SHORT HISTORY OF HUNGARY


Foreword

I will try to list all available important historical events related to Hungary and/or the Hungarian people, in chronological order. As my information is caming from researching a large number of, many times conflicting information sources, I will try to include all variations of certain events. If available I will add links to historical figures, photos, biographies, various country maps, battlefield maps, and links to weapons used, etc. Generally the wording stays as simple and minimalistic as possible, however I do not leave out important events due to "space limitation", as history book writers do. I welcome any comments, additions, corrections and any volunteers who can help me out with this project. So far I revieved only 1% of my sources - so be patient.

The Origin of the Hungarians

This is probably the most argued and lest documented part of the Hungarian history. Most dates and events were based on archeological finds and comparisons. Names of the various people, ethnic tribes, etc. were used in their Hungarian version unless German, Italian, English or other version of these names were available.

10000-7000 BC

The first Finnugor or Urali people appeared at both East and West side of the Southern Ural Mountains.

7000-6000 BC

The Finnugor people appeared by the Eastern side of the Baltic Sea.

6000-5000 BC

The Finnugor people appeared as far South as the area between the Caspian Sea and the Aral Lake.

4000-3500 BC

The unity (and connectivity) of the Finnugor people is broken. The Samojeds, Voguls and Manysics moved to the Upper-Ob and Yenisey rivers' area, Lapps moved to Scandinavia.

3500-3000 BC

Continuing the breakup, the Zurjens and Vots moved North up to the Northern Sea West of the Ural Mountains.

3000-2500 BC

The 1st Finnish people appeared in Karelia and at the current Finland's territory. The Magyars appeared by the Kama river, South-West of the Ural Mountains.

2500-2000 BC

Finnugor people appeared by the Volga river. (Mordvins, Mescsers, Muromas, Merjas and Cheremises, the Finnish side of the Finnugor people)

2000-1500 BC

The Finnugor people living East of the Ural Mountains settled down in farming communities. Finnugors west of the Urals entered the Bronze-age, some of these people started farming, however most of them stayed hunting, fishing, gathering. Additional Finns moved to the Baltics and Scandinavia, introducing the Bronze-age there. The Magyars moved slightly West from the Kama river area, finally separating themselves from the Eastern Ugor ethnic groups. There is evidence of horseback riding since this era.

1500-1400 BC

The Eastern Ugor people in Western Siberia developed into the Bronze-age. Indo-European (Iranian) people moved North into the Volga river area influencing the area's Finnugor occupants and introduced farming.

1200-1100 BC

The Finnugors gradually pushed out the Indo-European (Iranian) people who moved North into the Volga river area 300 years earlier. The remaining Iranians mixed into the Finnugors.

1000-900 BC

The Magyars were completely separated from other Finnugor groups and developed independently since. They still followed the hunting/nomadic life style.

800-500 BC

The Kama river area entered the Iron-age. The Upper-Volga Finns intermixed with the Baltic Finns and also entered the Iron-age.

600-400 BC

The Saramatas living at the Southern edge of the Urals are believed to be remains of Magyar and Vogul tribes. The Finnugor Voguls and Manysics living in the Ob river entered the Iron-age. These tribes absorbed some Asian people moving North.

400-300 BC

The Saramatas' territory expanded to the west, and now included most/all Magyar tribes. This area called Baskiria, is often referred to as Magna Hungaria, the 1st territory of the Hungarians (Magyars). The few remaining Magyar tribes from the East side of the Urals moved West into Magna Hungaria. Other sources puts this migration 5-600 years later.

300 BC -100 AD

Magna Hungaria was bordered by the Kama river on the North, Ural Mountains s on the East, Ural River on the South and the Volga River on the East. The Magyars apparently stayed in this area, continuing a generally nomadic horse-culture.

100-300 AD

The 1st Asian origin nomadic steppe tribes (such as the Huns) started their move to the west, towards the Ural Mountains. This started the Ugor tribes' migration from the East side of the Urals to the West side, including Magna Hungaria. There were non-Ugors in the migration, such as the probably Turkish Baskirs. Other Finnugors, Votjaks (Udmurts) and Cheremics (Maris) still occupied North of the Kama river.

300-500

Some of the migrating steppe tribes were absorbed by the Ugors. Some sources claim that the Magyar tribes started their migration westward in this time period, but other sources put this move several hundred years later.

500-700

Remains of Turkish origin people are found while the Magyars were still there (or by other sources, after the Hungarians left Magna Hungaria, and soon after that the nomadic Volga-Bolgars (Ogur or Onogur Bolgars) also occupied the territory. Some sources claim that the Ogur Bolgars were related to the Ugor people, other sources claim Turkish origins. Turkish origin words are introduced by the Bolgars to the Magyars. The Bolgars are not to be confused with the current slavic Bulgarians. The Bolgars have a tribe called the Alans. The Alans were also referred to as Jasz. The Bolgars also lived North of the Kaukasian Mountains.

552-630

Eastern Turk Empire, was located at the Southern Ob and Yenisey rivers area.

567-963

Western Turk Empire, later referred to as the Kazar Empire, was located at the Aral Lake and Sir-Darya river area.

603

The Kaukasian Bolgars rebelled against the Turks and established their own empire in the Kuban river area.

630-650

The Kazars took over the Turk Empire and later the Kaukasian Bolgar Empire. These Bolgar tribes moved West with the leadersip of Asparuh to the Danube area of the current Bulgaria by 680. Other Bolgars moved North into the Volga-Don area.

650-700

Magyars were belived to occupy the Don-Donec rivers area. The Kazar Empire claimed this territory its own, however it did not seem to try to rule over the Magyars. This area is also referred to as Levedia.

736

The Arabs waged war on the Bolgar Alan tribe, pushing them North to the Don-Donec rivers area.

811

The Danube-Bolgars led by Krum were belived to be helped by Magyars during their war with Byzantin Empire.

820

The Kazar Empire fell to the Jewish expansion northward. The Turkish origin Kabars lost their war of independence from the Jewish ruled Kazars and escaped North to the Magyar territory. The Kabars became allies of the Hungarians, and sometimes they were referred to as the '8th tribe'.

830

Due to the increasing Jewish military and religious pressure, most of the Magyars tribes moved Westward, leaving Levedia and the Kazar Empire.

839

Some Magyar tribes reached the Eastern end of the Karpathian Mountains.

854

The remaining Magyars in the Don-Donyec area were attacked by a Turkish origin Besenyos, (and by other sources they were also attacked by the Turkish origin Kangars - which maybe just an alternate name of the Besenyos). These Magyar tribes were sometimes referred to as Szavirs or Szavards. The Szavir Magyars escaped Southward from the invading Besenyos, and settled South of the Kaukasian Mountains, on the steppes by the Kura river, now in Azerbaijan.

860

Cyryll Constantin made a note of Magyars in the Krim peninsula area.

862

The first Magyars battled with the Frank Empire (King Louis) inside the Carpathian Basin.

870

According to Arabic documents, the Magyar leader (fejedelem) was called Kende (or Kunde) and the military leader was called Gyula.

881

Svatopluk, King of the slavic Moravia hired Magyars and Kabars during his war against the Frank Empire near Vienna. The Kabars stayed with the Magyars and were gradually absorbed. During the war the Magyars gained more knowledge of the Carpathian Basin and its occupants.

889

The Besenyos again attacked the Magyars in Levedia, pushing the tribes Westward again into the Dnieper-Dniester rivers area, which is referred to as Etelkoz.

892

Arnulf Frank King also hired the Western Magyars during his revenge war against the Morva Svatopluk.

