Michael Matthew Groat PhD's Genealogical Database
Individuals: 97,713 Families: 61,838
Gedcom Last Modified: December 14, 2025 00:59:10
Géza Árpád-házi Magyar fejedelem
- Preferred Name: Géza Árpád-házi Magyar fejedelem[1] [2] [3]
- Alternate Name: Geysa King of Hungary
- Alternate Name: von Ungarn
- Alternate Name: Geza Grand Prince of the Hungarians
- Gender: M
- http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Duc de MagyarsBET 978 AND 997
- http://familysearch.org/v1/TitleOfNobility: Grand Prince of Hungary970
- LdsBaptism: 15 JUL 1980 with note: GEDCOM data
- FSID: L193-QYW
- Birth: 945 in Esztergom, Hungary at LATI: N7.8403 LONG: E8.6257
- Clan Name: with note: Description: House of Árpád
- Burial: 1 FEB 997 in Székesfehérvár, Fejér, Hungary at LATI: N7.1939 LONG: E8.4243
- LdsSealingToParents: 2 DEC 1980 with note: GEDCOM data
- Fejedelem: BET 972 AND 978 with note: GEDCOM data
- LdsEndowment: 18 NOV 1980 with note: GEDCOM data
- Death: 1 FEB 997 in Esztergom, Hungary at LATI: N7.8403 LONG: E8.6257
- Christening: 974
- Notes:
=== Life Sketch ===
Wikipedia
Géza (c. 940 – 997), also Gejza, was Grand Prince of the Hungarians from the early 970s. He was the son of Grand Prince Taksony and his Oriental—Khazar, Pecheneg or Volga Bulgarian—wife. He married Sarolt, a daughter of an Eastern Orthodox Hungarian chieftain. After ascending the throne, Géza made peace with the Holy Roman Empire. Within Hungary, he consolidated his authority with extreme cruelty, according to the unanimous narration of nearly contemporaneous sources. He was the first Hungarian monarch to support Christian missionaries from Western Europe. Although he was baptised (his baptismal name was Stephen), his Christian faith remained shallow and he continued to perform acts of pagan worship. He was succeeded by his son Stephen, who was crowned the first King of Hungary in 1000 or 1001.
Early life
Géza was the elder son of Taksony, Grand Prince of the Hungarians.[1] His mother was his father's wife "from the land of the Cumans",[2] according to the anonymous author of the Gesta Hungarorum.[3] This anachronistic reference to the Cumans suggests that she was of Khazar, Pecheneg or Volga Bulgarian origin.[4] The Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, who listed the descendants of Grand Prince Árpád around 950, did not mention Géza.[4] Even so, Gyula Kristó wrote that Géza was born around 940 and the emperor ignored him because of his youth.[4] The genuine form of his name was either "Gyeücsa" or "Gyeusa", which is possibly a diminutive form of the Turkic title yabgu.[4] Géza's father arranged his marriage with Sarolt—a daughter of a Hungarian chieftain called Gyula, [4][5] who ruled Transylvania independently of the grand prince[5] and had converted to Christianity in Constantinople.[6] Sarolt seems to have also adhered to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, according to Bruno of Querfurt's remark on her "languid and muddled Christianity".[6]
Géza succeeded his father around 972.[4][7][8] He adopted a centralizing policy, which gave rise to his fame as a merciless ruler.[9][7] The longer version of his son's Life even states that Géza's hands were "defiled with blood".[7] Pál Engel wrote that Géza carried out a "large-scale purge"[7] against his relatives, which explains the lack of references to other members of the Árpád dynasty from around 972. Koppány, who continued to rule the southern parts of Transdanubia, is the only exception to this dearth of references.[7] A marriage alliance between the German and Byzantine dynasties brought about a rapprochement between the two powers neighboring Hungary in 972.[10] Géza decided to make peace with the Holy Roman Empire.[9] First, a monk named Bruno sent by Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor arrived in Hungary around 972.[11] Hungarian "legates"[12] were present at a conference held by the emperor in Quedlinburg in 973.[7]
Geyza, who was strict and cruel, acting in a domineering way, as it were, with his own people, but compassionate and generous with strangers, especially with Christians, although [he was] still entangled in the rite of paganism. At the approach of the light of spiritual grace, he began to discuss peace attentively with all the neighboring provinces ... Moreover, he laid down a rule that the favor of hospitality and security be shown to all Christians wishing to enter to his domains. He gave clerics and monks leave to enter his presence; he offered them a willing hearing, and delighted them in the germination of the seed of true faith sown in the garden of his heart.
