A Note from the Author
HemaLore is originally written in Hungarian, my native language. The articles are researched and written by me, Gábor Antali, and are then translated into English with the assistance of AI tools to improve readability and accessibility for a wider audience.
All ideas, interpretations, research, and conclusions presented here are my own.
HemaLore is an educational and entertaining exploration of historical fencing, fencing culture, and martial history. While I strive for accuracy and careful research, these articles are intended as informed historical essays rather than formal academic publications.
Abstract
This HemaLore article examines the question of the foundation of the National Fencing Institute of Pest (Pesti Nemzeti Vívó Intézet) based on newly analysed primary sources. It reviews the background of the widely accepted founding date of 1825 and, through contemporary newspaper articles and other historical documents, offers a more nuanced understanding of the Institute's origins. Particular attention is given to the National School of Fencing (Nemzeti Bajvívó Oskola), mentioned in 1834, and to the National Fencing Institute of Pest, which became institutionalised in 1835, while exploring the possible historical relationship between the two institutions. The Institute's later development, its fencing masters, and its subsequent history will be examined in the following parts of this series.
Keywords: National Fencing Institute of Pest, Pesti Nemzeti Vívó Intézet, National School of Fencing, Nemzeti Bajvívó Oskola, Hungarian Reform Era, Hungarian fencing history, Ferenc Friedrich, István Keglevich, Albert Prónay, nineteenth century, primary sources, sports history.
Introduction
The National Fencing Institute of Pest (Pesti Nemzeti Vívó Intézet) is widely regarded as the first and most influential fencing institution in Hungarian fencing history. According to the traditional historical narrative, the Institute was founded in 1825, at the beginning of the Hungarian Reform Era, through the initiative of Count István Széchenyi and Baron Miklós Wesselényi, under the leadership of Count István Keglevich, with the financial support of eighty-seven members of the Hungarian aristocracy. Its stated purpose was to provide organised fencing instruction, contribute to the physical, intellectual, and moral education of Hungarian youth, and prepare them for military service and the practice of duelling. Historical literature has generally regarded the Institute as the leading centre of Hungarian fencing during the Reform Era and as one of the principal predecessors of modern Hungarian fencing.
Most publications and general accounts of the National Fencing Institute of Pest repeat this traditional narrative. The aim of the present HemaLore article is to re-examine the Institute's foundation through the analysis of newly studied primary sources, providing a more detailed account of its origins while reassessing several long-accepted assumptions concerning its early history.
1825 – Was This Really the Year of the Foundation?
The year 1825 is almost universally accepted in the historical literature as the founding date of the National Fencing Institute of Pest (*Pesti Nemzeti Vívó Intézet*). Based on the sources currently known to me, however, this date can be traced primarily to the commemorative volume published in 1892 in honour of József Keresztessy[1], a former student of the Institute who later became one of its assistant instructors. (It is worth noting that this commemorative volume was compiled by Keresztessy's own students to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his career as a fencing master.)
The following passage appears in the volume:
"Before me lies the 1840 yearbook of the 'National Fencing Institute of Pest,' in which it is stated that it was the '15th year'." — S.
At present, this is the only source known to me that makes a direct reference to the founding date of 1825.
I have found no reference in either the diaries and correspondence of Count István Széchenyi[2]or the surviving writings of Baron Miklós Wesselényi [3] that mentions the foundation of the National Fencing Institute of Pest, its preparation, or even plans for establishing such an institution.
This, of course, does not prove that no such plans existed. Wesselényi's travel diary of 1821–1822, for example, contains several passages concerning fencing and his own fencing experiences, while Széchenyi's diaries likewise include numerous references to swordsmanship and duelling. In themselves, however, these references cannot be regarded as evidence that they were already working towards the establishment of a fencing institute in Pest.
(Although I have found no direct reference by either Széchenyi or Wesselényi concerning the foundation of the National Fencing Institute of Pest, their diaries and correspondence preserve a remarkable number of fascinating accounts relating to fencing and the culture of duelling. I believe that most Hungarians know them primarily as leading political figures of the Reform Era, while their connection to fencing and duelling represents an equally intriguing historical subject. I intend to return to this topic in greater detail in a future HemaLore article.)
The correspondence of the Keglevich family could potentially provide further insight into this question. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to access this body of material. To the best of my knowledge, the Keglevich family papers are preserved in the Hungarian National Archives, but they have not yet been digitised. Examining these documents represents an important direction for future research.
The contemporary press, however, paints a rather different picture. Based on the newspaper articles I have examined so far, I have found no evidence that the National Fencing Institute of Pest was already operating during the first half of the 1830s in the organisational form described by later memoirs and popular historical accounts.
One of the earliest known reports appeared in 1834 in Hasznos Mulatságok[4], a cultural and educational newspaper published in Pest. The article describes a public examination held by the National School of Fencing (*Nemzeti Bajvívó Oskola*) in the hall of the "Magyar Király" (King of Hungary) Inn. According to the report, the students demonstrated remarkable progress, while instruction was conducted by Ferenc Friedrich and his son, Ferenc Friedrich Jr. (The history of the Friedrich family will be examined in a separate HemaLore article.)
