Emeric of Hungary
Encyclopedia
Emeric I (1174 – 30 September/30 November 1204), King of Hungary
and Croatia (1182–1204). He was crowned during his father's lifetime, but after his father's death he had to fight against his brother, Andrew
, who forced Emeric to assign the government of Croatia and Dalmatia to him. Emeric intervened in the internal struggles of the neighbouring countries and assisted the missionary work of the papal legates among the Bogumils
of Bosnia
. During his reign, the Doge of Venice
, Enrico Dandolo
, managed to persuade the leaders of the Fourth Crusade
to occupy and take Zára
from Hungary.
and his first wife, Agnes of Antioch
. His father had Emeric crowned on 16 May 1182 in order to ensure his succession. Emeric was betrothed to Agnes, the daughter of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
, but her premature death in 1184 prevented their marriage.
Emeric was crowned again in 1194, and his father appointed him as Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia. In his last will, King Béla III left his kingdom undivided to Emeric, while his younger son, Andrew
, inherited a large amount of money in order to fulfill his father's Crusader
oath.
began to quarrel, because the latter used the money he had inherited from his father to recruit followers among the barons. Duke Andrew also sought the assistance of Leopold V, Duke of Austria
, and they defeated Emeric in the Battle of Mecsek
in December 1197. Following the battle, Emeric had to transfer the government of the Duchies of Croatia and Dalmatia to his brother. Emeric married Infanta Constance of Aragon
probably in 1198.
However, Duke Andrew continued his conspiracies against Emeric. The king could count on the support of Pope Innocent III
who continuously tried to persuade the duke to fulfill his father's last will and organize a Crusade. The discordance in the royal family forced both the king and his brother to grant significant donations from the royal estates and revenues. For example, Emeric granted a tithe of the royal revenues to the Archbishop of Esztergom
and he also transferred the royal palace in Esztergom
to him.
In the beginning of 1199, Emeric was informed that Bishop Boleszlo of Vác had been conspiring with Duke Andrew against him; therefore he went to Vác and personally arrested the bishop on 10 March. Afterwards, he deprived his brother's partisans (e.g. Palatine Mog) of their dignities. In the summer of 1199, in the Battle of Rád, Emeric would defeat his brother, who had to flee to Austria. The two brothers made peace with the mediation of the Papal Legate Gregory, and Duke Andrew was granted the government of Croatia
and Dalmatia
again.
abdicates in 1196, giving the rule to his middle son Stefan II, while his eldest son and previous heir presumptive Vukan continues to rule his appanage on the Adriatic coast. While Nemanja was still alive, Vukan did not openly oppose the rule of Stefan II, but as soon as Nemanja died (1200), Vukan began plotting. At the same time, persuaded by Pope Innocent III, who wanted to suppress Bogomilism
in the Balkans
, Emeric, in 1201, joined up with Vukan and aided him in the coup against Stefan II. The coup was successful, Stefan II fled to Bulgaria and Vukan became the Grand Prince. Emeric gains a county west of the Morava river, and puts Vukan under his nominal rule, taking the title "King of Serbia".
Emeric then defeats Ban Kulin
of Bosnia
who had been supporting the Bogumils in his province. On 8 April 1203, Ban Kulin of Bosnia declared solemnly his allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church
and confirmed his fidelity to the King of Hungary. In 1203, Emeric hindered Cardinal Leo, who was carrying the royal crown Pope Innocent III had bestowed on Kaloyan of Bulgaria, in Hungary.
In 1202 or 1203, Emeric launched an unsuccessful campaign against Kaloyan of Bulgaria
, who was supporting Stefan II to reconquer Serbia. The conflicts took place in the frontiers of Serbia and Bulgaria, the Hungarian army subsequently retreated from Braničevo
and Vukan from Niš
, and by 1204 Stefan II had returned, pushing Vukan to his maritime appanage, ruling undisputedly.
in Dalmatia
, formerly under the protection of the Republic of Venice
, recognised Emeric as overlord in 1201. Doge Enrico Dandolo
managed to persuade the leaders of the Fourth Crusade
to take the city on behalf of the Serenìssima on 24 November 1202, despite the prohibition of Pope Innocent III. At Emeric's request the pope excommunicated the Venetians and the Crusaders, but the Hungarian troops could not reoccupy the city. The Dalmatians separated from Hungary by a treaty.
and the sceptre
, to his brother's camp near Varasd
and the duke surrendered voluntarily on the spur of the scene. Emeric had his brother arrested, but Duke Andrew managed to escape shortly afterwards.
