Gertrude of Merania

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Gertrude of Merania (1185 – September 24, 1213) was the first wife of Andrew II, king of Hungary. She was the daughter of Berthold IV, Duke of Merania. Her sister was Agnes of Merania, a famous beauty, who married King Philippe Auguste of France. Yet another sister was St. Hedwig of Andechs.

She and Andrew married before 1203, and she was the mother of his successor Bela IV of Hungary and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, wife of Louis, landgrave of Thuringia. Gertrude was killed in 1213, by the Hungarian noblemen, who were jealous over the advancement of her relatives at court. Due to the current political situation most of her murderers remained unpunished during the rule of Andrew II. Only Gertrude's son Béla IV took revenge after elevated to the throne.

She is the main antagonist in Ferenc Erkel's opera, Bánk bán.