GOLD AND GLORY The Fate of Hungary’s Lost Treasures after World War Two

This thesis examines Hungary’s national identity and Cold-War diplomacy through the fate of two major cultural treasures: The Holy Crown of St Stephen and the Hungarian Gold Train (Werfen Train). By tracing the history of the Holy Crown from its origin myths and evolving role alongside the changing concept of Kingship the study shows how it became a crucial aspect of national identity and legitimacy not just for leaders but for the Hungarian people. By analyzing the seizure, mishandling and prolonged American custody of the Gold Train, this thesis exposes a different dimension of American postwar literature by showing a situation where it deviated from policy. Drawing on extensive archive research- including diplomatic correspondence, military records and restitution documentation- this thesis argues that while the United States framed its custody of these items as protective it often acted in direct violation of its own state principles. The treatment of these treasures reveals a broader underlying tension implicit in postwar Allied policy while illuminating Hungary’s distinct struggle for sovereignty and cultural continuity across a millennium.