History of the Hungarians

Often I heard the 12 th century be called Hungary’s forgotten century: it is skipped over entirely in public education, and even in my university course, I remember not much being said about it, unless you dug for it yourself. Meanwhile it is an important bridge between what was – Saint István’s kingdom, straddling the place between the feudal west and the imperial east – and what will be: an eventually powerful medieval kingdom. Come, join us as we take stock of this century, the economics, the foreign settlement, and even a shift that will become the driving force behind the internal conflicts of the next century…Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.phpid=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms's Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

The second half of Béla’s reign was dedicated to Hungary’s great re-entry to the medieval power-politics of his day. On today’s episode, we shall discover how this was possible, why it happened now – and the results of taking up such an aggressive stance again, after decades on the mend. Come, join us as we discuss Hungary’s attempts to seat an Árpádian on the throne of Halics, Béla’s role in diplomacy between two emperors, and the moment when the man they once called Alexios almost returned as Byzantium’s ruler…Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungarians The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

Béla III’s reign is a pivotal time in the history of the medieval Hungarian Kingdom – he is the last king to rule the way Saint István intended, and the first to usher in some new practices. He was given the task of overseeing Hungary’s recovery from the conflicts of the decades prior, something he manages to the tune of being one of the richer crowned heads of Europe. Come, join us today as we examine the first decade and a half of Béla’s rule, and the state of the Hungarian kingdom under his leadership.Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungarians The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

“What kind of blasphemy has our emperor committed, that he not only denied his daughter’s hand to us Romans, but this foreigner, he considers better than us all, and places above us into power?”These were the words that accompanied Béla, from theHouse of Árpád when he was proclaimed the heir to the Byzantine emperor. To say that his potential elevation was not unanimously approved of would be an understatement. Today, we shall follow the young prince as he embarks fromHungary to the beating heart of the Byzantine Empire, where political prophecies dictate the name of the heir, and one can be made, or unmade in mere weeks.REGISTER TO VOTEIF ELIGIBLE: https://vtr.valasztas.hu/ogy2026/valasztopolgaroknak/kulkepviseletek-listaja?tab=hogyan-szavazhatWebsite: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungarians The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

István III may have triumphed over his uncles, but he is far from being in the clear. His father, Géza II created many issues, and Hungary had few friends to call on for help – all this coming down on István’s head. The young king’s reign would be filled with trying to extricate himself from these struggles. Let us see whether he manages to stabilize his kingdom, or will the newly minted power in Europe fall under the umbrella of the Byzantine Empire?Website: historyofthehungarians.comSupport us on BuyMeaCoffeehttps://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungariansFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungarians⁠The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

To say that the Dynasty of Árpád was a tumultuous bunch would be an understatement. Time and again we have seen infighting regarding the succession. But this latest spat, the subject of today’s episode might be the worst yet – as two Istváns and a László gear up to fight it out for the crown. This tale has all the hallmarks of historical tragedy, witharmies clashing, duplicitous nobles, a priest making a principled stand, and poison claiming lives. Meanwhile the great powers of medieval Europe watch, eager to claim the spoils of victory.Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungarians The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling. 

Géza II’s reign is, in a way, a premature show of the strength the medieval Kingdom of Hungary would be able to wield one day. With the homefront secure, Géza threw himself into European power-politics, standing toe-to-toe with some of the greatest powers of his time. While initially successful, the king’s rashness to make enemies and maintain the fight would cause problems that would reverberate through a generation…Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungarians The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

By every metric of his own time, Béla the Blind should have been unfit to rule. And yet, it is his kingship that begins to heal the wounds of István II’s reign – even if that means brutal bloodletting and cutting out some parts first. Come, join us this week for a tale of an unlikely king, brutal vengeance, shrewd diplomacy, wars and usurpers! Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansSupport us at: https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

The passing of King Kálmán provides us with an opportunity to stop, look back, and take in all the changes the 11th century had wrought. Today’s topic is going to be a little different than our usual tale of kings and usurpations: we will look at what can be gleamed about the shifts in society, culture, and religion that this first century of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary had experienced. How did the previously nomadicpeople take to being settled? How did the church gain all the influence and wealth it needed to fulfil its role? Did people really hate being married so much they sold themselves into slavery to get away from home? Join us, and findout the answer to all these questions.Website: historyofthehungarians.comCheck out our BuyMeaCoffee https://buymeacoffee.com/historyofthehungariansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungarians⁠The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