893

Arabs under the leadership of Ismail ibn Ahmed attacked the most Eastern Magyars and the Uz (Oguz) people, from the South.

894

The Byzantian Emperor hired the Magyars against Simeon Bolgar Tzar. The leader of these Magyars was Levente, son of Arpad. And again, Svatopluk hired the Magyars against the Frank Empire. The Magyars took most of the Carpathian Basin from the Franks, when Svatopluk suddenly died, leaving the territory in Magyar hands. The combined Kazar and Uz army defeated the Besenyos, and pushed them westward, towards the back of the Magyars in Etelkoz.

The Hungarian State

This chapter covers the establishment of the Hungarian State until the era of I. Istvan King

895

The "Honfoglalas". Arpad started to move his Magyar tribes again, now from the plains of Etelkoz to westward beyond the Carpathian Mountains, into the Carpathian Basin which was partially militarily occupied by the Magyars during the previous year. Eventually it turned out that these mountains provided a defendable natural protection against further eastern nomadic attacks. However the Besenyos allied with the Bolgars attacked and defeated any Magyars still left outside the Carpathian Basin.

896-898

Large portion of the local occupants, a mixed group of Avars, Slavs, Franks moved south to Bulgaria from the Carpathian Basin. The pagan Magyars did not kill the mostly Christian remaining locals. The remainders were gradually absorbed by the Magyars.

899

The Western part of the Carpathian Basin was originally named Pannonia by the Romans. This area was partially still under Frank rule. Arnulf Frank King instigated the Magyars to attack Lombardia, an enemy of Arnulf. The Magyars, new to fortress siege and water-warfare, were defeated by Pietro Tribuno, Doge of Venice. Later the Magyars defeated Lombardian King Berengar I. King Arnulf suddenly died at the end of the year.

900

Using the Frank confusion after Arnulf's death, the Moravians from the North and Magyars from the East started move into Pannonia, The Magyars united with their returning army from Lombardia defeated the Moravians, and pushed them out from most of the Carpathian Basin. The Magyars offered peace to the new Frank King, Louis IV, the 'Child King' in order to keep Pannonia, but the Franks refused. The Magyars marched and army along the Danube all the way into Bavaria until they were defeated and turned back by Baron Lipot near Linz. The Magyars however kept all of Pannonia.

901

The Magyar excursion into Karinthia was defeated at Laibach. The Magyar excursion into Italy was successful as they took Vercelli.

902

The Magyars defeated the Moravian king and extended the northern border to the top of the Carpathian Mountains.

903

A Magyar excursion into Bavaria is started.

904

The Bavarians called for a peace meeting near the Fischa River, where they ambushed and killed the Magyar leaders including Kurszan.

905

Berengar I, King of Lombardia hired the Magyars to defeat the rebellious barons in his own country.

906

The Meissen area slavic Daleminces hired Magyars in their war against the Germanic Saxons.

907

Frank King, Louis IV, the 'Child King' started a war to take back Pannonia from the Magyars. The Magyars soundly defeated his army near Pozsony (Braslauespurch, now Bratislava). The King's military leader Prince Luitpold and Chancellor Theotmar died in battle. The Frank-Magyar border was moved west to Enns, where it stayed until 955. Later this year the Magyar leader, Arpad Fejedelem died, his son Zolta become the new Fejedelem.

908

A Magyar excursion into German Saxonia started, which continued into Thuringia. The Magyars defeated Burghard Thurigian Prince near Eisenach. The Prince died in battle.

909

The Magyars raided Bavaria and Schwabenland. They took Freising, but the returning army was chased by the Bavarians.

910

The Magyars raided the Frank Kingdom and defeated Louis IV, the 'Child King' again near Augsburg. The returning army also defeated the Bavarians near Neuhing.

911

The Magyar excursion travelled through Bavaria, Schwabenland, the Frank Kingdom all the way into Burgundy.

912

The Magyars defeated Konrad I German King and go on to raid the Frank Kingdom and Thuringia.

913

The Magyars raided Bavaria, Schwabenland and Burgundy. The returning army was attacked and chased by Arnulf Bavarian Prince near the Inn river.

914

Arnulf Bavarian Prince rebelled against Konrad I German King. Arnulf escaped to the Magyars for sanctuary.

915

The Magyars lead a raid into Schwabeland, the Frank Kingdom, Thuringia and overtook the city of Bremen.

916

Arnulf Bavarian Prince attacked Konrad I near Regensburg for the control of Bavaria. Arnulf was defeated and pulled his army back to the Magyars.

917

Magyars raided Lotharingia and took the city of Basel. Arnulf Bavarian Prince, now with the help of the Magyar army attacked Konrad I again. The attack was successful, Arnulf took back Bavaria. After this Arnulf remained allied with the Magyars.

919

Magyars raiding Saxonia and Lotharingia defeated Henrik I German King.

921

Berengar I, King of Lombardia and Rome, hired the Magyars again to defeat the rebellion in his own country near Brescia. The Magyar leaders were named Bogat and Tarhos.

922

The Magyars reach the Byzantian owned Apulia in Southern Italy.

924

King Berengar hired the Magyars under Szalard's leadership to take the city of Pavia. Soon after Pavia is taken, King Berengar was assassinated by rebels in Verona. Szalard and the Magyars took off towards the West, and reached the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The Magyars returning through Saxonia forced a 9-year peace agreement with Henrik I German King. The King also agreed to pay yearly tax to the Magyars.

926

The Magyars raided St.Gallen, Konstanz, entered Lotharingia and Burgundy and reached the Atlantic Ocean. The returning army extended the peace agreement with Arnulf Bavarian Prince by 6 years.

927

Magyars were hired by Italians King Hugo, Pope John X and Prince Peter as escorts/bodyguards and also to raid their 'enemy' cities Toscana and Apulia.

931

The Magyars raided the city of Piacenza.

932

Henrik I German King refused to pay his yearly tax to the Magyars.

933

The Magyars raided the German Kingdom for their refusal to pay taxes. The Magyars split into 2 armies. One army was defeated in Thuringia near Botha, the other by Henrik I, near Merseburg.

934

The Magyars in alliance with their old enemy the Besenyos invaded the Byzantian Empire, but instead of a battle they made a 9-year peace agreement in exchange for Byzantian tax payments.

937

The Magyars made an excursion through Schwabenland, Frank Kingdom, Thuringia, Saxonia, Lotharingia and reached Paris. On returning they passed through Dijon, the Alps, down to Capua in Italy before reaching home.

938

The Magyars raiding Saxonia split into 3 groups. The 2 small ones were defeated by the Stedenburgians near Wolfenbuttel and by the slavs near Drommling. The main army returned home without a fight.

942

Hugo Italian King paid the Magyars to wage war against the Moors (Kalifat of Cordoba) in Spain. The Magyars entered the moors' territory, but turned back after reaching the unfamiliar dry desert lands.

943

The Magyars and Romanos I Byzantian Emperor agreed to extend their 934 peace agreement for 5 more years in exchange for continuing Byzantian tax payments. Bertold Bavarian Prince chased out the raiding Magyars from Bavaria.

947

Taksony led the Magyars on a succesful raid to the Italian Otranto.

