Gone Medieval: Medieval Hungary – Episode Summary
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Host/Author: History Hit
Podcast: Gone Medieval
Introduction to Medieval Hungary
In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Jaenega and guest Nora Behrend delve into the rich and complex history of medieval Hungary. They explore the foundational myths, geopolitical dynamics, and pivotal events that shaped Hungary into one of medieval Europe's most intriguing kingdoms.
Foundational Myths and Historical Legends
Dr. Eleanor Jaenega opens the discussion by examining the legendary origins of the Hungarian kingdom. She references the 14th-century Chronicle of the Deeds of the Hungarians, which narrates the birth of Almush from Ellud, linking their lineage back to Attila the Hun:
"[...] renowned kings were to be born from his loins, because in Hungarian, a dream is called Elong. [...] he was called Almoz, who was the son of Elude, who was the son of Ugjyik, who was the son of Ed, who was the son of Ksaba, who was the son of Attila."
[04:38]
Nora Behrend critically assesses these romanticized accounts, highlighting their similarity to other steppe nomadic myths, such as those surrounding Genghis Khan's lineage:
"The pregnant mother with the dream of a hawk is a trope. [...] the same thing happened to Genghis Khan's mother, for example."
[04:51]
Evaluating Sources and Historiographical Challenges
The conversation shifts to the scarcity and reliability of medieval sources on Hungary. Nora Behrend points out the significant limitations historians face due to the limited and often biased chronicles:
"There certainly is also an issue for kind of the earlier centuries. [...] compared to Western Europe or compared to the Iberian Peninsula, there's a real sort of scarcity of sources."
[06:15]
Dr. Eleanor emphasizes the literary nature of these sources, making it challenging to discern factual history from embellished narratives:
"Many of these texts, especially the narrative texts, are notoriously complicated. [...] it's impossible to know what is fiction and what is fact, because we don't have independent other sources for confirmation."
[07:08]
Migration Patterns and the Origins of the Magyars
The origins of the Hungarian people, the Magyars, are scrutinized. The debate centers on the association between the Magyars and the Huns, with Dr. Eleanor clarifying the lack of historical linkage:
"Historically, there is no real relationship between the Huns and the Hungarians."
[10:41]
Nora adds that the Magyars were a mixed group, incorporating various ethnicities, including Turkic speakers and local Slavic populations:
"It was a mixed group, warriors, who included Turkic speakers. [...] they also incorporated various local inhabitants, Slavic people, the remnants of the Avar empire."
[12:25]
Dr. Eleanor further explains the continuous migration into Hungary, making it a melting pot of different cultures and languages:
"There were many people who arrived afterwards, both from Western Europe and from the East."
[13:56]
Christianization and the Reign of King Stephen I
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Christianization of Hungary, spearheaded by King Stephen I. Nora Behrend outlines Stephen's pivotal role in establishing Christianity through legislation and infrastructure:
"He issued legislation, including on Christianization. [...] requirements and what it meant to be a Christian and the kind of punishments."
[20:23]
Dr. Eleanor discusses the archaeological evidence supporting Stephen’s efforts, such as the construction of churches and the establishment of administrative structures:
"There are archaeological traces of forts, so it's earth, wooden forts, obviously, in this period, building of some churches, some kind of rudimentary administrative structures."
[21:07]
However, Nora cautions against overstating Stephen’s influence, noting that other groups and subsequent rulers also played critical roles:
"Stephen's role is very often exaggerated or is highlighted to the exclusion of everyone else before and after him."
[22:44]
Relations with the Holy Roman Empire
The dynamics between Hungary and the Holy Roman Empire are explored, highlighting both alliances and hostilities. Nora Behrend explains the strategic marriages and political maneuvers that intertwined the two powers:
"For the Ottonians, the defeat of the raiding Hungarians was this kind of cornerstone moment. [...] by the time of Stephen, they actually have good relations because this marriage wouldn't have happened otherwise with the Bavarian Giselle, whose brother eventually becomes emperor."
[25:48]
Dr. Eleanor adds that these relationships were complex, involving trade, military assistance, and political alliances, which shaped Hungary's position in Central Europe:
"There are all sorts trade mission. First missionaries coming in, but then eventually missionaries going out from Hungary towards the Cumans and the Bulgarian heretics, the Bogomians, and marriage."
[25:48]
Nobility vs. Royalty: The Golden Bull and Internal Conflicts
The episode delves into the power struggles between Hungarian nobility and the monarchy. Nora Behrend discusses the Golden Bull of 1222, a significant legal document that delineated the rights of the nobility and curtailed royal authority:
"... the nobles who managed to force the king to promulgate the Golden Bull..."
