Dózsa

György Dózsa (circa 1470–1514) was a Hungarian nobleman and professional soldier who became the leader of the 1514 peasants’ revolt in the Kingdom of Hungary. A former mercenary with ties to Transylvania, he emerged as the commander of a large agrarian uprising that drew in peasants, townspeople, and some disaffected nobles.

The revolt began in 1514 amid widespread grievances against feudal oppression, high taxes, and the system of forced labor. Dózsa’s forces conducted campaigns across several counties, attacking noble estates, looting property, and pressing for concessions such as relief from burdensome dues and improvements in legal standing for peasants. The insurgency spread rapidly but was eventually put down by royal forces loyal to the crown.

Dózsa was captured after negotiations and was executed following torture; the uprising collapsed shortly thereafter. The suppression led to extensive reprisals and heavy casualties among peasants, and it reinforced noble authority and the feudal structure in the kingdom. In historiography, the rebellion is often cited as a major early expression of class conflict in Hungarian history and as a turning point that influenced subsequent attitudes toward peasant uprisings.

Legacy: The Dózsa uprising remains a significant episode in Hungary’s past, frequently referenced in discussions of social and political reform, as well as in cultural memory, literature, and education. The surname Dózsa continues to appear in Hungarian contexts.