948

The Magyars renew their peace agreement with Konstatin VII Byzantian Emperor for 5 more years. Their leaders Bulcsu and Tormas were Christened in Constantinapoli. Based on Byzantian records the Magyars had 7 tribes (Jeno, Ker, Keszi, Kurtgyarmat, Megyer, Nyek and Tarjan), the 8th tribe was the Kabars. The Magyars' leader was called the Fejedelem, who was from Arpad Fejedelem's family (Fajsz Fejedelem 948-955). He had 2 'assistant' fejedelems, 'Gyula' for the military, 'Horka' for other internal issues. Additionally each tribe had its own 'Fejedelem'. In the same year Henrik I Bavarian Prince defeated a small group of raiding Magyars near Nordgau.

949

Gyula Fejedelem was Christened in Constantinopol. He returned with a bishop to teach Christianity to the Magyars. The raiding Magyars defeated Prince Henrik I in Bavaria.

951

Prince Henrik I of Bavaria invades Hungary and turns back after reaching the Raba river. Berengar II Italian King hired the Magyars to defend his country against the invading army of Otto I German King. Otto I defeated Berengar II before the Magyar help arrived. Otto I also defeated the Magyars near the Ticino river. Otto I annexed Northern Italy to his kingdom.

954

Lotharingian Prince Konrad the Red in alliance with Otto's son Schwabian Prince Liudolf rebelled against Otto I German King. Konrad called the Magyars for help, but by the time they arrived Otto made peace with the rebels. The Magyars led by Bulcsu raided the cities of Worms and Lobbes and turned back home after reaching Cambrai.

955

After the Magyars left the area, Otto I attacked and defeated the rebelling princes. The Magyars returned to Schwabenland and started the siege of Augsburg. On August 10, Otto I defeated the Magyars near Augsburg. He captured and executed the Magyar leaders Bulcsu, Lel and Sur. According to legend Lel (Lehel) as his last wish asked for his horn. He striked the leader of the enemy army on the head with the horn, killing him. New Magyar Fejedelem: Taksony, 955-972. After the defeat at Augsburg the Magyars discontinue their raids toward the West.

957

Due to Otto's win over the Magyars in Augsburg, Konstatin VII Byzantian Emperor refuses to pay his tax to the Magyars.

958

Botond led his 'tax collecting' Magyar army to the gate of Constantinopol. Not equipped for a successful siege of a heavily fortified fortress, the Magyars turned back empty handed.

961

Magyars raided Byzantian territories.

962

Magyars raided Byzantian territories again.

963

Pope John XII sent Bishop Zakeus to Hungary, however Otto I German King captured the Bishop to stop the possible alliance between the Pope and the Magyars. The Magyars raided Byzantian territories near Thessalonike, another group raided Macedonia.

970

Svatoslav Igorevich, Prince of Kiev, organized a large army consisting of Russians, Magyars, Bolgars and Besenyos to attack the Byzantian Empire, however the Byzantians defeated this army near Burgas. This was the last raid of the Magyars.

972

Taksony died, the new Fejedelem is Geza, his son (972-997) Prince Otto II married Princess Theophanu, building a German-Byzantian alliance, very dangerous for the Hungarians.

973

Geza Fejedelem sent emissaries to Otto I to discuss opening up Hungary for Christianity.

974

Geza Fejedelem and 500 high ranking Magyars were Christened.

983

Bavarian Prince Henrik II rebelled against Otto III German-Roman King. Geza took the Melk fort from Austria.

985

Austrian Prince Babenberg Lipot I took the Melk Fort back from the Magyars.

991

Bavarian Prince Henrik II took control the Austrian territory near Vienna.

995

Bavarian Prince Henrik II died. Istvan (Vajk), son of Geza fejedelem married Gisella, the daughter of Prince Henrik II.

996

The Magyars started to build the first churches. (The 1st one in Pannonhalma)

Kingdom of Hungary under the Arpad-family kings

997

Geza fejedelem died. His son Istvan became the new fejedelem (997-1000) and King of Hungary (1000-1038) After Geza's death, the oldest member of the Arpad Family, Koppany, son of Tar Zerind using an ancient nomad custom, wanted to merry Geza's widow, Sarolta, and claimed to be the new Fejedelem. Istvan with his own Magyar army with the help of German heavily armored cavalry (who came with Gisella from Germany) defeated Koppany's pagan-leaning army near Veszprem.

1000

Istvan fejedelem was crowned to be a King on December 25th. The Crown was sent by Pope Sylvester II.

1001

King Istvan (also called as the 'Founder of the State') reorganized the country in Western European style, including:
Established counties, archbishop seats, church seats and counties.
Started to mint the 1st Hungarian coins.
Released the 1st Law Book. This lawbook addressed the King's rights, the Churches' rights and religious regulations, guaranteed freedom, punished killing, kidnapping, robbery, withches, regulated slavery, protected orphans and widows.

1003

I. Istvan defeated Gyula, Fejedelem of Erdely (Transylvania), who did not follow Istvan into Christianity.

1008

I. Istvan's army led by Csanad defeated Ajtony, Fejedelem of the Maros area, who established Greek style church there.

1017

The Magyars had a few small fights with Polish forces who entered the Carpathian Basin at the Morva & Vag rivers' area.

1018

German-Roman King Henrik II made peace with Polish King Boleslo I in Bautzen. As one of the results, the original Magyar-Polish border was restored. I. Istvan allied with Byzantian Emperor Basileios II defeated Samuel Bolgar Tzar. This victory extended the Hungarian border down to the Danube, to the Northern border of the Byzantian Empire. Prince Imre, son of I. Istvan, married to a Byzantian princess. I. Istvan opened the Hungarian borders for Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.

1025

Venezian Gellert arrived to Hungary to help the Christian Church.

1026

German-Hungarian friendship broke down after Konrad II took the German crown. Konrad II chased Hungarian-allied Doge Otto Orseolo (I. Istvan's brother-in-law) and his son, Peter, out of Velence.

1027

I. Istvan refused passage through Hungary for Konrad's emmissary Bishop Werner to Byzantium.

1030

German-Roman King Konrad II invaded Hungary. He got as far as Esztergom (farther than any foreign invasion into Hungary during the last 135 years), but he had to turn back due to supply lines disabled by the Magyars. Konrad II was chased back to Vienna. Gellert was named the Bishop of Csanad.
I. Istvan released his 2nd Law Book. This lawbook addressed church-building requirements for every 10 villages, introduced the 'tenth' (tithe), established inheritance rules, more slavery regulations, punishes conspiracy, theft, slander.

1031

German-Roman King Konrad II and I. Istvan signed a peace agreement. As a result, the German-Hungarian border was moved west, to the River Morava. Prince Imre died in a hunting accident on Sept. 2nd, leaving I. Istvan without a successor.

1032

I. Istvan had his nephew, Vazul, blinded, to stop his aspirations for the throne. Vazul's sons Andras, Bela and Levente escaped to Poland. Later this year they unsuccessfully tried to have King I. Istvan assassinated. Istvan called his Venezian brother-in-law's son Orseolo Peter to Buda, who Istvan wanted to be his successor on the throne.

1038

I. Istvan, King of Hungary died on August 15th. Orseolo Peter was crowned as new King (1038-1041).

1040

King Peter provided significant military help to Czech Prince Bretislav against German-Roman Emperor Henrik III. [Note: Henrik's father, Konrad II, chased out Peter's Father, Otto, from Venice back in 1026.]

1041

The Magyars rebelled against the tyranny of King Peter and crowned I.Istvan's other nephew, Aba Samuel as King of Hungary (1041-1044). Peter sought sanctuary from Austrian Marquis Adalbert. King Peter asked for the help of German-Roman Emperor Henrik III's help to regain his throne. King Aba Samuel's representatives asked Henrik III to accept him as the new King of Hungary.