Emeric, who had become more and more ill, had his young son, Ladislaus
crowned on 26 August 1204. Then, he reconciled with his brother whom he appointed to govern the kingdom during his son's minority.
Emeric was buried in the Cathedral of Eger
.
and his wife, Infanta Sancha of Castile
became king. Constance, meanwhile, fled to Vienna
and eventually married the Emperor Frederick II
.
King of Hungary HRH Crown Prince of Hungary HRH Prince of Hungary HRH Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia (1194–1196) King of Croatia
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King of Hungary
The King of Hungary was the head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 to 1918.The style of title "Apostolic King" was confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 and used afterwards by all the Kings of Hungary, so after this date the kings are referred to as "Apostolic King of...
and Croatia (1182–1204). He was crowned during his father's lifetime, but after his father's death he had to fight against his brother, Andrew
Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
, who forced Emeric to assign the government of Croatia and Dalmatia to him. Emeric intervened in the internal struggles of the neighbouring countries and assisted the missionary work of the papal legates among the Bogumils
Bogomilism
Bogomilism was a Gnostic religiopolitical sect founded in the First Bulgarian Empire by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Petar I in the 10th century...
of Bosnia
Bosnia (region)
Bosnia is a eponomous region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies mainly in the Dinaric Alps, ranging to the southern borders of the Pannonian plain, with the rivers Sava and Drina marking its northern and eastern borders. The other eponomous region, the southern, other half of the country is...
. During his reign, the Doge of Venice
Doge of Venice
The Doge of Venice , often mistranslated Duke was the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice for over a thousand years. Doges of Venice were elected for life by the city-state's aristocracy. Commonly the person selected as Doge was the shrewdest elder in the city...
, Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo — anglicised as Henry Dandolo and Latinized as Henricus Dandulus — was the 41st Doge of Venice from 1195 until his death...
, managed to persuade the leaders of the Fourth Crusade
Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire...
to occupy and take Zára
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
from Hungary.
Crown prince
Emeric was the eldest son of King Béla III of HungaryBéla III of Hungary
Béla III was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was educated in the court of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I who was planning to ensure his succession in the Byzantine Empire till the birth of his own son...
and his first wife, Agnes of Antioch
Agnes of Antioch
Agnes of Antioch, , Queen Consort of Hungary.Agnes was the daughter of Raynald of Châtillon, Prince of Antioch by right of his wife, and his first wife, Constance of Antioch...
. His father had Emeric crowned on 16 May 1182 in order to ensure his succession. Emeric was betrothed to Agnes, the daughter of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa was a German Holy Roman Emperor. He was elected King of Germany at Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March, crowned King of Italy in Pavia in 1155, and finally crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV, on 18 June 1155, and two years later in 1157 the term...
, but her premature death in 1184 prevented their marriage.
Emeric was crowned again in 1194, and his father appointed him as Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia. In his last will, King Béla III left his kingdom undivided to Emeric, while his younger son, Andrew
Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
, inherited a large amount of money in order to fulfill his father's Crusader
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
oath.
Struggles with his brother
On 23 April 1196, King Béla III died and Emeric ascended the throne. Shortly afterwards, Emeric and his brother AndrewAndrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
began to quarrel, because the latter used the money he had inherited from his father to recruit followers among the barons. Duke Andrew also sought the assistance of Leopold V, Duke of Austria
Leopold V, Duke of Austria
Leopold V , the Virtuous, was a Babenberg duke of Austria from 1177 and of Styria from 1192 until his death...
