🎙️ Hungarian History Podcast – Special 1956 Series: Episode 22 🎙️

Welcome back to the Hungarian History Podcast. I’m your host, Szántai Gábor.

Between the symbolic dates of October 23rd and November 11th, we continue our special series dedicated to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight — and the nearly 200,000 Hungarians who left their homeland in its aftermath.

They carried with them stories of courage, loss, and hope. Stories that built new lives across the free world.

Today, in Episode 22, you will hear from three guest speakers from the United States — voices that form part of the living symphony of 1956. Through their memories, we gain an intimate look into the journeys that shaped generations.

I ask each guest three simple but powerful questions:

• Who are they and where are they from?
• What is their story?
• How did that journey change their lives?

Their answers are more than memories — they are history.

These stories are still coming in — and this series will continue. If you or someone you know has a story to share from after the Revolution, please send me a message.

Thank you for helping us preserve these voices.

Support this project:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-voices-of-56-part-2/

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution wasn’t just 19 days. It was the beginning of 200,000 journeys. This is the series dedicated to those journeys.

I am proud to announce that Episode 21 of the Hungarian History Podcast is out now, launching a special sub-series preserving the personal stories of the 1956 exodus.

In this first episode, I am honored to have Batizy Levente, author of "The Biggest Hole in the Iron Curtain: The Batizy Story", a remarkable account of his family's escape.

We discuss his story, the legacy of that journey, and its significance today.

Learn more about his book on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/Biggest-Hole-Iron-Curtain-Batizy/dp/1478756942

This is just the beginning. The door is open, and more voices will follow to ensure these stories are never forgotten.

Your story is our history. If you or your family have a story to share, please don't hesitate to message me.

Who are the Székelys? Are they the descendants of Attila the Hun? A unique warrior class? The ancient guardians of Hungary's borders?

In our special 20th episode, we delve into the epic history of the Székely people—the easternmost Hungarian group. This one is about the Székelys—my wife's people. 

A community with a story of resilience, from medieval warriors carving runes on wood to modern-day bonfires lit for autonomy on the last Sunday of October..

I discuss their fierce love of freedom and why their struggle for rights remains as relevant today as it was in the 16th century.

Tune in for a journey to Székelyföld, a land of fortified churches, legendary battles, and unbroken tradition. If you love tales of identity, courage, and deep history, this is for you.

Did the Kingdom of Hungary vanish after 1526?And was the Transylvanian Principality just a mere vassal state of the Ottomans?

You’ve heard it countless times: after the Battle of Mohács, Hungary disappeared. I have heard this narrative from many Romanians that Hungary was wiped off the map, swallowed by empires, and only “reappeared” centuries later.
But that’s not what really happened.

“The Hungarian Kingdom vanished into the blue” — this is a provocative modern nationalist narrative, spread by those who want to marginalize Hungary’s historical role and deny its sacrifice in defending Western civilization, for which it paid a bloody price. It’s time to pose a Hungarian narrative to challenge these intentionally fabricated misconceptions.

In this episode, we uncover what really happened after 1526 — how the Kingdom of Hungary survived as a sovereign state, ruled by its own crown, laws, and diet, in personal union with the Habsburgs.
Royal Hungary, Transylvania, and Croatia each carried forward parts of that sovereignty, keeping the kingdom alive. In this episode, I also compared the Transylvanian Principality’s status with that of Wallachia and Moldavia.

We also examine the Croatian argument, which has a genuine historical and legal foundation — and how both sides utilized law, diplomacy, and power to defend their claims under extremely challenging circumstances.

This is not a story of disappearance.
It’s a story of continuity — of a kingdom divided but alive, sovereign even under the weight of empires.

What really happened during the legendary 39-day siege of Eger Castle? You may know Gárdonyi Géza’s classic novel The Stars of Eger (or also called „The Fall of The Crescent Moon”)—but have you ever heard the story from the Ottoman perspective?

In this dramatic episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we step into the tents of Pasha Hádim Ali and Serdar Kara Achmed as they lead nearly 45,000 Ottoman troops against Dobó István and his defiant garrison.

Through cannon fire, secret tunnels, betrayal, and explosive gunpowder plots, experience one of Hungary’s most heroic stands like never before.

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History and Power: Can the Past Ever Be Objective?

Today I have a very special guest: Dr. Péter Illik, one of the leading experts on early modern Hungarian history. He is the author of more than 15 books and 200 scholarly articles, many of which have reshaped our understanding of the 16th century, the Ottoman–Habsburg conflicts, and even the international reception of the Treaty of Trianon.

