The Kingdom of Hungary

Starting Resource: 20 -- From Land: 17 -- From Trade: 3 Capital Territory: Buda Nation Class: Small Total Starting Military Infantry: 14 Cavalry: 3 Knights: 0 Artillery: 0 Generals: 1 Merchantmen: 0 Frigates: 0 Ships of the Line: 0

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In the time of the Roman Empire, the Romans called the region Pannonia (west from the Danube river). After Rome fell under the Germanic tribes migration and Carpians' pressure, the Migration Period continued bringing many invaders. First came the Huns, who built up a powerful empire under Attila. The name "Hungary" comes from the name of a later, 7th century Turkic alliance called On-Ogour, which in Old Turkish meant "(the) Ten Arrows" After the Hunnish rule faded, the other Germanic tribes Lombards and Gepids ruled in Pannonia for about 100 years, during which the Slavic tribes also began migrating south. In the 560s, these were supplanted by the Avars who would maintain their supremacy of the land for over two centuries. The Franks under Charlemagne from the west and the Bulgars from the southeast finally managed to overthrow the Avars in the early 9th century. Soon after, the Franks retreated, and the Slavonic kingdom of Great Moravia and the Balaton Principality controlled much of Pannonia until the end of the century. Finally, the Magyars migrated to Hungary in the late 9th century. Tradition holds that the Country of the Magyars was founded in 895. The "Ten Arrows" mentioned above referred to ten tribes, the alliance of which founded the basic Magyar invaders' "army". The Kingdom of Hungary was established in 1000 by King St.Stephen I. St. Stephen I received his crown from Pope Silvester II in 1000. As a Christian king, he established the Hungarian Church with ten dioceses and the royal administration of the country that was divided into counties. Hungary became a patrimonial kingdom where the majority of the lands were the private property of the ruler. Initially, Hungarian history and politics developed in close association with that of Poland and Bohemia, driven by the interventions of various Popes and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Between 1241 to 1242, Hungary was devastated, suffering great loss of life at the hands of Mongol armies of Batu Khan who defeated the Hungarians at the battle of Muhi. Gradually Hungary turned into an independent kingdom, forming a distinct Central European culture with ties to greater West European civilization. Ruled by the Angevins since 1308, the Kingdom of Hungary briefly extended its control over Wallachia and Moldavia. The non-dynastic king Matthias Corvinus ruled the Kingdom of Hungary from 1458 to present (1483). He strengthened Hungary and its government. Under his rule, Hungary became an important artistic and cultural centre of Europe during the Renaissance. King Matthias Corvinus was also successful in many battles against the Ottoman. Hungary begins in a very challenging position, wedged between the Holy Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire and King of Poland & Lithuania. It also borders Venice. Generally to survive, Hungary must attack itself as an ally to one or more of the above mentioned large empires and essentially becomes its front line pawn. If the alliance proves successful, Hungary can expand. But its a dangerous game surviving only by the good graces of a patron ad having your fate tied to it. Hungary might dare to gain territory through use of shifting alliances between its neighbors, but that might prove even more dangerous. It is recommended that Hungary maintain a strong field army at all times to help discourage its neighbors from seeing it as an easy target. Visit the 1483 Discussion Forums to chat about Hungary.