Privilégiá mesta Krupina – K problematike nejstarších privilégií hostí Krupiny spred mongolského vpádu

The town of Krupina and its privileges : On the issue of the oldest privileges of guests of Krupina before the Mongol invasion The author deals with the issue of privileges granted to Krupina, one of the oldest towns in Slovakia. The town’s privileges were renewed in 1244, whereas the first privileges ever mentioned were granted before the Mongol invasion (March 1241). With reference to the only document – preserved from 1238 –, some authors indirectly came to the conclusion that the first written privileges were given to German guests as early as in 1238. The author of the paper presents the possibility of privileges being granted before 1241. The first German guests probably settled in the town of Krupina at the end of 12th or beginning of 13th century and in this market town they were apparently given the right to hold markets, which were originally held by the Slovak residents. The German settlers probably also got the right to choose their own mayors and rectors (priests) so that they could be understood. This fact is attested by documents originating in places in the near vicinity (Sebechleby, Hontianske Nemce) or in more distant locations (Trnava, Blatný Potok) where residents of German descent were living. Moreover, the guests coming to the town of Krupina had the right to do business either in neighbouring or remote regions as pointed out in the document from 1238; apparently they were also given the right to harvest wood and break stone for the construction of churches and houses. Along with their rights, the German residents also had to fulfil their duties. In particular, they were committed to paying taxes to the king or the count as the local authority representing the king. Furthermore, they paid the church tithe, this being one of the oldest feudal annuities within Christian communities and the Kingdom of Hungary.