🔎 In this episode, we explore:

1. Can there really be such a thing as “objective history,” or is every account shaped by politics and culture?
2. How do the perspectives of 16th-century chroniclers like Szerémi György compare with 20th-century historians like Nemeskürty István?
3. Why is Hungarian historical discourse still divided today between a “Habsburg-friendly” and a “Habsburg-critical” narrative?

This is a powerful conversation about how history is written — and how it continues to shape the way we think about the past and the present.

The Hungarian History Podcast is still the only English-language podcast dedicated entirely to Hungarian history. Since launching this show in April 2025, it has already reached more listeners than the Central European University’s “Vienna” podcast did in its entire first year, at least based on the publicly available information.

Thank you for your interest and support! If you enjoy my work, please share it with your friends and consider supporting it — I don’t have billionaires backing me, only listeners like you.

👉 Listen now, and share it with your friends so more people can discover Hungary’s fascinating history!

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Join me on Patreon to help sustain this work:

https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars

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https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa

The Hungarian History Podcast returns with one of the bloodiest battles of the 1552 campaign.
Only weeks after the fall of Drégely, the Ottomans pushed north – and at Palást, they met the Christian armies of General Teuffel.

German mercenaries, Italian soldiers of fortune, and Hungarian hussars clashed with Janissaries, Sipahis, and Ottoman cannons.
It was a disaster for the Christians – yet men like Thury György still kept the flame of resistance alive.

🎧 Listen now and step onto the battlefield.

Please, subscribe to Substack or Patreon to support this project, or on the Buy me a coffee page, here are the links:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-16-the-battle-of-palast-1552/

The Hungarian History Podcast continues with the dramatic Siege of Drégely (1552) — the heroic last stand of Captain György Szondi and his men against overwhelming Ottoman forces.

The year is 1552. A small, crumbling fortress in the Börzsöny Hills stands as the last barrier between the Ottoman war machine and the heart of Europe. Inside, Captain Szondy György and his 146 men prepare to face an army of 12,000 Ottomans.

Their story is one of impossible odds, unwavering honor, and a sacrifice that shook even their enemy. It is a creation of a legend that has inspired Hungarians for centuries.

🌍 The Hungarian History Podcast is still the only English voice dedicated entirely to the rich and dramatic history of Hungary — making our past accessible to the world.

👉 Listen, subscribe, and share to help spread Hungarian history beyond our borders.
🙏 If you find value in my work, please consider supporting the project with a contribution or subscription — every bit helps me continue bringing these stories to life.

Substack: https://shorturl.at/nsFZ2

Outnumbered, undersupplied, and betrayed by allies, Captain Losonczy István and his men faced the unstoppable Ottoman war machine in one of the most dramatic sieges of the 16th century. This is a story of defiance, betrayal, and a final stand that still echoes through history.

🎙️ It is still the only English podcast focusing entirely on Hungarian history.
If you care about Hungary’s past and want these stories to reach the world, give it a listen, share it, and help keep the project alive.

Support this project on Patreon:

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Thank you / Köszönöm.

🔥 Intrigue, Betrayal, and the Shadow of Siege 🔥

Transylvania, 1551.
An uneasy alliance shatters.
The White Monk — Martinuzzi György, cardinal, statesman, and master of intrigue — meets his fate in one of the most infamous political assassinations in Hungarian history.
As the Ottomans and Habsburgs circle like vultures, the frontiers of Hungary erupt into fire.

🎙 In the latest episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we trace the deadly chain of events from palace intrigue to the launch of the great Ottoman campaign of 1552.

You’ll hear how this campaign set the stage for the fall of Veszprém, the heroic stand at Drégely, and the defense of Eger — sieges that will each be told in full detail in future episodes.This is the outline before the storm… and next time, we march to the siege of Temesvár Castle.

📜 Listen now — history has never sounded this vivid.

Support this project with a cup of coffee if you can:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa or follow me on Patreon to spread Hungarian history: https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars

Still the only podcast in English dedicated entirely to Hungarian history, and today’s episode is something special!

Instead of a solo deep-dive, I’m thrilled to be joined by historian Konnát Árpád for a rich, dynamic conversation. A Transylvanian Hungarian, researcher at the Trianon Museum in Várpalota, and my dear friend (and swordmate!), Árpád brings incredible depth to this discussion.

Fluent in languages, skilled with both saber and longsword, and an author of historical fiction—he’s a true Renaissance man! (You might also know him as an admin of our thriving Facebook group, "Hungarian History And Culture Without Borders".)

