Ferenc Tóth

French Émigrés in Hungary

The history of Hungary in the eighteenth century was characterised by massive migrations, facilitated by its recent reconquest from the Turks. Germans, Slavs, and even Frenchmen made their homes in the southern part of the country.2 Many Hungarians also left their country for political reasons at this time, following the failure of the War of Independence led by the Prince Rakoczi (1703-11). The prince was an ally of Louis XIV and, by the creation of a Hungarian diversion, had helped France to avoid total defeat in the wars of the Spanish Succession. Rakoczi fled to France in the hope of continuing his war for Hungarian independence and his little court in exile became a meeting place for his former followers. Thus at the beginning of the eighteenth century several thousand Hungarians were incorporated into regiments of hussars in the royal army.3 These regiments, like other foreign regiments, were considered loyal servants of the monarchy and several officers of Hungarian origin succeeded in making brilliant careers.

Emigré or Exile? Francis Rákóczi II and His Exile in France and Turkey

The most recent international conferences1 on the Hungarian War of Independence led by Francis Rakoczi II (1703–11) encouraged more research on one of the most important events in European diplomacy during the War of Spanish Succession. There has indeed been a revival of studies on this topic. The importance of the Hungarian War of Independence was its ability to force the Habsburg Empire to open a secondary campaign in Hungary and, thus, improve France’s military dispositions. Prince Francis Rakoczi II, who is by far the best known member of his family, is one of Hungary’s most popular national heroes. His exile in France and Turkey constitutes a notable subject for romantic national history as well as causing a robust debate about the facts which has divided Hungarian historians.