Stephen IV of Hungary

Stephen IV of Hungary, born in one thousand one hundred thirty-three, was a significant political figure who ascended to the throne of Hungary and Croatia between one thousand one hundred sixty-three and one thousand one hundred sixty-five. His rise to power came through the usurpation of the crown from his nephew, Stephen III, marking a tumultuous period in Hungarian history.

The third son of Béla II of Hungary, Stephen IV faced early challenges when a conspiracy against his brother, Géza II, failed, leading to his exile from Hungary in the summer of one thousand one hundred fifty-seven. Initially seeking refuge in the Holy Roman Empire, he found no support from Emperor Frederick I. Subsequently, he moved to the Byzantine Empire, where he married Maria Komnene, a niece of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, and converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Following the death of Géza II on thirty-one May one thousand one hundred sixty-two, Emperor Manuel sought to assist Stephen IV in reclaiming the crown from his young nephew. However, the Hungarian lords opposed Stephen IV and instead elected his brother, Ladislaus II, as king. After Ladislaus II's death on fourteen January one thousand one hundred sixty-three, Stephen IV succeeded him, but his reign was marred by unpopularity and opposition from the Hungarian nobility.

Despite his attempts to solidify his rule, Stephen IV faced significant challenges, including a decisive battle at Székesfehérvár on nineteen June one thousand one hundred sixty-three, where his nephew Stephen III defeated him, forcing him to flee once more. In his quest to regain the crown, he sought assistance from both Manuel I and Frederick I, but ultimately, both emperors abandoned him. He was settled in Syrmium, a province acquired from Hungary, where he met his untimely demise due to poisoning by partisans of his nephew during the siege of Zimony.