This episode goes beyond the usual timeline, offering fresh insights, reflections, and context you won’t want to miss. 🗡️📜

🔊 Listen now—and if you enjoy it, please share! Supporting the podcast on Patreon, Substack, or Buy Me a Coffee helpskeep Hungarian history alive in English. Join me on:

https://www.patreon.com/hungarianottomanwars and

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duhoxoxa

Thank you for being part of this journey! 🇭🇺✨

Heroic last stands, brutal betrayals, haunted legends…
In this episode, we take you deep into the blood-soaked heart of the 16th century, when Hungarian and Ottoman forces clashed over castles, cities, and survival. From the fall of Buda to the forgotten siege of Valpó, from brave hussars to treacherous burghers – this is the story of the fortresses that shaped Hungary's fate.

💻 Digital self-defense in the 21st century needs heroesfrom the past.
🛡️ Making the invisible visible– Unearthing hidden, forgotten, or misrepresented layers ofHungarian history. Real history, no compromise.

🎧 Listen now and explore the battles before Eger andSzigetvár!
📍 Only on the Hungarian History Podcast– the only English-language voice dedicated to Hungary’s past.

▶️ Support the project. Share our legacy.

🎙️ Episode 10 — After Mohács: Resistance, Rebellion, and a Deal with the Sultan;
The Hungarian History Podcast with Szántai Gábor, the only English voice about Hungarian history on social media.

Before the catastrophe at Mohács in 1526, Queen Maria of Habsburg blocked all attempts to negotiate with the Ottomans.
After the king’s death, her brother Ferdinand of Habsburg claimed the Hungarian throne, promising that he and Emperor Charles V would defend the realm.

But behind the curtain?
Ferdinand’s envoys were offering tribute to the same sultan they claimed to oppose. They proposed an even greater sum than King Szapolyai had ever offered.

In this episode, we uncover what happened in the chaotic years after Mohács:

⚔️ The forgotten resistance at Pusztamarót in 1526 – where Hungarian peasants and nobles made their last stand.
🔥 The Serbian uprising of Cserni Jován in 1527 – a brutal internal war that tore through the southern frontiers.
🕊️ And the secret negotiations of Szapolyai’s envoy in Istanbul – a desperate diplomatic mission that worked.

This is the missing link between Mohács and the Castle Wars that followed.
Tune in — and discover the story that Europe forgot.

'Re-examining the Death of King Lajos II at Mohács'

The death of King Lajos II in 1526 remains one of the most consequential historical mysteries in Central Europe. Although it has traditionally been recorded as an accidental drowning, several contemporary sources merit closer examination.

The subsequent power struggle between Habsburg Ferdinand and Szapolyai János resulted in conflicting accounts of the king's final moments.

However, the tendency of historians to insist on drowning as the cause of death likely stems from the political convenience of avoiding a 500-year-old crime scene, as both ruling powers after Mohács benefited from the ambiguity.

In short, the king who chose to ride into certain death at Mohács may well have been betrayed in the marshes by those closest to him.

📜To me, the available evidence and motifs strongly suggest that King Lajos II was murdered, rather than accidentally drowning. Was it the Habsburgs? The Szapolyais? The Fuggers?

In this episode, we explore forgotten sources, political motives, and the fate of those who were supposed to protect him.
Why does this matter?
The death of Lajos — a young king who rode bravely into battle — shaped Hungary’s fate. Yet the full story remains obscured by political agendas and conflicting accounts.

🎧 Listen now as we analyse the evidence without speculation, focusing on historical detective work.

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-episode-9-the-death-of-the-king-1526/

🎙️ Episode 8 – The Battle of Mohács: Cavalry, Chaos, and Collapse

In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we take you to one of the most tragic—and misunderstood—days in Central European history.

August 29, 1526.
On the fields of Mohács, the fate of a kingdom is decided in just a few brutal hours.

But this is not just the story of defeat.
It is a story of warhorses and riders, of elite Hungarian knights and overconfident warriors, of strategy, panic, and unexpected strength.

We’ll explore how the Hungarian cavalry fought with deadly precision, how their tactics almost turned the tide, and why the death of King Lajos (Louis) II changed everything.

🎧 Listen now to discover the real story behind the Battle ofMohács.
Follow the podcast, and support this unique English-language project on Hungarian history.