, and they defeated Emeric in the Battle of Mecsek
Mecsek
Mecsek is a mountain range in southern Hungary. It is situated in the Baranya region, in the north of the city of Pécs.-Geography:The mountains cover an area of approximately 500 km². The highest peak in the mountain range is Zengő , which has an elevation of 682 metres...
in December 1197. Following the battle, Emeric had to transfer the government of the Duchies of Croatia and Dalmatia to his brother. Emeric married Infanta Constance of Aragon
Constance of Aragon
Constance of Aragon was an Aragonese infanta who was by marriage firstly Queen consort of Hungary, and secondly Queen consort of Germany and Sicily and Holy Roman Empress...
probably in 1198.
However, Duke Andrew continued his conspiracies against Emeric. The king could count on the support of Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
who continuously tried to persuade the duke to fulfill his father's last will and organize a Crusade. The discordance in the royal family forced both the king and his brother to grant significant donations from the royal estates and revenues. For example, Emeric granted a tithe of the royal revenues to the Archbishop of Esztergom
Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest is part of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary. It represents two Hungarian cities, Esztergom and the national capital Budapest...
and he also transferred the royal palace in Esztergom
Esztergom
Esztergom , is a city in northern Hungary, 46 km north-west of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom county, on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there....
to him.
In the beginning of 1199, Emeric was informed that Bishop Boleszlo of Vác had been conspiring with Duke Andrew against him; therefore he went to Vác and personally arrested the bishop on 10 March. Afterwards, he deprived his brother's partisans (e.g. Palatine Mog) of their dignities. In the summer of 1199, in the Battle of Rád, Emeric would defeat his brother, who had to flee to Austria. The two brothers made peace with the mediation of the Papal Legate Gregory, and Duke Andrew was granted the government of Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
again.
Wars in the Balkans
In the Grand Principality of Serbia, Stefan NemanjaStefan Nemanja
Stefan Nemanja was the Grand Prince of the Grand Principality of Serbia from 1166 to 1196, a heir of the Vukanović dynasty that marked the beginning of a greater Serbian realm .He is remembered for his contributions to Serbian culture and...
abdicates in 1196, giving the rule to his middle son Stefan II, while his eldest son and previous heir presumptive Vukan continues to rule his appanage on the Adriatic coast. While Nemanja was still alive, Vukan did not openly oppose the rule of Stefan II, but as soon as Nemanja died (1200), Vukan began plotting. At the same time, persuaded by Pope Innocent III, who wanted to suppress Bogomilism
Bogomilism
Bogomilism was a Gnostic religiopolitical sect founded in the First Bulgarian Empire by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Petar I in the 10th century...
in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, Emeric, in 1201, joined up with Vukan and aided him in the coup against Stefan II. The coup was successful, Stefan II fled to Bulgaria and Vukan became the Grand Prince. Emeric gains a county west of the Morava river, and puts Vukan under his nominal rule, taking the title "King of Serbia".
Emeric then defeats Ban Kulin
Ban Kulin
Ban Kulin was a notable Ban of Bosnia who ruled from 1180 to 1204 first as a vassal of the Byzantine Empire and then of the Kingdom of Hungary. He was brought to the power by Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus. He had a son, Stjepan Kulinić who succeeded him as Bosnian Ban...
of Bosnia
Bosnia (region)
Bosnia is a eponomous region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies mainly in the Dinaric Alps, ranging to the southern borders of the Pannonian plain, with the rivers Sava and Drina marking its northern and eastern borders. The other eponomous region, the southern, other half of the country is...
who had been supporting the Bogumils in his province. On 8 April 1203, Ban Kulin of Bosnia declared solemnly his allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and confirmed his fidelity to the King of Hungary. In 1203, Emeric hindered Cardinal Leo, who was carrying the royal crown Pope Innocent III had bestowed on Kaloyan of Bulgaria, in Hungary.
In 1202 or 1203, Emeric launched an unsuccessful campaign against Kaloyan of Bulgaria
Kaloyan of Bulgaria
Kaloyan the Romanslayer , Ivan II , ruled as emperor of Bulgaria 1197-1207. He is the third and youngest brother of Peter IV and Ivan Asen I who managed to restore the Bulgarian Empire...
