Ethnicity Hungarian and Slovak | Territory Hungary and Slovakia | |
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Years active Early-late 19th century Criminal activities banditry, highway robbery, horse theft mail, robbery, train robbery | ||
The betyárs (Hungarian: betyárok), were the highwaymen of the 19th century Kingdom of Hungary. The "betyár" word is the Hungarian version of "Social Bandit". (The word itself is of Ottoman Turkish origin, meaning 'bachelor' or 'unmarried man'.)
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Several betyárs have become legendary figures who in the public mind fought for social justice. The most famous Hungarian betyárs were Sándor Rózsa from the plain, Jóska Sobri, Jóska Savanyú from Bakony and Márton Vidróczky from Mátra.
Hungarian folktale tradition
Until the 1830s, they were mainly, regarded as criminals but, an increasing public appetite for betyár songs, ballads and stories gradually, gave a romantic image to these armed and usually, mounted robbers. Rózsa is only the uppermost of a numerous of Hungarian outlaw heroes, or betyárs, who appear in Hungarian history and folklore. There is a far-flung Hungarian folktale tradition featuring a large number local Robin Hoods.