The conference entitled “Mercenaries and Crusaders (1202–1480)” was organised with the support of the “Hungary in Medieval Europe” working group, which operates within the framework of the Thematic Excellence Programme of the University of Debrecen.
- A wide variety of research institutions will be represented at the conference that will strengthen the links between working groups operating in different institutions and countries, and will also facilitate international cooperation – said Attila Bárány, head of the Department of Medieval and Early Modern History of Hungary of the Institute of History in his welcome speech.
Following the opening ceremony, Valérie Toureille, professor of the CY Cergy Paris Université (Cergy-Pontoise) gave an insight into the army reform of Charles VII of France at a plenary session.
– In an attempt to end looting that spread in the wake of the defeat in the battle of Azincourt (1415), the king issued the Louppy-le-Château regulation in order to reform his army. From that time on, only those with unquestionable loyalty could become captains – pointed out professor Toureille.
She highlighted that the reform had a significant effect on French society by militarising it, while making the army stronger and better organised.
Presentations were given in 8 sections on each day of the first two days of the conference.
Saul António Gomes, senior lecturer of the Universidade de Coimbra gave a plenary presentation entitled “The Idea of Crusade in Portugal through the 15th century”, which focused on the crusades of Portugal in the 15th century Africa that began after Portugal conquered Ceuta in 1415. Senior lecturer Gomes pointed out that these military campaigns were launched in the spirit of crusading, besides aiming at economic objectives.
The conference was accompanied by a small exhibition at the library of the Institute of History, where, among other items, a 3D model of the seal of the Golden Bull of 1222, which was issued 800 ago, and a copy of the Chronicle of Hungarians by Thuróczy, which was printed in Brno and is available at the University and National Library of UD, were displayed.
The content of the presentations will be collected and published soon. According to plan, the following conference focusing on the same topics will be hosted by Coimbra.
In between the presentations, participants of the conference had an opportunity to visit the highlights of Debrecen, including the Reformed Great Church and the Reformed College of Debrecen.
On the third day, participants and organisers of the conference visited Nyírbátor to see the Minorites church and the reformed church. They also visited the earth fort in Szabolcs, and participated in a wine tasting event in Tokaj, where they were also introduced to Hungarian cuisine.
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