Wild boars, mummified hands and treason: The conspiracy theories that still haunt Hungarian history
Wild boars, mummified hands, and covert betrayals—Hungarian history is filled with twists that raise eyebrows. In this article, we explore three conspiracy theories that have puzzled historians and curious minds for centuries: the mysterious hunting accident of Miklós Zrínyi, questions surrounding the Holy Right Hand, and the enigmatic decisions leading up to the Treaty of Trianon.
Was Miklós Zrínyi poisoned?
One of Hungary’s most intriguing historical conspiracy theories involves the death of Miklós Zrínyi in 1664. Officially declared a tragic hunting accident involving a wild boar, many contemporary observers—and later generations—have doubted this explanation. Zrínyi, a noble warrior, poet, and military strategist, was on his way to Vienna to negotiate matters concerning Hungary when he suffered a fatal injury during a hunt.
As noted by Múlt-kor, given the fraught political atmosphere of the time, suspicion quickly fell upon the Habsburg court. Zrínyi had publicly criticised the Emperor’s Turkish policies and even maintained diplomatic ties with the French King Louis XIV. His sudden death conveniently removed a highly influential—and inconvenient—figure from the Habsburgs’ path. Further fuelling the conspiracy is a historical parallel: Prince Imre, son of King Stephen, also died under suspicious circumstances during a hunting trip. These eerie coincidences raise an enduring question—was Zrínyi’s death a tragic mishap, or a well-executed assassination?
The mystery of the Holy Right
Few objects in Hungarian history are as shrouded in myth as the Holy Right—the relic believed to be the preserved right hand of Saint Stephen, Hungary’s first king. But is it really his hand? Some theorise the relic isn’t actually his, and that the “Right Hand” label is merely symbolic, representing authority and virtues of leadership.
According to Magyar Kurír, the hand was discovered intact during Stephen’s canonisation in 1083, although the first reliable account comes much later from Bishop Hartvik. The relic remained in Ragusa for centuries until Empress Maria Theresa reclaimed it in 1771. Its exact identity remains uncertain even today—it may, in fact, be a left hand or merely a severed finger.
Trianon: A betrayal in advance?
The Treaty of Trianon remains one of Hungary’s deepest national traumas. According to the official narrative, the shocking peace terms were first revealed to the Hungarian delegation in early 1920. However, recent debate challenges this timeline. Some argue that elements within the Hungarian government were aware of the proposed borders far earlier but chose to remain silent—whether for political reasons or out of misplaced optimism.
As Főtér details, maps and diplomatic communications dating back to late 1918 suggest the Allies’ intentions were already clear. According to legend, the leadership at the time—especially those close to Mihály Károlyi—“sacrificed” the country in pursuit of a naïve dream. In truth, Hungary’s diplomatic influence was extremely limited, and the major powers had largely decided the terms during the war itself. Still, scholars continue to debate Hungary’s ability to influence events. As historian László Gulyás told Múlt-kor:
“There are three prevailing assessments of Mihály Károlyi among historians. One holds that he had no real options and did the best he could. Another suggests he meant no harm but lacked the political skill needed at the time. The third and most controversial view considers him a traitor based on these shortcomings.”
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