# Béla III of Hungary

> King of Hungary and Croatia from 1172 to 1196

**Wikidata**: [Q86978](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q86978)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Béla_III_of_Hungary)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bela-iii-of-hungary

## Summary
Béla III of Hungary was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1172 to 1196. His reign marked a period of consolidation and expansion for the kingdom, though his legacy is overshadowed by his son, King Andrew II, who became one of Hungary's most famous rulers.

## Biography
- Born: Unknown (exact date and place not specified in source material)
- Nationality: Hungarian
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Reign as King of Hungary and Croatia (1172–1196)
- Employer(s): King of Hungary and Croatia
- Field(s): Monarchy, medieval European politics

## Contributions
Béla III of Hungary ruled Hungary and Croatia from 1172 to 1196. His reign was marked by efforts to strengthen the kingdom's defenses and maintain political stability, though his legacy is largely overshadowed by his son, King Andrew II, who became a more prominent figure in Hungarian history.

## FAQs
### What was Béla III of Hungary's role in Hungarian history?
Béla III of Hungary was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1172 to 1196. His reign focused on consolidating the kingdom's power and defending its borders, though his legacy is less prominent compared to his successor, King Andrew II.

### Who succeeded Béla III of Hungary?
Béla III of Hungary was succeeded by his son, King Andrew II, who became one of Hungary's most famous rulers.

### What is known about Béla III of Hungary's personal life?
No specific details about Béla III of Hungary's personal life, family, or early years are provided in the source material.

### How did Béla III of Hungary's reign compare to other medieval Hungarian kings?
The source material does not provide a direct comparison to other medieval Hungarian kings, but Béla III's reign is noted for its efforts in defending the kingdom and maintaining political stability.

## Why They Matter
Béla III of Hungary's reign (1172–1196) was a period of consolidation and defense for the Kingdom of Hungary. His efforts to strengthen the kingdom's defenses and maintain political stability laid the groundwork for future rulers, though his legacy is largely overshadowed by his son, King Andrew II, who became a more prominent figure in Hungarian history.

## Notable For
- Reign as King of Hungary and Croatia (1172–1196)
- Father of King Andrew II, one of Hungary's most famous rulers
- Efforts to consolidate and defend the kingdom during his reign

## Body
### Reign and Legacy
Béla III of Hungary ruled Hungary and Croatia from 1172 to 1196. His reign was marked by efforts to strengthen the kingdom's defenses and maintain political stability. Béla III is best remembered as the father of King Andrew II, who became one of Hungary's most famous rulers. The source material does not provide detailed accounts of Béla III's personal life, family, or specific achievements beyond his royal duties.

### Historical Context
Béla III of Hungary's reign occurred during a period of medieval European politics. His efforts to consolidate the kingdom's power and defend its borders were part of broader Central European developments. The source material does not offer a direct comparison to other medieval Hungarian kings, but Béla III's reign is noted for its focus on defense and stability.

### Succession
Béla III of Hungary was succeeded by his son, King Andrew II, who became a prominent figure in Hungarian history. The source material does not provide details about Béla III's immediate predecessors or the circumstances surrounding his ascension to the throne.

### Cultural and Political Influence
The source material does not specify Béla III of Hungary's cultural or political influence beyond his role as king. His reign is noted for its efforts in defending the kingdom and maintaining political stability, but no detailed cultural contributions are mentioned.

### Later Historical Accounts
Béla III of Hungary's reign is largely overshadowed by his son, King Andrew II, who became a more prominent figure in Hungarian history. The source material does not provide extensive historical accounts of Béla III's reign or personal life, focusing instead on his role as a monarch and his relationship to his successor.

## References

1. Source
2. The Peerage
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
7. VcBA (identifier)
8. Sapere Encyclopedia
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
11. Enciclopedia Treccani
12. Dizionario di Storia
13. Sejm-Wielki.pl
14. HMML Authority File