RUTHENIAN AND WALLACHIAN POPULATION OF EASTERN SLOVAKIA IN THE MIDDLE AGES

Ruthenian inhabitants had their significant role in the national, social and legal, as well as religious structure of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. There were two waves in their settlement. At the beginning of the 14th century they entered the territory according to German law, but at the same time the Wallachian element could be recorded as well. The Wallachian element was fully dominant later. On the other hand, at the beginning the resident territory of Wallachian inhabitants, who claimed to be of Ruthenian nationality, in East Slovakia were the same as the older locations settled according to German law. The Ruthenians and Wallachians used the regressive development in the 15th century. Later they moved into new territories and established new settlements.