Kariéra Jindřicha Meziříčského z Lomnice (+ 1554)

The study deals with political career of Moravian lord Jindřich Meziříčský of Lomnice, who was a son of very important Moravian land hetman Jan Meziříčský from Jagiellonian era. The historiography has not focused on the persone of Jindřich yet. The study seeks answers to following questions: What aspects gave Jindřich the opportunity to do political career. Was his position in politics extraordinary? Did he used his opportunity effectively? Was he proficient politician and army leader or was he only benefiting from his privileged position? Jindřich´s father was one of the most powerful and rich men of the Margravate, but there were his six sons and seven daughters, who claimed to his heritage. The brothers had to sell the family dominion Velké Meziříčí to their second cousin Jan the Rich of Pernštejn. Jindřich gained dominion Jemnice and Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou. The castle of the first mentioned city became his residence. We know very little about his building activities in his property. Jindřich´s father was one of the most powerful and rich men of the Margravate, but there were his six sons and seven daughters, who claimed to his heritage. The brothers had to sell the family dominion Velké Meziříčí to their second cousin Jan the Rich of Pernštejn. Therefore Jindřich gained Jemnice and Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou dominions. The castle of the first mentioned city became his residence. We know very little about his building activities in his property. Jindřich build his career on strong status of his house in the court and position in estates of the Moravian Margravate. The origin had to be supported by property. There were some noblemen, who did not have a lot of property and made the great career. The next generation was often in debt and had to sell his property. It seems, that Jindřich refused this way. Possibilities of Jindřich´s career were probably reduced by dividing his father’s heritage. Jindřich was qualified organizer, diplomat, and politician, therefore he was entrusted with many tasks. He was appointed military commander (polní hejtman), too. He makes very admirable career because of his nobility, property, and abilities. There are parallel examples of career increase in these social group. Very typical seems to be involving in many disciplines (land court, land assembly, land army, making of land laws and constitutions). Serving the king was very honorable job for most Moravian elites, but the most important interest was to be active in the land institutions under control of estates. Jindřich Meziříčský was the conservative lord, and he was active in land matters in later life although he was accused of embezzlement in army. Jindřich used his position in the right time (creation of the allod Jemnice). He was politically and militarily active and initiative (e.g. dispute over the Rožmberk´s property or the recruitment). He was a doer and he felt responsibility for the whole margravate. Jindřich was one of the most powerful men in Moravia. His achievements are clearly visible in comparison to his younger brothers. None of them made so great career as a member of Moravian estates. Apart from Jindřich´s activities, the power of their family declined a lot since the time of their father Jan Meziříčský. The position of Jan Meziříský was comparable to Zdeněk Lev of Rožmitál in Bohemia. Jindřich was very active and belonged to the most important men in the margravate, but he did not hold any land office.