Mátyás cult

Gáspár Heltai's Cancionale and Chronica develops and reinterprets the humanists' Mátyás cult. Heltai wanted to present the ideal, virtuous principal in the person of Mátyás. The importance of earlier Hungarian kings was that they preceded Mátyás (if they are "good principals", such as Charles I) or they showed Mátyás's negative reflections. Heltai wished to set an example for the Transylvanian principal with the praise of the just, humble, strong and decisive King Mátyás. The Hunyadi cult was built on the anti-Habsburg propaganda of the Szapolyai family, who supported the idea of a national kingdom. This idea was liked by the succeeding Báthory family as well. Later the poet Zrínyi compiled his Mátyás essays (1657) with the Transylvanian principal (György Rákóczi II)'s encouragement.

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