1042

Angried by Henrik's support of Peter, Aba Samuel sent his army to Austria and reached Tulln. Henrik III sent his army to invade Hungary, destroyed Hainburg and Pozsony and reached the River Garam.

1043

Henrik III refused Aba Samuel's first peace offering, but accepted the second offering which included territory and monetary payments from Hungary to Germany.

1044

King Peter's supporters rebelled against King Aba Samuel in Hungary. Aba Samuel ruthlessly destroyed the rebellion. German-Roman Emperor Henrik III invaded Hungary again and defeated Aba Samuel's army. Aba Samuel escaped to Heves, where he was assassinated. King Peter received his throne back (1044-1046).

1045

Henrik III visited Hungary. Henrik III feoffed [huberul adta] Hungary to Peter. I. Istvan's crown was sent to Rome.

1046

The eastern side of Hungary rebelled against King Peter for 'giving' the country to the Germans. The rebels called back the blinded Vazul's sons Andras and Levente from Russia. King Peter escaped to the west side of the country and asked for the help of German Henrik III. A group of pagan rebels, led by Vata, captured and killed Bishop Gellert. I. Andras was crowned in Szekesfehervar (1046-1060). King Peter was defeated by King Andras near Zamoly. King Peter was captured, blinded and later he died in captivity.

1047

I. Andras started to mint money. Andras allowed a group of Italians (vallons) to settle in Hungary. Prince Levente, the king's brother died.

1048

Prince Bela, the king's other brother came home from Poland and received about a third of the country as his princedom.

1049

I. Andras sent his army to the Byzantine Empire to Sofia, where they agree to a peace with the Emperor.

1050

Gebhardt, Bishop of Regensburg sent his army against Hungary, as an answer, the Hungarian army entered Austria. Gyorgy, Bishop of Kalocsa asked Pope Leo IX to influence a German-Hungarian peace agreement.

1051

German-Roman Emperor Henrik III invaded Hungary with his army while his ally, Gebhardt, Bishop of Regensburg sent his navy down the Danube. The Hungarians allowed them deep into the country without battle, but cut-off all supplies in front ant behind the invaders. Hunger turned back the German army. I Andras' army defeated the Germans on the Vertes Mountain. The German army suffered heavy losses while the Hungarians chased them back to Hainburg. The Bishop's navy turned back, it was an ineffective force without ground support. The peace offering by Pope Leo IX was refused by Henrik III.

1052

German-Roman Emperor Henrik III invaded Hungary again with his army and navy and he laid a siege of Pozsony (Bratislava). The Zotmund led Hungarians sunk Henrik's navy and the fortress was successfully defended. Pope Leo IX requested a peace again. Henrik gave up the siege and returned home.

1053

German-Roman Emperor Henrik III chased away Bavarian Prince Konrad I from his princedom. The prince took refuge in Hungary.

1054

Bavarian Prince Konrad I returns to Karinthia with Hungarian help and takes Hengistburg. After Roman-Byzantian disagreements, the Christian Church split into a Western and Eastern churches with Rome and Constantinopol as centers.

1056

German-Roman Emperor Henrik III died. I. Andras initiates peace talks with the new Emperor Henrik IV. The Hungarians complete their 1st census.

1057

I. Andras had his son, Salamon, crowned as king.

1058

I. Andras and German-Roman Emperor Henrik IV signed a peace agreement at Morvamezo. I. Andras' son, Salamon, was engaged to Henrik's sister, Judith. Komnenos Isaac I Byzantian Emperor sent his army towards Hungary, however the two countries signed a peace agreement in Sofia.

1059

Hungarian Prince Bela started to mint his own money within his princedom. I. Andras questioned Bela's future throne-aspiration against Salamon. Bela took refuge in Poland.

1060

Prince Bela returned to Hungary with a Polish army. His brother, I. Andras requested German help. Bela won the two brother's battle near the Tisza river. The battle-injured King, I. Andras, was captured, prisoned, and died shortly. Prince Bela was crowned as I. Bela King (1060-1063) in Szekesfehervar.

1061

I. Bela called the 1st National Assembly. The pagans under the leadership of Vata's son Janos, demanded the reinstatement of the pagan religion. I. Bela refused their request and closed the Assembly.

1063

I. Bela was injured in a accident and died. Henrik IV's German army brought back I. Andras' son, Salamon to Hungary and crowned him as new King (1063-1074) in Szekesfehervar. I. Bela's sons Geza, Laszlo and Lambert took refuge in Poland. The German army left Hungary. Prince Geza and his brothers returned to hungary with a Polish army. King Salamon pulled back to safety to Moson, near the German border.

1064

The Hungarian bishops negotiate a peace agreement between King Salamon and Prince Geza.

1067

The Czechs broke into Hungary and pillaged until they turned back from Trencsen. Hungary gave military help to Prince Geza's brother-in-law, Croatian King Zvonimir in his war against Venezian Doge Domenico Contareno.

1068

The Besenyos living in Moldavia organized a raiding party with the help of Uz and Kun tribes under the leadership of Osul. They broke into Erdely (Transylvania) at Borgo, than they went pillaging to Bihar, Szatmar and back to Erdely. The combined army of Salamon, Geza and Laszlo destroyed the raiders near Cserhalom.

1071

The Byzantians holding Nandorfehervar (Belgrad) hired the Besenyos to raid Hungary again. The Besenyos entered Hungary at Zimony and pillaged Szerem county. The combined army of the King and Princes defeated the Besenyos, took back the Szerem fortress. As a punishment, they also took Nandorfehervar from the Byzantians after a 60-day siege. Romanos Diogenes Byzantian Emperor was also defeated by the Muslim Seljuk Turks in Armenia.

1072

The Byzantians took back Nandorfehervar, however the Hungarians march into Byzantian territory all the was to Nis. Salamon and Geza returned home separately due to their growing disagreements.

1073

King Salamon went to the Germans for help against the three Princes. The Princes went to Poland, Russia and to the Czechs for help.

1074

The civil war started between the King and the Princes. King Salamon defeated Geza's army near Kemej in Szolnok. 18 days later Geza and Laszlo princes combined army defeated Salamon King at Mogyorod in Pest county. Salamon King took refuge in Germany and asked Emperor Henrik IV for help. Prince Geza was crowned new king (1074-1077). A large number of Besenyos asked King Geza for a settlement. They were allowed to settle in the Moson-Pozsony area, a borderguard zone near the German border. King Salamon with Henrik IV's German army entered into Hungary and advanced all the way to Vac, close to Buda. As the Hungarians did before during similar invasions, they cut off supplies of the Germans and forced them to turn back unsuccesfully. Byzantian Emperor Ducas Parapinakes accepted Geza as king and sent a crown to Geza. This crown became part of the Hungarian 'Saint Crown' later.

1075

Pope Gergely VII accepted I. Geza as King of Hungary.

1077

I. Geza initiated peace talks with Salamon King, however I. Geza died suddenly. His brother, I. Laszlo (1077-1095) was crowned new king. I. Laszlo released his 1st Lawbook. This law book addressed the investigation and punishment of thiefs, regulated the nador (palatine) and the judges, protected the king's messengers, regulated the servants, escaped servants, lost & found animals.

1078

I. Laszlo offered military help to Rudolf 'Rival' German King against Henrik IV German King.
I. Laszlo released his 2nd Lawbook. This law book addressed additional rules about thieves, investigation and handling of stolen property and animals, regulated merchants, limited the export of horses and oxen.

