private army

An army financed by the most significant noble landlords from the revenue of their estates. The leader of the army was the landlord himself, their officers were less significant noblemen. In 16-17th-century Hungary the Batthyánys, the Zrínyis, the Esterházys, the Thurzós had such private armies of one or two thousand soldiers. These troops played an important role - especially in the 17th century - in stopping Turkish plunderers, when the number of royal border fortress soldiers decreased. In the same period the outstanding pashas and beghs of the enemy also had their private armies.

PG