Dierd Dozsa Leader of the peasant uprising in Hungary in the 16th century. Country: Hungary

Biography of Dierdő Dózsa

Dierdő Dózsa was the leader of a peasant uprising in Hungary in the 16th century. He taught peasants how to use weapons and called them to revolt throughout the country. During the 16th century, Hungary was still embroiled in a struggle between absolute monarchy and feudal nobility. King Matthias, who was supported by the people, successfully fought against the feudal lords. However, after his death, Uladislaus II ascended to the throne and reversed all of Matthias' reforms, including the establishment of a permanent army. The nobles once again became the right hand of the king, and the country suffered from internal feudal wars.

In 1514, the Pope declared a new crusade against the Muslims, and Dózsa, who had gained fame in the war against the Turks, was offered the position of commander. Within twenty days, he gathered a popular militia of 60,000 people. Dózsa developed and executed military operations, accompanied by two priests who inspired soldiers, peasants, and city dwellers with their sermons. The feudal lords did not want their vassals to join the crusade, and as the time for harvesting approached, they demanded their return. In response, Dózsa and the priests called on the people to rebel. Peasants across Hungary rose up, and a war against the feudal barons began.

The condition of the peasantry in Hungary at that time was not as unbearable as in other countries. However, despite having more freedom, the peasants keenly felt the oppression of serfdom. The continuous wars with the Turks devastated the country, and the population was severely depleted. The peasants revolted to force the feudal nobility to make concessions. The peasants, experienced in the art of war, hoped for complete liberation. The lower clergy, who hated the higher church officials, joined the peasants. However, they, along with the urban middle class, which also joined the peasant movement, soon betrayed it.

The leaders of the peasant uprising claimed that the nobility was a criminal class that had enslaved the bodies and souls of the peasants. They encouraged the destruction of feudal castles. Dózsa taught peasants how to use weapons and called them to revolt throughout the country. The uprising was opposed by a noble army led by John Zápolya. This army, with the help of the urban middle class and clergy who were previously allies of the peasants, brutally suppressed the popular movement. Dózsa put up long and determined resistance. He proclaimed a republic based on the power of the king and abolishing the privileges of the nobility. Despite the support of the masses throughout the country, Dózsa was defeated in the city of Temesvár (modern-day Timișoara).

His punishment was a series of tortures. He was placed on a red-hot iron throne, a heated iron crown was placed on his head, and a heated iron scepter was put in his hand. His only words were, "You dogs!" Over 60,000 peasants died in the uprising. During a Parliament session, the feudal lords decided to increase the burden on the peasantry and declare serfdom perpetual.