Stephen III of Hungary
Encyclopedia
Stephen III (in the summer of 1147 – 4 March 1172), King of Hungary
King of Croatia and Dalmatia (1162–1172). He ascended the throne as a child and he had to stand up against his uncles who usurped the crown supported by the Byzantine Empire. Stephen would win over his uncles, but he was obliged to cede Croatia and Dalmatia to the Byzantine Empire. During his reign, he tried to reoccupy the lost territories but he did not achieve his purpose.
by his wife Euphrosyne of Kiev
. His godfather was king Louis VII of France
, who was passing through Hungary to the Holy Land
when Stephen was born.
Although Stephen was named as his father's heir already in 1152, his succession could not be secured, because his uncles, Stephen
and Ladislaus
escaped to the court of the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Komnenos
.
, while the Hungarian barons proclaimed his elder uncle, Ladislaus
king.
Stephen could only count on the support of Archbishop Lukas, who denied to crown the pretender and was arrested. On 14 January 1163, King Ladislaus II
died, but his followers proclaimed king his younger brother, Stephen IV
. The new king supported the claims of the Byzantine Empire
without compromise which resulted in growing indignation among the Hungarian barons. In the beginning of 1163, the members of the gens (clan) Csák rebelled against the usurper, but they were defeated.
In the meantime, the young Stephen sought the assistance of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
and, leading the troops sent by the emperor, he defeated and arrested his uncle on 19 June 1163 at Székesfehérvár
. Following the battle, the young king retrieved the throne and, following Archbishop Lukas' advice, he set his uncle free, but the dethroned usurper fled to the Byzantine Empire
.
, whom their father had named as duke of Croatia and Dalmatia in his last will, to Constantinople
.
In the second half of 1164, Manuel I launched a new campaign against Hungary on the pretext of ensuring Duke Béla's paternal inheritance, i.e., he wanted to take Croatia and Dalmatia from the kingdom. King Vladislaus II of Bohemia, Duke Henry II of Austria
and Prince Yaroslav I of Halicz
came personally to Hungary with their armies to help Stephen against the emperor's invasion. Finally, with the mediation of the King of Bohemia, Stephen made peace with the emperor by transferring the Szerémség
to the Byzantine Empire.
In the beginning of 1165, Stephen tried to reconquer the Szerémség, and occupied the fortress of Zimony
, but the emperor made a counter-attack, reoccupied the fortress and conquered Bosnia
, Croatia
and Dalmatia
. In 1166, Stephen tried again to reoccupy the lost territories, but his troops were soon defeated at the Battle of Sirmium
.
In 1167 Stephen married a daughter of Yaroslav of Halicz, but in 1168 she was repudiated and sent back to her father. He married Agnes of Austria, a daughter of Duke Henry II of Austria
shortly after and launched a campaign against the Byzantine Empire with the support of his father-in-law, but their troops were defeated near Zimony.
Stephen granted estates to the Knights Templar
in Hungary, and he was the first king of Hungary to issue a charter for a town, i.e., for the Walloon
hospes of Székesfehérvár
.
In 1172, he met his father-in-law, who was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but during the meeting he suddenly fell ill and died. He was buried in Esztergom
.
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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...
King of Croatia and Dalmatia (1162–1172). He ascended the throne as a child and he had to stand up against his uncles who usurped the crown supported by the Byzantine Empire. Stephen would win over his uncles, but he was obliged to cede Croatia and Dalmatia to the Byzantine Empire. During his reign, he tried to reoccupy the lost territories but he did not achieve his purpose.
Early years
Stephen was the eldest son of King Géza II of HungaryGéza II of Hungary
Géza II , , King of Hungary, King of Croatia, Dalmatia and Rama . He ascended the throne as a child and during his minority the kingdom was governed by his mother and uncle...
by his wife Euphrosyne of Kiev
Euphrosyne of Kiev
Euphrosyne of Kiev was Queen consort of Hungary.Euphrosyne was the first daughter of Grand Prince Mstislav I of Kiev and his second wife, Liubava Dmitrievna...
