History of Hungary
The Magyar / HUN-garian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin – 9th/10th Century
The Magyars / HUNgarians migrated into the the Heartland of Central Europe around 896 AD. Thus began the conquest of the Carpathian basin, with the systematic defeat and subjugation of the Slavic nations in the region. Since that time Hungarians have been seen as a unique group of people, who settled in-between a ‘sea’ of Germanic and Slavic peoples, shrouded in mystery and becoming the ‘stuff of legends’ and folklore; separated by language, culture, heritage and attitude.
The Magyars King at that time King Árpád, led the Chiefs of the seven Tribes, along with an estimated 500 Thousand Magyars across the Carpathian Mountains into Central Europe. Here they began to settle down and build settlements and villages; raise cattle, and till the plains. The Magyars brought many interesting unique innovations, cultural practices, rich cuisine and even agricultural plants and animals.
“ The Magyars. ..Their chieftain leads 20,000 horsemen into battle… The land of the Magyars is rich in trees and water. They have much cultivated land… The Magyars are handsome and of fine aspect, well-built, and display great wealth, which they have gained through trade. They wear clothes of silk brocade. Their weapons are mounted with silver and gold and inlaid with pearls.”.– Description by lexicographer in the 10th Century
The path of the Magyar Tribes from beyond the Ural Mts is depicted in the map below.
The other map refers to the various Magyar campaigns of conquest into Europe during the 9th and 10th centuries.
True to their ancestral customary livelihoods and survival patterns, the Magyars supplemented their needs by excursions of conquest into surrounding Europe; using advanced military hardware, tactical warfare and skilful experienced diplomacy to gain superiority over their adversaries.
Hungary’s 1st Christian king, István (Stephen) I, descendant of King Arpád, received his crown sent by Pope Sylvester II, and was crowned on Christmas Day in 1000 AD; cementing Hungarians relationship with Western Christian Europe forever!
In essence the Magyars / Hungarians became the defenders of the Eastern borders of Western Christian Europe.
The Magyars Save Europe from the Tartar Invasion – 1241/2
The Magyars took a massive blow with the three Mongol invasions from Asia, under the leadership and King of the Tartars – Genghis Khan. The Mongols attacked Europe 3 times and it is during the first battle that took place over that first year, that Hungary was dealt the biggest devastation; with estimates that the Magyars lost 1/3 rd of their population. However the Magyars / Hungarians were able to repel the 2nd attempted invasion of the Mongols, and following this the Mongols did not dare to attack Hungary for the third time.
These Magyars had experience of the Tartars style of warfare, through their Hun forefathers and were able to hold back the bulk of the determined attacks; thereby prevented the massive invasion of Western Europe by the Tartars. Its important to note that through Hungary’s defence of Western Christian Europe against such foe as the Tartars, that the future Hungarian population growth was substantially stunted; reducing Hungary’s ability to effectively defend and consolidate its socio-economic and political position within Europe.
Hungary is rebuilt and Developed into a flourishing Nation – 13th / 14th Century
King Bela IV (1235 – 1270) rebuilds Hungary with stone fortifications. During this period the 1st Central European Alliance is formed with Hungary at its centre. A major cultural and development boom takes place including the establishment of the 1st University on Magyar territory, in Pecs in 1372.