1079

I. Laszlo took back Moson Fortress from Salamon. Pope Gergely VII asked I. Laszlo to give refuge to chased away enemies of Henrik IV. German King Henrik IV invades Hungary again, and turned back due to supply problems again. [Will he ever learn?] I. Laszlo married Adelhaid, the daughter of Rudolf 'Rival' German King.

1080

Salamon gave up Pozsony and surrendered to I. Laszlo. I. Laszlo gave him property, but no political power.

1081

Salamon started to organize a rebellion against I. Laszlo, but he was captured and jailed in Visegrad Fortress.

1083

I. Istvan King, his son Prince Imre and Bishop Gellert were declared Saints. I. Laszlo released Salamon, who went to Germany and later to the Moldovian Besenyos.

1085

The Besenyos invaded the upper-Tisza river area under the leadership of Kutesk. I. Laszlo defeated and chased out the Besenyos.

1087

Pope Victor III was declared the successor of Pope Gergely VII, however German King Henrik IV selected his own pope, 'Rival Pope' Kelemen III. The Moldovian Besenyos led by Cselgu invaded the Byzantian Empire. They were defeated at Drinapoly. Salamon ex-king who fought with the Besenyos died in battle.

1088

Salamon's widow, Judith, married Polish Prince Herman Ulaszlo I.

1091

Zvonimir Croatian King died in 1087. After years of bloody civil war for the throne, the King widow, Queen Ilona called his brother I. Laszlo for help. I. Laszlo sent his army to Croatia and also annexed the neghboring Slavonia and part of Bosnia (Moesia). He crowned Prince Almos, son of I. Geza as King of Croatia. Kun tribes lived at the Lower-Danube and Black Sea area. Kun leader Kapolcs invaded Hungary in May. The Kuns entered pillaging into Erdely, then Bihar, then the Danube-Tisza flats. I. Laszlo's army returning from Croatia started to chase the Kuns. I. Laszlo caught up with the Kuns and destroyed them at the Temes-Pogancs rivers. Later this year The Kuns sent a larger army led by Akos to avenge Kapolcs' death. (The Russians were belived to entice or pay the Kuns.) I. Laszlo destroyed the 2nd Kun army and Laszlo himself killed Akos in the battle. Pope Orban II claimed that Croatia was the Pope's feoff (tributary), but I. Laszlo refused to accept the Pope's claim. After this disagreement I. Laszlo started to support 'Rival Pope' Kelemen III.

1092

I. Laszlo's new Lawbook was released after the Szabolcs Zsinat (Synod or convocation). This law book limited priest marriages, protected church property, addressed rebuilding of destroyed churches, prohibited settled and Christened Boszormenys to return to the muslim religion, prohibited Jews to marry Christians or to hold Christian servants, set religious holidays, regulated the tenth-collection, punished rape, unfaithfullness and pagan sacrifices, ordered withnesses and jury for court cases,
I. Laszlo sent an army into Russia to punish King Vasilko for his role in Akos' Kun invasion in 1091. The Hungarian army returned home after a peace agreement was reached.

1094

A rebellion was started in Poland against King Herman Ulaszlo I (Salamons widow, Queen Judith's second husband). I. Laszlo sent an army to Krakow to help Ulaszlo over the rebels.

1095

I. Laszlo started to organize the 1st Hungarian Crusade to the Holy Land. His decision was greatly influenced 2 years earlier by French Crusader, Vilmos IV, Count of Toulouse. Due to the Czech-Moravian throne-wars, I. Laszlo postponed his Crusade. I. Laszlo went to help Konrad Moravian Prince against Bretislav II Czech King. I. Laszlo fell seriously ill on the road, and designated I. Geza's oldest son, Konyves (Bookish) Kalman to be his successor for the Hungarian throne. I. Laszlo died on July 29. Kalman became new king (1095-1116).

1096

A French Crusader army led by Sansavior Valter entered Hungary, followed by German Crusaders led by Amiens Peter. Unfortunately the Crusaders started pillaging throughout the countryside until Kalman's forces chased them out of the country to the South. The pillaging of the next Crusaders led by French Folkmar was stopped early by King Kalman in Nyitra near the Nortwestern border. Priest Gottschalk's pillaging Crusaders entered from the West, were destroyed at Feheregyhaz. Kalman stopped the next group of German/French Crusaders, Charpentier Vilmos, Vicomte of Melun and Count Emich of Leiningen at the border by Moson. The Crusaders surrounded Kalman and laid a siege of Moson. After 6 weeks Kalman broke out of the fortress and destroyed the his attackers. Boullion Gottfried Lotharingian Prince arrived at the border with his Crusaders. Kalman agreed to let them pass, but only with a large Hungarian military escort until the Southern border.

1097

Konyves Kalman married to the daughter of Roger I Sicilian Count. Kalman agreed to an alliance with Venezian Doge Michiele Vitalis.

1098

Prince Almos rebelled agains King Kalman, but they reconciled after the nobles refused to go into civil war for them.

1099

Konyves Kalman sent an army to help Russian Prince Yaroslav against his father, Sviatopolk Izyaslavich, King of Kiev. The Kuns come to the aid of the Kievi King turned Kalman's army back home. Kalman and Bretislav II Czech King agreed to an alliance.

1100

King Konyves Kalman revised the previous kings' law books and released his new Lawbook. This law book clarified the church ownership, inheritance rules, protected land ownership, rewrote court rules, punished killers, robbers, thiefs, adulterers, kidnappers, perjury, eliminated the witch hunts, limited immigration, regulated customs duties (zoll), border passing and exports, regulated taxes, military draft, servants, revised rules for priests and churches, cemeteries, holidays and ordered the separation of Jews,

1101

The Christian Church Laws were established by the Esztergom Zsinat (Synod or convocation). These laws applied to the churches, priests, their servants, religious property, procedures, burials and punishments. The same year several Crusader armies passed through Hungary without major problems.

1102

Hungarian King Konyves Kalman was crowned as King of Croatia in Tengerfehervar.

1104

Alliance building: Hungarian Prince Almos married Predslava, daughter of Sviatopolk Izyaslavich, King of Kiev. Prince Janos, son of Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Elek married Piroska, daughter of I. Laszlo former Hungarian King.

1105

Prince Almos went to Passau and asked help from German-Roman Emperor Henrik IV against Hungarian King Kalman, but the Emperor did not help because of the rebellion of his own son, Henrik. Kalman King took over Southern Croatia and cities of Zara, Trau and Spalato. Dalmatia also surrendered to Kalman. Kalman named Bishop Lorinc to be the Ban of Croatia. ('Ban' was an Avar origin Croatian leader rank)

1106

Prince Almos, whose Princedom was taken by Kalman for his rebellion, went to Boleslo III Polish King for help. With Polish help, Almos took part of Abauj County. King Kalman agreed to an alliance with Boleslo III Polish King. Without further Polish support, Almos surrendered to Kalman.

1107

King Kalman provided military help to Boleslo III Polish King against his rebelling half-brother Zbigniew.

1108

King Kalman provided military help to the Byzantian-Venezian alliance against Normann Prince Boemund. The alliance defeated the Normanns near Apulia. Prince Almos went to Passau again and asked help from the new German-Roman Emperor Henrik V against Hungarian King Kalman. Henrik V sent an army against Hungary and started the siege of Pozsony. Czech Prince Svatopluk saw his chance and invaded Hungary in the Vag River area. King Kalman's ally, Boleslo III Polish King attacked the Czechs to help Hungary, which worked and Svatopluk returned home to defend his country. German Henrik V's siege of Pozsony was unsuccesful and he agrred to a peace with Kalman and returned home with his army. Kalman sent a punishing army to Czech Svatopluk's territory.

