Timeline: Juraj Jánošík 1688–1713 and his afterlife
Every documented date in the life of Juraj Jánošík – from his baptism in 1688 through the outlaw years to the 1713 trial – and how the legend grew afterwards. With sources and disputed dates flagged.
- Youth & army
Baptism in Varín
Juraj, son of Martin Jánošík and Anna Cesneková of Terchová, is baptised in the parish church of Varín. No birth date is recorded.
- Historical context
Peace of Karlowitz
End of the Great Turkish War; almost all of Hungary is under Habsburg rule.
- Historical context
Rákóczi’s uprising begins
Francis II Rákóczi rises against the Habsburgs. The rebels are called kuruc, the imperial troops labanc.
- Youth & army
In the kuruc army
A muster roll of Colonel Winkler’s infantry regiment lists Juraj Jánošík as a Rákóczi soldier.
- Historical context
Battle of Trenčín
A heavy kuruc defeat. That Jánošík fought or was captured here is often claimed but not documented.
- Youth & army
Guard at Bytča castle
Now in imperial service, Jánošík guards prisoners at Bytča – among them the outlaw captain Tomáš Uhorčík.
- Youth & army
Bought out of the army
His parents buy him out of military service; he returns to Terchová.
- Historical context
Peace of Szatmár
The uprising ends, leaving a devastated land, plague and hunger.
- Outlaw years
The outlaw’s oath
Around Michaelmas Jánošík joins Uhorčík’s band. Soon after, Uhorčík retires to Klenovec as “Martin Mravec” – and Jánošík becomes captain.
- Outlaw years
Raid on merchant Šipoš
The Žilina merchant Ján Šipoš is robbed of cloth – one of the first raids named in the records.
- Outlaw years
The priest of Domaniža
Parish priest Juraj Vrtík is shot by two robbers and dies in early October. Jánošík names Plavčík and “Huncaga” as the shooters; the court holds him responsible because he was present.
- Outlaw years
First arrest – and release
Caught with Uhorčík in Klenovec and held at Hrachovo, Jánošík is released after deputy county head Pavol Láni intervenes. An “escape” is legend.
- Arrest & trial
Final arrest
Haiduks of Liptov County seize Jánošík at Uhorčík’s house in Klenovec. The records do not say how.
- Arrest & trial
The trial opens
Before the county court in Svätý Mikuláš: prosecutor Alexander Čemický, presiding deputy county head Ladislav Okolicsányi, court-appointed defender Baltazár Palugyay.
- Arrest & trial
Torture and sentence
After “lighter and heavier” torture the sentence is passed: to be hung on a hook through the left side.
- Arrest & trial
Execution
Jánošík is executed in Liptovský Mikuláš. Neither the day nor the exact spot is securely recorded.
- Arrest & trial
Uhorčík broken on the wheel
Tomáš Uhorčík is also sentenced and broken on the wheel; the date is given by historian Marián Liščák.
- Afterlife & legend
First printed mention
An anecdote about the “chief robber Jánošík” appears in “Staré noviny literního umění”.
- Afterlife & legend
Botto’s “Smrť Jánošíkova”
Ján Botto turns Jánošík into a symbol of freedom – the key text of Slovak Romanticism.
- Afterlife & legend
First Slovak feature film
“Jánošík” by the Siakeľ brothers, funded by Slovaks in Chicago.
- Afterlife & legend
Frič’s film with Paľo Bielik
Martin Frič’s “Jánošík” shows the hero leaping onto the hook himself – an image from the film, not from the records.
- Afterlife & legend
Cikker’s opera “Juro Jánošík”
Premiere at the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava.
- Afterlife & legend
250 years: film and festival
Paľo Bielik makes “Jánošík I–II”; the Jánošíkove dni festival begins in Terchová.
- Afterlife & legend
Polish cult series
Thirteen episodes of “Janosik” starring Marek Perepeczko on Polish television.
- Afterlife & legend
Statue in Terchová
For the 300th anniversary of his birth, Ján Kulich’s 7.5-metre steel statue is unveiled above the village.
- Afterlife & legend
“The True Story”
Agnieszka Holland and Kasia Adamik film the story anew; premiere on 26 August 2009 in Nowy Sącz.
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