Mačva (Macsó) (d. 1434/37), which is built into the top of the vault of the tower of the older part of the Valpovo Castle. It shows a very finely cut dragon, holding and partly covering the shield with the Morović coat-of-arms (MAŽURAN 2004: 18 ; Figs 59-60). Valpovo (Walpo, Valpó) Castle in Slavonia has the ground-plan ressembling an irregular triangle, with the round tower at one of its corners and the chapel close to it, was first owned by I. Solyag, then from 1397 by I. Morović, from 1481 by P. and M. Gerebi, from 1512 by E. Perényi ; between 1543 and 1687 it was occupied by the Turks. After its liberation in 1687, from 1721 it was the possession of the Hilleprand-Prandau baronial family, which rebuilt the mediaeval castle and added a new wing to it, and in 1885, after the extinction of this family, it once more changed its owner and became the property of the counts Normann von Ehrenfels. Now it houses the local museum. The other, more recent coat-of-arms of the Statilio (Statileo, Statilić, Stanošević ; Fig 70) family, with the dragon wound around it is dated to 1516 (Figs 71-73). It is walled into the southern facade of a 12.65 metres tall tower built by this family at their possession Seget Donji near Trogir, in order to protect it from Turkish incursions. The ground-plan of this tower is a square one (4.80x4.80 m) ; it has three floors and a flat roof, defended by three pinnacles on each side. There are consoles around the second floor, which used to carry a wooden gallery. At the height of the floor of the third floor there is a 1.15 m tall aedicula with the coat-of-arms and the enframed inscription below it: VIRTVS. STATILIOR/ ME. SIBI. VENDICAVIT./ .M.D.XVI. (FISKOVIĆ 1962: 100, Fig.14 ; CICARELLI 1964: 100, fig. 1 ; BABIĆ 1996: 135), the whole relief within an astragal border, resting on three consoles. The Statilio tower was therefore constructed upon the order of John Statilio or his nephews. It was in a bad condition until 1958 when the Institute of Preservation of Cultural Heritage for Dalmatia had it restored (CICARELLI 1964). Unfortunately, since then, it has been closely surrounded by houses. I. Babić found analogies for this coat-of-arms in Hungary, in Pécs, in the coat-of-arms of bishop George Szatmóry (BABIĆ 1996: 135). Older sources quote this family as of Transylvanian origin (HEYER 1873: 80-81 ; Fig 70) which came to Trogir and that Michael Statilio and his sons Matthew and John were awarded nobility and the title of „ eques auratus“ by Maximilian I. In 1515. John Statilio was also granted French nobility by François I in 1528. It is a fact that Michael Stanošević, vulgo Statileo, is mentioned in the sources and that he died after 1510. The most illustrious member of this family was the above mentioned John (*c. 1472 +1533), Transylvanian bishop (ANDREIS 2006: 266). Šime Ljubić mentioned the same John Statilio, who arrived in Venice in 1521 as the secretary of the Hungarian king Ludovic II, with the aim of asking for help in the struggle against the Turks, and that he was nominated bishop of Transylvania: „ STATILEO Giovanni di Traù ; , preposito Ursiense, segretario del re Lodovico d’ Ungeria, dal quale fu mandato ambasciatore a Venezia per ricercare ajuto contro i Turchi nel 1521, e Andrea Morosini nel 1º ; libro della sua storia riporta l’ orazione, che recitó in collegio. Fece ristampare la vita di S. Giovanni Ursino a sue spese. Venne da poi inalzato alla sede vescovile di Transilvania. Secondo Paolo Giovio (lib. 39) di nuovo fu mandato dal re Giovanni Sepusio di Polonia a Paolo III., Veneziani e Francesco re re di Francia.