Editing History of Slovakia (section)

==== Mongol invasion (1241–1242) ====
[[File:Spisska nova ves...castle.jpg|thumb|right|210px|The [[Mongol invasion of Europe|Mongol invasion in the 13th century]] led to construction of mighty stone castles, such as [[Spiš Castle]].]]
In 1241, the [[Mongols]] [[Mongol invasion of Europe|invaded and devastated]] the north-western parts of the kingdom. In April 1241, the Mongolian army crossed the border with [[Moravia]] near [[Starý Hrozenkov|Hrozenkov]]. [[Trenčín Castle]] resisted the attack, but nearby places were plundered and some of them have never been restored. Mongols turned to the south and devastated regions along rivers [[Váh]] and [[Nitra (river)|Nitra]]. Only the strong castles, ''e.g.'', [[Trenčín]], [[Nitra]], [[Fiľakovo]] ({{langx|hu|Fülek}}){{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=664}} and fortified towns could resist attack. A part of the unprotected population escaped to the mountains and rough terrain where they built hill forts and camps.  Most affected areas were the southwest Slovakia, Lower [[Pohronie]] to [[Zvolen]] and [[Zemplín (region)|Zemplín]]. It is estimated that at least a third of population died from famine and epidemics.{{sfn|Teich|Kováč|Brown|2011|p=39}}

Following the withdrawal of the Mongol army, [[Frederick II, Duke of Austria]] invaded the country. In July 1242 his army reached [[Hlohovec]] but the Hungarian army, mainly thank to troops from Trenčín and Nitra counties repelled the attack.{{sfn|Klein|Ruttkay|Marsina|1994|p=145}} [[Bogomer Ludány|Bohumír]] (Bogomer), the [[župa]]n of Trenčín who played an important role in the suppression of Austrian units, later led the army send to help [[Bolesław V the Chaste]] (son-in-law of the Hungarian king) attacked by [[Konrad I of Masovia]]. The army consisted mainly of soldiers from the ethnic Slovak counties.{{sfn|Klein|Ruttkay|Marsina|1994|p=145}}