🔥EPISODE 7: Gold & Blood – The 36-Year War BeforeMohács🔥

"The Borderland never slept. For 30 years, heroes held theline—outnumbered, underpaid, but never broken, whilekings were betrayed, treasuries looted, and Europe looked away."This episode shatters the myths:

⚔️ Queen Beatrix's schemes. Kinizsi's betrayal. HowMátyás' legacy was stolen⚔️ The Jagellonian "Weakness" Lie – Why Ulászló II and Lajos II were not the fools history painted them to be
⚔️ Kinizsi. Korvin János. Berislavić. The commanders who fought relentless wars while Buda’s nobles bickered
⚔️ 1,000+ villages burned. 80+ battles. The untold cost ofholding the frontier against the Ottomans

⚔️ Habsburg Mary emptying the treasury as the Fuggersseized Hungary's silver
⚔️ France + Venice + The Pope – How the League of Cognac sided with the Ottomans⚔️ How Hungary’s own elite sabotaged their kings—and signed Mohács’ death warrant

🎧LISTEN NOW to the Hungarian History Podcast –where history gets a voice, and the past fights back.

👉 Visit: https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast/

Next time: The Battle of Mohács. The mysterious death of the king.

In this special episode, I talk with Katerina Dunne, author of the historical novel Lord of the Eyrie.
Set in the time of Hunyadi János, her story brings 15th-century Hungary to life, told through the eyes of both a nobleman and his wife, caught in the chaos of war, politics, and survival.

Katerina is a Greek-born writer who lived in Ireland for 25 years and recently moved to Cyprus.
She learned Hungarian, fell in love with our history, and now shares it with the world in English.
We talk about her creative journey, historical reenactment, buhurt fighting, and why this era still matters today.

Katerina’s books are available in English, Hungarian, and German:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Eyrie-Katerina-Dunne/dp/0578355442/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rASErIR_HqmItUHB3KJirBrecwhGT_XBNpY9oQCYTaaDX29G4umIuCotudSJRtaX38rj-U3QJxW-HUWHdMx0mA.FI1AA3M-KQR4L0Hs88e7qJSkbgVE9ShHZ3-uep5B72U&qid=1748717721&sr=8-1

German:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Katerina-Dunne-ebook/dp/B0D9S2VV2N?ref_=saga_dp_bnx_dsk_dp

and Hungarian:

⁠https://www.lira.hu/hu/konyv/szepirodalom/sasfeszek-ura#

In this electrifying episode, we uncover how King Matthias Corvinus – the legendary Raven King – stood as the last true Christian monarch to confront the rising Ottoman threat with both pen and sword.

⚔️ Matthias rebuilt Hungary's second line of defense on the southern borderland, held strongholds deep in enemy territory, and risked his own life in combat to beat back the Turks.

🏇 His feared Black Army not only terrified Europe but also marched to Italy’s rescue, liberating Otranto from Ottoman occupation. What if he had not sent there troops?

🛡️ And when the Sultan’s troops swarmed into Transylvania, it was his general Kinizsi Pál who met them in open battle at Kenyérmező (Breadfield)—and shattered the myth of Ottoman invincibility that had haunted Europe since the disastrous Battle of Várna in 1444.

📜 When Pope Innocent VIII considered handing over the Ottoman prince Djem to the sultan for some money, Matthias fired off a furious letter warning that if Christendom betrayed the cause, Hungary would not fall silently. Was his response heard? What if he could receive the Turk usurper in his court and launch his long-dreamed campaign after taking Vienna?

🔥 An epic tale of diplomacy, strategy, and sheer defiance against overwhelming odds.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, or your favorite platform.
👉 Support the project: Patreon | BuyMe a Coffee | Substack:

https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/hungarian-history-podcast-episode-5-the-raven-king-vs-the-crescent/

🚩 The ONLY English-language podcast dedicated entirely to Hungarian history.

You can also read some more details on my page: https://www.hungarianottomanwars.com/essays/was-king-matthias-related-to-sultan-mohamed-ii/

🔥A Century of Struggle. One Historic Stand.

In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, wejourney through nine turbulent decades—from the first Ottoman war in 1366 to the epic Siege of Nándorfehérvár / Belgrade in 1456.

We must investigate the way that led to the siege ofNándorfehérvár / Belgrade—how betrayals, invasions, andresistance shaped the fate of Hungary and Europe.

Hear the dramatic tale of kings betrayed, cities lost, battleswon—and how Hunyadi János defied the seemingly unstoppable OttomanEmpire at the gates of Belgrade.

This is the story behind the noon bell that still rings acrossEurope today.
It’s not just Hungarian history—it’s European destiny.

🎧 Listen now and step into the fight for Christendom.

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"The Ottoman Conquests Through European Eyes"

How did different nations experience Ottoman rule? In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we explore:• The Ottoman claim of bringing tolerance—and the complex reality on the ground
• How Hungary, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean regionsremember this era differently
• Why the occupation left a lasting mark on Hungarian history and identity

Join us for a thoughtful examination of this pivotal historical period.

What perspective did your history books offer on the Ottoman Wars? Share below—we may feature your thoughts!