1109

Svatopluk Czech Prince and his brother Otto Moravian King pillaged the Nyitra area in Northern Hungary.

1112

After his wife's death, King Kalman married Eufemia, daughter of Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomah Pereslav King.

1114

Kalman's wife the pregnant Eufemia committed adultery and was sent back to her father.

1115

The Venezian navy attacked and took part of Dalmatia from Hungary. King Kalman ordered the blinding of rebelling Prince Almos, his young son Bela and followers Uros, Pal and Vata.
King Kalman released his new Lawbook, addressing only problems with Jews. This law book prohibited Jews from keeping trading and selling Christian servants, ordered all transactions between Jews and Christians to be in front of witnesses, in writing and sealed by both parties, provided help for the victims of Jews in these transactions. [During their history the Hungarians showed a great deal of tolerance (much greater than most other countries) towards different religious and ethnic groups (even former enemies) who were seeking sanctuary and/or settlements on Hungarian territories so one must wonder what made this LawBook a necessity]
The Church II. Zsinat released new and revised church laws ordering daily praying for the priests, prohibited the marriage of priests, ordered the excommunication of the anti-king conspirators, established marriage laws, religious holidays, punished kidnappings, including the old 'right of 1st night'.

1116

King Kalman died, his son, II. Istvan was crowned new king (1116-1131). As a new king. Istvan's hands are full. He lost a border skirmish against Czech Prince Ulaszlo I at the Olsava River. Venezia started a new attack to take over Dalmatia and they took Zara and Spalato from Hungary.

1117

King Istvan II sent his army to Dalmatia. They laid siege of Zara. The army defeated the Venezian army sent to relieve the siege of Zara, however they were not able to take the city. II. Istvan agreed to a 5-year peace with Venezia.

1118

King Istvan II got into a disagreement with the Austrians. Istvan's army pillaged Austria, Lipot III Austrian Marque pillaged Sopron County. Czech King Borivoj II also sent an army to pillage Hungary.

1120

II. Istvan married to the daughter of Normann Prince Robert of Capua.

1122

Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Jan II defeated the Besenyos at Berhoe in Thrakia. The surviving Besenyo refugees found refuge in Hungary. Besenyo soldiers became II. Istvan's mercenaries.

1123

Russian King Yaroslav of Ladomer was overthrown and asked for II. Istvan's help. II. Istvan sent an army to help Yaroslav, and started a siege to take back the Fortress of Ladomer. Yaroslav died during the siege and the Hungarians saw no point continuing the attack, they returned home.

1124

After the 5-year peace agreement with Venice expired, II. Istvan sent his army to Dalmatia and re-took the territory from the Venezians.

1125

The Venezian navy returned from the Holy Land and took the Dalmatian port cities from Hungary. Prince Almos and his followers escaped to the Byzantian Empire.

1126

II. Istvan agreed to an alliance with Czech King Sobeslav I, and provided an army to the Czechs against Poland.

1127

II. Istvan signed a peace treaty with Bishop Konrad of Salzburg. II. Istvan sent his army against the Byzantian Empire as a punishment for Byzantian attacks of Hungarian merchants and for providing sanctuary to rebel Prince Almos. II. Istvan captured Nandorfehervar (Belgrad), Barancs, Nis and Sofia. He turned back near Philippolis (Plovdiv). Prince Almos died later this year.

1128

Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Jan II attacked Hungary with his army. They captured Barancs, Haram, Zimony and the Szeremseg.

1129

II. Istvan received military help from his ally, the Czech-Moravian King and attacked the Byzantian Empire. He took back barancs and the Szeremseg. First he pulled back from a direct battle with Emperor Komnenos Jan II, but then counterattacked the advancing Byzantians and almost captured the Emperor himself. II. Istvan and the Emperor signed a peace treaty later in the year.

1130

II. Istvan became very sick and had no direct heir to the throne. The nobles selected Saul, II. Istvan's nephew, another group of nobles selected Ispan (Country-steward) Bors for the throne. II. Istvan got better and Ispan Bors was exiled to Byzantium. Prince Almos' son, Vak (Blind) Bela married to Ilona, daughter of Serbian Zhupan Uros I.

1131

II. Istvan died. Prince Vak (Blind) Bela II was crowned new king (1131-1141) in Szekesfehervar. II. Bela extended the 4-year peace treaty with Bishop Konrad of Salzburg.

1132

King Kalman's exiled wife Eufemia's son, Boris wanted the Hungarian throne for himself and recruited an army in Poland against II. Bela. II. Bela executed 68 Boris-supporting nobles in Arad. Boris's army contained Boleslo III Polish King's army, Russian mercenaries and some Hungarian followers. II. Bela's Hungarian army is supported by Austrian Count Adalbert commanding his father, Babenberg Lipot III's army. II. Bela's army defeated Boris' army by the Sajo River on July 22.

1134

II. Bela, German-Roman Emperor Lothar II and Czech King Sobeslav I formed an alliance against Boleslo III Polish King.

1135

Vladimir Volodarevich, Prince of Halich (Przemysl) joined the alliance against Boleslo III Polish King. Boleslo III surrendered to Emperor Lothar II without a battle.

1136

II. Bela's army took back most of Dalmatia including Spalato.

1137

II. Bela's son, Laszlo was named Prince of Bosnia (now under Hungarian rule).

1139

Zsofia, daughter of II. Bela was engaged to Prince Henrik, son of German King Hohenstauf Konrad III. II. Bela sent an army to help Yaropolk, King of Kiev in his war against the Prince of Chernigov.

1141

II. Bela died and his son II. Geza was named new king (1141-1162)

1144

II. Geza sent an army to help Vladimir Volodarevich, Prince of Halich in his war against Vsevolod Olgovich. King of Kiev.

1146

Boris Claimant to the Hungarian throne got the support of German King Hohenstauf Konrad III, Czech King Ulaszlo II and Austrian Count Henrik II. Boris captured Pozsony with a German-Austrian mercenary army. II. Geza purchased back Pozsony, than declared war on Austria. II. Geza took the entire Hungarian army to the Austrian border and soundly defeated Austrian Count Henrik II's Austrian-German army by the Lajta River. II. Geza chased his enemies far into Austria, until the Fischa River.
II. Geza married Eufrozina, sister of Izyaslav Mstislavich Volinsky, King of Kiev.

1147

German King Konrad III marched through Hungary with his large Crusading army, followed by French King Louis VII's Crusaders, without incidents.

1148

II. Geza sent an army to help his brother-in-law, Izyaslav Mstislavich Volinsky, King of Kiev, in his war against the Prince of Chernigov.

1149

Yuri Dolgoruky Prince of Suzdal and ally of the Byzantians, overthrown Izyaslav Mstislavich Volinsky, King of Kiev. The dethroned king took refuge in Ladomer and asked II. Geza for help. II. Geza sent an army to Ladomer to help his brother-in-law. Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Manuel I attacked the Serbian Uros Zhupan, ally of Hungary. II. Geza sent an army to help the Serbians against the Byzantians.

1150

Izyaslav gave up his crown and the Russian Princes made a peace agreement, the Hungarians returned home. Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Manuel I defeated the combined Serbian-Hungarian army. The Serbians surrendered to the Byzantians. The Russian Princes broke the peace agreement, so Izyaslav asked for II. Geza's help again. II. Geza sent another army to help Izyaslav, but the cold Russian winter turned them back.
The old Pound weight system was replaced by the new Marka weight system.

