My kingdom in pledge : King Sigismund of Luxemburg's town pledging policy, case studies of Segesd and Bartfa

King Sigismund of Luxemburg's town pledging policy in the Holy Roman Empire significantly altered financial dynamics, leaving his successor nearly insolvent. This study clarifies the practical implications of royal town pledgings through two case studies: Segesd (Somogy County) and Bártfa (Bardejov, Slovakia). Unlike previous research that lacked detailed analysis, this work defines the procedure, impact, and profitability of pledging transactions. Segesd was pledged for a brief period but with lasting effects on its medieval history, while Bártfa's pledging stripped Hungarian kings of tax revenue for decades. The findings reveal the authority pledgees gained and the broader consequences of Sigismund’s financial strategy.

Incze, János. (2012). My kingdom in pledge : King Sigismund of Luxemburg's town pledging policy, case studies of Segesd and Bartfa [Central European University]. https://doi.org/10.60644/6537