— Hartvic: Life of King Stephen of Hungary[13]
Statue of Grand Prince Géza in Székesfehérvár
A record on one Bishop Prunwart in the Abbey of Saint Gall mentions his success in baptising many Hungarians, including their "king".[11] The nearly contemporaneous Thietmar of Merseburg confirms that the conversion to Christianity of the pagan Hungarians started under Géza,[14] who became the first Christian ruler of Hungary.[10] His baptismal name was Stephen.[4] However, Géza continued to observe pagan cults, which proves that his conversion to Christianity was never complete.[15] Kristó and other historians have said that the first Roman Catholic diocese in Hungary, with its seat in Veszprém, was set up in Géza's reign,[4] but their view has not been unanimously accepted.[16][17] A charter issued during his son's reign states that Géza was the founder of the Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey.[18][19]
[Géza] was very cruel and killed many people because of his quick temper. When he became a Christian, however, he turned his rage against his reluctant subjects, in order to strengthen this faith. Thus, glowing with zeal for God, he washed away his old crimes. He sacrificed both to the omnipotent God and to various false gods. When reproached by his priest for doing so, however, he maintained that the practice had brought him both wealth and great power.
— Thietmar of Merseburg: Chronicum[20]
Taking advantage of internal conflicts which emerged in the Holy Roman Empire after Emperor Otto II's death, Géza invaded Bavaria and took the fortress of Melk in 983.[21] In 991, the Bavarians launched a counter-attack which forced Géza to withdraw Hungarian forces from the territories east of the Vienna Woods.[21] Furthermore, he renounced the lands east of the river Leitha in his peace treaty of 996 with Henry IV of Bavaria.[7] Géza also arranged the marriage of his son and heir Stephen to Henry IV's sister Giselle.[7][4] Even before this marriage alliance, Géza convoked the Hungarian leaders to an assembly and forced them to take an oath confirming his son's right to succeed him.[22]
Family
Sarolt gave birth to at least three of Géza's children: Stephen, who succeeded his father on the throne, and two unnamed daughters.[23] Sarolt survived Géza, which suggests that she was also the mother of Géza's daughters.[23] Based on the Polish-Hungarian Chronicle,[23][24] Szabolcs de Vajay wrote that the daughters' mother was Géza's alleged second wife Adelaide of Poland, but this has not been widely accepted.[4] Adelaide is only mentioned in the Polish–Hungarian Chronicle, which describes her as the sister of Mieszko I of Poland, but specialists have often questioned her existence.[25] The chronicle attributes Géza's conversion to Adelaide's influence.[26]
=== !"Our Plafs Roots Are True" A Genealogy ===
!"Our Plafs Roots Are True" A Genealogy of Kochert and Nieb Families, by Ethel Clift Philips, Published 1983. The information in the book is derived from church records of Rumbach and Family records. !Source is from "Neuhart Nobility", by Dennis Allen Kastens -1997, page 120.
=== Profession : Duc des Magyars de 972 à 99 ===
Profession : Duc des Magyars de 972 à 997.
=== From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 J ===
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
=== [Brøderbund WFT Vol. 6, Ed. 1, Tree #10 ===
[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 6, Ed. 1, Tree #1014, Date of Import: Feb 10, 2000] Leader of Magyars from 972-997.
=== ?? Line 1819: (New PAF RIN=40274) 1 BIRT ===
?? Line 1819: (New PAF RIN=40274) 1 BIRT 2 PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Line 1819 from GEDCOM File not recogniza ===
Line 1819 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 41 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary LDS Ordinances found in IGI.
