The story of Juraj Jánošík

The court pronounced the judgment:
„Since the accused Juro Jánošík rejected God's commands and also the regional law, he has become a brigand two years ago and has made himself a leader of the brigands, with his journeymen he was depriving the people of their property, wo, as it is clear from his own declaration, he and his journeymen overshot and godlessly killed the priest from Domaniža. He committed other bad deeds too. For such bad influences and wrongdoing against the orders the hook is to be threaded through his left side and he should be hung as an example for further criminals.“

Jánošík !

Truth or legend? One of few indisputably Slovak historical characters. Adventurer defying suzerains, the hero of legends, stories and fairy-tales. Invincible lad with braids and belt enchanted by fairies. Righteous and generous brigand, who handed out handfuls of stolen goods to the poor. Simply – squire of the pad without the coat-of-arms, with his castle everywhere and nowhere. Shortly after his death the legend rose, the legend of Jánošík, brave brigand, who „leveled the world“, who was taking from the rich and giving to the poor. Folk fantasy favored him with fairy-tale features, magical force, extraordinary judgment and courageous deeds. He became a hero of multiple folk songs and legends.

Juraj was a son of vassal Martin Jánošík from Terchová. He spent his youth at home-stead together with his sister and three brothers, they were vassals at mastership of count Jakub Lowenburg. When eighteen years old, he was recruited to Kuruc army in surgents of František II Rákoci. After the lost Battle of Trenčín he escaped and returned home, but he was captured by imperial mercenaries, who forced him to military service for emperor by promises and threats. He was assigned to prison guards at Bytča castle where captured Kurucs were being held. At the time, Tomáš Uhorčík from Predmerie was imprisoned there and they became friends. Self-willed Tomáš Uhorčík was trying to persuade him to join his group of brigands. Jánošík helped Uhorčík (together with other members of „green regiments“) to escape. Runaways grouped armed tendance and made Uhorčík their leader.

On the request of his father, Jánošík was released from military service by general Ebergéni. After return from the army, Juraj stuck to farming for a certain time, he ploughed, sowed, harvested and behaved himself. But the fate stepped in and Juraj met old friend Uhorčík at fair in Liptovský Mikuláš, who gave him a better offer than all-day long drudgery on the field – smuggling horses from Poland. Jánošík became occasional member of Uhorčík’s group. He gradually integrated himself into group of brigands and he was very quick in learning tricks of this craft. After strict proving of prowess and loyalty, he jurared to brigand’s group and soon became brigands‘ captain (Uhorčík got married and gave up the position). Jánošík’s brigandery went on for a year and a half, its biggest part falls within summer and autumn of 1712. He spent the winter in Klenovec with his friend Uhorčík, where he was captured together with Uhorčík on the break of 1712 and 1713 by catchpolls from Liptov and imprisoned. After long interrogation and torture (when Janošík behaved as a real hero) court passed a sentence on him.

Execution of young, twenty five years old Janošík was realized at twilight of March 17th 1713 at place of execution in Mikuláš called "Šibeničky".