King Kálmán the Learned – also seen it translated as “the Bookish”, which is delightful – was the final Hungarian ruler of the 11th century. He is a fascinating case: much maligned by posterity for his actions against his brother, Kálmán was one of the most learned, and easily one of the most enlightened rulers of medieval Hungary. His rule is an excellent bookmark,not just on the century, but by capping off the work that began under Saint István.Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

This week’s episode pauses the ongoing narrative a bitto take a look at a country that’s history is going to be inextricably tied to that of the medieval Hungarian state: the Kingdom of Croatia. We shall discuss the origins of the Croatian people, the effects of them living right on theborder of two empires, and a document that is an obvious forgery, but still manages to get almost everything that counts right. Come, join us and see how the Croatian and Hungarian kingdoms become joined under what would later be called: The Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen.Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungarians⁠The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of JohannesBrahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

The first century in the history of the Kingdom of Hungary is almost perfectly framed by two saint-kings. And it might besurprising, but the topic of today’s episode, László was, for the longest time, the more popular of the two. In contrast to István’s stern reputation, László garnered that of a chivalrous knight, a warrior-king, who expanded the borders and warred against pagans and his fellow Christians alike – something greatly valued in medieval history. Come, see how his laws, diplomacy and conquest finally lift the kingdom out of the decades of infighting that dominated the 11thcentury.Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

This week, we continue to follow the infighting amongst the early Árpádians, as generations shift, but old ambitions remain open. The story of Géza and Salamon is not as well-known even in Hungary, but it is a tale full of twists, turns, conniving nobles, and fits well into the international battle of their age. For the Investiture Controversy will shape the contest between the King and the Duke, as much as their personal ambitions will. Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungarians⁠The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

After the Árpádians reassert themselves, the two brothers, András and Béla find themselves working side-by side to keep Hungary out of the Holy Roman Empire’s orbit. But even the best working relationships can become frayed when succession is at stake. Come, see how a…somewhat pre-decided choice between a crown and a sword led the newly restored Árpádians down on the path to generations offeuding! We also discuss an important tool in these feuds, the territorial division of the country between the ruling king and his close family. Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungarians⁠The song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

Peter Orseolo was the only foreign-born king of Hungary in the Árpádian period, and as such, the target of many attacks, deserved and otherwise. The chroniclers later on would have a vested interest in depicting him as one of the worst kings Hungary ever had – but his contemporaries rose against him in open revolt not once, but twice. In this week’s episode we do not simply discover Peter’s ill-fated reign, but I also sat down with the good folk from the History of Venice podcast, so that we may have a fuller understanding of Peter’s background, and how the circumstances influence the relationship between Hungary and Venice.Check out our friends at the History of Venice!Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts ofJohannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

Today we shall discuss the events of István’s reign. How lucky that the man himself left us an entire treatise about his rulingphilosophy, as he sought to prepare his heir to follow after him. So come, join us as we discuss István’s reign, his foreign policy towards the two great empires on his doorstep, and how the best laid plans may go awry when facing a boar in the forest…Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts of Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged by Martin Schmeling.

The second season of our show begins with a deep-dive into the Kingdom’s reorganization under the reign of István I, better know internationally as Saint Stephan. The task before our protagonist is daunting: his newly formed Kingdom was, just a few short years ago, not much more than a patchwork of tribal lands, still somewhat nomadic in their lifestyle. Join us in exploring the steps István took to bring his kingdom in line with other, European states of their time, and also took care to establish its independence from the great powers all around.Website: historyofthehungarians.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579815072390Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofthehungariansThe song heard in the intro and outro are parts ofJohannes Brahms' Hungarian Dances no. 5, performed in G minor, arranged byMartin Schmeling.

After two episodes of horsing around all over Europe, it is time to return to the Carpathian Basin. In our season finale we see a father and a son attempt to change their people’s destiny and a familial struggle that ends in four parts.Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or write a question to historyofthehungarians@gmail.com!

While the western Adventures are surprisingly well-documented, in the Balkans we deal with battles that may or may not have happened, tales of revenge that are likely all fabrications, and a musical chair of relationships, as the Byzantines and the Bolgars jockey for power. Come, join us as we explore this mess!And if you just can't get enough of history podcasts, A History of Italy awaits!

Around the same time the Vikings were causing some hay on the coastlines, the Hungarians got on the road to steal anything that was not nailed down inland. Let's discuss how these campaigns went, what made them successful, and the effects they had on the emerging Hungarian Principality.