=== From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 J ===
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
=== #Générale# Duc des Magyars de 972 à 997 ===
#Générale# Duc des Magyars de 972 à 997. Fin Mariage : peu après 975 ou plutôt v ers 980 (répudiée)
=== Ancestral File Number: 881B-DC ===
Ancestral File Number: 881B-DC
=== Line 6054 from GEDCOM File not recogniza ===
Line 6054 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 6054 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Großfürst v. Ungarn 972, 989 getauft ===
Großfürst v. Ungarn 972, 989 getauft
=== ! Europasche Stammtafeln neue folge vol. ===
! Europasche Stammtafeln neue folge vol. 2 tafel 153;
=== From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 J ===
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. Line 700 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. Line 1361 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SLGS DATE 10 JUL1981 From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. Line 63 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. Line 401 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SLGS DATE 10 JUL1981
=== #Générale# Duc des Magyars de 972 à 997. ===
#Générale# Duc des Magyars de 972 à 997. Fin Mariage : peu après 975 ou plutôt v ers 980 (répudiée)
=== Line 3355 from GEDCOM File not recogniza ===
Line 3355 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 6054 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 6046 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 1821 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 2856 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Line 3258 from GEDCOM File not recogniza ===
Line 3258 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Line 40 from GEDCOM File not recognizabl ===
Line 40 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ GIVN Geza, Prince Of Line 41 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ SURN HUNGARY Line 44 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SOUR @S01@ Line 47 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 40 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ GIVN Geza, Prince Of Line 41 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ SURN HUNGARY Line 44 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SOUR @S01@ Line 47 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 40 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ GIVN Geza, Prince Of Line 41 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ SURN HUNGARY Line 44 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SOUR @S01@ Line 47 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 82 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ GIVN Geza, Prince Of Line 83 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: NAME Geza, Prince Of /HUNGARY/ SURN HUNGARY Line 86 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SOUR @S01@ Line 89 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== --Other Fields ===
--Other Fields
=== Line 1954 from GEDCOM File not recogniza ===
Line 1954 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Line 6760 from GEDCOM File not recogniza ===
Line 6760 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Prince Geza, said to be grandson, or gre ===
Prince Geza, said to be grandson, or great grandson of Arpad, became the leader of the entire Hungarian confederation in 972 AD. He ruled until 997, and was succeeded by his son Stephen.
=== ?? Line 1221: (New PAF RIN=7209) 1 BIRT ===
?? Line 1221: (New PAF RIN=7209) 1 BIRT 2 PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Line 132 from GEDCOM File not recognizab ===
Line 132 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 1041 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 171 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 692 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Line 41 from GEDCOM File not recognizabl ===
Line 41 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== ! ! RELATIONSHIP: Patron, H. Reed Black ===
! ! RELATIONSHIP: Patron, H. Reed Black, is 30th G G Nephew.
=== !GENERAL:Ancestral File (TM), Ancestral ===
!GENERAL:Ancestral File (TM), Ancestral File (TM), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998 Repository: Family History Library 35 N West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA !GENERAL:Ancestral File (TM), Ancestral File (TM), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998 !GENERAL:Ancestral File (TM), Ancestral File (TM), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998 Repository: Family History Library 35 N West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 8415
=== _P_CCINFO 1-14417
Original individual @ ===
_P_CCINFO 1-14417
Original individual @I16238@ (@MS_WTG.GED0@) merged with @I12938@ (@MS_WTG.GED0@)
Original individual @I16238@ (@MS_WTG.GED0@) merged with @I16226@ (@MS_WTG.GED0@)
=== From Encyclopedia Britannica Online, art ===
From Encyclopedia Britannica Online, article titled "Arpad Dynasty:" " âArpâad Dynasty: rulers of Hungary from the late 9th century until1301, under whom the Hungarian nation was transformed from aconfederation of Hungarian tribes into a powerful state ofeast-central Europe. The dynasty was named after âArpâad d. 907 who was chosen byseven Hungarian tribes to lead them westward from their dwelling placeon the Don River (889). Having crossed the Carpathian Mountains (c.896), the Hungarians settled on the Pannonian, or Hungarian, Plain andfor the next half century raided their neighbours and collected booty.But, after their defeat by Emperor Otto I (Battle of Lechfeld; Aug.10, 955), they became less belligerent. During the reign of GEZA(972-997), âArpâad's great-grandson, they established cordialrelations with the West and acknowledged the authority of their kingbefore the authority of their chieftains."
