Levente, Grand Prince of the Hungarians

Levente (c. 1012 – 1046 or 1047), eldest son of Vazul, a ruler in Hungary's Árpád dynasty and the last member of this family never to become a Christian.

Levente was son of Vazul, cousin of Stephen I of Hungary, and an unknown women from the family Tátony.[1] Brother of Andrew I of Hungary and Béla I of Hungary. After 1031 and before year 1038 (, around year 1035) when their father had his eyes gouged out and molten lead poured in his ears according to the orders of king Stephen I, the three brothers were obliged to leave the country. Fleeing first to Bohemia, they continued to Poland where Bela settled down, while his brothers continued on, settling in Kiev. In Poland, Bela served king Mieszko II Lambert of Poland and took part in the king's campaigns against the pagan Pomeran tribes. Bela became a successful military leader, and the king gave his daughter, Rixa in marriage to him. After his marriage, he probably lived in Poland, staying even during the time of interregnum when his brother-in-law, Casimir I of Poland was obliged to leave the country. Andrew and Levente went on to prince of Kievan Rus' - Yaroslav I the Wise.

In year 1046 the Hungarian prelates, led by bishop Gerard Sagredo, called back to the country duke Vazul's formerly expelled sons, who have been living in Kiev. By the time when Andrew and Levente arrived to Hungary, an extensive revolt of the pagan Hungarians had broken out. The two brothers made an alliance with the pagan rebels who accepted their leadership in Abaújvár. King Peter I tried to escape to the Holy Roman Empire, but he was arrested and blinded by the followers of the two princes. Levente was the last member of his family not to be baptised, renouncing his rights of succession rather than accept baptism. He was seriously injured in battle against the forces of Peter Ir and died of his injuries within a year.

The Hungarian chronicles related that after the downfall of Peter Urseolo Andrew agreed with his elder brother, Levente, who was a decided pagan, that Andrew would rule over Hungary. Andrew, however, was crowned only in 1047, after his brother's death.

References

^ Słownik Starożytności Słowiańskich, vol. 7

Sroka, S. A. (2000). Historia Węgier do 1526 roku. Bydgoszcz, Poland.

"Foundation for Medieval Genealogy". Retrieved 2007-12-29.

Sources

http://genealogy.euweb.cz/arpad/arpad1.html

Levente herceg