Primor is a Hungarian

title of nobility Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. The characteristi ...

of Székely origin. It was the highest-ranking title in Székely

aristocracy Aristocracy (, ) is a form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocracy (class), aristocrats. The term derives from the el, αριστοκρατία (), meaning 'rule of the best'. At t ...

, and is usually compared in rank with the Western titles of

count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

and

baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...

. Synonyms sometimes found in older sources are főnemes (chief noble), főúr (chief lord), or főszékely (chief Székely)

Origins

Traditionally, on paper, all Székely were considered nobles. Their nobility was derived from their settlement in Székely Land as

terra nullius ''Terra nullius'' (, plural ''terrae nullius'') is a Latin expression meaning " nobody's land". It was a principle sometimes used in international law to justify claims that territory may be acquired by a state's occupation of it. : : ...

(not yet belonging to anyone, including to the

Hungarian king This is a list of Hungarian monarchs, that includes the grand princes (895–1000) and the kings and ruling queens of Hungary (1000–1918). The Principality of Hungary established 895 or 896, following the 9th-century Hungarian conquest of the ...

). Being nobles, all members of Székely society were personally bound to take up arms in defence of their country (Székely Land at the time forming the Eastern border of Hungary, and in part of Christian Europe). According to their ability to do so, they were divided into three categories. The pixidarii (commoners) were those who had a small plot of land, but did not have a horse, and as such were enlisted as infantrymen. The wealthier primipilus, also called lófő ("chief horsemen") or ''

equites The ''equites'' (; literally "horse-" or "cavalrymen", though sometimes referred to as "knights" in English) constituted the second of the property-based classes of ancient Rome, ranking below the senatorial class. A member of the equestrian o ...

,'' comparable to

knights A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

, and bound to take part in battle as cavalry soldiers. The primores, finally, were nobles with considerable land and wealth, and as such, were expected to provide an armed force. Later, the primors began to expand their power over the other two groups, attaining a status comparable to the higher aristocracy of medieval Hungary. Under King Matthias, during the 15th century, the primores' status was codified in law. Conversely time, the pixidarii (commoners) were gradually reduced to ''de facto'' peasants. Under

Stephen Bathory Stephen or Steven is a common English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( grc-gre, Στέφανος ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to death; ...

, in the 16th century, pixidarii were no longer exempt from paying taxes, barred from becoming elected officials and could be forced to work as serfs, ''de jure'' completing this process. After Hungary came under

Habsburg The House of Habsburg (), alternatively spelled Hapsburg in Englishgerman: Haus Habsburg, ; es, Casa de Habsburgo; hu, Habsburg család, it, Casa di Asburgo, nl, Huis van Habsburg, pl, dom Habsburgów, pt, Casa de Habsburgo, la, Domus Hab ...

rule,

Holy Roman Emperor The Holy Roman Emperor, originally and officially the Emperor of the Romans ( la, Imperator Romanorum, german: Kaiser der Römer) during the Middle Ages, and also known as the Roman-German Emperor since the early modern period ( la, Imperat ...

Leopold I in his 1691

Diploma Leopoldinum The ''Diploma Leopoldinum'' was a legal document which determined the basic principles of the government of the Principality of Transylvania within the Habsburg Empire. The diploma was drafted by Miklós Bethlen, Chancellor of Transylvania. The H ...

confirmed the validity of Transsylvanian noble titles, including the primores.

Etymology

The word 'primor' is postulated to have come from Latin ''primus'', or 'first', possibly as 'the first in line of battle'.

Legal status

The still valid 1947 Statute IV regarding the abolition of certain titles and ranks abolished all titles of Hungarian aristocracy, specifically including primor. It is currently prohibited in the Republic of Hungary to use the title. Before the Communist era, the royal minister of internal affairs regulated the use of the title of primor. One was legally considered a primor, if one could prove to be a direct descendant of a family that was considered part of the high Székely aristocracy in 1713 or before, or could provide a princely diploma granting status into high Székely aristocracy to one of his proven direct ancestors.

Families holding the title

Among families holding the primor title are:

Apor family The Apor family (different branches styled '' altorjai'' or '' zaláni'') is a family of ancient Hungarian nobility, which played a major role in Transylvanian history. It has several branches, which held different ranks over the years, includi ...

(Apor de Altorja, Apor de Zalán)Pálmay József: Háromszék Nemes családjai, Charta, Sepsiszentgyörgy, 2000 Pállfy family (Pállfy ab Erdőd)

Mikes family The House of Mikes de Zabola is a Hungarian noble family of Székely origin from the 16th century. Notable members * Mihály Mikes (politician) (d. 1662), Chancellor of Transylvania (1656–1660) *Mihály Mikes (soldier) (d. 1721), created Bar ...

(Mikes de Zabola) Kálnoki family (Kálnoki de Köröspatak)

Andrássy family The House of Andrássy is the name of a Hungarian noble family of very ancient lineage that was prominent in Hungarian history. The full family name is ''Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka''. ''Csíkszentkirály'' is a town in modern- ...

(Andrássy von Csikszentkirály) Bocskai family

References

{{reflist Hungarian noble titles Székelys