1151

Vladimir, brother of Izyaslav ex-king of Kiev was engaged to daughter of Belos Croatian-Dalmatian Ban. Izyaslav retook Kiev with Hungarian help and regained his Kingdom. After the Hungarians returned home, Vladimir Volodarevich, Prince of Halich, defeated Izyaslav again. II. Geza and Austrian Count Henrik II meet and agreed to peace.

1152

New German-Roman Emperor Barbarossa Frederick I disclosed his plan to force Hungary into a feoff of Germany. II. Geza, as requested by dethroned Izyaslav again, sent a huge army to his brother-in-law's help. II. Geza and Izyaslav soundly defeated Vladimir Volodarevich, Prince of Halich, by the San River. Volodarevich pulled back to Przemysl and signed a peace with Izyaslav. While II. Geza was battling in Halich, Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Manuel I and Boris Claimant of the Hungarian throne attacked Hungary in the South. They took Zimony and Szerem area. A Hungarian army led by Belos Nador came for defense. Belos Nador attempted cut off and surround Emperor Manuel's army from the south. The Emperor relized this and pulled back to Byzantia. In the meantime Boris invaded Temes County. II. Geza returning from Halich chased Boris out of the country.

1153

II. Geza entered the Byzantian Empire for revenge. II. Geza and Emperor Manuel signed a peace agreement at the Lower-Danube. II. Geza made an alliance with the enemy of the Byzantian Empire, Sicilian Normann King, Roger II.

1154

Andronikos, cousin of the Byzantian Emperor Komnenos Manuel I rebelled against Manuel and requested II. Bela's help. II. Bela agreed to help for the promise of Nandorfehervar, Barancs and Nis and started the siege of Barancs. Manuel I captured Andronikos and sent an army against II. Geza. II. Geza defeated the Emperor's army, but returned home after learning Andronikos' capture.

1155

Byzantian Emperor Manuel I organized a new army against Hungary, but II. Geza was waiting for him at the Danube. Instead of a battle, the King and the Emperor signed a 5-year peace treaty.

1156

Byzantian Emperor Manuel I did not wait long, he sought alliance with German-Roman Emperor Barbarossa Frederick I in a war against Hungary. Frederick declined the alliance, assumably he wanted Hungary for himself. However, Frederick agreed to an anti-Hungarian alliance with Austrian Prince Henrik II.

1157

Prince Istvan, younger brother of II. Geza King, claimed the Hungarian throne with the help of German-Roman Emperor Barbarossa Frederick I. Prince Istvan was defeated and escaped to Germany.

1158

II. Geza agreed with German Emperor Frederick I to supply an army to help Frederick's army against Milano. In exchange Frederick stopped supporting Prince Istvan against II. Geza. Prince Istvan escaped to the Byzantian Empire. II. Geza sent archers to help Frederick in Milano.

1159

The Dalmatian city of Zara broke away from Venice rule and joined Hungary. The Venetians took Zara back with force. Prince Istvan married Maria, niece of Byzantian Emperor Manuel I. II. Geza's other brother, Laszlo also sought refuge in the Byzantian Empire.

1160

Victor IV was elected Pope in Pavia, supported by the Germans, Austrians and Czechs. Alexander III was elected Pope in Toulouse, supported by France, England and Spain. II Geza refused to take a side.

1161

II. Geza decided to support Pope Alexander III, broke his alliance with German Emperor Frederick and called his troops back from Milano. II. Geza agreed to an anti-German alliance with French King Louis VII, and Eberhard Bishop of Salzburg. Saxons and Vallons from Flandria and the Raina area came to Hungary to settle. II. Geza gave them land to settle in the Szepesseg and in Szeben County in Erdely.

1162

Milano capitulated to Frederick I. A group of Italian refugees from Milano allowed to settle in Hungary. II. Geza died, and Geza's son, III. Istvan was crowned new King of Hungary (1162-1172). Byzantian Emperor Manuel I sent II. Geza's youngest brother, Prince Istvan with an army to Hungary to claim the throne. III. Istvan took refuge in Austria. The Hungarian nobles refused to accept Prince Istvan, but accepted II. Geza's older brother, Prince Laszlo, who also returned to Hungary, to be King. So II. Laszlo was also crowned as new King of Hungary (1162-1163). II. Laszlo gave his brother Prince Istvan about a third of the country as his princedom.

1163

II. Laszlo died suddenly. His brother, IV. Istvan was crowned new King of Hungary (1163). III. Istvan moved into the Pozsony Fortress. The Csak nobles provided him with an army. IV Istvan asked the Byzantian Emperor for help, but the time they arrived, IV Istvan defeated the Csak nobles. On June 19 III. Istvan defeated IV. Istvan by Szekesfehervar. IV Istvan was captured and exiled to Byzantium. IV Istvan offered Hungary as a fieff to the Byzantian Empire. Emperor Manuel I marched to Nandorfehervar with his army. III. Istvan and the Emperor made a peace agreement, in which the Emperor stops supporting IV. Istvan, marries his daughter, Maria, to III. Istvan's brother Bela (Alexios), and receives Croatia and Dalmatia.

1164

The Dalmatian city Zara (again) rejected Venetian rule and joined Hungary. The Venetians unsuccesfully attacked Zara. Both III. Istvan and IV. Istvan turned to German Emperor Frederick for support. Frederick selected III. Istvan, so IV. Istvan went to the Byzantian Emperor for help. In April IV. Istvan and Byzantian Emperor Manuel I. entered Hungary with a large army. They crossed the Danube and reached Bacs where III. Istvan's army with additional Austrian and Halichi armies and King Ulaszlo II's Czech troops were waiting for them. They sign a peace agreement, in which the Byzantians kept Croatia and Dalmatia. IV. Istvan stayed in Zimony in Szeremseg (between the Lower-Danube and the Carpathians).

1165

III. Istvan sent his army to retake Szeremseg. They laid a siege of Zimony Fortress where IV. Istvan was holed up. The Byzantians sent a relief army to Zimony, but they were defeated by III. Istvan. During the siege IV. Istvan was assassinated and Zimony capitulated. After III. Istvan returned home, Byzantian Jan Ducas led an army which captured Bosnia and Dalmatia. Venice took the city of Zara again by force. Byzantian Emperor Manuel I. sent another army, which recaptured the Szeremseg from III. Istvan.

1166

Denes Ispan led a Hungarian army South and retook Szeremseg. Prince Bela (Alexios) leading a Byzantian army marched against Denes Ispan to stop their further encroachment. The Byzantian Emperor sent 2 more armies to invade Erdely. The Vlachs (Romanians) living at the Lower-Danube in alliance with the Byzantians sent their army to pillage in Erdely. III. Istvan and the Byzantian Emperor agreed to a truce. III. Istvan married Agnes, Austrian Princess. Ampud Nador led a Hungarian-Croatian army and defeated the Byzantians at Spalato and regained part of Dalmatia.

1167

Byzantian Emperor Manuel I. sent a new army to recapture the Szeremseg from III. Istvan. The Byzantians defeated the defender Denes Ispan's army. A peace agreement followed, in which Hungary kept Szeremseg, but handed over Dalmatia to the Byzantians. Hungary also made a peace agreement with Venice, which lasted 15 years.

1172

Saxon Prince Lion Henrik passed through Hungary with his Crusaders. Byzantian Emperor Manuel I crowned his young son, Alexios, as Emperor. Emperor Manuel broke the engagement between his daughter Maria and Hungarian Prince Bela. Emperor Manuel forced Prince Bela to marry Chatillon Anna Agnes, Princess of Antioch. Hungarian King III. Istvan died. The nobles named his brother, Prince Bela as new king. (1172-1196) Emperor Manuel I gave an army to Bela and sent him to Hungary to claim his throne.