, who was supporting Stefan II to reconquer Serbia. The conflicts took place in the frontiers of Serbia and Bulgaria, the Hungarian army subsequently retreated from Braničevo
Branicevo
Braničevo can refer to:* Braničevo , a geographical region in Serbia.* Braničevo District, a district in Serbia.* Braničevo , a village in Serbia, in the Golubac municipality....
and Vukan from Niš
Niš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
, and by 1204 Stefan II had returned, pushing Vukan to his maritime appanage, ruling undisputedly.
Feud in Dalmatia
In the meantime, a new conflict was emerging, when the city of ZáraZadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
in Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
, formerly under the protection of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, recognised Emeric as overlord in 1201. Doge Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo — anglicised as Henry Dandolo and Latinized as Henricus Dandulus — was the 41st Doge of Venice from 1195 until his death...
managed to persuade the leaders of the Fourth Crusade
Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire...
to take the city on behalf of the Serenìssima on 24 November 1202, despite the prohibition of Pope Innocent III. At Emeric's request the pope excommunicated the Venetians and the Crusaders, but the Hungarian troops could not reoccupy the city. The Dalmatians separated from Hungary by a treaty.
Last years
In 1203, Duke Andrew began to conspire against Emeric again; therefore the king lead his armies to his brother's duchies. Emeric, when he realised that the duke's troops outnumbered his armies, went unarmed, wearing only the crownCrown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
and the sceptre
Sceptre
A sceptre is a symbolic ornamental rod or wand borne in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia.-Antiquity:...
, to his brother's camp near Varasd
Varaždin
Varaždin is a city in north Croatia, north of Zagreb on the highway A4. The total population is 47,055, with 38,746 on of the city settlement itself . The centre of Varaždin county is located near the Drava river, at...
and the duke surrendered voluntarily on the spur of the scene. Emeric had his brother arrested, but Duke Andrew managed to escape shortly afterwards.
Emeric, who had become more and more ill, had his young son, Ladislaus
Ladislaus III of Hungary
Ladislaus III was King of Hungary. and Croatia .He was the only son of King Emeric, King of Hungary and his queen, Infanta Constance of Aragon....
crowned on 26 August 1204. Then, he reconciled with his brother whom he appointed to govern the kingdom during his son's minority.
Emeric was buried in the Cathedral of Eger
Eger
Eger is the second largest city in Northern Hungary, the county seat of Heves, east of the Mátra Mountains. Eger is best known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings , and red and white wines.- Name :...
.
Marriage and child
# c. 1198: Infanta Constance of Aragon (c. 1179 – 23 June 1222), daughter of King Alfonso II of AragonAlfonso II of Aragon
Alfonso II or Alfons I ; Huesca, 1-25 March 1157 – 25 April 1196), called the Chaste or the Troubadour, was the King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona from 1164 until his death. He was the son of Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona and Petronilla of Aragon and the first King of Aragon who was...
and his wife, Infanta Sancha of Castile
- King Ladislaus III of HungaryLadislaus III of HungaryLadislaus III was King of Hungary. and Croatia .He was the only son of King Emeric, King of Hungary and his queen, Infanta Constance of Aragon....
(c. 1200 – 7 May 1205)
Legacy
When Emeric died, his infant son briefly became king but died in 1205. Emeric's brother AndrewAndrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
became king. Constance, meanwhile, fled to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and eventually married the Emperor Frederick II
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...
.
Titles
HAMApostolic Majesty
His Apostolic Majesty was a style used by the Kings of Hungary, in the sense of being latter-day apostles of Christianity.-First creation:The origin of this title dates from about A.D...
King of Hungary HRH Crown Prince of Hungary HRH Prince of Hungary HRH Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia (1194–1196) King of Croatia
Sources
- Kristó Gyula - Makk Ferenc: Az Árpád-ház uralkodói (IPC Könyvek, 1996)
- Korai Magyar Történeti Lexikon (9-14. század), főszerkesztő: Kristó Gyula, szerkesztők: Engel Pál és Makk Ferenc (Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1994)
- Ostrogorski, Georgjie. History of the Byzantine State, 1986
- Magyarország Történeti Kronológiája I. – A kezdetektől 1526-ig, főszerkesztő: Benda Kálmán (Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1981)
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