Ladislaus the Posthumous

Ladislaus the Posthumous, born on February twenty-second, fourteen forty, was a significant historical figure as Duke of Austria and King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. He was the posthumous son of Albert of Habsburg and Elizabeth of Luxembourg. Following Albert's death, he bequeathed his realms to his unborn son, but only Austria recognized this last will. Amid fears of an Ottoman invasion, the Hungarian lords offered the crown to Vladislaus III of Poland, leading to a complex power struggle.

Upon his birth, Elizabeth seized the Holy Crown of Hungary and had Ladislaus crowned king in Székesfehérvár on May fifteenth, fourteen forty. However, the Diet of Hungary invalidated this coronation, electing Vladislaus I instead, which ignited a civil war. Elizabeth appointed Albert VI as Ladislaus's guardian, but he was soon overshadowed by Frederick III, King of the Romans, who took over the guardianship role.

After the death of his mother in late fourteen forty-two, Ladislaus's interests were represented by John Jiskra of Brandýs in Hungary and Ulrich II of Rosenberg in Bohemia. His rival Vladislaus fell in battle in November fourteen forty-four, and the Diet of Hungary offered to recognize Ladislaus as king if Frederick III renounced his guardianship. This led to John Hunyadi being elected regent in fourteen forty-six, while George of Poděbrady took control in Bohemia.

In September fourteen fifty-two, the Estates of Austria forced Frederick III to relinquish his guardianship, allowing Ladislaus to regain some royal authority. He was crowned king of Bohemia on October twenty-eighth, fourteen fifty-three, although Poděbrady maintained control over the government. The following years saw a complex interplay of power among Eytzinger, Hunyadi, and Poděbrady, with Ladislaus eventually reconciling with Ulrich II in early fourteen fifty-five.

As the Ottoman threat loomed, Ladislaus and Ulrich II fled Hungary. After Hunyadi's death in July fourteen fifty-six, Ladislaus returned, only to face challenges from Hunyadi's son, also named Ladislaus. Following a series of conflicts, the younger Ladislaus was executed in March fourteen fifty-seven, but this led to a rebellion against Ladislaus, forcing him to flee. He died unexpectedly in Prague, marking the end of the Albertinian Line of the House of Habsburg.