The absence in medieval Hungary of fief-holding and vassalage has often
been cited by historians as evidence of Hungary's early 'deviation' from
European norms. This new book argues that medieval Hungary was,
nevertheless, familiar with many institutions characteristic of noble
society in Europe. Contents include the origins of the Hungarian
nobility and baronage, lordship and clientage, the role of the noble
kindred, conditional landholding, the organization of the frontier, the
administration of the counties, and the establishment of representative
institutions.