Golden Bull of 1242 | |
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![]() Golden Bull of Béla IV. | |
Created | 16 November 1242 |
Location | Zagreb State Archive |
Author(s) | Béla IV |
Purpose | Béla IV proclaimed Gradec a royal free city |
The Golden Bull of 1242 was a golden bull or edict, issued by King Béla IV of Hungary to the inhabitants of Gradec (part of today's Zagreb, the capital of Croatia) during the Mongol invasion of Europe. By this golden bull, King Béla IV proclaimed Gradec a royal free city.[1] The document was issued on 16 November 1242 in Virovitica and reaffirmed in 1266.[2] The original is written on a piece of parchment 57 by 46 centimetres (22 by 18 in) in size, and is kept in strictly controlled conditions in the Croatian State Archives in Zagreb, while a copy is exhibited in the Zagreb City Museum.[3]