Stephen III of Hungary

Stephen III of Hungary, born in one thousand one hundred forty-seven, ascended to the throne as King of Hungary and Croatia in early June one thousand one hundred sixty-two, shortly after the passing of his father, Géza II. His reign began amidst familial strife, as his uncles, Ladislaus and Stephen, contested his claim to the crown, having aligned themselves with the Byzantine Empire.

Just six weeks post-coronation, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos launched a military campaign against Hungary, compelling the Hungarian lords to accept Ladislaus' rule. In search of safety, Stephen fled to Austria but returned to reclaim his power, successfully seizing Pressburg, now known as Bratislava in Slovakia. Following the death of Ladislaus on January fourteenth one thousand one hundred sixty-three, Stephen faced his younger uncle, Stephen IV, who took the throne without opposition but struggled to gain popularity.

On June nineteenth one thousand one hundred sixty-three, Stephen III triumphed over his uncle, expelling him from Hungary. Stephen IV, with the backing of Emperor Manuel I, attempted to reclaim his throne, but the emperor ultimately brokered peace with Stephen III. This agreement involved sending Stephen's younger brother, Béla, to Constantinople and permitting the Byzantines to take control of Béla's duchy, which encompassed Croatia, Dalmatia, and Sirmium.

Determined to recover these territories, Stephen III engaged in military conflicts against the Byzantine Empire from one thousand one hundred sixty-four to one thousand one hundred sixty-seven, yet he was unable to secure a decisive victory. His reign is noted for the establishment of the 'Székesfehérvár laws,' which marked the first significant privileges granted to a town within the Kingdom of Hungary. Additionally, in one thousand one hundred sixty-nine, he reached a concordat with the Holy See, relinquishing control over the appointment of prelates. Stephen III's life concluded without heirs, leaving a complex legacy behind.