Stephen IV of Hungary (b. 1133)

Stephen IV (Hungarian: IV. István, Croatian: Stjepan IV, Slovak: Štefan IV; c. 1133 – 11 April 1165) was a figure whose brief and tumultuous reign as King of Hungary and Croatia, spanning from 1163 to 1165, encapsulated a period of intense dynastic struggle and external political maneuvering within the Árpád dynasty. His claim to the throne was marked by usurpation, challenging the legitimate succession of his young nephew, Stephen III. Born around 1133, Stephen IV was the third son of Béla II of Hungary, often known as "the Blind," a lineage that placed him squarely within the royal family but not in the direct line of succession for long.

A Prince in Exile: Conspiracy and Departure

Stephen IV's journey to the throne was anything but straightforward. His early life was defined by ambition and political intrigue. In the mid-12th century, the Hungarian court was a hotbed of power struggles, with various princes vying for influence and the ultimate prize of the crown. Stephen, like many of his relatives, harbored aspirations that put him at odds with the reigning monarch. In the summer of 1157, he participated in a conspiracy against his own elder brother, King Géza II, who had ascended to the throne in 1141. When this plot failed, Stephen found himself in a precarious position, facing the wrath of his brother and the consequences of treason. Exile became his only option, a common fate for unsuccessful contenders in medieval courts.

Seeking Sanctuary and New Alliances Abroad

His initial flight led him to the sophisticated court of the Holy Roman Empire, where he sought succor from Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, a powerful figure in European politics. However, despite his royal lineage, Stephen received no substantial support from the Emperor, perhaps due to Barbarossa's own complex diplomatic considerations or an unwillingness to meddle directly in Hungarian succession disputes at that particular moment. Undeterred, Stephen quickly shifted his strategic focus, moving further east to the burgeoning Byzantine Empire, a realm whose influence was growing steadily in the Balkans and Central Europe. This proved to be a pivotal decision.

In Constantinople, under the aegis of the astute Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, Stephen found not just refuge but also a powerful ally. To solidify this crucial alliance, he took a Byzantine bride, marrying Maria Komnene, a niece of Emperor Manuel I. This marriage was not merely a personal union but a potent political statement, binding Stephen closely to the Byzantine imperial family. Further deepening his ties to Byzantium, Stephen made the significant religious conversion from Roman Catholicism, the dominant faith in Hungary, to the Eastern Orthodox Church. This act, while endearing him to his new Byzantine patrons, undoubtedly alienated many of the powerful Catholic Hungarian lords and clergy, foreshadowing future resistance to his rule.

The Shifting Sands of Succession: From Géza II to Ladislaus II

The death of Géza II on 31 May 1162 plunged Hungary into another succession crisis. Géza's legitimate heir was his young son, Stephen III. However, Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, ever keen to expand Byzantine influence, saw an opportunity to install his new kinsman, Stephen IV, on the Hungarian throne. Manuel actively attempted to assist Stephen IV in seizing the crown, providing military and diplomatic backing. This intervention, however, met with considerable resistance within Hungary.

While many Hungarian lords were indeed prepared to contemplate a change from their young and perhaps inexperienced monarch, Stephen III, they were far from united in supporting Stephen IV. The Byzantine-backed, Orthodox-converting Stephen IV was viewed with suspicion by a significant faction of the Hungarian nobility, who preferred a ruler with stronger ties to their own traditions and the Roman Church. Consequently, they sharply opposed Stephen IV's bid for the throne and instead elected his elder brother, Ladislaus II, king. This demonstrated the immense power of the Hungarian magnates in determining their monarch, often overriding external pressures.

Ladislaus II, perhaps seeking to appease his ambitious brother and mitigate further Byzantine interference, granted Stephen IV the ducatus, a substantial duchy encompassing approximately one-third of the kingdom. This grant, while offering Stephen IV significant power and territory, was also a strategy to keep him within the kingdom's framework but away from the direct seat of power, hopefully preventing further challenges to Ladislaus's reign.

