Hungarian history: Pre 1526

1370

Kingdoms of Hungary and Poland unite. The reason behind the unification was the mother of the then Hungarian King, Louis the Great.

1456

At Nándorfehérvár (modern Belgrade), János Hunyadi defeats the Turks, halting their advance into Europe. This victory is still commemorated daily by the ringing of bells at noon by thousands of Christian churches.

1458-1490

Matthias Corvinus appoints Magyars to the most important offices and authorities, though the German population (approx. 50%) retains its own rights; struggle against the Ottomans. The rule of King Matthias. Cultural life of a European standard flourished in his palaces at Buda and Visegrád. For a few decades, Hungary lived on a West European standard.

1490 onwards

However, the death of Matthias in 1490 resulted in another setback. His successor Vladislav was unable to maintain royal authority, funds were squandered, and retrograde laws reduced the peasantry to serfdom.

1514

Peasants' War. After the backfiring of a hastily-improvised crusade, serfs led by Franciscan friars, and then by the solider, György Dózsa, started a peasant uprising. A bloody civil war ensued which damaged all sections of society. Retribution was severe, with Dózsa being roasted alive on a fiery throne.

1526

At Mohács, the present southern frontier of the country, the Turks defeated the Hungarian army. 150 years of Turkish occupation started. Crushing defeat of the Hungarian army at the hands of the Turks in the Battle of Mohács; country split into three parts: the west ceded to the Habsburgs, the principality of Transylvania established in the east, the central regions under Turkish occupation