DIPLOMATICKÁ INTERVENCIA PÁPEŽA URBANA IV. V DYNASTICKOM KONFLIKTE MEDZI BELOM IV. A KRÁĽOVIČOM ŠTEFANOM (1262 – 1264)
[The Diplomatic Intervention of Pope Urban IV in the Dynastic Conflict between Béla IV and Duke Stephen (1262 – 1264)]
Abstract: This study examines the diplomatic activity of Pope Urban IV during the escalation of the dynastic conflict between King Béla IV of Hungary and his son Stephen between 1262 and 1264. Drawing on preserved papal correspondence, it reconstructs the individual interventions made in favour of members of Béla’s faction, most notably Queen Maria Laskarina, Duke Béla of Slavonia, and Duchess Anna of Mačva. The study explores how the Roman Curia sought to legitimize their political status amid the internal crisis. It further analyses a series of letters addressed to Prince Stephen and high-ranking members of the Hungarian ecclesiastical hierarchy, aimed at exerting pressure to reverse Stephen’s actions against his mother and sister. The study evaluates both the scope and the limitations of this diplomatic strategy, demonstrating that, despite the Roman Curia’s intense engagement, it ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of civil war. It offers new insights into the functioning of papal diplomacy as an active political instrument in conflicts within medieval royal dynasties.
Author: Palko, Jakub
DOI: 10.17846/CL.2025.18.2.81-89
Publication order reference: PhDr. Jakub Palko, PhD.; Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Arts, Department of Slovak History, Gondova Street 2, 811 02 Bratislava 1, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; ORCID: 0000-0002-4850-3251, Scopus Author ID: 57235665400, WOS Researcher ID: ISB-5014-2023
Source: Konštantínove listy, 2025, vol.: 18, issue: 2, pages: 81-89 (PDF file)
Keywords: URBAN IV, BÉLA IV, PRINCE STEPHEN, PAPAL DIPLOMACY, CIVIL WAR IN HUNGARY
Language: SLOVAK
Recommended Citation:
Palko, Jakub. 2025. Diplomatická intervencia pápeža Urbana IV. v dynastickom konflikte medzi Belom IV. a kráľovičom Štefanom (1262 – 1264) [The Diplomatic Intervention of Pope Urban IV in the Dynastic Conflict between Béla IV and Duke Stephen (1262 – 1264)]. In Konštantínove listy [Constantine’s Letters] 18/2, 81-89.