Ladislaus I of Hungary

Ladislaus I Of Hungary

Saint Ladislaus I (Hungarian: I. (Szent) László, (in Medieval English texts: Saint Lancelot), Croatian: Ladislav I., Czech: Ladislav I., Slovak: Svätý Ladislav I, Polish: Władysław I Święty; c. 1045 – 29 July 1095) was King of Hungary from 1077 until his death, "who greatly expanded the boundaries of the kingdom and consolidated it internally; no other Hungarian king was so generally beloved by the people". Before his accession to the throne, he was the main advisor of his brother, Géza I of Hungary, who was fighting against their cousin, King Solomon of Hungary. When his brother died, his followers proclaimed Ladislaus king according to the Hungarian tradition that gave precedence to the eldest member of the deceased king's sons. Following a long period of civil wars, he strengthened the royal power in his kingdom by introducing severe legislation. He would also extend his rule over Croatia. After his canonisation, Ladislaus became the model of the chivalrous king in Hungary.