. His godfather was king Louis VII of France
Louis VII of France
Louis VII was King of France, the son and successor of Louis VI . He ruled from 1137 until his death. He was a member of the House of Capet. His reign was dominated by feudal struggles , and saw the beginning of the long rivalry between France and England...
, who was passing through Hungary to the Holy Land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
when Stephen was born.
Although Stephen was named as his father's heir already in 1152, his succession could not be secured, because his uncles, Stephen
Stephen IV of Hungary
Stephen IV , King of Hungary . In his youth, he rebelled against his brother, King Géza II of Hungary and had to flee to the Court of the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Komnenos...
and Ladislaus
Ladislaus II of Hungary
Ladislaus II , King of Hungary. As a younger son, he was able to ascend to the throne only with the assistance of the Byzantine Empire against his nephew, King Stephen III after his brother's death...
escaped to the court of the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel I Komnenos
Manuel I Komnenos was a Byzantine Emperor of the 12th century who reigned over a crucial turning point in the history of Byzantium and the Mediterranean....
.
Struggle for the throne
Some days after his father's death on 31 May 1162, Lukas, Archbishop of Esztergom crowned Stephen, but shortly afterwards he had to face the campaign of the Emperor Manuel I, who supported the claims of his uncles. The young Stephen was obliged to escape to PozsonyBratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, while the Hungarian barons proclaimed his elder uncle, Ladislaus
Ladislaus II of Hungary
Ladislaus II , King of Hungary. As a younger son, he was able to ascend to the throne only with the assistance of the Byzantine Empire against his nephew, King Stephen III after his brother's death...
king.
Stephen could only count on the support of Archbishop Lukas, who denied to crown the pretender and was arrested. On 14 January 1163, King Ladislaus II
Ladislaus II of Hungary
Ladislaus II , King of Hungary. As a younger son, he was able to ascend to the throne only with the assistance of the Byzantine Empire against his nephew, King Stephen III after his brother's death...
died, but his followers proclaimed king his younger brother, Stephen IV
Stephen IV of Hungary
Stephen IV , King of Hungary . In his youth, he rebelled against his brother, King Géza II of Hungary and had to flee to the Court of the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Komnenos...
. The new king supported the claims of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
without compromise which resulted in growing indignation among the Hungarian barons. In the beginning of 1163, the members of the gens (clan) Csák rebelled against the usurper, but they were defeated.
In the meantime, the young Stephen sought the assistance 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...
and, leading the troops sent by the emperor, he defeated and arrested his uncle on 19 June 1163 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...
. Following the battle, the young king retrieved the throne and, following Archbishop Lukas' advice, he set his uncle free, but the dethroned usurper fled to the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
.
Wars with the Byzantine Empire
The Emperor Manuel I did not give up his plan to extend his influence over Hungary and lead his armies, on behalf of the pretender, to the southern part of the kingdom. But Stephen would resist the Byzantine attack; therefore the parties concluded peace at the end of the year and under their agreement the Byzantine Emperor withdrew his support of Stephen IV but the young Stephen agreed to send his brother BélaBéla 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...
, whom their father had named as duke of Croatia and Dalmatia in his last will, to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
.
In the second half of 1164, Manuel I launched a new campaign against Hungary on the pretext of ensuring Duke Béla's paternal inheritance, i.e., he wanted to take Croatia and Dalmatia from the kingdom. King Vladislaus II of Bohemia, Duke Henry II of Austria
Henry II, Duke of Austria
Henry II , Count Palatine of the Rhine, 1140–1141, Margrave of Austria from 1141 to 1156 and, as Henry XI, also Duke of Bavaria from 1141 to 1156, Duke of Austria, 1156–1177, was a prince of the Babenberg dynasty....
and Prince Yaroslav I of Halicz
Yaroslav Osmomysl
Yaroslav Osmomysl was the most famous Prince of Halych from the first dynasty of its rulers, which descended from Yaroslav I's eldest son. His sobriquet, meaning "Eight-Minded" in Old East Slavic, was granted to him in recognition of his wisdom...
came personally to Hungary with their armies to help Stephen against the emperor's invasion. Finally, with the mediation of the King of Bohemia, Stephen made peace with the emperor by transferring the Szerémség
Syrmia
Syrmia is a fertile region of the Pannonian Plain in Europe, between the Danube and Sava rivers. It is divided between Serbia in the east and Croatia in the west....
to the Byzantine Empire.
