Florentine Families in Hungary in the First Half of the Fifteenth Century: A Prosopographic Study of their Economic and Social Strategies by Krisztina Arany (review)

In this monograph, Krisztina Arany presents an in-depth study of the economic and social strategies of Florentine families in the Kingdom of Hungary during the first half of the fifteenth century. The study is based on a prosopographic database developed by the author from Hungarian and Florentine records, particularly the Florentine Catasto of 1427.

Through quantitative analysis and in-depth case studies of several families, Arany shows that Florentines had a significant social and economic presence in both the financial administration and commercial life of the Kingdom, particularly during the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg (1387–1437). Furthermore, Arany explores their social and economic relations in Florence, and the extended family networks that were involved in pursuing economic opportunities in Hungary.

The book is divided into seven chapters and is supplemented by rich appendices consisting of the above mentioned prosopographic database and lists of transactions found in the Catasto. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the study, its limitations, and historiographical context. Chapter 3 explores the business activity of Florentine merchants in Hungary, including their trading and banking techniques, and commercial partnerships in Buda, as well as their role in the financial administration of the Kingdom, particularly in 'the salt, mining and minting chambers and the customs of the thirtieth' (p. 53). Chapter 4 examines the socio-economic patterns of Florentine merchants across East Central Europe through a comparative context, as well as with other trading communities in Hungary, particularly South Germans.

Chapters 5 and 6 focus on Florence, particularly the social and economic background of those merchant families involved in Hungary as well as the presence of Germans and Hungarians in the city as documented in the Catasto.

In the final chapter, Arany concludes that despite the limited economic development of Hungary, it was a key area of economic activity for Florentine merchants, evident through their extensive participation in the financial administration of the Kingdom and their trading and crediting activity, particularly in Buda. Furthermore, Arany calls for a re-assessment of Buda and consideration of the city in a wider regional economic context.

Arany's study successfully sheds light on a region that has been largely overlooked in the past, adding to our understanding of how Florentine merchants adapted their economic practices in different regional contexts.