Battle of Ménfő explained

Conflict:Battle of Ménfő
Partof:German-Hungarian War (1044)
Date:5 June 1044[1]
Place:Ménfő, Hungary
Result:German victory
Peter Orseolo becomes King of Hungary
Combatant1:Kingdom of Germany
Hungarian supporters of Peter Orseolo
Combatant2:Hungarian supporters of Samuel Aba
Commander1:Henry III
Peter Orseolo
Commander2:Samuel Aba
Strength1:Unknown
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:Light
Casualties2:Heavy

The Battle of Ménfő was an important battle in the early history of the Kingdom of Hungary. Fought in 1044 at Ménfő, near Győr, between an army of mostly Germans and Hungarians (Magyars), it was a victory for the Germans and thus for Westernising influences in Hungary.

Peter Orseolo, who had been deposed by Samuel Aba in 1041, returned with the assistance of Emperor Henry III, and invaded Hungary in June 1044. His force was small and the Hungarian army of Samuel Aba was large. However, there was disaffection in the Hungarian ranks and the army quickly fell apart in the face of the German cavalry. Samuel fled the field, but was captured and killed. Peter was reinstalled as king at Székesfehérvár and did homage for his kingdom to Henry. The leading magnates and the less important nobles all came to Henry to make oaths of fidelity and vassalage. Hungary was made a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire, though it was not to remain so for long.

Sources

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Pál Engel. Realm of St Stephen, The: A History of Medieval Hungary, 895-1526. 23 February 2001. I.B.Tauris. 978-0-85773-173-9. 47–.