=== Line 133318 from GEDCOM File not recogni ===
Line 133318 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. Line 210172 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SLGS DATE 10 JUL1981
=== Line 76897 from GEDCOM File not recogniz ===
Line 76897 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary Line 131985 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SLGS 10 JUL1981 PROVO
=== Line 516 from GEDCOM File not recognizab ===
Line 516 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: BIRT PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== Still Living. ===
Still Living.
=== Line 11508 from GEDCOM File not recogniz ===
Line 11508 from GEDCOM File not recognizable or too long: SOUR @S01@
=== ?? Line 12160: (New PAF RIN=12094)
1 BIR ===
?? Line 12160: (New PAF RIN=12094)
1 BIRT
2 PLAC Of, Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary
=== !Title: Prince of Hungary. From Ancestra ===
!Title: Prince of Hungary. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
=== !BIRTH PLACE: Esztergom, Komarom-Eszterg ===
!BIRTH PLACE: Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary !BIRTH: Esztergom, Komarom-Esztergom, Hungary From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
=== Source: Title: The Plantagenet Ancestry, ===
Source: Title: The Plantagenet Ancestry, by William Henry Turton, 1968 Page: 110
=== From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 5 J ===
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 5 JAN 1998.
=== TITLE: Prince of Hungary ===
TITLE: Prince of Hungary
=== Géza of Hungary, King of Hungary Acceded ===
Géza of Hungary, King of Hungary Acceded: 970 Died: 997 Father: , Taksony of Hungary, Prince of Magyars, b. 931 Mother: von Kumanien, Daughter Child 1: , Stephen (St.) I of Hungary, King of Hungary, b. 969 Child 2: , Daughter Child 3: , Sarolta Child 4: , Judith of Hungary == Holy Crown of Hungary The Hungarian Holy Crown (THE CROWN OF SAINT STEPHEN I.) The crown, most important symbol of royal power in Hungary, was for centuries the object of almost religious veneration; it was referred to as the "holy" crown as early as the thirteenth century. This great respect partly stemmed from the belief that it had been worn by St. Stephen, the founder of the Hungarian state. Another reason was that the crown was looked upon as the focal point of all royal power; this idea can be traced back to the beginning of the fifteenth century. The crown was assembled from two parts. The lower part, in almost unaltered Byzantine female crown, is a circular band with pendant chains and ornamental pinnacle decorations. The splendidly balanced elegance of the cloisonné enamel plaques makes it one of the finest products of Byzantium's imperial workshop. On the front in the centre Christ is depicted as the ruler of the world, the Pantocrator enthroned, surrounded by the members of his heavenly court. The other plaques show the Archangel Michael and the Archangel Gabriel; St. George and St. Demetrius, two militant saints of Byzantium and the protectors of the Eastern Church; and Cosmas and Damian, selfless representatives of heavenly medicine. On the central enamel of the back of the crown, indicating the highest place in the hierarchy of the world, is a picture of Michael Ducas (1071-1078), the Byzantine emperor. He is flanked on his right by the emperor Constantine and on his left by Géza I, king of Hungary (1074-1077). The lower part of the crown is almost the counterpart of the crown which King Géza I is wearing on the enamel plaque. The pendant chains and ornamental pinnacle decorat ions above the band are, however, different. Pendant chains were generally applied to crowns made for women, so presumably the Hungarian crown had originally belonged to Géza's Byzantine wife. The upper hemisphere formed by two crossing bands is also decorated with cloisonné enamel plaques which, however, do