In the beginning of 1165, Stephen tried to reconquer the Szerémség, and occupied the fortress of Zimony
Zemun
Zemun is a historical town and one of the 17 municipalities which constitute the City of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia...
, but the emperor made a counter-attack, reoccupied the fortress and conquered 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...
, 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....
. In 1166, Stephen tried again to reoccupy the lost territories, but his troops were soon defeated at the Battle of Sirmium
Battle of Sirmium
The Battle of Sirmium or Battle of Zemun was fought on July 8, 1167 between the Byzantine Empire , and the Kingdom of Hungary...
.
In 1167 Stephen married a daughter of Yaroslav of Halicz, but in 1168 she was repudiated and sent back to her father. He married Agnes of Austria, a daughter of Duke Henry II of Austria
Henry II, Duke of Austria
Henry II , Count Palatine of the Rhine, 1140–1141, Margrave of Austria from 1141 to 1156 and, as Henry XI, also Duke of Bavaria from 1141 to 1156, Duke of Austria, 1156–1177, was a prince of the Babenberg dynasty....
shortly after and launched a campaign against the Byzantine Empire with the support of his father-in-law, but their troops were defeated near Zimony.
Last years
Stephen raised money to fund the expenses of his continuous wars with the Byzantine Empire by using the goods of the Church, which resulted in a conflict with Archbishop Lukas, who imposed ecclesiastical punishment on him. The conflict was solved by the Papal Legate Manfred, who persuaded Stephen to renounce the right of investiture.Stephen granted estates to the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
in Hungary, and he was the first king of Hungary to issue a charter for a town, i.e., for the Walloon
Walloon language
Walloon is a Romance language which was spoken as a primary language in large portions of the Walloon Region of Belgium and some villages of Northern France until the middle of the 20th century. It belongs to the langue d'oïl language family, whose most prominent member is the French language...
hospes of 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...
.
In 1172, he met his father-in-law, who was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but during the meeting he suddenly fell ill and died. He was buried 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....
.
Marriage
- In 1167, Stephen married a daughter of Prince Yaroslav OsmomyslYaroslav OsmomyslYaroslav Osmomysl was the most famous Prince of Halych from the first dynasty of its rulers, which descended from Yaroslav I's eldest son. His sobriquet, meaning "Eight-Minded" in Old East Slavic, was granted to him in recognition of his wisdom...
of Halicz. She was repudiated in 1168. - In 1168, Stephen married Agnes of Austria (c. 1154 – 13 January 1182), daughter of Henry II, Duke of AustriaHenry II, Duke of AustriaHenry II , Count Palatine of the Rhine, 1140–1141, Margrave of Austria from 1141 to 1156 and, as Henry XI, also Duke of Bavaria from 1141 to 1156, Duke of Austria, 1156–1177, was a prince of the Babenberg dynasty....
and his second wife, Theodora Comnena. This marriage produced two sons:- Bela (b. and d. 1168)
- Son (1172) either stillborn or died shortly after birth.
Sources
- Engel, Pat. Realm of St. Stephen : A History of Medieval Hungary, 2001
- 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)
- G. Vég, Magyarország királyai és királynői, Maecenas, 1990.
- Magyarország Történeti Kronológiája I. – A kezdetektől 1526-ig, főszerkesztő: Benda Kálmán (Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1981)
- (primary source) The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle, A. West, trans., Corvina, 1969.
- (primary source) John KinnamosJohn KinnamosJoannes Kinnamos or John Cinnamus was a Greek historian. He was imperial secretary to Emperor Manuel I , whom he accompanied on his campaigns in Europe and Asia Minor...
, Deeds of John and Manuel Comnenus, C.M. Brand, trans., Columbia University Press, 1976.
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