[31:07]
Dr. Eleanor explains how King Bela IV attempted to reform these feudal tensions by reclaiming royal lands and restricting noble privileges, but was forced to concede further to the nobility following the Mongol invasion:
"He [Bela IV] tries to retake some earlier donations, he tries to restrict the rights of the nobles. But then the Mongol invasion happens and he has to actually just backtrack and give even more rights to the nobles after the invasion to be able to rebuild."
[32:40]
The Devastating Mongol Invasion (1241-1242)
A focal point of the discussion is the Mongol invasion of Hungary. The invasion's impact is described as both devastating and transformative, with estimates of population loss varying widely:
"The estimates about how many people died go from 15%, so 1.5% of the population to 50% of the population."
[33:08]
Nora Behrend narrates the royal escape and the subsequent devastation, quoting a gripping account from Canon Roger Rongarius:
"They [the Mongols] show up... the Mongols tricked people and lured them out of their hiding places by pretending that it was all safe and so on."
[36:25]
Dr. Eleanor discusses the long-term effects of the invasion, including King Bela IV’s rebuilding efforts and the empowerment of the nobility to reconstruct the kingdom:
"After the invasion, King Bela returned, of course, to Hungary. And he managed to consolidate and rebuild quite quickly, actually, and he even manages to wage successful wars fairly quickly."
[37:10]
A poignant reflection on Hungarian identity is shared through a modern saying that originated from the invasion's traumatic memory:
"Even in modern Hungarian there's a saying, 'if somebody's hurrying, you can say, oh, you don't need to hurry. The Mongols are not chasing after you.'"
[38:11]
Aftermath: Rebuilding and Political Shifts
Post-invasion, King Bela IV implements strategies to fortify Hungary, including inviting the Cumans back as loyal military forces. This decision underscores his focus on strengthening the kingdom's defenses and consolidating power:
"He [Bela IV] brings them back, settles them, and even his son, who then becomes eventually king of Hungary, marries the daughter of a Cuman leader."
[37:50]
The Árpád dynasty, the founding royal house of Hungary, eventually faces its decline with the death of its last male member in 1301. Nora Behrend touches upon the dynasty’s legacy and the subsequent rise of the Angevins through strategic marriages:
"The last male member of the dynasty dies in 1301. [...] even after the last male member of the dynasty dies, of course, in the female line, new kings of the Angevins come in because they can lay a claim through the female line."
[42:24]
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The Mongol invasion leaves an indelible mark on Hungarian cultural identity, symbolizing resilience and national survival. Nora Behrend notes how historical narratives have been instrumentalized to foster a sense of unity and defiance:
"He [Bela IV] uses it [the Mongol invasion] as a kind of trump card. [...] it's ingrained into Hungarian identity discourses, and especially in the 20th century."
[40:29]
Dr. Eleanor observes that Hungary's central geopolitical location uniquely exposed it to diverse influences and conflicts, enriching its medieval history:
"This particular mixture, I think due to the kind of geopolitical location of the country, is fairly specific to the medieval kingdom of Hungary."
[48:06]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with reflections on Hungary's pivotal role in medieval Europe, balancing its interactions with powerful neighbors, internal power struggles, and the catastrophic impact of the Mongol invasion. Dr. Eleanor Jaenega and Nora Behrend highlight Hungary's enduring legacy as a melting pot of cultures and a symbol of resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Notable Quotes:
-
"We should not accept these things at face value."
— Nora Behrend
[05:16] -
"It's impossible to know what is fiction and what is fact, because we don't have independent other sources for confirmation."
— Dr. Eleanor Jaenega
[07:08] -
"Stephen's role is very often exaggerated or is highlighted to the exclusion of everyone else before and after him."
— Nora Behrend
[22:44] -
"The Mongol invasion leaves a lasting mark to the point that even in modern Hungarian there's a saying, 'if somebody's hurrying, you can say, oh, you don't need to hurry. The Mongols are not chasing after you.'"
— Dr. Eleanor Jaenega
[38:11]
Additional Resources:
- Interested listeners can explore past episodes covering topics such as the Pax Mongolica and Central European politics, including the Habsburgs.
- History Hit Subscription: Gain access to hundreds of hours of original documentaries and ad-free podcasts at historyhit.com/subscribe.
Thank you for joining this deep dive into Medieval Hungary on Gone Medieval. Stay tuned for more explorations into the fascinating history of the Middle Ages.