The History of Hungary: Hungary in the X-XVI centuries #002

The same King Stephen organized the archbishopric of Esztergom (Strigonium) and ten bishops. The transition to Catholic Christianity was carried out by force, and many uprisings of the population associated with ancient pagan traditions were frequent, especially in the first half of the eleventh century. In this century, expansion into Transylvania and the Adriatic Sea continued with the strengthening of feudal relations. Since the twelfth century, documents mention the existence of a large number of cities surrounded by defensive walls, which indicates both economic progress and strong social stratification. To support the development of agriculture, the kings of Hungary allowed settlers from the western parts of Europe to enjoy privileges in relations with the central government or the indigenous population. They settled in Transylvania - the Saxons in parts of Sibiu, the Szeklers in the eastern part of the same Romanian province.



At the beginning of the 13th century, Hungary was experiencing a period of severe political unrest due to feudal anarchy and the disobedience of the great nobility. They will be able to wrest from King Andrew II in 1222 an act called the Golden Ball, which established the rights and privileges of the nobility. It is true that some royal actions in foreign policy have displeased an important part of the local nobility, which the king is trying to keep in subjection by bringing several German nobles to the country, who have received important privileges from the royal court. The Teutonic Knights were summoned during this period, and the reaction of the Hungarian nobility would be to remove them from the kingdom. The departure of King Andrew II to the crusade in 1217 favored the state of anarchy that he would find upon his return to the country.



State power would be further affected by the Tatar invasion in 1241. An attempt by King Bel IV (1235-1270) to stop them would lead to a major defeat on the Sajo River, as reported by Friar Rogerio in his "Unhappy Carmen" (funeral song). Under these conditions, the king made new concessions to the nobility, who were allowed to build fortresses and have their own armies. The Ionian Knights, who will receive the Banat de Severin for administration in favor of their order, as well as the Hungarian Crown. In 1247, they were unable to secure the state borders in the area. Several Romanian political formations south of the Carpathians are mentioned (1247), which indicates the existence of social stratification. After the withdrawal of the Tatars, the economic situation is improving, noting some improvement in urban development. betlabel Ελλαδα