not originate from Byzantium. In the square centre plaque Christ Enthroned is shown among cypress trees; on each of the four branches are the portraits of two Apostles. Their names are inscribed in Latin letters, and their features differ from those of the figures shown on the lower part. The crossing bands are decorated with rows of pearls, and around the enamel plaques there are alternating gems and filigree frames. The ends of the four branches were cut off, together with the picture of one Apostle on each end, before this piece was removed from another object and applied as a base to the Byzantine crown. Originally it probably formed part of a reliquary or some other kind of liturgical artifact. The two pieces of the crown were mounted in such a way that they could provide a place for a cross. The present cross which, owing to an accident, now leans to one side, is a later replacement of the original one. The original small cross, which occupied the same position, had probably come down from King Stephen, and probably contained a fragment of the True Cross. The Byzantine crown was made during the period when all the three emperors shown on the enamel plaques ruled: in other words, between 1074 and 1077. The style of the cloisonné enamel plaques and the pattern of the filigree on the upper section's cross-bands suggest that they originated in the second half of the twelfth century. The two parts were joined after this period but before the end of the thirteenth century. Reference: (In: Fodor 1992, Text: Zs. S. Lovag, Photo: K. Szelényi) Source: Hungarian National Museum http://origo.hnm.hu
=== OCCUPATION: Prince of Magyars ===
OCCUPATION: Prince of Magyars
=== BETHAMIS GENEALOGICAL TABLES (GS NUMBER ===
BETHAMIS GENEALOGICAL TABLES (GS NUMBER Q929.2 B465G) TAB 360, 361, 365; STAMMTAFELIN ZUR GESCHICHTE DER EUROPAISCHEN STAATEN (GS NUMBER 940 D22F) VOL 2 TAB 104; SORLEY'S PEDIGREES (GS NUMBER Q929.242 SO68) P.17; THE PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY (GS NUMBER Q940 D2T) P.25, 57, 110;
=== AKA-BIRTH-MARRIAGE-DEATH-BURIAL: LDS Anc ===
AKA-BIRTH-MARRIAGE-DEATH-BURIAL: LDS Ancestor file - Doc. AFN000290 Aka: Geza, Prince of Hungary Birth: About 949; Of,Esztergom,Komarom-Esztergom,Hungary Marriage: Adelajda "The White", Princess of Poland Death: February 1, 997' ,,,Hungary Burial: Of,Szekesfehervar,Fejer,Hungary
=== 1 _UID 0B4D6B7E9103D611828100606E3BD45C ===
1 _UID 0B4D6B7E9103D611828100606E3BD45CF839
Preferred Parents:
Father: Taksony Árpád-házi Magyar nagyfejedelem, b. 920 in Székesfehérvár, Fejér, Magyarország d. 972 in Székesfehérvár, Fejér, Magyarország
Mother: Ágnes Kazár fejedelmi hercegnő, b. 918 in Cumania, Pontic Steppes, Eurasia d. 1025 in Esztergom, Esztergom, Hungary
Family 1: Sarolt of Transylvania, b. 950 in Erdély, Magyarország d. 1008 in Hungary
- m. BET 967 AND 975 in Transylvania
- Gizella Ilona Árpád-házi Magyar hercegnő, b. 982 in Esztergom, Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary d. 1026 in Constantinople, Byzantine Empire (present Turkey)
- Ismeretlen nevű Árpád-házi Magyar hercegnő, d. in Schwarzburg, Thuringia, Germany
- Mechtild Hedwig Gepa von Itter von Arnsberg Werl, b. 960 in Esztergom, Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary d. 993 in Schwarzburg, Schwarza-Kreis, Thuringia, Germany
- Berta Arpad von Ungarn, b. 950 d. 998 in Thüringen, Deutschland
Family 2: Adelajda The White - Princess of Poland, b. 956 in Poznan, Poznan, Poland d. 997 in Székesfehérvár, Fejér, Hungary
Sources:
- Title: Wikipedia - Géza, Grand Prince of the Hungarians
Author: Hartvic, Life of King Stephen of Hungary (Translated by Nora Berend) (2001). In: Head, Thomas (2001); Medieval Hagiography: An Anthology; Routledge; ISBN 0-415-93753-1.Ottonian Germany: The Chronicon of Thietmar of Merseburg (Translated and annotated by David A. Warner) (2001). Manchester University Press. ISBN 0-7190-4926-1.
Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9za,_Grand_Prince_of_the_Hungarians;
Note: Géza (c. 940 – 997), also Gejza, was Grand Prince of the Hungarians from the early 970s. He was the son of Grand Prince Taksony and his Oriental—Khazar, Pecheneg or Volga Bulgarian—wife. He married Sarolt, a daughter of an Eastern Orthodox Hungarian chieftain. After ascending the throne, Géza made peace with the Holy Roman Empire. Within Hungary, he consolidated his authority with extreme cruelty, according to the unanimous narration of nearly contemporaneous sources. He was the first Hungarian monarch to support Christian missionaries from Western Europe. Although he was baptised (his baptismal name was Stephen), his Christian faith remained shallow and he continued to perform acts of pagan worship. He was succeeded by his son Stephen, who was crowned the first King of Hungary in 1000 or 1001.
Early life
Géza was the elder son of Taksony, Grand Prince of the Hungarians.[1] His mother was his father's wife "from the land of the Cumans",[2] according to the anonymous author of the Gesta Hungarorum.[3] This anachronistic reference to the Cumans suggests that she was of Khazar, Pecheneg or Volga Bulgarian origin.[4] The Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, who listed the descendants of Grand Prince Árpád around 950, did not mention Géza.[4] Even so, Gyula Kristó wrote that Géza was born around 940 and the emperor ignored him because of his youth.[4] The genuine form of his name was either "Gyeücsa" or "Gyeusa", which is possibly a diminutive form of the Turkic title yabgu.[4] Géza's father arranged his marriage with Sarolt—a daughter of a Hungarian chieftain called Gyula, [4][5] who ruled Transylvania independently of the grand prince[5] and had converted to Christianity in Constantinople.[6] Sarolt seems to have also adhered to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, according to Bruno of Querfurt's remark on her "languid and muddled Christianity".[6]
Géza succeeded his father around 972.[4][7][8] He adopted a centralizing policy, which gave rise to his fame as a merciless ruler.[9][7] The longer version of his son's Life even states that Géza's hands were "defiled with blood".[7] Pál Engel wrote that Géza carried out a "large-scale purge"[7] against his relatives, which explains the lack of references to other members of the Árpád dynasty from around 972. Koppány, who continued to rule the southern parts of Transdanubia, is the only exception to this dearth of references.[7] A marriage alliance between the German and Byzantine dynasties brought about a rapprochement between the two powers neighboring Hungary in 972.[10] Géza decided to make peace with the Holy Roman Empire.[9] First, a monk named Bruno sent by Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor arrived in Hungary around 972.[11] Hungarian "legates"[12] were present at a conference held by the emperor in Quedlinburg in 973.[7]
Geyza, who was strict and cruel, acting in a domineering way, as it were, with his own people, but compassionate and generous with strangers, especially with Christians, although [he was] still entangled in the rite of paganism. At the approach of the light of spiritual grace, he began to discuss peace attentively with all the neighboring provinces ... Moreover, he laid down a rule that the favor of hospitality and security be shown to all Christians wishing to enter to his domains. He gave clerics and monks leave to enter his presence; he offered them a willing hearing, and delighted them in the germination of the seed of true faith sown in the garden of his heart.