“ (GLIUBICH 1856: 286). THE DRAGON AS SUPPORTER There are cases in which the dragon is shown supporting of the shield, usualy in pairs, flanking the shield, a tradition which lasted from c. 1400 to 1918, thus for example on the coats-of-arms of: Apafi, Michael (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 17, Pl. 16 ; Fig 109) Corbavia (Krbava), counts (BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 39, Pl. 30 ; Fig 110) Drághffy de Béltek, barons 1507 (CSERGHEÖ I, 1885-1887: 143-144, Pl. 113 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 30-31, Pl. 23 ; Fig 111) Fischer de Nagy-Szalatnya, barons 1603 (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 174, Pl. 139 ; Fig 112) Jankovics (Janković) de Pribér et Vuchin (of Bribir and Voćin, II), nobles, counts 1885 (CSERGHEÖ II, 1887-1888: 267, Pl. 203 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 76, Pl. 54 ; DUIŠIN 1939: 53-54 ; ZMAJIĆ 1996: 71 ; Fig 113) Zolthay de Torda (REICHENAUER - CSERGHEÖ – BÁRCZAY, 1898: 256, Pl. 190 ; Fig 114) D. THE DRAGON AS CREST There are also cases where the dragon is found as a crest: Branković (Brankovich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 170) Čarnojević (Zarnoevich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 173) Dinjčić (Digncich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 213) de Drago, nobles (HEYER 1873: 9, Pl. 5 ; Fig 89) Frankopanović (Francopanovich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991): 299 Gazzari, nobles (HEYER 1873: 46, 79, 107 Pls. 48, 61 ; Figs 90-91) Jurčević (Jurčev), ancient Croatian nobility, of the Kačić clan (DUIŠIN 1939: 847 ; Fig 94) Kacich (Kačić), ancient Croatian nobility (I, II) (HEYER 1873: 51-52, 114, Pl. 34 ; BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 81, Pl. 57 ; Fig 95-97 ; BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 182) Klešić (Klexich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 238) Lenkovich (Lenković), nobles (BOJNIČIĆ 1899: 102, Pl. 73 ; Fig 94) Miske, nobles (HEYER 1873: 62, Pl. 40 ; Fig 102 ; Figs 104) Miossich (Miošić), nobles (HEYER 1873: 62, Pl. 40 ; Fig 102) Pikjelomenović (Pichielomenovich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 279) Semonich Slavogosti, nobles (HEYER 1873: 79, 81 130, Pl. 48, 68 ; Figs 106-107) Tarcarović (Tarzarovich) (BANAC – NOVAK – KOLANOVIĆ 1991: 244) Zmajevich (Zmajević) (HEYER 1873: 92, Pl. 55 ; Fig 107 ; ZMAJIĆ 1971: Pl. X, 20 ; 1996: 51) Zrinski, counts (HEYER 1873: 92-03, Pl. 55-55 ; ZMAJIĆ 1971, pl. xx, 1 ; 1996: 87 ; Fig 117) ; Nicholas III Zrinski, taler 1533 (Fig 115) THE BRETHREN OF THE CROATIAN DRAGON The present Society "Brethren of the Croatian Dragon" (LASZOWSKI 1942 ; KOLARIĆ and MIRNIK 2001 ; KEVO 2005) was founded on 16 November 1905 by Emilij de Laszowski Szeliga (PETKOVIĆ 2000), director of the Royal Croatian State Archives and Velimir Deželić Sen., director of the University and National Library in Zagreb (PETKOVIĆ 2000: 119-144 ; KOLARIĆ 2001: 11-23). It is a Croatian fraternal and cultural society, founded upon the principles of friendship, brotherhood, free will, collective work and decision. Its aim is to preserve and renew the Croatian cutlural heritage and to revive the memory of events from the Croatian past and of meritorious Croats. The brotherhood was concieved with the wish that this outspokenly Croatian and patriotic society would be entirely free of any political party. The unusual name was chosen after the above mentioned Ordo equestris draconis (The Knightly Order of the Dragon). Similar to the first order, a golden dragon with green wings, protecting the historical Croatian coat-of-arms (chequy gules and argent) became the emblem of the Brotherhood. Its patron is St. George, the motto is "Pro aris et focis Deo propitio" (For altars and hearths, with God's help). The statutes of the Brotherhood were approved in 1906, but they

Heraldry; The Order of the Dragon; Sigismund I; Croatia; Hungary; The Society

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