Editing Ladislaus I of Hungary (section)

=== 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}}