— Hartvic: Life of King Stephen of Hungary[13]
Statue of Grand Prince Géza in Székesfehérvár
A record on one Bishop Prunwart in the Abbey of Saint Gall mentions his success in baptising many Hungarians, including their "king".[11] The nearly contemporaneous Thietmar of Merseburg confirms that the conversion to Christianity of the pagan Hungarians started under Géza,[14] who became the first Christian ruler of Hungary.[10] His baptismal name was Stephen.[4] However, Géza continued to observe pagan cults, which proves that his conversion to Christianity was never complete.[15] Kristó and other historians have said that the first Roman Catholic diocese in Hungary, with its seat in Veszprém, was set up in Géza's reign,[4] but their view has not been unanimously accepted.[16][17] A charter issued during his son's reign states that Géza was the founder of the Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey.[18][19]
[Géza] was very cruel and killed many people because of his quick temper. When he became a Christian, however, he turned his rage against his reluctant subjects, in order to strengthen this faith. Thus, glowing with zeal for God, he washed away his old crimes. He sacrificed both to the omnipotent God and to various false gods. When reproached by his priest for doing so, however, he maintained that the practice had brought him both wealth and great power.
— Thietmar of Merseburg: Chronicum[20]
Taking advantage of internal conflicts which emerged in the Holy Roman Empire after Emperor Otto II's death, Géza invaded Bavaria and took the fortress of Melk in 983.[21] In 991, the Bavarians launched a counter-attack which forced Géza to withdraw Hungarian forces from the territories east of the Vienna Woods.[21] Furthermore, he renounced the lands east of the river Leitha in his peace treaty of 996 with Henry IV of Bavaria.[7] Géza also arranged the marriage of his son and heir Stephen to Henry IV's sister Giselle.[7][4] Even before this marriage alliance, Géza convoked the Hungarian leaders to an assembly and forced them to take an oath confirming his son's right to succeed him.[22]
Family
Sarolt gave birth to at least three of Géza's children: Stephen, who succeeded his father on the throne, and two unnamed daughters.[23] Sarolt survived Géza, which suggests that she was also the mother of Géza's daughters.[23] Based on the Polish-Hungarian Chronicle,[23][24] Szabolcs de Vajay wrote that the daughters' mother was Géza's alleged second wife Adelaide of Poland, but this has not been widely accepted.[4] Adelaide is only mentioned in the Polish–Hungarian Chronicle, which describes her as the sister of Mieszko I of Poland, but specialists have often questioned her existence.[25] The chronicle attributes Géza's conversion to Adelaide's influence.[26]
NOTE: This article departs from the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, failing to recognize the repudiation of Sarolt in 975 and Géza's second marriage to Adelaide.....
- Title: Géza of Hungary, "Find A Grave Index"
Author: "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZR3-8KLY : 15 June 2022), Géza of Hungary, ; Burial, Székesfehérvár, Székesfehérvári járás, Fejér, Hungary, Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; citing record ID 225480934, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
Publication: Name: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZR3-8KLY;
Note: Géza of Hungary
BIRTH 945
DEATH 1 Feb 997 (aged 51–52)
Esztergom, Esztergomi járás, Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary
BURIAL
Saint Stephen Basilica Ruins
Székesfehérvár, Székesfehérvári járás, Fejér, Hungary
MEMORIAL ID 225480934 · View Source
Family Members
Parents
Taksony of Hungary
931–972
Spouse
Sarlota of Transylvania
950–1008
Siblings
Mihály of Hungary
955–990
Children
Ilona of Hungary
Sarolta of Hungary
Stephen I of Stephen I
975–1038
Judit of Hungary of Poland and Bulgaria
986–1026
- Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
Note: GÉZA, son of TAKSONY Prince of Hungary & his wife --- [Pss of the Kumans] ([940/45]-1 Feb 997). The Chronicon Varadiense names "dux Geisa, pater B. Stephani, secundus…Michael dux" as the two sons of "Toxin"[257]. The Kronika Węgiersko-Polska names "Geyzan, Mychlemum et caluum Ladislaum" as the three sons of "Thoxon"[258]. The Gestis Hungarorum Liber names "Geysam, quantum ducem Hungarie" as son of "dux Tocsun"[259]. He succeeded his father in [970] as Prince of Hungary. He sent ambassadors to the court of Emperor Otto I, with whom he established friendly relations. Géza was baptised in 974 as ISTVÁN [Stephen] by priests sent by Pilgrim Bishop of Passau, although he appears to have adopted Christianity more for political expediency than religious conviction as he never renounced his pagan beliefs entirely, declaring himself, according to Macartney, "rich enough to afford two gods" (although this alleged quote may represent an inaccurate report of comments by Thietmar, see below)[260]. He continued to use his pre-baptismal name Géza. He centralised Magyar government, based at Esztergom, where his bodyguard consisted of Bavarian knights. The alliance with Bavaria was confirmed after the accession in 985 of Duke Heinrich II, and sealed by the marriage of Duke Heinrich's daughter to Géza's heir in 996[261]. Thietmar names "Deuvix" as father of King István, describing him as "very cruel…when becoming a Christian…he turned his rage against his reluctant subjects [and] sacrificed both to the omnipotent God and to various false gods. When reproached by his priest for doing so, he maintained that the practice had brought him great wealth and power"[262]. The Chronicon Posoniense records the death in 998 of "Geyza princeps Ungarorum"[263].
