Execution of Peasant Leaders

Date: February 2, 1438 • Location: Turda, Romania

Nine leaders of the Transylvanian peasant revolt were executed in Torda.

The Transylvanian peasant revolt, also known as the Bábolna revolt was a popular revolt in the eastern territories of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1437. The revolt broke out after George Lépes, bishop of Transylvania, had failed to collect the tithe for years because of a temporary debasement of the coinage, but then demanded the arrears in one sum when coins of higher value were again issued. Most commoners were unable to pay the demanded sum, but the bishop did not renounce his claim and applied interdict and other ecclesiastic penalties to enforce the payment.