Székelyudvarhelyi Codex Facsimile Edition

The Székelyudvarhelyi Codex stands as one of the most significant Hungarian language manuscripts from the early 16th century, specifically dated to 1526-1528. This medieval Franciscan codex was created for nuns and represents an invaluable source for understanding religious literature, linguistic development, and manuscript culture in medieval Hungary. Named after Székelyudvarhely (now Odorheiu Secuiesc in Romania) where it has been preserved, the manuscript is particularly notable as one of the rare Hungarian manuscripts where both the translator and copyist are known by name.

Creation and Personal Context

The manuscript was primarily produced by Nyújtódi András, a Franciscan friar who translated and copied the first two major sections specifically for his sister Judit, a nun. This personal connection between creator and reader adds a unique dimension to the manuscript, demonstrating how family relationships facilitated the transmission of religious knowledge within monastic communities. András came from the village of Nyújtód in the historical Székely region and had received university education at Kraków, where he enrolled in 1508 and served as senior and counselor of the Hungarian bursa. The first section of the codex was completed on June 13, 1526, mere weeks before the catastrophic Battle of Mohács, which would fundamentally alter Hungarian history.

Physical Characteristics and Structure

The Székelyudvarhelyi Codex is a small paper manuscript, suitable for personal devotional reading. The complete codex consists of 188 folios, though several portions have been lost over time. The manuscript reveals a composite structure, created from binding together five originally separate sections that initially functioned independently. This is evidenced by varying degrees of wear on what were once outer pages of individual sections.

The binding consists of contemporary wooden boards covered with blind-tooled brown leather. The decoration features a sophisticated combination of Gothic and Renaissance elements, with floral lattice stamps, scattered rosettes, and a central five-petaled rosette demonstrating Renaissance design preferences. Dating to the mid-16th century, the binding represents an early example of Transylvanian Renaissance bookbinding.

Contents and Textual Composition

The codex contains six distinct textual units forming a comprehensive devotional anthology. The first section (pages 1-103) contains the Book of Judith, translated by Nyújtódi András with considerable independence from existing Hungarian versions. His translation prioritizes comprehension, frequently replacing Latin pronouns with proper names, employing clarifying synonyms, and providing extensive commentary on difficult passages using different colored ink.

The second section (pages 104-232) presents the "Fundamentum of Eternal Blessedness," the earliest known Hungarian-language catechism. Though incomplete due to missing leaves, this text demonstrates Nyújtódi's pedagogical concerns, maintaining a question-and-answer format while adapting content for its female monastic audience.

The third section, "On Death" (pages 233-312), dated 1528, was likely copied by or for Nyújtódi Judit. It presents thirty-one exempla dealing with mortality, drawing from multiple sources including Pelbartus de Themeswar and Jacobus de Voragine. The fourth section discusses "Holy Obedience" (pages 313-321), while the fifth addresses "The Dangers of Leaving Religious Life" (pages 323-356). The final section contains Gospel pericopes (pages 357-376) following Franciscan and Roman liturgical order.

Historical Journey and Preservation

The manuscript's post-medieval history reveals its recognition as a cultural treasure. By the 18th or early 19th century, it had entered the possession of the Jesuit college in Székelyudvarhely. In 1810, Fancsali Dániel added a Latin inscription identifying Nyújtódi András as a Franciscan friar. The codex subsequently entered the gymnasium's library, where it remained until World War II.

During the Second World War, the manuscript was evacuated for safekeeping, being transferred to the Roman Catholic bishopric of Szombathely on December 16, 1944. It eventually came to the National Széchényi Library in Budapest, from where it was returned to Székelyudvarhely in 1959. Since then, it has been preserved at the Roman Catholic parish in Székelyudvarhely, undergoing conservation treatment in 1993.

Linguistic and Scholarly Significance

The manuscript exhibits six different scribal hands, each with distinct characteristics providing insights into scribal practices and education levels. The orthographic systems employed reflect the transitional nature of Hungarian spelling in the early 16th century, with varying conventions for palatalization and vowel length representation. These variations provide valuable evidence for studying Hungarian historical phonology and the development of orthographic standards.

Cultural Impact and Contemporary Relevance

The Székelyudvarhelyi Codex illuminates the spiritual life of Hungarian Franciscan communities, particularly female monasticism. The selection of texts reflects contemporary concerns with death, obedience, and religious perseverance. The personal nature of the commission reveals the intersection of family bonds and religious vocation in medieval Hungarian society.

Today, the codex continues to attract scholarly attention from multiple disciplines. Literary historians examine its texts for insights into medieval Hungarian religious literature, linguists analyze its orthography for evidence of historical dialects, and art historians study its binding as an example of Gothic-Renaissance aesthetic transitions.