This
work opens up an unknown chapter of the history of that famous treasure.
Several books have been written by art historians about the Holy Crown
of Hungary as to its artistic value, or its historical and legal aspects,
but the events of World War II and the subsequent years of the Crown's
journey provide us with new information.
The author, who became
head of the Hungarian Restitution Mission in 1946, followed the path
of this royal coronation relics and documented their torturous journey.
He gathered information from several sources, such the as National
Archives in Washington, D.C., as well as from personal recollections
and letters.
After the forced abdication
of Regent Nicholas Horthy in October of 1944, the leader of the Arrow
Cross (Hungarian Nazi) Party, Ferenc Szálasi assumed power. He ordered
the Crown, the coronation mantle, and the various other regalia to
be removed from Budapest to Veszprém, then to Kôszeg in December,
and finally to Velem where his personal bunker shielded him in his
westward flight. Colonel E. Pajtás, Commander of the Royal Crown Guard,
followed this itinerary without ever leaving the relics unguarded.
In March of 1945 these national treasures were taken to Mattsee, Austria
where Col. Pajtás, buried the Crown hidden in an empty gasoline tank
during the night, while the local pastor, Father A. Strasser, hid
the mantle, the reliquary of the right hand of King St. Stephen, and
the silver table service of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The reliquary
was later transferred into the custody of the Archbishop of Salzburg
and eventually returned to Budapest.
As head of the Hungarian
Restitution Mission, Sándor Hahn was entrusted to verify the authenticity
of the Crown, sword, scepter, orb, and other treasures removed from
Hungary, which were by that time already in Munich in U.S. custody.
Some groups felt that
the Holy Crown should rightfully be transferred to the Vatican, since
it was Pope Sylvester II that had sent it originally to King Stephen
in 1000, while others pleaded that it remain in American hands. The
latter view prevailed, and Fort Knox became the new home of the coronation
regalia until 1978, when President Carter returned them to the Hungarian
people.
Hahn's book contains
data and an extensive collection of photographs of earlier coronations,
official and private documents, as well as photographs taken by the
author. This painstaking work helps complete our knowledge about this
dramatic journey, and would be a great addition to any historical
or art library.
© Universe
Publishing Company info@erdelyonline.com
Tel.(201) 567-4296 Fax.(201) 567-6488
|
|