A Brief Reign and Swift Downfall

Ladislaus II's reign, however, was exceptionally short-lived. He died on 14 January 1163, possibly due to illness, though the swiftness of events in this period often raises suspicions of foul play. With Ladislaus II's sudden demise, Stephen IV finally succeeded to the throne, becoming King of Hungary and Croatia. His ascent, however, was immediately met with staunch opposition from a powerful figure within the Hungarian Church: Lucas, the Archbishop of Esztergom. Archbishop Lucas remained a steadfast and vocal supporter of the expelled young Stephen III, viewing Stephen IV's claim as illegitimate. He famously refused to crown Stephen IV, a crucial ritual for legitimizing a medieval monarch, and went a step further by excommunicating him. This act was a profound condemnation, stripping Stephen IV of religious legitimacy in the eyes of many and signaling to the Christian world that his rule was unholy.

Stephen IV's unpopularity among the Hungarian lords, exacerbated by his Byzantine ties and excommunication, proved to be his undoing. His nephew, Stephen III, seizing the opportunity presented by his uncle's weak position, was able to muster a loyal army. The decisive confrontation took place at Székesfehérvár, a city of immense historical and symbolic importance as a traditional coronation and burial site for Hungarian kings, on 19 June 1163. In this pivotal battle, the younger Stephen decisively routed his uncle, Stephen IV, forcing him once again to flee Hungary, his brief reign shattered.

Exile, Abandonment, and Tragic End

Following his defeat, Stephen IV once again sought external assistance to regain his lost crown. He appealed to both his former patron, Emperor Manuel I of Byzantium, and Emperor Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire. However, the political landscape had shifted. Both emperors, seeing Stephen IV's weakened position and perhaps recognizing the futility of further intervention, ultimately abandoned him. For Emperor Manuel, the cost of continually propping up an unpopular claimant against a more legitimate and increasingly strong Hungarian king became too high.

Emperor Manuel I, however, did not entirely cast Stephen IV aside. He settled him in Syrmium (modern Srem, a region encompassing parts of present-day Serbia and Croatia), a strategically important province that Manuel had acquired from Hungary, demonstrating the ongoing territorial ambitions of the Byzantine Empire. Here, Stephen lived out his final days, a king without a kingdom, a pawn in the larger game of imperial politics. His life came to a tragic end on 11 April 1165 during the siege of Zimony (now Zemun, a district of Belgrade, Serbia). He died of poisoning, a common method of political assassination in the medieval era, orchestrated by partisans loyal to his nephew, Stephen III. His death marked the conclusive end of a tumultuous chapter in Hungarian history, characterized by intense dynastic rivalry and significant foreign influence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stephen IV

Who was Stephen IV of Hungary?

Stephen IV was a Hungarian prince who briefly reigned as King of Hungary and Croatia from 1163 to 1165, after usurping the throne from his nephew, Stephen III. He was the third son of King Béla II of Hungary.

Why was Stephen IV exiled from Hungary?

He was exiled in 1157 after his conspiracy against his elder brother, King Géza II, failed.

Which empires did Stephen IV seek refuge in?

He first sought refuge in the Holy Roman Empire but received no support from Emperor Frederick I. He then moved to the Byzantine Empire, where he found an ally in Emperor Manuel I Komnenos.

How did Stephen IV strengthen his ties with the Byzantine Empire?

He married Maria Komnene, a niece of Emperor Manuel I, and converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church, adopting the Byzantine faith.

How did Stephen IV become King of Hungary?

After the death of his brother Géza II, Emperor Manuel I supported Stephen IV's claim against his nephew, Stephen III. However, Hungarian lords initially elected his brother, Ladislaus II. When Ladislaus II died in early 1163, Stephen IV succeeded him.

Why was Stephen IV unpopular among the Hungarian lords?

His strong ties to the Byzantine Empire, his conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy, and the perception of him as a usurper against the legitimate heir (Stephen III) made him unpopular. Archbishop Lucas of Esztergom also refused to crown him and excommunicated him, further undermining his legitimacy.

What was the Battle of Székesfehérvár?

It was a decisive battle fought on 19 June 1163 at Székesfehérvár, where Stephen III's forces routed Stephen IV, forcing his uncle to flee Hungary once more.

How did Stephen IV die?

He died of poisoning on 11 April 1165, during the siege of Zimony (modern Zemun), at the hands of partisans loyal to his nephew, Stephen III.