1174

King III. Bela's younger brother, Prince Geza was jailed for claiming the throne for himself. Lipot, son of Austrian Prince Henrik II married to Ilona, sister of King III. Bela. The jailed Prince Geza escaped to Austria.

1176

Austrian Prince Henrik II refused to hand over escaped Prince Geza to III. Bela. III. Bela with his ally, Sobeslav II Czech Prince, twice broke into Austria in order to capture Prince Geza. III. Bela provided an army (led by Ampud Ban and Lestak Vajda) to help Byzantian Emperor Manuel I in his war against the muslim Sedjuk Turks. The Turks were victorious in this war.

1177

Austrian Prince Henrik II died, and Prince Geza escaped to Sobeslav II Czech Prince. [duh] Prince Sobeslav handed over Geza to III. Bela and he was prisoned again.

1178

Austrian Prince Lipot V invaded Moravia, but he turned back due to the threat of war from III. Bela.

1180

Byzantian Emperor Manuel I died and his son, Alexios II became new Emperor.

1181

III. Bela sent an army to recapture Dalmatia from the Byzantians. The Dalmatian cities surrendered. The Venetian ruled city of Zara also joined Hungary, for the third time.

1182

Prince Imre, son of III. Bela was engaged to the daughter of German Emperor Frederick I. III. Bela's army recaptured Nandorfehervar and Barancs from the Byzantians.

1183

III. Bela, in alliance with Serbian Prince Nemanja Istvan and Kulin Bosnian Ban liberated the Nis and Sofia areas from the Byzantians.

1184

Byzantian Emperor Alexios went on the offensive and pushed III. Bela's army back to the Barancs area. III. Bela's wife, Chatillon Anna died.

1185

Margit, daughter of III. Bela was married to Byzantian Emperor Angelos Isaac II. Nandorfehervar and Barancs was returned to the Byzantians as her wedding-dower,

1186

III. Bela married to Capet Margit, sister of French King Agost Phillip II.

1187

Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria captured the Holy Land, Jerusalem. Venice unsuccesfully tried to take Zara.

1188

III. Bela seized Halich during a throne-war there and made his son, Prince Andras a Governor of Halich.

1189

German Emperor Barbarossa Frederick I led his huge Crusader army through Hungary with support from III. Bela. Bela also freed his jailed brother, Geza to lead a small Hungarian Crusader army to accompany Barbarossa Frederick to the Holy Land. III. Bela sent and army to Halich to help his son Prince Andras there. Andras defeated the nobles of Halich and Prince Rostislav of Smolensk who came to the Halichians help. Barbarossa Frederick and his Crusaders got into a conflict with Byzantian Emperor Angelos Isaac II while passing through Byzantium.

1190

III. Bela helped the German and Byzantian Emperors to sign a peace agreement. Vladimir dethroned king of Halich with Polish help attacked and retook Halich from Prince Andras. Venice and Hungary renewed their peace agreemend. The dual-cross symbol appeared the first time in history, on III. Bela's coin. The Arpad-family rulers were represented by stepping lions in contemporary art.

1192

III. Bela invaded Serbia and captured part of it. Venice made another unsuccesful effort to take Zara. I. Laszlo King was named saint.

1194

III. Bela named his son Prince Imre to be Governer of Croatia and Dalmatia.

1195

III. Bela agreed to an alliance with Byzantian Emperor Angelos Isaac II against Bulgaria, however the Emperor was dethroned so no military action followed. The population of Hungary was estimated to be around 2 million.

1196

III. Bela organized a Hungarian Crusading army but he died suddenly. His son, Prince Imre was named King (1196-1204)

1197

III. Bela's widow, Margit, led the Hungarian Crusaders to Syria, where they joined the German Crusading army. Prince Andras, younger brother of King Imre claimed the throne. Prince Andras with the help of Steyr Prince Lipot VI defeated King Imre at Macsek in Slavonia. King Imre gave the princedom of Slavonia, Croatia and Dalmatia to Prince Andras.

1198

Prince Andras expanded his princedom by defeating the Serbs at Hulm and Raska.

1199

King Imre defeated his rebelling brother Prince Andras in battle at Rad in Somogy County. Andras escaped to Steyr Prince Lipot VI. King Imre also stopped a rebellion organized by Mog Nador.

1200

The Pope Ince III. made King Imre and Prince Andras to reconcile. Andras received his princedom back. King Imre married Constancia, daughter of Alfons II Aragon King. Prince Andras married Gertrud, daughter of Bertold IV Istrian-Meranian Prince. Ugor (Old Hungarian) tribes remained at the Irtis and Ob Rivers were falling under Turkish rule. Other Finnugor tribes remained East of the Volga were falling under Russian rule.

1201

King Imre sent an army to Serbia to help Vukan to overthrow his brother Istvan for the Serbian Zhupan (prince?) rank. Imre became the King of Serbia.

1202

King Imre ran a campaign against Kaloian Bulgarian Tzar. The Venetians with help of Crusaders finally took the city of Zara and destroyed it.

1203

Refugees from Zara took back their city from the Venetians on April 25. In the German throne-war King Imre militarily supported King Braunschweiger Otto IV against King Schwabian Phillip.

1204

King Imre died. His young son, III. Laszlo was crowned king. Prince Andras governed for the child king.

1205

III. Laszlo's mother escaped with him to Austria, where III. Laszlo died. Prince Andras was crowned king (1205-1235). King II. Andras was asked to send an army to Halich (Galicia) to help child king Danyiil Romanovich retain his position.

1206

The nobles of Halich overthrew king Danyiil Romanovich and put Volodimer Igorevich on the throne. The new king's brother Roman Igorevich escaped to Hungary and asked for help. Roman Igorevich overthrew his brother and became King of Halich with the help of the Hungarian army.

1208

Schwabian Philip German King was assassinated. Suspects Henrik Istrian Marques and Eckbert Bishop of Bamberg took refuge in Hungary. The nobles of Halich overthrew king Roman Igorevich. II. Andras sent Benedek Vajda with and army to Halich. Benedek Vajda captured Halich and stayed to govern the country. Prince Mstislav of Peresopnica attacked Benedek Vajda, but failed.

1209

Roman Igorevich and his brother Volodimer joined forces and chased Benedek Vajda out of Halich. Volodimer became the king.

1210

II. Andras sent military help to Boril Bulgarian Tzar against a rebellion in Vidin, Bulgaria. The leader of the Magyar army was Iwachin Ispan and it contained several units of ethnic people who were allowed to settle in Erdely. (Saxons, Szekelys, Besenyos and Romanians).

1211

Rest Coming soon


History of FGGY / FEMARU / FEG factory

 1891-1919 Fegyver es Gepgyar Reszvenytarsasag, Budapest ('F.G.GY.')
           (Weapon and Machinery Factory Company, Budapest)
 1919-1947 Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar Reszvenytarsasag of Budapest
           (Metal Products, Weapon and Machinery Factory Company, Budapest)
 1947-1975 Femaru es Szerszamgepgyar NV
           (Metal Products and Tool Machinery Factory Company)
 1975-2003 Fegyver es Gazkeszulekgyar ('FEG'), Budapest
           (Weapon and Gas Appliance Factory, Budapest)
 2003-     FEGArmy Fegyvergyarto Kft ('FEG'), Budapest
           (FEGArmy Weapon Manufacturing Company, Budapest)


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