Magyar Zoltán

Legends of Early Hungarian Saints: type- and motif-index

King Ladislas I.

PROTECTION

Sign of victorious battle

When saint rattles a bush with his spear, miraculously a white weasel runs up the spear and hides in saint’s bosom: CP:121; CH:111; Thuroczy: 79; Bonfini: 2.2.280-285.

Angelic apparition (a man clad in beams of light) foretells Ladislas’s victory and urges him to attack: Hodinka: 464-465, 478-479, 478-479.

The victorious king

Saint defeats the heathen enemy invading the country: MA I:I.73; Hymn II: stanza 15; Ruthenus.

Saint defeats the Pechenegs: Kezai:II.19.; Temesvári: 17.1.3.; AnjouLeg-LA: plate 5.; LaszloGy: plate 181. (Bántornya: 2. cycle).

Saint defeats the Cumans: CH:134; Ransanus: XII.6; Thuroczy:83; EC:398, 400.

Saint defeats the Mongols: Hodinka: 466-467, 480-481, 480-481.

Saint drives the Mongols out of Moldavia: Moldva I:50.

Saint defeats the commander of the enemy in combat

Saint defeats the chief of the Cumans in combat: CP:137; Thuroczy: 84; Bonfini: 2.4.220-230.

Saint defeats the commander-in-chief of the Tartars (Batu Khan) in combat: Hodinka:466-467, 480-481, 480-481.

Saint slays a pagan (Cuman/Mongol) warrior in combat who has abducted a maiden and sets her free: CP:103; Thuroczy: 76; Bonfini: 2.3.100-135, 235; Hodinka: 466-467, 480-481, 480-481; AnjouLeg-LA: plates 10-14.; CP-ik: p. 72.; Thuroczy: the cover page of the chronicle’s Augsburg edition; LaszloGy: plate 17. (the initial of the register of Hungarian students of the university of Vienna); LaszloGy: plates 22-246 (61 church mural cycles).

Ladislas fights a demonic enemy (endowed with supernatural abilities)

The Cuman warrior shoots an arrow backwards, with his left hand: LaszloGy: plates 50-52, 71-72, 100-101, 106-108, 187-188, 231, 233-234, 237. (murals).

The Cuman warrior belches out fire and smoke: LaszloGy: plates 84-85, 89, 106-110, 137, 152, 174, 176, 182, 207. (murals).

St. Ladislas is aided by Christ in the fight against the pagans: LaszloGy: plates 68-69 (murals).

St. Ladislas is aided by Virgin Mary in the fight against the pagans: LaszloGy: plates 27., 31., 75 (murals).

Magic horse. Ladislas’s horse has supernatural abilities, helps his master in battle: Bonfini: 2.3.130; AnjouLeg-LA: plate 11.; CP: plate 72.; LaszloGy: plates 28-29, 63-64. (murals).

Heroic sleep after victorious battle: AnjouLeg-LA: plate 14.; LaszloGy: plates 45-48, 50-52, 78, 82-86, 88-89, 115-118, 124-125, 130-131, 155, 157, 159, 161-162, 174-177, 181, 188, 190, 202, 204, 218, 220, 230, 233-234. (murals); MagyarZ I: 8 (mural).

The Virgin Mary heals the wounds of St. Ladislas after the battle: AnjouLeg-LA: plate 15.

Following saint’s prayer beasts come forth from the woods to feed his starving army: LA: 7; Madas:3.1.1.; 6.1.1.; 7.1.2.; 8.1.3.; 10.1.3.; 11.1.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 50.2.2.; Bonfini: 2.4.294; EC: 403. AnjouLeg-LA: plate 4.

Following saint’s prayer a spring stems from the rock to quench the thirst of his army: Temesvari: 17.1.3.; EC:404.

Following saint’s prayer the money thrown back, in feint, by fleeing Tartars is turned into stone: Temesvari: 17.1.3.; EC:404.

The siege of Cracow. Ladislas orders his soldiers to carry earth in their boots and gather it into a pile which is then dusted with flour. The besieged, thinking that the Hungarian army still has plenty of food, surrender: CP: 138; Bonfini: 2.4.245; CP: p. 98.

Saint frees serfs from a wild bear ravaging the environs: Ruthenus.

The patrocinium miracle. Dead saint comes to the aid of his people and brings them victory in the decisive battle with the invading Mongols (as related by an aged Tartar prisoner, when the Hungarians attacked the Mongol army, a tall knight was seen riding before them with a battle-axe and a golden crown on his head; above him a radiant lady appeared in a halo of light.): GestaL: 9.

