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Ladislaus I of Hungary

1040 – 1095

About

Royalty and Saint. His parents were King Béla I of Hungary and Richeza of Poland, making him part of the Árpád dynasty, which ruled Hungary for centuries. Ladislaus came to power after a period of instability following the death of his uncle, King Andrew I, and the subsequent reign of his cousin, Solomon. He later secured the throne after his cousins Géza I's brief rule (1074–1077). His reign is noted for strengthening Hungary's position both internally and externally. He's celebrated for his efforts to consolidate Christianity in Hungary, enforce laws, and defend the kingdom against external threats like the Cumans, a nomadic Turkic people. Ladislaus was known for his piety, bravery, and justice, traits that earned him sainthood after his death. He was canonized in 1192 by Pope Celestine III, and his legacy as a warrior-king and saint made him a symbol of Hungarian national identity. He married twice, first to an unknown noblewoman and later to Adelaide of Rheinfelden, and had three daughters, including Piroska (later known as Irene), who became a Byzantine empress. Ladislaus died during preparations for the First Crusade, which he had been invited to lead, though he never embarked on it. He was first buried at Somogyvár and transferred to Varad/Oradea in 1106 or 1113.