Cities, Towns and Market Towns in the Context of the Regional Disparities of the Kingdom of Hungary around 1500

This paper examines the urban hierarchy of the late medieval Kingdom of Hungary, focusing on the distinctions and interactions between cities, towns and market towns around 1500. Based on a comprehensive database of historical–geographical research, the analysis reveals that economic functions, particularly trade and long-distance commerce, played a decisive role in the emergence of smaller urban centres, while the legal status of settlements (civitas, oppidum) only partially corresponded to their economic significance. The research highlights significant regional disparities: in some areas, such as the northeastern part of the kingdom, market towns served as dynamic reserves for urbanisation, whereas in the southwestern regions, they often remained stagnant. The findings also challenge previous assumptions by demonstrating that the distribution of smaller urban centres was shaped not only by economic potential but also by privileges granted centuries before, landownership patterns and external geopolitical pressures, including the Ottoman expansion. Additionally, the study identifies key methodological challenges, such as the integration of settlement networks and the role of rural communities in urban development. By reassessing the relationship between urban functions and spatial organisation, the article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of late medieval Central European urbanisation.