PROVISION

Saint often gives alms to the poor: Kezai:II.18.; Temesvari:14.2.3.

Saint aids widows whose husbands died in battle: Laskai:49.2.1.3.3.

SIGNS OF SANCTITY

Saint is more than six inches taller than all his subjects: LA:3; Madas:1.1.3.; 8.1.; 10.1.1.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.21.; 49.2.1.; Hymn II: 12th stanza.

Vision of king Solomon. When they prepare to combat in disguise, Solomon sees one/two angels above the head/on the shoulders of Ladislas, who threaten him with their fiery swords (Solomon flees): CP: 129; Madas:7.1.1.2.; Bonfini: 2.4.70-75; EC: 399; CP: plate 91.

Angelic coronation

Ladislas’s vision: an angel places the crown on his elder brother’s head: CP: 120; CH: 111; Thuroczy: 79; Bonfini: 2.3.270; EC: 398; CP: p. 83.

Angel crowns saint: Romer: 22, 78; MagyarZ II: title page illustration; MagyarZ III: XVIII., XXIII (murals).

Two angels place crown on saint’s head: CP: p. 92.; LaszloGy: plates 125-126, 130-131. (murals).

Saint is invulnerable to the weapons of the enemy: LaszloGy: plates 37-40, 50-52, 68-69, 70-71. (murals); MagyarZ I: 7 (mural).

Saint’s traces are preserved in rock (his footprints, the mark of his spear, the mark of his shield and helmet which he placed on the ground): Temesvári:17.1.3.; EC:404; Moldva I:50.

Saint’s tears make holes in marble: Madas:6.1.1.2.; Mazal-Vizkelety: 94; Hodinka: 464-465, 478-479, 478-479.

Levitation

Saint hovers above the ground during prayer: LA: 6; Madas:10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; Bonfini: 2.4.294; AnjouLeg-LA: plate 16.

Saint is lifted into the air by angels during prayer: EC: 403.

Saint’s figure is surrounded by intense light during prayer: EC: 403.

Saint is appointed commander of the first crusade (his death prevents him from leading the crusaders to the Holy Land): LA: 9; CP:139; Madas:7.1.1.; 10.1.1.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 50.2.2.; Thuroczy: 86; Bonfini: 2.4.255; EC: 401; CP: plate 99.

CONVERSION, SPREADING OF CHRISTIANITY

Saint supports the Church: LA: 6; Madas:3.1.1.; 10.1.1.; 12.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 50.2.2.; Ruthenus.

On heavenly inspiration saint carries through the elevation and canonization of king Stephen, prince Emeric, bishop Gerald and hermits Andrew-Zoerard and Benedict: LA:8.

Foundations

Church foundation: Hymn II: 6. stanza; Madas:3.1.1.; 10.1.1.; 12.1.2.; Temesvari:15.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 50.2.2.; Ruthenus; EC: 401; CP: p. 99.; LaszloGy: plate 233. (mural).

Saint founds church to commemorate victorious battle (Mogyoród, Kisvárda): CP: 121, 134; CH: 111, 134; Thuroczy: 79, 83; EC: 399, 400.

Saint founds a monastery consecrated to the Holy Virgin (Nagyvárad/Oradea, Romania) after an angelic apparition bids him to during hunt: CP:139; Thuroczy:86; Bonfini:2.4.250.

Saint founds church/monastery after a miraculous apparition during hunt (a stag with lighted candles on the tips of its antlers - Vác): CP: 124; CH: 124; Thuroczy: 80; Bonfini: 2.4.5-10; CP: p. 87.

Saint founds two bishoprics: LA:6; Madas:12.1.2.; Temesvari:15.2.3.; Laskai:50.2.2.

Saint names the river by the battlefield ’Pagan’ (Pogándi, Pogáncs) in memory of a victory over the heathen Cumans: CP:137; Bonfini:2.4.215.

Saint gives the name Szeret (Rom. Sire, from: ’szeretem’, ’I love it’) to a river in Moldavia: Moldva I:50.

Saint settles the Romanians in Transylvania: Moldva II: 49.

Shrovetide. The breach between the Lent period of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox calendars caused St. Ladislas to arrive from battle belatedly; at his request, Hungarians start Lent two days later, on Shrove Tuesday: Moldva I:51.

EXORCISM

Saint exorcises the devil, demons: AnjouLeg-LA: plates 7-9.

