# Stephen V of Hungary

> King of Hungary (1239-1272)

**Wikidata**: [Q158038](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q158038)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_V_of_Hungary)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stephen-v-of-hungary

## Summary
Stephen V of Hungary was King of Hungary from 1239 to 1272, serving as the monarch of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary during a critical period of its history. As a member of the Árpád dynasty, he ruled during a time of significant political and territorial challenges in Central Europe.

## Biography
- Born: 18 October 1239
- Died: 6 August 1272
- Nationality: Hungarian
- Occupation: Monarch, King of Hungary
- Reign: 1239-1272
- Dynasty: Árpád dynasty

## Contributions
Stephen V served as King of Hungary for 33 years, maintaining the stability of the Hungarian throne during the mid-13th century. His reign encompassed a period when Hungary was a significant power in Central Europe, positioned between the Holy Roman Empire to the west and the Byzantine-influenced Balkans to the south. As monarch, he would have been responsible for maintaining royal authority, managing relations with neighboring kingdoms, and overseeing the administration of the realm.

## FAQs
**What was Stephen V's role in Hungarian history?**
Stephen V was King of Hungary from 1239 to 1272, representing a significant period of medieval Hungarian monarchy. His reign of over three decades suggests a period of relative stability for the kingdom during the 13th century.

**When did Stephen V rule Hungary?**
Stephen V ruled Hungary from 1239 until his death in 1272, a reign spanning more than three decades during the 13th century.

**What dynasty did Stephen V belong to?**
Stephen V was a member of the Árpád dynasty, the royal house that ruled Hungary from its founding in 1000 CE until 1301.

## Why They Matter
Stephen V represents an important figure in the continuity of the Árpád dynasty, which had ruled Hungary since the kingdom's founding in 1000 CE. His reign from 1239 to 1272 places him in the middle period of this dynasty's rule, suggesting he helped maintain the dynasty's authority during a crucial century of Hungarian statehood. The length of his reign - 33 years - indicates a period of relative stability that would have been important for the development of medieval Hungarian institutions and territorial integrity.

## Notable For
- King of Hungary for 33 years (1239-1272)
- Member of the Árpád dynasty
- Ruled during the mid-13th century
- Maintained Hungarian monarchy during a critical period of Central European history

## Body
### Royal Status and Identity
Stephen V of Hungary occupied the position of King of Hungary from 1239 until his death in 1272, making his one of the longer reigns in medieval Hungarian history. As a monarch, he embodied the highest authority in the medieval Kingdom of Hungary, a state that had been founded in 1000 CE by King Stephen I. His position placed him at the apex of the feudal hierarchy, responsible for maintaining royal prerogatives, managing noble relations, and representing Hungarian interests in broader European affairs.

### Historical Context
Stephen V's reign from 1239 to 1272 positioned him in the 13th century, a period of significant development in medieval Europe. This era saw the continued consolidation of royal power across European monarchies, the development of more sophisticated administrative systems, and ongoing interactions between Christian kingdoms. Hungary, under Stephen V, would have been navigating these broader European trends while maintaining its specific position as a Central European power.

### Dynasty and Succession
As a member of the Árpád dynasty, Stephen V continued the royal line that had provided Hungary's rulers since the kingdom's Christian founding. The Árpád dynasty traced its origins to the semi-legendary leader Árpád, who led the Magyar tribes into the Carpathian Basin in the late 9th century. By Stephen V's time, the dynasty had established itself as the legitimate royal house of Hungary, and his reign represents one of the later generations of this important medieval dynasty.

### Royal Authority and Governance
During his 33-year reign, Stephen V would have exercised the typical functions of a medieval monarch. This included maintaining royal authority over the nobility, overseeing the administration of justice, managing royal lands and resources, conducting diplomatic relations with neighboring realms, and providing military leadership when required. The length of his reign suggests he was relatively successful in maintaining these royal prerogatives and managing the complex political landscape of medieval Hungary.

### Death and Legacy
Stephen V died on 6 August 1272, bringing to an end his three-decade rule over Hungary. His death would have triggered the succession mechanisms of the Árpád dynasty, leading to the coronation of a new monarch. The fact that he ruled for such an extended period indicates that he left a significant impact on the institutional and political development of the kingdom during his lifetime.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [Book of kings]. 1997
3. The Peerage
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Library of Congress Control Number
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Sejm-Wielki.pl
8. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands