Editing Ladislaus I of Hungary (section)

== His reign ==

=== Consolidation (1077–1085) ===
[[File:Laszlo-Coronation-ChroniconPictum.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Angels crowning King Saint Ladislaus ([[Chronicon Pictum]], 1358)]]
Géza I died on 25 April 1077.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=32}} Since Géza's sons, [[Coloman, King of Hungary|Coloman]] and [[Álmos, Duke of Croatia|Álmos]], were [[Minor (law)|minors]], his supporters proclaimed Ladislaus king instead.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=110}} Gallus Anonymus emphasizes that King [[Boleslaus II the Bold]] of Poland "drove out" Solomon "from Hungary with his forces, and placed [Ladislaus] on the throne"; Boleslaus even called Ladislaus "his king".{{sfn|Bárány|2012|p=338}}<ref>''The Deeds of the Princes of the Poles'' (ch. 27–28.), pp.&nbsp;97–99.</ref>{{sfn|Manteuffel|1982|p=97}} Although the ''Illuminated Chronicle'' emphasizes that Ladislaus "never placed the crown upon his head, for he desired a heavenly crown rather than the earthly crown of a mortal king", all his coins depict him wearing a crown, suggesting that Ladislaus was actually crowned around 1078.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=114}}<ref name="Chronicon_93_131_127">''The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle'' (ch. 93.131), p. 127.</ref>{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=93}} Shortly after his coronation, Ladislaus promulgated two law books, which incorporated the decisions of an assembly of the "magnates of the kingdom", held in [[Pannonhalma]].{{sfn|Bartl|Čičaj|Kohútova|Letz|2002|p=27}}<ref>''Laws of King Ladislas I'' (Ladislas II:Preamble), p. 12.</ref> The majority of these laws were draconian measures to defend private property, showing that Ladislaus primarily focused on internal consolidation and security during the first years of his reign.{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=62}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=33}} Those who were caught [[theft|stealing]] were to be executed, and even criminals who committed minor offenses against property rights were blinded or sold as slaves.{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=62}} His other laws regulated legal proceedings and economic matters, including the issuing of [[Summons#Judicial summons|judicial summons]] and the [[royal monopoly]] on salt trade.{{sfn|Bartl|Čičaj|Kohútova|Letz|2002|p=27}}{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=62}}

{{Blockquote|If someone, freeman or bondman, should be caught in theft, he shall be [[Hanging|hanged]]. But if he [[Sanctuary#Human sanctuary|flees to the church]] to evade the [[gallows]], he shall be led out of the church and blinded. A bondman caught in theft, if he does not flee to the church, shall be hanged; the owner of the stolen goods shall take a loss in the lost goods. The sons and daughters of a freeman caught in theft who fled to the church, was led out and blinded, if they are ten years old or less, shall retain their freedom; but if they are older than ten years they shall be reduced to servitude and lose all their property. A bondman or freeman who steals a goose or a hen shall lose one eye and shall restore what he has stolen.|''Laws of King Ladislas I''<ref>''Laws of King Ladislas I'' (Ladislas II:12), pp.&nbsp;14–16.</ref>}}

[[File:Ladislav1 denar1.jpg|thumb|right |alt=A small silver coin depicting a cross | Ladislaus's denar]]

The ''Illuminated Chronicle'' claims that Ladislaus planned to "restore the kingdom" to Solomon and "himself have the dukedom",<ref name="Chronicon_93_131_127" />{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=93}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=114}} but almost all contemporaneous sources contradict this report.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|pp=117–118}} Ladislaus approached [[Pope Gregory VII]], who was the primary opponent of Solomon's ally, Henry IV of Germany.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|pp=117–118}} At the Pope's request, Ladislaus sheltered [[Bavaria]]n nobles who had rebelled against Henry.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=94}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=118}} In 1078 or 1079, Ladislaus married [[Adelaide of Rheinfelden|Adelaide]], a daughter of [[Rudolf of Rheinfelden]], whom [[Saxon revolt of 1077–1088|the German princes had elected]] to take the place of Henry IV as king.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=94}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=118}}{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=92}} Ladislaus supported [[Leopold II, Margrave of Austria]], who also rebelled against Henry IV; however, the German monarch forced Leopold to surrender in May 1078.{{sfn|Robinson|1999|p=191}}

Taking advantage of the internal conflicts in the Holy Roman Empire, Ladislaus besieged and captured the fortress of Moson from Solomon in early 1079.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=92}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=119}} However, Henry IV stormed the western regions of Hungary, and secured Solomon's position.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=119}} The German invasion also prevented Ladislaus from assisting Boleslaus the Bold, who fled to Hungary after his subjects expelled him from Poland.{{sfn|Manteuffel|1982|p=98}} Ladislaus initiated negotiations with Solomon, who abdicated in 1080 or 1081 in exchange for "revenues sufficient to bear the expenses of a king".{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=33}}{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=92}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=119}}<ref name="Chronicon_94_133_128">''The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle'' (ch. 94.133), p. 128.</ref> However, Solomon soon began conspiring against Ladislaus, and Ladislaus imprisoned him.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=93}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=119}}

The first five Hungarian saints, including the first king of Hungary, [[Stephen I of Hungary|Stephen I]], and Stephen's son, [[Saint Emeric of Hungary|Emeric]], were [[canonization|canonized]] during Ladislaus's reign.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=119}} Stephen's canonization demonstrates Ladislaus's magnanimity, because Ladislaus's grandfather, [[Vazul]], had been blinded on Stephen's orders in the 1030s.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=33}}{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=63}} Historian László Kontler says that the canonization ceremony, held in August 1083, was also a political act, demonstrating Ladislaus's "commitment to preserving and strengthening" the Christian state.{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=64}} Ladislaus even dedicated a newly established [[Benedictine]] monastery{{spaced ndash}}Szentjobb Abbey{{spaced ndash}}to Stephen's right arm, known as the "[[Stephen I of Hungary#Legacy#His Holy Dexter|Holy Dexter]]", which was miraculously found intact.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=33}} Ladislaus released Solomon at the time of the ceremony;{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=33}} legend said that Stephen's grave could not be opened until he did so.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=94}}

{{Blockquote|[The] Lord, in order to show how merciful [King Stephen I] had been while living in a mortal body, demonstrated his approval of [Stephen's revelation as a saint] before all other works when [the king] was already reigning with Christ to the point that though for three days they struggled with all their might to raise his holy body, it was not by any means to be moved from its place. For in that time, because of the sins, a grave discord arose between the said king Ladislas and his cousin Solomon, because of which, Solomon, captured, was held in prison. Therefore when they tried in vain to raise the body, a certain [[recluse]] at the church of the Holy Savior in Bökénysomlyó, by the name of Karitas, whose famous life at the time was held in esteem, confided to the king by a revelation made to her from heaven that they exerted themselves in vain; it would be impossible to transfer the relics of the holy king until unconditional pardon was offered to Solomon, setting him free from the confinement of prison. And thus, bringing him forth from the prison, and repeating the three-day fast, when the third day arrived for the transferal of the holy remains, the stone lying over the grave was lifted up with such ease as if it had been of no weight before.|''[[Hartvik|Hartvic]], [[Legenda Hartviciana|Life of King Stephen of Hungary]]''<ref>''Hartvic, Life of King Stephen of Hungary'' (ch. 24.), p. 393.</ref>}}

After his release, Solomon made a final effort to regain his crown.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=33}}{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=93}} He persuaded a [[Pechenegs|Pecheneg]] chieftain, Kutesk, to invade Hungary in 1085.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=93}} Ladislaus defeated the invaders at the upper courses of the [[Tisza River]].{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=93}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=121}}

=== Expansion (1085–1092) ===

In August 1087, German princes who opposed Henry IV's rule held a conference in [[Speyer]].{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=93}}{{sfn|Robinson|1999|p=263}} The contemporaneous [[Bernold of St Blasien]] mentions that Ladislaus sent envoys to the meeting, and "promised that he would assist [them] with 20,000 knights, if it became necessary".<ref>''Bernold of St Blasien, Chronicle'' (year 1087), p. 290.</ref>{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=100}} Ladislaus also recognized [[Pope Victor III]] as the legitimate pope, rather than [[Antipope Clement III|Clement III]], who had been elected pope at Henry IV's initiative.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=100}} However, Ladislaus provided no further support to Henry IV's opponents after he was informed of Solomon's death in 1087.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=120}}
[[File:Zaruke_hrvatskog_kralja_Zvonimira_Celestin_Medović.JPG|alt=|left|thumb|The engagement of King [[Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia]] and [[Helena of Hungary, Queen of Croatia|Helen]], sister to Ladislaus in 1075 (painting by [[Mato Celestin Medović]])]]
King [[Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia]]'s wife, [[Helen of Hungary, Queen of Croatia|Helen]], was Ladislaus's sister.{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=283}} After the death of Zvonimir and his successor, [[Stephen II of Croatia|Stephen II]], a conflict developed between factions of [[Croatian nobility|Croatian noblemen]].{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=283}}{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=265}}{{sfn|Magaš|2007|p=48}} [[File:Székely Bertalan – László király Horvátország meghóditása végett átkel a Dráván.jpg|thumb|240x240px|King Saint Ladislaus of Hungary crosses the river [[Drava]] to conquer Croatia (painting by [[Bertalan Székely]], 19th century)]]At Helen's request, Ladislaus intervened in the conflict and invaded Croatia in 1091.{{sfn|Fine|1991|pp=282, 284}} The same year, he wrote to [[Oderizius]], [[Abbot of Monte Cassino]] in Italy, about his invasion.{{sfn|Magaš|2007|p=48}}{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=265}} [[Thomas the Archdeacon]]'s chronicle describes how Ladislaus "occupied the entire land from the [[River Drava]] to the mountains called the Iron Alps without encountering opposition".<ref>''Archdeacon Thomas of Split: History of the Bishops of Salona and Split'' (ch. 17.), p. 93.</ref>{{sfn|Bárány|2012|p=345}}{{sfn|Magaš|2007|pp=48–49}} However, his opponents crowned a local nobleman, [[Petar Snačić]], as king.{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=284}} Snačić fought in the [[Mala Kapela|Gvozd Mountains]], preventing the complete conquest of Croatia.{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=265}} Ladislaus appointed his nephew, Álmos, to administer the occupied territory.{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=284}}{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=265}} Around the same time, Ladislaus set up a [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zagreb|separate diocese in Slavonia]], with its see in [[Zagreb]].{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=284}} The bishop of the new see became the [[Suffragan bishop|suffragan]] to the [[archbishop of Esztergom]] in Hungary.{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=265}}

