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Stephen IIIKing of Hungary and Croatia in 1162-1172, from the Arpad dynasty
Date of Birth: 01.01.1147
Country:  Dive |
Content:
- István III: A Troubled Reign in Medieval Hungary
- Rivalries with Byzantium
- Alliance with the Holy Roman Empire
- The "Inheritance of Béla"
- Marriages and Alliances
- Death and Succession
István III: A Troubled Reign in Medieval Hungary
Early Life and AccessionIstván III was born to King Géza II and his wife Euphrosyne of Kiev, daughter of Grand Prince Mstislav I of Kiev. King Louis VII of France became his godfather during his visit on a Crusade. István III ascended to the throne as a teenager upon his father's death.
Rivalries with Byzantium
Throughout his brief reign, István III faced opposition from the ambitious Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, who sought to establish Byzantine influence over Hungary. Manuel deposed István III twice, installing his uncle and rivals, László II and István IV, as Hungarian kings.
Alliance with the Holy Roman Empire
With the support of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, István III regained the throne in 1163. However, he soon faced a Byzantine invasion, which he repelled. Manuel then abandoned his support for István IV, recognizing István III as the legitimate king in exchange for territorial concessions and the surrender of his brother, Béla.
The "Inheritance of Béla"
Manuel Komnenos continued to challenge Hungarian authority by waging war over the "Inheritance of Béla," which included Croatia and Dalmatia. Despite several attempts, István III failed to recover these lost territories.
Marriages and Alliances
István III married Agnes of Austria in 1168, cementing an alliance with the Austrian duchy. However, Manuel Komnenos disrupted this alliance by luring Agnes's father, Duke Henry II, to his side.
Death and Succession
In 1172, while hosting a pilgrimage by his godfather, Louis VII of France, István III died unexpectedly at the age of 24. Suspicions of poisoning arose due to the opportune timing of his death, which weakened Hungary's position against Byzantium.
His death left no male heirs, and his pregnant wife, Agnes, gave birth to a short-lived son. In light of István III's lack of legitimate heirs, his brother Béla III, who had been raised at the Byzantine court and converted to Orthodoxy, ascended to the Hungarian throne.