PIETY, HUMILITY

Piety

People call saint ’the best of kings’, „pious king” (pius rex) because of his kind-heartedness: LA:5; Madas:3.1.1.; 4.1.2.; 5.1.1.; 6.1.1.; 8.1.2.; 10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; 15.1.3.; 16.1.2.; Laskai:48.1.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Saints is merciful and righteous: LA:5; Madas:3.1.1.; 5.1.1.; 10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3; 16.1.1-2.; Laskai:48.1.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Saint often spends the night in prayer: LA:6; AnjouLeg-lA: plate 6;Madas:3.1.1.; 7.1.1.; 10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Secret adherence to orthodoxy. Saint converts to orthodoxy under the influence of St. Sabbas, but keeps it secret: Hodinka: 462-463, 474-476, 474-476.; Moldva II:48.

Saint witnesses a miraculous healing at the burial-place of St. Stephen: ST III: 45.

Humility

Saint often spends the night in the atrium of churches: LA: 6; Madas:3.1.1.; 7.1.1.; 10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; 15.1.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Saint wouldn’t have himself crowned: LA:4; Temesvari:14.2.3.

Saint is to be named emperor of the Holy Roman Empire but modestly refuses to accept the crown: CP: 139; Bonfini: 2.4.250.

ASCETICISM, SELF-TORTURE, PENITENCE

Asceticism

Saint frequently fasts: LA: 6; Madas:3.1.1.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Saint sleeps on stone bed and stone pillows: Madas:7.1.1.2.

Penitence

Penitence for the sins of other: LA:6, Madas:3.1.1.; 4.1.1.; 7.1.1.; 10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; 15.1.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Saint mourns for the sins of his people every day: LA:6; Madas:4.1.1.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.1.; 49.2.1.; 50.2.2.

Saint fasts for more days on top of a pillar: Hodinka: 462-463, 474-476, 474-476.

SAINT’S DEATH, ELEVATION, TRANSLATION OF REMAINS

Saint’s death

Saint is to be buried in a burial-place not of his own choosing, but the cart carrying the corpse sets out without animal or human power towards the site chosen by the saint (Nagyvárad/ Oradea, Romania): LA: 10; Madas:6.1.2.; 8.1.3.; 11.1.; Temesvari:15.1.3.; Laskai:49.2.1.; Bonfini: 2.4.285-290; EC: 402; AnjouLeg-LA: plate 119.; CP: p. 101.; Vienna MS of Legenda Aurea, 1477.

Angels surround saint’s funeral vehicle: Madas:10.1.1.3.

Angels carry saint’s funeral vehicle to the burial place: Temesvari:14.3.; Laskai:48.2.2.3.

During saint’s burial a sweet scent can be smelt: LA: 11; Bonfini: 2.4.290; EC: 402; AnjouLeg-LA: plate 22.

During saint’s burial the mass of the dead is sung, but angels drown out the chant singing the Credo: Temesvari: 15.23; EC: 402.

Three years’ mourning int he country after the saint’s death: LA:9; Madas:6.1.1.; 10.1.2.; Temesvari:14.2.3.; Laskai:48.2.2.; 49.2.1.

Elevation

In the hour of Ladislas’s sanctification (by day) a bright star is seen for two hours above the monastery: LA:16; Madas:3.1.; Temesvari:14.3.; Laskai:48.2.3.; 49.2.2.; EC:404.

Oil oozes from saint’s tomb: JanusPannonius: 7th stanza; Hymn II: 7th stanza; Laskai:48.2.3.4.

Saint’s tomb gives off a scent of balm, incense and lavender: Ruthenus.

PUNISHMENT, MALEDICTION, RETRIBUTION

The legend of the man with the twisted jaw-bone. During the burial of Ladislas a sweet scent is felt, but a man from the crowd states that he can smell a foul stench. His jaw-bone is twisted backwards on the spot and only after long prayer and supplication does he regain his original shape: LA: 11; Bonfini: 2.4.290; EC: 402; AnjouLeg-LA: plate 22; Temesvari:14.3.; Laskai:48.2.2.4.; 49.2.1.2.

Ordalium at the saint’s burial-place. A count accuses a soldier of having stolen his silver cup. The cup is placed on the tomb; the soldier takes it off unharmed, but the count collapses when he touches it: LA:12; Bonfini: 2.4.295; Madas:6.1.1.; 10.1.3.; Temesvari:15.1.3.; Laskai:48.2.3.; EC: 403; AnjouLeg-LA: plates 23-24.

THROUGH THE SAINT’S MERITS (SAINT HELPS AFTER DEATH)

Diseased are cured through saint’s merits

Diseased are cured at the saint’s burial-place: MA I: I.73.; Madas:10.1.3.; 11.1.; Laskai:48.2.3.; 49.2.1.

