On May 15, 1440, in Székesfehérvár, Władysław III of Varna was crowned King of Hungary. This event initiated a personal union between Poland and Hungary, creating a powerful alliance against the Ottoman Empire. On the same day, the controversial coronation of the three-month-old Ladislaus the Posthumous also took place.
The Coronation of Vladislaus III of Varna as King of Hungary was one of the most important political events of the 15th century in Central Europe. This young ruler, already King of Poland, was chosen by Hungarian nobility in hopes of effective defense against the growing threat from the Ottoman Empire.
The coronation ceremony took place on May 15, 1440, in Székesfehérvár, where Hungarian rulers were traditionally crowned. This historic event not only strengthened the young Jagiellon's position but also initiated a period of Polish-Hungarian personal union. This decision had far-reaching consequences for both kingdoms and significantly influenced the region's future fate.
Situation in Hungary After the Death of Albert II Habsburg
#The death of King Albert II Habsburg on October 27, 1439, triggered a political crisis in Hungary. The country faced a dual threat: an internal succession conflict and external danger from the Ottoman Empire.
Dispute Over the Hungarian Crown
#Hungarian nobility split into two camps after Albert II's death. Magnates gathered around John Hunyadi advocated for selecting a strong ruler capable of defending the country against the Turks. The second faction supported the dynastic rights of the Habsburg family represented by Queen widow Elizabeth. On December 18, 1439, the majority of Hungarian magnates decided to send an embassy to Poland with a proposal for Vladislaus III to assume the throne.
Role of Elizabeth of Luxembourg
#Elizabeth of Luxembourg actively opposed plans to install Vladislaus III on the Hungarian throne. On February 22, 1440, she gave birth to son Ladislaus the Posthumous, whom she considered the legitimate heir to the throne. The Queen widow organized a secret coronation of her three-month-old son on May 15, 1440, in Székesfehérvár, using the original Crown of Saint Stephen stolen from the royal treasury. These actions led to a deepening of the political crisis in Hungary.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 27.10.1439 | Death of Albert II Habsburg |
| 18.12.1439 | Decision to send delegation to Poland |
| 22.02.1440 | Birth of Ladislaus the Posthumous |
| 15.05.1440 | Coronation of Ladislaus the Posthumous |
Vladislaus III's Path to the Hungarian Crown
#The process of Vladislaus III's accession to the Hungarian throne involved complex diplomatic negotiations in the early months of 1440. The situation required skillful political maneuvering in the face of divided Hungarian nobility and claims from the deceased king's widow.
Support from Hungarian Magnates
#The Hungarian delegation arrived in Kraków on December 24, 1439, with an official proposal for the Polish monarch to assume the throne. The embassy was led by Bishop of Eger János Rozgonyi and Palatine Lőrinc Hédervári, representing a significant majority of Hungarian magnates. The Hungarian nobles presented the following arguments in favor of choosing Vladislaus III:
- Ability to mobilize Polish armed forces against the Turks
- Poland's experience in managing a multi-ethnic state
- Strong support from the most powerful Hungarian families
- Possibility of creating a powerful Central European bloc
Negotiations with Queen Elizabeth
#Talks with Queen Elizabeth proceeded in a tense atmosphere due to her firm stance. Key elements of the negotiations included:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 1440 | First meeting between Vladislaus III's representatives and Elizabeth |
| February 1440 | Attempted mediation by Hungarian bishops |
| March 1440 | Secret coronation of Ladislaus the Posthumous |
| April 1440 | Final breakdown of talks |
- Maintaining control over the royal treasury
- Guarantees of throne inheritance for her son
- Retaining power in western Hungarian counties
- Financial compensation for renouncing rights to the crown
Coronation in Székesfehérvár
#Coronation in Székesfehérvár
#The coronation of Władysław III of Varna as King of Hungary took place on May 15, 1440, in the basilica of Székesfehérvár. The ceremony followed the centuries-old tradition of Hungarian monarch coronations in this historic location.
