OBLIEHANIE PEVNOSTI DRIENČANY JÁNOM HUŇADYM V ROKU 1452

In 1452, Jiskra’s Drienčany Fortress (district of Rimavská Sobota) was under siege and occupation by Ján Hunyady. This event has been attracting the attention of experts and laymen for a long time, since the oldest descriptions mention a very original means of conquering. The medieval chronicles state that the Drienčany Fortress was forced to capitulate because the valley underneath was blocked by an embankment and the defenders were threatened by drowning. Later on, the authors usually took over the chronicle information on faith, sometimes even adding to them. The contribution offers a reflection on the reality of this claim, verifying whether it was really possible to implement such a method of siege. Special consideration is dedicated not only to the factors supporting the chroniclers’ mentions (military mapping, assumed position) but also the circumstances raising doubts (assumed duration of the siege, absence of any visible traces).