5 occasions when medieval Hungarian history could have changed

The medieval history of Hungary is full of unexpected twists. A prince prepared to continue his father’s work suddenly dies on a hunt. A king respected by both his friends and foes has only daughters. A soldier receives orders to castrate a prince, but he refuses. Helló Magyar collected five such turning points from medieval Hungarian history when everything could have changed below. 

Prince Emeric (Imre) rules

Who was the founder of Christian Hungary? Almost everybody knows that the first Christian king, Stephen I (1000-1038). If you read a bit more about the history of Hungary, you might add Stephen’s father, Géza (972-997). He invited priests and knights for the first time to Hungary. However, a ruler always needs a descendant who continues his work. That was especially true in Hungary. The state, the church, and the new faith were all weak in 1038. It was realistic that, without a strong ruler, Christianity would remain only an episode in the history of the Hungarians.

Stephen prepared his only son, Emeric for the task with great care.

He even wrote the Admonitions for him, which is a mirror for princes, a literary work summarizing the principles of government. Helló Magyar says that it might have been Emeric who led the Hungarian forces defeating the German army sent by Holy-Roman emperor Conrad II in 1030. However, Emeric died during a wild boar hunt in 1031. Since Stephen had no more sons, the young Kingdom of Hungary sunk into 8-year-long anarchy after the king passed away. Only Andrew I (1046-1060) could reestablish the order.

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What if Ladislaus I had a son?

If Stephen I founded the medieval Hungarian kingdom, it was Ladislaus I (1077-1095) who made it a European great power. Ladislaus was respected for his legislative work and conquests, too. However, he had “only” two daughters.

Piroska (Eiréné) is a saint of the Byzantine church and was the wife of John II Komnenos (1118-1143), the second emperor to rule during the Komnenian restoration of the Byzantine Empire.

Piroska was born around 1088, and even if Ladislaus had a son after her, he would probably never become a king. That is because the absolute primogeniture form of succession was not yet solid then. Therefore, instead of an infant, the throne would have probably passed to Kálmán and Álmos, the adult nephews of Ladislaus. However, Ladislaus’s son could have caused trouble later.

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King Kálmán (1095-1116) kills prince Ámos and his son, Béla

Only a few Hungarians know that the Árpád dynasty almost died out in the first quarter of the 12th century. Both King Kálmán and his brother had only one son. However, since Álmos conspired many times to overthrow his king, Kálmán blinded him and his son, Béla. Thus, they became unable to become rulers ever.