Course of the Coronation Ceremony
#The coronation ceremony began with a procession to the basilica, where Archbishop Dénes Szécsi of Esztergom placed the Crown of Saint Stephen on Władysław III's head. The ceremony required protocol modifications due to the absence of the original Crown of St. Stephen, which Queen Elizabeth had taken to Austria. A crown from St. Stephen's reliquary, stored in the royal basilica, was used instead. During the ceremony, the king was accompanied by the most important Hungarian dignitaries:
-
John Hunyadi, Voivode of Transylvania
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Nicholas of Ujlak, Ban of Slavonia
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Lawrence Hédervári, Palatine of Hungary
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John Rozgonyi, Bishop of Eger
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Gaining support from the majority of Hungarian magnates
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Establishing a personal union between the Kingdom of Poland and Hungary
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Strengthening strategic position in the fight against the Ottoman Empire
| Coronation Aspect | Data |
|---|---|
| Date | May 15, 1440 |
| Location | Basilica of Székesfehérvár |
| King's Age | 16 years |
| Number of dignitaries present | over 60 |
| Ceremony duration | 4 hours |
Dual Power in Hungary
#The situation in Hungary after Władysław III's coronation led to an effective division of power in the country. Conflicts between supporters of the young Jagiellon and followers of Ladislaus the Posthumous caused state destabilization.
Conflict with Ladislaus the Posthumous
#Parallel royal power in Hungary began on May 15, 1440, when three-month-old Ladislaus the Posthumous was crowned in Székesfehérvár. Elizabeth of Luxembourg used the original Crown of Saint Stephen, stolen from the royal treasury by lady-in-waiting Helena Kottaner. The Posthumous gained support from noble families in the western part of the country, including the influential Cilli and Garay families. The dispute over the legitimacy of the coronation deepened when the Hungarian parliament invalidated the coronation of the minor king on June 29, 1440.
- Battle of Bábolna - September 1440
- Skirmish at Szombathely - November 1440
- Clash for Győr - January 1441
| Side of Conflict | Controlled Territories | Main Allies |
|---|---|---|
| Vladislaus III | Central and Southern Hungary | John Hunyadi, Nicholas of Ujlak |
| Ladislaus the Posthumous | Western and Northern Hungary | Jan Jiskra, House of Cilli |
Consequences of Taking the Hungarian Throne
#The coronation of Vladislaus III of Varna as King of Hungary in 1440 brought significant changes to the balance of power in Central Europe. The Polish monarch's accession to the Hungarian throne led to the creation of a personal union between the two kingdoms and changed the dynamics of relations with the Ottoman Empire.
Polish-Hungarian Union
#The personal union between Poland and Hungary established in 1440 combined the military potential of both kingdoms under one crown. The union covered an area of 800,000 km² with a population of 6 million inhabitants. A strong state with significant economic resources was created:
| Aspect | Poland | Hungary | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual income (in marks of silver) | 110,000 | 140,000 | 250,000 |
| Number of knights | 40,000 | 35,000 | 75,000 |
| Royal cities | 150 | 80 | 230 |
- Victory at Niš in 1443
- Signing of the Peace of Szeged in July 1444
- Organization of a great crusade with 20,000 soldiers
- Establishment of a border fortress system in southern Hungary
- Military alliance with Venice and Italian states
Summary
#- Władysław III of Varna was crowned King of Hungary on May 15, 1440, in the Basilica of Székesfehérvár, which initiated the Polish-Hungarian personal union.
- The coronation followed the death of King Albert II Habsburg and the support of a significant portion of Hungarian magnates, who saw the young Jagiellon as an effective defender against the Turkish threat.
- The situation was complicated by a throne dispute with Elizabeth of Luxembourg, who arranged the coronation of her three-month-old son Ladislaus the Posthumous on the same day.
- The Polish-Hungarian union formed in 1440 combined the potential of both kingdoms, creating a state with an area of 800,000 km² and 6 million inhabitants.
- The double coronation led to an effective division of power in Hungary between supporters of Władysław III (center and south of the country) and followers of the Posthumous (west and north).
Summary
#The coronation of Władysław III of Varna as King of Hungary on May 15, 1440, was a pivotal moment in Central European history. This event led to the creation of a powerful personal union between Poland and Hungary that effectively opposed Ottoman expansion.
Despite initial difficulties related to the opposition of Queen Elizabeth and her supporters, the young Jagiellon managed to strengthen his position on the Hungarian throne. His reign as ruler of two kingdoms opened a new chapter in the region's history, creating a state with enormous military and economic potential.
The decision of Hungarian nobles to choose Władysław III proved crucial for the future of both kingdoms and influenced the balance of power in Central Europe for decades to come.