Vitéz

Vitéz, or Order of Vitéz (Vitéz Rend in Hungarian) (frequently spelled in English as 'Vitez') was a Hungarian Order founded in 1678 by Imre Thököly, (1657-1705), a Hungarian nobleman, who was leading a rebellion against Leopold I of Austria, who suspended the Constitution and placed Hungary under a Directorate headed by the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. Thököly gathered behind him a force of disaffected Hungarians composed mainly of disbanded soldiers and peasantry. His followers were known as 'kuruc' (crusaders), a designation that was also used a century earlier by the followers of another rebel leader, György (George) Dózsa. Appointment into the Vitéz Order was Thököly's way to designate and promote some of his lowly-born followers who distinguished themselves in the struggle and around whom other newer rebels could gather with confidence. (The Hungarian word "Vitéz"' means Valiant or Brave.)

The Vitéz Order was revived in 1921, by Miklós Horthy, the Regent of Hungary. Initially he restricted membership to men who served with special distinction in World War I. Subsequently admittance was widened to include both military and civilian supporters of his regime. Members were entitled to use the designation Vitéz as a prefix to their names. The title was hereditary, passing to the eldest son. Admittance into the Order was in the gift of the regent. Horthy, who was the first to be admitted into the revived Order, was also the Order's Commander in Chief (Főkapitány). Admission into the Order carried with it a land grant of 40 cadastral holds to an officer, 8 cadastral holds to other ranks or civilians.

Note: (1 cadastral hold = c. 1.43 acres).

References:

External links

• Official site (Habsburg)
• Other branch site