Blind can see: LA: 11, 11, 11, 14; Madas:11.1.; Temesvari:14.3.; 15.1.3.(2x); Laskai:48.2.3.; 19.2.1.; Bonfini: 2.4.295; EC: 403, 403.

Paralytics are healed: LA: 15; MA II: II.33; Madas:10.1.3.; Laskai:48.2.3.(2x); 49.2.1.; Bonfini: 2.1.365, 2.4.295.

Cripples are healed: LA: 15, 17; Madas:10.1.3.; Temesvari:14.3.; Laskai:48.2.3.; 49.2.1.; Bonfini: 2.4.295, 2.4.295; EC: 404.

Lame can walk: LA: 11, 15;Madas:10.1.3.; Temesvari:14.3.; laskai:48.2.3.; 49.2.1.

Deaf can hear: LA: 11, 15; Temesvari:14.3.

Mute can talk: LA: 11, 15; Madas:11.1.; Temesvari:14.3.; Laskai:48.2.3.; 49.2.1.; Bonfini: 2.4.295.

A leper is healed on his way to the saint’s canonization feast: LA:16; Madas:8.1.3.; Temesvari:14.3.; Laskai:49.2.1.

A Dominican suffering from eye disease is cured: Temesvari: 15.1.3.3.

Victory in battle through saint’s merits

Deceased saint helps the Hungarians to victory in battle: GestaL: 9.

RELICS

Saint’s herm (relic of saint’s head): GestaL: 9.

Saint’s equestrial statue cast in bronze in memory of his victory over the Tartars: JanusPannonius: 7th stanza; Hodinka: 466-467, 480-481, 480-481.

Slab of marble holed by saint’s tears: Madas:6.1.1.2.; Mazal-Vizkeleti: 94; Hodinka: 464-465, 478-479, 478-479.

Saint’s stone bed and pillow: Madas:7.1.1.2.

Coins turned into stone by saint’s prayers (’St. Ladislaus’s money’): Temesvari: 17.1.3.; EC: 404.

APPARITIONS, VISIONS

St. Ladislas

Deceased saint helps the Hungarians to victory in battle (vision of an aged Tartar prisoner): GestaL: 9.

The Virgin Mary

Appears above saint’s head with a miraculous halo of light (vision of an aged Tartar prisoner): GestaL: 9.

Angel

Foretells victory and urges to attack (St. Ladislas’s vision): Hodinka: 464-465, 478-479, 478-479.

Crowns prince Géza (St. Ladislas’s vision): CP: 120; CH:111; Thuroczy: 79; Bonfini: 2.3.270; EC: 398; CP: plate 83.

Two angels threaten saint’s opponent with a fiery sword (king Solomon’s vision): CP: 129; Bonfini: 2.4.70.-75.; EC: 399; CP: p. 91.

Miraculous animals

Miraculous white weasel (seen by St. Ladislas and prince Géza): CP: 121; CH: 111; Thuroczy: 79; Bonfini: 2.3.280-285.

Miraculous stag with lighted candles on the tips of its antlers (seen by St. Ladislas and king Géza): CP: 124; CH: 124; Thuroczy: 80; Bonfini: 2.4.5-10; CP: p. 87.

Legends of Early Hungarian Saints: type- and motif-index

Tartalomjegyzék

Kiadó: Akadémiai Kiadó

Online megjelenés éve: 2026

ISBN: 978 963 664 185 6

Művelődéstörténet Idegen nyelvű

The work of folklorist Zoltán Magyar throws light on a relatively little-known segment of the dynastyc cult of saints in Central European cultural history. The hagiographies and legends written on different members of the Árpadian dynasty, ruling in Hungary between the 11th and 13th centuries, and their contemporaries endowed with the aura of sanctity, occur not only in their medieval Hungarian legendry but have also become part of the liturgical tradition and the cult of saints on German, Polish and Byzantine soil. The thematic and generic variety of this legendry and its many folkloric implications show close parallels with another major work of medieval European hagiography: the legends of early Irish saints. The type- and motif-index and generatic catalogue compiled by Zoltán Magyar orders the epic tradition, based on 11rh-16th century written sources, of twelve Hungarian royal saints who have become the subject of legends shortly after their death. Beside classification according to the type of legendd heroes and themes, the book also contains an analysis of the biographical data, of the historical sources and of the primary types and motifs of hagiographies.

Hivatkozás: https://mersz.hu/magyar-early-hungarian-saints-type-and-motif-index//

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