**Stephen IV of Hungary**
**Definition:**
Stephen IV of Hungary (c. 1133 – 11 April 1165) was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1163 until his death in 1165. A member of the Árpád dynasty, his reign was marked by internal conflict and rivalry with his nephew, Stephen III.
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# Stephen IV of Hungary
Stephen IV was a 12th-century monarch of the Kingdom of Hungary and Croatia, whose brief and turbulent reign was characterized by dynastic struggles and political instability. As a member of the Árpád dynasty, he ascended the throne during a period of contested succession following the death of his brother, King Géza II. His rule was challenged by his nephew, Stephen III, leading to a civil war that ultimately ended with Stephen IV’s defeat and death.
## Early Life and Background
Stephen IV was born around 1133, the second son of King Béla II of Hungary and Helena of Rascia. His family belonged to the Árpád dynasty, which had ruled Hungary since the late 9th century. His father, Béla II, known as Béla the Blind, had consolidated royal power after a period of internal strife. Stephen’s elder brother, Géza II, succeeded their father in 1141 and ruled until 1162.
During Géza II’s reign, Stephen held the title of Duke of Slavonia, a traditional appanage for younger members of the royal family. This position gave him authority over the southern regions of the kingdom, including parts of modern-day Croatia and Slovenia. His governance in Slavonia was marked by relative stability, but tensions within the royal family and the nobility persisted.
## Ascension to the Throne
King Géza II died in May 1162, leaving the throne to his son, Stephen III, who was approximately 15 years old at the time. Stephen IV, as the late king’s uncle, contested the succession. Supported by the Byzantine Empire, which sought to exert influence over Hungary, Stephen IV claimed the throne, arguing that as the adult male member of the dynasty, he had a stronger right to rule than his underage nephew.
The Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos backed Stephen IV’s claim, providing military support in an effort to install a pro-Byzantine ruler in Hungary. This external intervention intensified the internal conflict, leading to a civil war between Stephen IV and Stephen III.
## Reign (1163–1165)
### Initial Conflict and Coronation
In early 1163, with Byzantine military assistance, Stephen IV invaded Hungary and managed to capture the capital, Esztergom. He was crowned king with a crown sent by the Byzantine emperor, which was distinct from the traditional Holy Crown of Hungary. This coronation was controversial and not universally recognized by the Hungarian nobility or clergy, many of whom remained loyal to Stephen III.
Stephen IV’s reign was largely confined to the eastern and southern parts of the kingdom, while Stephen III retained control over other regions. The kingdom was effectively divided, with ongoing skirmishes and shifting alliances among the nobility.
### Political and Military Struggles
Stephen IV’s rule was marked by continuous military confrontations with Stephen III’s forces. Despite Byzantine support, Stephen IV struggled to consolidate his authority. The Hungarian nobility, wary of Byzantine influence and preferring the legitimate heir, largely supported Stephen III.
In 1163, Stephen IV’s forces were defeated at the Battle of Székesfehérvár, a decisive engagement that forced him to flee. He sought refuge in the Byzantine Empire, where Emperor Manuel I continued to support his claim.
### Return and Final Defeat
In 1165, Stephen IV returned to Hungary with renewed Byzantine backing, attempting to reclaim the throne. However, his efforts were unsuccessful. He was captured by Stephen III’s forces and imprisoned.
Stephen IV died shortly thereafter on 11 April 1165, under circumstances that remain unclear. Some sources suggest he was executed, while others imply he died in captivity. His death ended the immediate dynastic conflict, allowing Stephen III to consolidate his rule over Hungary and Croatia.
## Legacy
Stephen IV’s reign is often viewed as a brief interlude of instability during the otherwise relatively stable Árpád dynasty. His reliance on Byzantine support and the contested nature of his coronation undermined his legitimacy in the eyes of many Hungarian nobles.
The conflict between Stephen IV and Stephen III highlighted the complex interplay of internal dynastic rivalries and external geopolitical pressures in medieval Central Europe. The Byzantine Empire’s involvement in Hungarian affairs during this period exemplified its broader ambitions in the region.
Stephen IV’s failure to secure lasting power reinforced the principle of hereditary succession through the direct male line, as embodied by Stephen III. His reign also underscored the importance of the Holy Crown of Hungary as a symbol of legitimate kingship.
## Historical Context
### The Árpád Dynasty
The Árpád dynasty, founded by Grand Prince Árpád in the late 9th century, was the ruling house of Hungary for several centuries. By the 12th century, the dynasty had established a Christian kingdom with a centralized monarchy and a feudal nobility.
The period of Stephen IV’s life was marked by efforts to strengthen royal authority and expand Hungary’s influence in Central Europe. However, succession disputes and external pressures, particularly from the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, frequently challenged the kingdom’s stability.
### Byzantine-Hungarian Relations
The Byzantine Empire, under Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, sought to reassert its influence in the Balkans and Central Europe during the mid-12th century. Hungary, as a neighboring kingdom, was a key target for Byzantine diplomacy and military intervention.
Manuel I’s support for Stephen IV was part of a broader strategy to install a friendly ruler in Hungary who would align with Byzantine interests. This policy, however, met with limited success due to strong Hungarian resistance and the entrenched legitimacy of the Árpád line.
## Conclusion
Stephen IV of Hungary remains a relatively obscure figure in Hungarian history, overshadowed by his more successful nephew, Stephen III. His brief reign was marked by dynastic conflict, foreign intervention, and political fragmentation. Despite his failure to secure the throne permanently, Stephen IV’s story illustrates the complexities of medieval kingship and the challenges faced by Central European monarchies in balancing internal legitimacy with external pressures.
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**Meta Description:**
Stephen IV of Hungary was a 12th-century king whose contested reign from 1163 to 1165 was marked by dynastic rivalry and Byzantine intervention. His struggle against his nephew Stephen III highlights the political complexities of medieval Hungary.