Download - Facultatea de Științe Socio-Umane - Universitatea ...

76
Maria Emilia CRÎNGACI ŢIPLIC
evidence refers to the existence of ceramics workshops, blacksmith’s and bronze or
silver foundries. Among the first indirect information confirming the existence of
such activities in the first half of the 13 th century, there is Rogerius’s work Carmen
miserabile: “King Cadan, after taking a three days trip through the woods of Ruscia
and Comania, reached wealthy Rodna, a largely populated Teutonic fortress, located
among high mountains, near the King’s silver mine (editor’s underline). But, because
they were warriors and did not lack for weapons (editor’s underline), when they
heard about the arrival of the Mongols, they encountered them in the forests and in
the mountains, outside the fortress. When Cadan saw the large number of armed men,
he turned away, pretending to withdraw. Then the people returned victoriously,
renounced their weapons and began to get drunk with wine, according to the
Teutonic temperament. However, the Mongols quickly returned and, as there were no
walls or ditches or other reinforcements, entered the fortress from several sides
simultaneously. And, although there was some great slaughter, realizing that they
could not resist, the people gave in to the Mongols. Then, Cadan, after receiving the
fortress under his protection, joined comes Aristaldus, and together with six hundred
armed Teutonic soldiers came out on the other side of the forest” 13 . This settlement,
located in northern Transylvania, neighbouring the ores of precious metals, had
already been established in the 12 th century and emerged as the most important silver
mining centre during the Arpadian period. According to descriptions given by
Rogerius, Rodna was already a prosperous settlement, whose inhabitants would have
been able to resist the Mongols, had it not fallen into the trap of the fake withdrawal,
otherwise often used by the Mongols. In addition to these hints regarding the
demography, economical and military power of this important mining centre,
Ariscaldus deserves special attention. It seems that this comes did not cooperate with
the Mongols, as reported by Rogerius, but perished while fighting them; otherwise,
King Béla IV would not have commemorated him in 1243 as a victim of the Mongols
and would not have given a settlement significantly named Sărata (Salz - Salt) 14 to
Ariscaldus’ brothers. The name of one of them, comes Hench 15 , was mentioned in a
1268 document, confirming the purchase of several goods, worth of 155 pure silver
marks from Rodna, as well as some other silver mines 16 . The wealth and power of this
entrepreneur family from Rodna 17 is also mentioned in the document from the late
13 th century (1291-1292), which, besides certifying the existence of silver mines
13 Rogerius, IIR, V, p. 72.
14 K. Gündisch 1993, p. 121 sqq; K. Gündisch 1996, p. 128.
15 K. Gündisch 1993, p. 121 sqq.
16 Ub. I, no. 118, p. 99-100; EO I, no. 264; DIR. C, veacul XIII, vol. II, no. 104: ...sold these goods to
comes Henry, son of Brendin and his heirs for one hundred fifty five pure Rodna silver marks [...]. The
names of these goods are: first of all a stone tower and a wooden house next to the tower and a
surrounding fortified yard, with a land, as the late comes Henchmann used to have, as well as the mill
over river Someş, together with all its utilities and a house and two yards and all the fields below the
fortress, which we know that belonged to comes Henchmann; also, half of the silver mines wherever
they are to be found, which we know that belong to comes Rotho.
17 For details, see K. Gündisch 1993, p. 121-133; K. Gündisch 1996, p. 128.