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Andras IIKing of Hungary from the Arpad dynasty
Date of Birth: 01.01.1175
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Childhood and Early Life
- Conflict with Brother
- Reign as King
- Fifth Crusade
- Internal Strife and the Golden Bull
- Conflict with his Son
- Diploma Andreanum
- Final Years
Childhood and Early Life
Andrew II (c. 1175-1235), was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary and his first wife, Agnes of Antioch. Given the second son status, Andrew had little hope of inheriting the throne.
Conflict with Brother
In 1196, upon the death of King Béla III, Andrew's elder brother, Emeric, ascended to the throne, while Andrew received a large sum of money to fulfill his father's vow to participate in the Crusades. Andrew, however, used these funds to recruit supporters among the barons.
In December 1197, Andrew's forces defeated King Emeric's army at the Battle of the Mecsek Mountains. Andrew was granted the duchies of Croatia and Dalmatia as his domain.
In 1199, Emeric defeated Andrew at the Battle of Rad, forcing him to flee to Austria. In 1200, the brothers reconciled through the mediation of the papal legate, Gregory.
Reign as King
Andrew was crowned King of Hungary on May 29, 1205. His reign was marked by radical changes in domestic policy, as he began to grant royal estates to his supporters. This policy, known as "novae institutiones," impoverished the treasury.
Andrew also played a significant role in the struggles within the Principality of Galicia. In 1205, he intervened to secure the rule of the young prince Daniel Romanovich.
Fifth Crusade
In 1217, Andrew embarked on the Fifth Crusade, leading a large army to the Holy Land. He rejoined the crusader forces led by King John of Jerusalem, King Hugh I of Cyprus, and Prince Bohemond IV of Antioch.
Andrew's army was defeated at the Battle of Bethsaida in 1217, and he returned to Hungary in 1218.
Internal Strife and the Golden Bull
Upon returning from the Crusade, Andrew found his kingdom in turmoil. He faced financial difficulties and growing discontent among the nobility.
In 1222, he was forced to issue the Golden Bull of 1222, a charter that limited the king's authority and protected the privileges of the magnates.
Conflict with his Son
Andrew's eldest son, Béla, grew increasingly dissatisfied with his father's rule and seized royal domains under his control. In 1226, open warfare erupted between father and son.
Diploma Andreanum
In 1224, Andrew issued the Diploma Andreanum, which granted special privileges to the Transylvanian Saxons, making it the oldest self-governing document in the world.
Final Years
Andrew's later years were marked by conflict with the Church and further instability in his kingdom. He died on September 21, 1235, leaving behind a legacy of both internal strife and foreign entanglement.