The same report also contains the earliest contemporary reference known to me concerning the role of Count István Keglevich:
"...Special thanks are due to Count István Keglevich, who has worked tirelessly for the flourishing of the school. His truly Hungarian heart desires nothing more than to see the beloved youth of his country advance in the art of fencing, while developing the strength of their bodies alongside the cultivation of their minds. For years he has spared neither effort nor expense in pursuit of this noble goal. One can only hope that more parents and young people will recognise the benefits of this excellent physical exercise and will not fail to take advantage of the opportunity to teach and learn it free of charge..."
A notice published in Nemzeti Újság[5] on 10 September 1835, signed by Baron Albert Prónay in his capacity as Acting Director, sheds new light on the early history of the National Fencing Institute of Pest. According to the announcement, nearly seventy shareholders had already joined the foundation of the Institute in order to secure its long-term future, each contributing through a perpetual founding certificate. The notice describes the Institute's organisational structure, its shareholder system, its fencing masters, the organisation of instruction, and its premises in Pest. Taken together, the document presents the picture of an organised institution with established regulations already in operation by September 1835.
The announcement reads as follows:
"National Fencing Institute.
The beneficial influence of this national institution has recently inspired several distinguished patriots to provide for its permanent establishment and orderly continuation. This has now been accomplished, as nearly seventy shareholders have already secured the future of the Institute through perpetual founding certificates, with more supporters joining each day.
It is both noble and admirable that such a national institution—one indispensable for the cultivation of both the mind and the body—has found such generous patrons in our homeland.
Each share represents a capital value of 400 forints, of which the shareholder is required to pay only the annual interest of 24 forints. In return for this modest contribution, shareholders enjoy all the rights and privileges of the Institute. They may nominate young men to receive fencing instruction, introduce guests, practise fencing themselves, vote at the general meetings, and enjoy the other benefits offered by the Institute.
The fencing masters of the Institute are Ferenc Friedrich and his son, both widely renowned at home and abroad, who provide instruction in Hungarian, German, or French, according to the wishes of the student.
Instruction begins each year with the opening of the academic term on 1 October. Shareholders wishing to nominate students are requested to send them to the fencing master together with their names and addresses. Following notification to the Director, such students are admitted and enrolled free of charge.
The Institute is presently located on the first floor of the corner building opposite the Seminary Church, No. 36. During teaching hours, the Institute remains open to guests introduced by shareholders as well as to foreign visitors, who may enjoy all of its privileges.
Pest, 10 September 1835.
Baron Albert Prónay, Acting Director of the National Fencing Institute"
Only a few days later, on 16 September 1835, the newspaper Rajzolatok[6] confirmed the same information:
"A fencing institute has been established in Pest by seventy shareholders. The fencing masters of the Institute are the well-known Ferenc Friedrich and his son."
Based on these two contemporary sources, it is reasonable to conclude that the National Fencing Institute of Pest (Pesti Nemzeti Vívó Intézet) was formally organised as an institution in September 1835. By this time, it already possessed an Acting Director, a shareholder system, a permanent location, and permanent fencing masters. The sources indicate that Baron Albert Prónay served as Acting Director, while instruction was provided by Ferenc Friedrich and his son, Ferenc Friedrich Jr.
This does not, however, mean that organised fencing instruction in Pest began only at that time. The National School of Fencing (Nemzeti Bajvívó Oskola), mentioned in 1834, where Ferenc Friedrich and his son also taught under the patronage of Count István Keglevich, clearly demonstrates that an organised fencing school already existed before the establishment of the Institute.
Based on the evidence currently available, it is reasonable to suggest that this National School of Fencing served as the direct predecessor of the National Fencing Institute of Pest. In 1835, its activities appear to have been formally institutionalised and placed on a permanent financial footing through the introduction of the shareholder system.
To Be Continued
In the second part of this series, we will examine in greater detail the relationship of the Keglevich family, Baron Miklós Wesselényi, and Count István Széchenyi to the National Fencing Institute of Pest. We will also explore the Institute's directors, its shareholder system, and the role played by its founding shareholders in the establishment and operation of the Institution.
Thank you for reading!
Gábor Antali
Support HemaLore
If you enjoyed this article and would like to support the continued growth of HemaLore, please consider becoming a supporter for just $1 per month.
Your support helps me research new topics, uncover forgotten sources, and continue creating articles about historical fencing and martial culture.
If you'd prefer another way to help, simply liking, sharing, or recommending HemaLore to others is greatly appreciated and makes a bigger difference than you might think.
Thank you for your support.
📚References
[1.] József Keresztessy, Commemorative Volume Published on the Fiftieth Anniversary of His Career as a Fencing Master. Budapest, 1892.
[2.] Baron Miklós Wesselényi, Travel Diary, 1821–1822.
[3.] Count István Széchenyi, Diaries, Volume II (1820–1825).
[4.] Hasznos Mulatságok, No. 32, 19 April 1834.
[5.] Nemzeti Újság – Hazai és Külföldi Tudósítások, No. 22, 12 September 1835.
[6.] Rajzolatok a Társas Élet és Divatvilágból, No. 22, 16 September 1835.
