Historicallyvégmarók

Historically, végmarók were a class of landholders in medieval Hungary. The term, derived from Slavic roots, essentially meant "those who eat the land." Végmarók were distinct from the royal domain and the church lands, holding their estates directly from the king in exchange for military service. Their status was generally lower than that of the great magnates but higher than that of common freemen.

These landholders played a crucial role in the military organization of the kingdom. Their obligation was to provide a certain number of armed men, often referred to as "birtokosok" or "harcosok," for royal campaigns. The size and nature of their landholdings varied, and this directly influenced their military contribution. In times of peace, they managed their estates, often with the labor of dependent peasants.

The concept of végmarók became particularly prominent during the Árpád dynasty and continued to evolve through subsequent periods. As the feudal system developed, the lines between different landholding classes sometimes blurred. However, the core idea of a landholding warrior serving the king remained a significant aspect of Hungarian society for centuries. Their existence underscores the importance of military service as a foundation for land ownership and social standing in medieval Hungary.