Saint Ladislaus of Hungary

Life story

Ladislaus was born around 1040, a son of King Béla I, while the family was living in exile in Poland. After returning home he took part, alongside his brother Géza, in the power struggles of the Árpád dynasty. In 1077, when Géza I died, the nobles chose Ladislaus as king although a nephew had a claim to the throne. He ruled until his death as a warrior king and lawgiver.

The law codes attributed to him punish theft severely, protect Church property and regulate Sunday observance. He founded the diocese of Nagyvárad, now Oradea in Romania, and supported the founding of the diocese of Zagreb in 1094. In 1091 he brought most of Croatia under Hungarian rule after King Zvonimir died without an heir. He fought the Pecheneg and Cuman raiders on the frontier and was remembered as a brave commander, around whom folk tradition later built many chivalric legends.

Ladislaus died on 29 July 1095 at Nitra, during a campaign he was planning. He was buried at Nagyvárad. In 1192, under King Béla III and Pope Celestine III, his relics were solemnly honoured and he was placed among the saints. His feast falls on 27 June. Hungarians remember him as the ideal just knight, and his image appears in many medieval wall paintings in churches across Central Europe.

Because he was remembered as a defender of the frontier and a protector of the Church, later chroniclers praised his piety as much as his campaigns. His cult spread beyond Hungary into Poland, Slovakia and Croatia, and he remained a symbol of knightly virtue for centuries afterwards.

Works and witness

• Became king of Hungary in 1077 after his brother Géza I died
• Issued laws punishing theft harshly and protecting Church property
• Founded the diocese of Nagyvárad and backed Zagreb's in 1094
• Brought most of Croatia under Hungarian rule in 1091
• His relics were solemnly honoured at Nagyvárad in 1192

Saints from the same country

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Saint Martin of Tours, Saint Stephen of Hungary, Saint Stanislaus of Kraków

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Encyclopaedia Britannica – Ladislas I
• Legenda Sancti Ladislai regis

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.