Ladislaus admitted in his letter to Oderizius that he could not "promote the cause of earthly dignities without committing grave sins".{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=101}} Historian [[Bálint Hóman]] says that Ladislaus was referring to a developing conflict with [[Pope Urban II]], who objected to Ladislaus's refusal to acknowledge the Holy See's suzerainty over Croatia.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=101}}{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=266}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|pp=121–122}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=34}} In the letter, Ladislaus styled himself as "king of the Hungarians and of Messia".{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=120}}{{sfn|Makk|Thoroczkay|2006|p=143}}{{sfn|Madgearu|2013|p=98}} Historian Ferenc Makk writes that the latter title referred to [[Moesia]], implying that Ladislaus had taken the regions between the [[Great Morava]] and [[Drina]] rivers from the Byzantine Empire.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=120}} No other documents refer to Ladislaus's occupation of Moesia, suggesting that if Ladislaus did occupy the region, he lost it quickly.{{sfn|Makk|Thoroczkay|2006|p=143}} Alexandru Madgearu says that "Messia" should rather be associated with Bosnia, which was occupied during Ladislaus's campaign against Croatia.{{sfn|Madgearu|2013|p=98}}

The [[Cumans]] invaded and plundered the eastern part of the kingdom in 1091.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=120}} The invading Cumans were leading by chieftain Kapolcs, they broke first in [[Transylvania]], then the territory between the [[Danube]] and [[Tisza]] rivers. The Cumans tried to leave Hungary with their huge booty and prisoners, but King Ladislaus reached and defeated them near the [[Timiș (river)|Temes]] river. Ladislaus offered the [[Christianity]] for the Cuman survivors, the majority of them accepted, thus the king settled them in [[Jászság]]. The rumor of the losing battle reached the Cuman camp, the Cumans threatened King Ladislaus with revenge and demanded to free the Cuman prisoners. King Ladislaus marched to the Hungarian border to prevent the next invasion. The two armies clashed near [[Drobeta-Turnu Severin|Severin]], the Hungarian army was victorious, King Ladislaus killed Ákos, the Cuman chieftain.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bánlaky |first=József |title=A magyar nemzet hadtörténelme |location=Budapest |language=Hungarian |trans-title=The Military History of the Hungarian Nation |chapter=László második hadjárata a kúnok ellen 1091-ben |trans-chapter=The Second Campaign of Ladislaus Against the Cumans in 1091 |chapter-url=https://mek.oszk.hu/09400/09477/html/0004/201.html}}</ref> Makk argues that the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] persuaded them to attack Hungary,{{sfn|Bárány|2012|p=340}} while the ''Illuminated Chronicle'' states that the Cumans were incited by the "[[Kievan Rus'|Ruthenians]]".<ref name="Chronicon_98_138_129">''The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle'' (ch. 98.138), p. 129.</ref>{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=122}}{{sfn|Bárány|2012|p=339}} In retaliation, the chronicle continues, Ladislaus invaded the neighboring [[Rus' principalities]], forcing the "Ruthenians" to ask "for mercy" and to promise "that they would be faithful to him in all things".<ref name="Chronicon_98_138_129" />{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=102}} No Rus' chronicle documents Ladislaus's military action.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=103}}

