Martin Transylvanian

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Martin Siebenbürger , actually Mert Kapp , (* probably around 1475 in Sibiu ; † August 11, 1522 in Wiener Neustadt ) was city ​​judge and mayor of Vienna .

Early years

Martin Transylvanian called Capinius (Transylvanian is then spread BEEN Origin) succeeded his uncle Sigmund Transylvanian to Vienna and studied at the University of Law . He was later also a professor and three times even dean of the law faculty, where he also befriended Konrad Celtes . After Sigmund died in 1506, he inherited it and with the help of this fortune was able to buy his citizenship in 1508 . In 1512 he became city judge.

The Lauffner affair

Lienhard Lauffner, the administrator of the water toll on the Red Tower , owed the Danube shipper Bartel Staudinger 100 guilders. Now Lauffner persuaded Staudinger that he was accused of stealing wood , whereby Lauffner bribed many city and regional officials out of fear . After the forester Wolfgang Fueger refused to accept funds, the whole thing was exposed and led, among other things, to the dismissal of Mayor Hans Süß . Martin Siebenbürger was appointed city judge and dealt with the matter. Even another attempt at bribery did not dissuade him from conducting the proceedings. The process soon came to a standstill after the chief regimental captain demanded an interruption and the old officials regained the upper hand. Some complained to Emperor Maximilian I about Transylvanians and tried to discredit him because of the way he conducted litigation. The emperor thereupon ordered a judicial investigation against Transylvanians, who, however , had been sent to the state parliament in Innsbruck . Maximilian then traveled to Innsbruck himself to speak to Transylvanians. The only result was a postponement of the investigation. During the negotiation itself, Transylvanian was quite angry. Although the University of Freiburg came to the conclusion that Staudinger had to be rehabilitated, the officials of the bishops of Vienna and Passau considered the process null and void because of procedural violations.

After Maximilian's death, a committee of 53 people managed to drive out the old regiment - much to the delight of Transylvanians - and to bring the town council under its control. In 1519 Transylvanians traveled with other envoys to Molina del Rey , where the future emperor Charles V held court, in order to obtain recognition of the measures taken from him. Siebenbürger gave a speech, but made a bad impression. In 1520, at a conference in Augsburg , there was a confrontation between the old estates regiment, with the result that a kind of interim government was created. Transylvanians then went back to the emperor to complain personally. The city council of Vienna has meanwhile elected him mayor during his absence and against his will. Charles V initially confirmed this choice.

After Karl renounced the rule in Austria in favor of his brother Ferdinand , a new regiment was installed. Transylvanian remained a councilor for the time being. Ferdinand had those involved in the events of 1519 and 1520 summoned to Wiener Neustadt and conducted the notorious trial of the Wiener Neustadt blood court . The old regiment was found to be right and Transylvanian citizens and five other former council members, including the former mayor Friedrich von Pieschen , were sentenced to death. On August 11, 1522, they were beheaded in the main square of Wiener Neustadt.

The assets of Transylvania were initially confiscated, but then released at the request of his widow Helena. Therefore, the son Thoman was later able to become mayor of Vienna.

Appreciation

In 1932, Siebenbürgerstrasse in Vienna- Donaustadt (22nd district) was named after him. On the main square of Wiener Neustadt, the circle in the pavement still reminds of the place of the blood court (beheading).

literature

personal data
SURNAME Transylvanian, Martin
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Mayor of Vienna
DATE OF BIRTH 1475
PLACE OF BIRTH Sibiu
DATE OF DEATH August 11, 1522
Place of death Wiener Neustadt