Endnotes explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Honor and Betrayal

  The endnotes reference the 'jus ligatum' – the right of conspiring secretly against an offender unreachable by ordinary law – and the omen of Tököli's later betrayal and slaying of Teleki, highlighting themes of honor and betrayal.

• Political Intrigue

  Notes on the Palatine, the Divan, firman, and the political maneuvers of figures like Lobkovich and Tököly illustrate the complex political intrigue of the era.

• Cultural Clash

  The endnotes explain the coexistence of different ethnic groups (Szeklers, Saxons, Magyars, Wallachs) and the Turkish influences on Hungarian customs, reflecting cultural clashes and exchanges.

Characters to notice

• Helen Zrinyi

  Mentioned as the Amazon who married Francis Rakoczy and later Emerich Tököly; noted for her spirited defence of Mohacz in 1689.

• Emerich Tököly

  Described as the most extraordinary Hungarian of his day, famous for courage and beauty; proclaimed Prince of Hungary by the Turks in 1682, later Prince of Transylvania, and married Helen Zrinyi.

• Nicolas Zrinyi

  Referred to as 'the hero' – a great warrior and poet (1618–1666), noted for victories over the Turks and his epic 'Szigeti veszedelem'.

• Prince George Rakoczy

  Mentioned as George Rakoczy I, Prince of Transylvania from 1630 to 1648.

• John Kemeny

  Noted as Prince of Transylvania from 1661 to 1662.

• Michael Teleki

  Referenced in the note about the omen that Tököli would later defeat and slay him at the battle of Zernyes in 1691.

• Michael Apafi

  Mentioned in the note about the sequel novel 'The Turks in Hungary', which relates his subsequent fortunes.

• Ladislaus Csaky

  Included in the note about the sequel novel, indicating his continued story.

Key passages

• “The Amazon was Helen Zrinyi. She married first the young cavalier with whom we now meet her, Francis Rakoczy, and subsequently the famous Emerich Tököly, whose acquaintance we shall make presently. Her spirited defence of the fortress of Mohacz, 1689, against the Emperor is well known.”

  Helen Zrinyi, the Amazon, first married Francis Rakoczy and later the renowned Emerich Tököly; she is famous for her brave defense of Mohacz fortress in 1689 against the Emperor.

  Clarifies Helen Zrinyi's marriages and her notable military defense.

• “It is not without reason that Jókai alludes to Zrinyi as “the hero.” He was one of the greatest warriors of his day (1618–1666), and his victories over the Turks were many and brilliant. As a poet he stands high, even judged by a modern standard.”

  Jókai rightly calls Zrinyi 'the hero' because he was a brilliant warrior and poet, with many victories over the Turks and high literary merit.

  Explains why Zrinyi is called 'the hero'.

• “Tököli (Emerich), the most extraordinary Hungarian of his day, famous for his marvellous courage and beauty, his adventures and vicissitudes. In 1682 the Turks proclaimed him Prince of Hungary, and for the next five years he disputed possession of that country with the Emperor.”

  Emerich Tököly was an extraordinary Hungarian known for his courage and beauty; the Turks made him Prince of Hungary in 1682, and he fought the Emperor for five years.

  Summarizes Tököly's rise and conflict with the Emperor.

• “The omen was justified when, nearly thirty years later, Tököli defeated and slew Teleki at the battle of Zernyes, 1691.”

  The omen came true when Tököly killed Teleki at the battle of Zernyes in 1691, almost thirty years later.

  Confirms the fulfillment of the omen regarding Teleki's death.