Battle of Ménfo
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Ménfő was an important battle in the early history of the Kingdom of Hungary
. Fought in 1044 at Ménfő, near Győr
, between an army of mostly Germans
and Hungarians (Magyars), it was a victory for the Germans and thus for Westernising influences in Hungary.
The Emperor Henry III invaded Hungary for the second time on 6 July 1044. His force was small and the Hungarian army of Samuel Aba large. However, there was disaffection in the Hungarian ranks and the army quickly fell apart in the face of the German cavalry. Samuel fled the field, but was captured by his rival for the throne, Peter Orseolo, and beheaded. Peter was reinstalled as king at Székesfehérvár
and did homage for his kingdom to Henry. The leading magnates and the less important nobles all came to Henry to make oaths of fidelity and vassalage. Hungary was made a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire
, though it was not to remain so for long.
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
. Fought in 1044 at Ménfő, near Győr
Gyor
-Climate:-Main sights:The ancient core of the city is Káptalan Hill at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, Rába and Rábca. Püspökvár, the residence of Győr’s bishops can be easily recognised by its incomplete tower. Győr’s oldest buildings are the 13th-century dwelling tower and the...
, between an army of mostly Germans
Kingdom of Germany
The Kingdom of Germany developed out of the eastern half of the former Carolingian Empire....
and Hungarians (Magyars), it was a victory for the Germans and thus for Westernising influences in Hungary.
The Emperor Henry III invaded Hungary for the second time on 6 July 1044. His force was small and the Hungarian army of Samuel Aba large. However, there was disaffection in the Hungarian ranks and the army quickly fell apart in the face of the German cavalry. Samuel fled the field, but was captured by his rival for the throne, Peter Orseolo, and beheaded. Peter was reinstalled as king at Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár is a city in central Hungary and is the 9th largest in the country. Located around southwest of Budapest. It is inhabited by 101,973 people , with 136,995 in the Székesfehérvár Subregion. The city is the centre of Fejér county and the regional centre of Central Transdanubia...
and did homage for his kingdom to Henry. The leading magnates and the less important nobles all came to Henry to make oaths of fidelity and vassalage. Hungary was made a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, though it was not to remain so for long.
Sources
- Gwatkin, H. M., Whitney, J. P. (ed) et al. The Cambridge Medieval History: Volume III. Cambridge University PressCambridge University PressCambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
, 1926.