Early German colonists in Transylvania

Medardus de Nympz is the Latinized name of Medard zu Nimesch,[1] an early medieval German colonist in Transylvania.

Biography

Born around 1215 in the Moselle Franconian area of Luccelemburc (Luxembourg), Medardus served during his early years as a "squire" (Edelknecht) in the Horseman Entourage of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. In 1237 Medardus was appointed a Knight of the Holy Roman Empire in recognition of his valiant services at the Battle of Cortenuova.[2] In 1243 Medardus followed the invitation of the Hungarian King Bela IV to settle in Transylvania, which had been devastated and remained depopulated after the Mongol invasion of 1241.[3][4] During the following years he laid the foundations to "Villa Nympz"[5] (Nimesch)[6], a fortified peasant village in a side valley of the Great Kokel River near Medgyes.

Legacy

Despite of all future historical tribulations and misfortunes, Medardus and his descendants, later known as the Maiterth family, managed to cultivate the former wilderness and transform it into rich and fertile farmland (agriculture, viticulture, stockbreeding).

See also

References

  1. ↑ Maiterth, Konrad Andreas (1910): Chronik der Familie Medard (Maiterth) zu Nimesch
  2. ↑ Hadank, Karl (1905): Schlacht bei Cortenuova, Kreis Löwenberg
  3. ↑ Pertz, Georg Heinrich (1859 edition), Annales S. Pantaleonis in MGH Scriptores XXII
  4. ↑ Privilegium Bela IV (1244) concerning the German colonists
  5. ↑ Schuller, J.K. (1851), Privilegio Saxonum de Cibino
  6. ↑ Romanian-language article on "Nemșa, Sibiu"
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