Editing Ladislaus IV of Hungary (section)

===The Cuman question (1278–1285)===

[[File:Chronicon Pictum P128 IV. László kun viseletben.JPG|thumb|right|alt=Ladislaus in Cuman apparel |Ladislaus depicted in apparel favored by the [[Cumans]] (from the ''[[Illuminated Chronicle]]'')]]

[[Pope Nicholas III]] sent Philip, [[bishop of Fermo]], to Hungary to help Ladislaus restore royal power on 22 September 1278.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=174}}{{sfn|Berend|2001|p=277}} The [[papal legate]] arrived in Hungary in early 1279.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=174}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=109}} With the legate's mediation, Ladislaus concluded a peace treaty with the Kőszegis.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=174}} Bishop Philip soon realized, however, that most Cumans were still pagans in Hungary.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=109}}{{sfn|Berend|2001|p=277}} He extracted a ceremonious promise from the Cuman chieftains of giving up their pagan customs, and persuaded the young King Ladislaus to swear an oath to enforce the keeping of the Cuman chieftains' promise.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=174}} An assembly held at [[Budafok|Tétény]] passed laws which, in accordance with the legate's demand, prescribed that the Cumans should leave their tents and live "in houses attached to the ground".{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=109}} The Cumans did not obey the laws, however, and Ladislaus, himself a half-Cuman, failed to force them.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=109}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=278}} In retaliation, Bishop Philip [[Excommunication#Catholic Church|excommunicated]] him and placed Hungary under [[Interdict (Catholic canon law)|interdict]] in October.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=175}} Ladislaus joined the Cumans and appealed to the [[Holy See]], but the Pope refused to absolve him.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=175}}

On Ladislaus's demand, the Cumans seized and imprisoned Philip of Fermo in early January 1280.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=175}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=278}} However, [[Finta Aba]], [[voivode of Transylvania]] captured Ladislaus and handed him over to [[Roland Borsa]].{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=175}}{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=278}} In less than two months, both the legate and the king were set free and Ladislaus took a new oath to enforce the Cuman laws.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|pp=175–176}} However, many Cumans decided to leave Hungary instead of obeying the legate's demands.{{sfn|Kristó|2003|p=193}} Ladislaus followed the moving Cumans as far as Szalánkemén (now Stari Slankamen in Serbia), but could not hinder them from crossing the frontier.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=176}}{{sfn|Kristó|2003|pp=193–194}}

Ladislaus launched a campaign against Finta Aba and seized his castles in the summer of 1281.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=176}} According to the ''Austrian Rhymed Chronicle'', Bishop Philip of Fermo left Hungary around the same time, stating that he would never come back, "not for the sake of the [[God the Father|Holy Father]]".{{sfn|Engel|2001|pp=109, 390}} A Cuman army invaded the southern parts of Hungary in 1282.{{sfn|Kristó|2003|p=194}} The ''[[Illuminated Chronicle]]'' writes that Ladislaus, "like the brave [[Joshua]], went out against" the Cumans "to fight for his people and his realm."{{sfn|Kristó|2003|p=194}}<ref>''The Hungarian Illuminated Chronicle:'' (ch. 181.128), p. 141.</ref> He vanquished the invaders's army at Lake Hód, near [[Hódmezővásárhely]], in the autumn of 1282.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=109}}

At the end of 1282, Ladislaus laid siege to [[Borostyánkő]] (now Bernstein im Burgenland in Austria), which was held by the Kőszegis.{{sfn|Kristó|2003|p=194}}{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=177}} The Kőszegis resisted, forcing the king to lift the siege in early 1283.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=177}} Ladislaus even reconciled with Ivan Kőszegi and appointed him palatine before 6 July.{{sfn|Érszegi|Solymosi|1981|p=177}} Ladislaus abandoned his wife, Isabella, and settled among the Cumans by the end of the year.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=109}}