Deaths on January 14

Andrew III of Hungary (b. 1265)

Andrew III, also known as Andrew the Venetian (Hungarian: III. Velencei András, Croatian: Andrija III. Mlečanin, Slovak: Ondrej III.), reigned as King of Hungary and Croatia from 1290 until his death on 14 January 1301, having been born around 1265. His epithet, "the Venetian," reflects his maternal Venetian origins and his upbringing in the Republic of Venice, which significantly shaped his early life and later political connections.

Andrew III represents a pivotal, yet turbulent, period in Hungarian history, marking the end of the illustrious Árpád dynasty, which had ruled the Kingdom of Hungary since its foundation in the 9th century. His reign was characterized by relentless internal conflicts and challenges to royal authority, ultimately paving the way for a protracted succession crisis.

Early Life and Contentious Claim to the Throne

Andrew's claim to the Hungarian throne was fraught with controversy from the outset. His father, Stephen the Posthumous, was so named because he was born after the death of his own father, King Andrew II of Hungary. However, many of Andrew II's other sons, including King Béla IV, vehemently disputed Stephen's legitimacy, viewing him as a bastard. This fundamental question of his father's birthright cast a long shadow over Andrew III's own claim, providing ammunition for his numerous rivals.

Raised far from the tumultuous politics of Hungary, Andrew spent his formative years in Venice. His first foray into Hungarian affairs occurred in 1278 when he was invited by the powerful and rebellious baron, Ivan Kőszegi. Kőszegi, a prominent figure among the oligarchs who increasingly challenged royal power, sought to exploit Andrew's disputed lineage as a tool against the reigning monarch, Ladislaus IV. This conspiracy, aimed at destabilizing Ladislaus IV's already fragile rule, ultimately failed, forcing Andrew to return to Venice, where he remained until a more opportune moment arose.

Accession to the Throne and Initial Challenges

The death of King Ladislaus IV in 1290 proved to be that moment. Ladislaus IV, often referred to as Ladislaus the Cuman, was assassinated by Cuman chieftains, leaving the throne vacant without a direct male heir. As the last verifiable male descendant of the venerable House of Árpád, Andrew was elected king by the Hungarian prelates and magnates. His election, while seemingly providing a solution to the succession, was immediately contested.

Andrew's reign began with a significant constitutional act: he was the first Hungarian monarch to issue a comprehensive coronation diploma. This charter explicitly confirmed the long-standing privileges of the Hungarian nobility and the clergy, including their right to resistance against unlawful royal acts. This unprecedented concession aimed to secure the support of the influential estates in a kingdom already fragmenting under the weight of powerful baronial families.

Despite this effort to consolidate support, Andrew's claim faced immediate and formidable challenges from at least three pretenders:

• Albert of Austria: The powerful Duke (later King) Albert I of Austria, a member of the emerging Habsburg dynasty, laid claim to the Hungarian throne, citing a previous dynastic agreement. Andrew skillfully managed to repel his invasion and force a peace within a year, demonstrating initial military and diplomatic acumen.
• Mary of Hungary: The daughter of King Stephen V and sister of the late Ladislaus IV, Mary of Hungary represented the strongest and most enduring challenge. As the wife of Charles II of Naples, she embodied the Angevin claim to the Hungarian throne, which would persist for decades through her descendants.
• An Adventurer (the "False Andrew"): A mysterious adventurer, sometimes referred to as the "False Andrew" or "Andrew of Slavonia," also emerged, claiming to be a legitimate member of the Árpád dynasty. Andrew III successfully expelled this impostor from Hungary, though the incident highlighted the pervasive instability and willingness to support alternative claimants.

Andrew's principal supporters were the Hungarian bishops, who sought to uphold the stability of the kingdom and the integrity of the Árpád lineage, and his maternal family from Venice, who provided financial and diplomatic assistance. Conversely, many of the leading Croatian and Slavonian lords, often swayed by their own regional interests and influenced by the Angevin claims emanating from Naples, remained staunchly opposed to his rule, further complicating the consolidation of royal power.

The Reign of Anarchy

Andrew III's reign, despite his personal efforts, unfolded against a backdrop of constant anarchy throughout Hungary. The central authority of the monarch had significantly eroded, giving way to the rise of powerful, semi-independent magnate families, often referred to as "oligarchs" or "petty kings." Families such as the Kőszegis (who had initially invited Andrew to Hungary), the Csáks (most notably Matthew Csák of Trencsén), and the Abas, among others, autonomously governed vast swathes of their domains, collecting taxes, administering justice, and even waging private wars as if they were sovereign rulers.

These powerful lords frequently disregarded royal decrees and rose in open rebellion against Andrew, sometimes nearly every year. This pervasive internal strife drained royal resources, prevented effective governance, and plunged the kingdom into a state of chronic civil unrest. Andrew spent much of his reign attempting, often unsuccessfully, to reassert royal authority over these defiant barons.

The End of an Era and the Subsequent Succession Crisis

Andrew III the Venetian died on 14 January 1301. With his passing, the illustrious House of Árpád, which had given Hungary its first kings and guided its destiny for over 400 years, became extinct in its male line. This momentous event marked the definitive end of an era and immediately triggered a devastating civil war for the Hungarian throne.

The ensuing conflict, known as the Hungarian Interregnum or the Wars of Succession, lasted for more than two decades, plunging the kingdom into further chaos. Multiple foreign claimants, including Wenceslaus III of Bohemia and Otto III of Bavaria, briefly held the Hungarian crown, but none managed to secure lasting support or consolidate power. The protracted struggle finally concluded with the decisive victory of Mary of Hungary's grandson, Charles Robert, of the Angevin House of Naples, who would go on to establish a new, powerful dynasty in Hungary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Andrew III of Hungary

Who was Andrew III the Venetian?

Andrew III was the last king of Hungary and Croatia from the Árpád dynasty, reigning from 1290 to 1301. He was known as "the Venetian" due to his maternal origins and upbringing in Venice.

Why was his claim to the throne controversial?

His father, Stephen the Posthumous, was considered illegitimate by many members of the Árpád dynasty, including his father's half-brothers, casting a shadow over Andrew III's own succession rights.

What was significant about his coronation?

Andrew III was the first Hungarian monarch to issue a coronation diploma explicitly confirming the privileges of the nobility and clergy, including their right to resist unlawful royal acts, in an attempt to secure support amidst political instability.

Who challenged Andrew III's rule?

His claim was challenged by Albert I of Austria, Mary of Hungary (representing the Angevin claim), and an adventurer known as the "False Andrew."

What was the state of Hungary during his reign?

Hungary was in a state of constant anarchy, with powerful magnate families like the Kőszegis and Csáks governing their domains autonomously and frequently rebelling against royal authority.

What was the historical impact of Andrew III's death?

His death in 1301 marked the extinction of the Árpád dynasty and initiated a civil war for the throne that lasted over two decades, eventually leading to the establishment of the Angevin dynasty under Charles Robert.