Stephen IV of Hungary

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Stephen IV (Hungarian: IV. István, Slovak: Štefan IV.) was briefly king of Hungary in 1163. He was the third son of King Béla II of Hungary, and the younger brother of King Géza II and King László II.

In 1162, the young king Stephen III was driven out of Hungary by his uncles, Stephen and László, who had military support from the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Comnenus. László briefly became king, but died in 1163. The crown passed to Stephen, who was unpopular because of his pro-Byzantine tendencies. His nephew Stephen III invaded the country with his Austrian allies, defeated Stephen IV in battle and regained his throne.

Stephen IV was married to Maria Comnena, a granddaughter of the Emperor John II Comnenus, but they had no children.

[edit] Sources

• Engel, Pat. Realm of St. Stephen : A History of Medieval Hungary, 2001

Preceded by Stephen III

King of Hungary

Succeeded by Stephen III