Bernold of St Blasien writes that Duke [[Welf I, Duke of Bavaria|Welf of Bavaria]] prevented a conference that Emperor Henry IV "had arranged with the king of the Hungarians" in December 1092.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=101}}<ref>''Bernold of St Blasien, Chronicle'' (year 1092), p. 307.</ref> A letter written by Henry refers to "the alliance into which [he] once entered" with Ladislaus.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=122}}<ref>''The letters of Henry IV: Henry thanks Duke Almus for his support and promises him a reward, p. 171.''</ref> Pope Urban II also mentioned that the Hungarians "left the shepherds of their salvation", implying that Ladislaus had changed sides and acknowledged the legitimacy of [[Antipope]] Clement III.{{sfn|Makk|Thoroczkay|2006|p=163}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|pp=122, 133}} In the deed of the Benedictine [[Somogyvár Abbey]], Ladislaus stated that the abbot should be obedient to him, proving that Ladislaus opposed the Church's independence, which was demanded by the [[Gregorian Reform]]s.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=116}} Ladislaus personally presided over [[Synod of Szabolcs|an assembly of the Hungarian prelates]] that met in [[Szabolcs (village)|Szabolcs]] on 21 May 1091.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=105}} The synod recognized the legitimacy of a clergyman's first marriage, in contrast to the [[Clerical celibacy (Catholic Church)|requirements of canon law]], which states that members of the clergy may not marry at all.{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=108}} According to a scholarly theory, the sees of the dioceses of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kalocsa-Kecskemét|Kalocsa]] and [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Oradea Mare|Bihar]] were moved to [[Bač, Serbia|Bács]] (now Bač, [[Serbia]]) and [[Nagyvárad]] (present-day Oradea, Romania), respectively, during Ladislaus's reign.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=117}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=43}}

=== Last years (1092–1095) ===

[[File:Hungary 11th cent.png|thumb |right |alt=11th-century Hungary |The [[Kingdom of Hungary]] in the 1090s]]

Ladislaus intervened in a conflict between [[Władysław I Herman]], [[Duke of Poland]], and the duke's illegitimate son, [[Zbigniew of Poland|Zbigniew]], on the latter's behalf.{{sfn|Manteuffel|1982|p=101}} He marched to Poland and captured Herman's younger son, [[Bolesław III Wrymouth|Boleslaus]], in 1093.{{sfn|Manteuffel|1982|p=101}} At Ladislaus's demand, Władysław I Herman declared Zbigniew his legitimate son.{{sfn|Manteuffel|1982|pp=101–102}} The ''Illuminated Chronicle'' also mentions that the Hungarian troops captured [[Kraków]] during Ladislaus's campaign, but the credibility of this report has been questioned.{{sfn|Bárány|2012|p=340}}

The ''Illuminated Chronicle'' states that "messengers from [[France]] and from [[Spain]], from [[England]] and [[Great Britain|Britain]], and especially from Willermus, the brother of the King of the Franks" visited Ladislaus in Bodrog (near present-day [[Bački Monoštor]] in Serbia) on Easter 1095, asking him to lead their [[crusade]] to the [[Holy Land]].{{sfn|Kosztolnyik|1981|p=104}}<ref>''The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle'' (ch. 100.139), p. 130.</ref> Ladislaus's legend says that he decided "to go to [[Jerusalem]], and to die there for Christ".{{sfn|Klaniczay|2002|p=186}} The whole story was  invented, probably during the reign of King [[Béla III of Hungary]] (who was actually planning to lead a crusade to the Holy Land in the 1190s), according to historian Gábor Klaniczay.{{sfn|Klaniczay|2002|p=418}} However, Ladislaus did plan to invade Bohemia, because he wanted to assist [[Euphemia of Hungary|his sister]]'s sons, [[Svatopluk, Duke of Bohemia|Svatopluk]] and [[Otto II the Black|Otto]].{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=122}} He became seriously ill before reaching Moravia.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=122}}{{sfn|Font|2001|p=15}} The ''Illuminated Chronicle'' narrates that Ladislaus, who had no sons, "called together his chief men", telling them that his brother's younger son, Álmos, "should reign after him".{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=122}}{{sfn|Font|2001|p=15}}<ref>''The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle'' (ch. 101.139), p. 130.</ref>

Ladislaus died near the Hungarian-Bohemian border on 29 July 1095.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=122}} A [[papal bull]] of [[Pope Paschal II]] in 1106 states that Ladislaus's "venerable body rests" in Somogyvár Abbey, implying that Ladislaus had been buried in [[Somogyvár]].{{sfn|Klaniczay|2002|p=175}} On the other hand, Ladislaus's late 12th-century "Legend" provides that his attendants buried him in [[Székesfehérvár]], but the cart carrying his body "set out to [[Nagyvárad|Várad]] on its own, unassisted by any draft animal".{{sfn|Klaniczay|2002|p=175}}