m firstly ([967], repudiated shortly after 975) SAROLT of Transylvania, daughter of GYULA Prince of Transylvania & his wife --- ([954]-after 988). The Gestis Hungarorum Liber names "una…Caroldu et altera Saroltu" as the two daughters of "Geula", specifying that the Sarolt was mother of "sancti regis Stephani"[264]. Thietmar names "Beleknegini, the name means beautiful lady in Slavonic" as wife of "Deuvix", commenting that she "drank immoderately and rode a horse like a warrior" adding that "once in a fit of anger she killed a man"[265]. The primary source which confirms her name and parentage has not yet been identified. She had been baptised into the Orthodox faith by Bishop Hierotheos at her father's court[266]. Her marriage may have been arranged by her father to build an alliance against the more powerful Bulgars[267].
m secondly ([985]) as her second husband, ADELAJDA [Adleta] of Poland, widow of his brother MIHÁLY of Hungary Duke between March and Gran, daughter of [ZIEMOMYSŁ Duke in Poland] & his [second wife ---] ([950/60]-after 997). The Annales Kamenzenses record that "Mesco…rex Polanorum…sororem…Atleydem" married "Iesse rex Ungarie" by whom she was mother of "Stephanum regem Ungarie"[268]. The Breve chronicon Silesiæ names "Adilheidem" as sister of "primo dux Mesco", adding that she married "Jesse rex Ungarie" and that she was the mother of "Stephanum regem Ungarie" born in 975[269]. The Kronika Węgiersko-Polska records that "Iesse" married "sororem Meschonis ducis…Athleitam", adding that she was a Christian and converted her husband to Christianity[270]. The primary source which confirms her first marriage has not yet been identified. According to Europäische Stammtafeln[271], Adelajda was the daughter not sister of Mieszko I Prince of Poland, although the primary source on which this is based has not yet been identified. If this is correct, she was an otherwise unrecorded daughter by his first wife (name not known), assuming that Prince Mieszko's marriage to Dobroslawa of Bohemia is correctly dated to 965. Adelajda's birth date range is estimated from the supposed dates of birth of her two sons by her first husband (before his death in [976/78]) and of her three known daughters by her second marriage after [985]. The date range appears chronologically more consistent with her having been the daughter, rather than sister, of Mieszko, but this would be in direct contradiction to the sources quoted above. If she was Mieszko's sister, it is likely that they did not share the same mother, assuming that the estimated birth dates of Mieszko and Adelajda are both accurate. It is probable that her second marriage was arranged in accordance with the Magyar tradition that the oldest male relative should marry the widow of a deceased relative (originally polygamously) and take care of his children.
Prince Géza & his first wife had [three] children:
1. [daughter ([969]-after 987). - married Boleslaw I of Poland
2. [daughter ([971]-). married Sizzo, Graf in Thuringia
3. daughter ([973]-after 988). married Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria
Prince Géza & his [first/second] wife had one child:
4. VAJK (Esztergom [967/75]-Buda 15 Aug 1038, bur Székesfehérvár)
Prince Géza & his second wife had [three] children:
5. daughter ([987]-). married Shaba, Leader of the Kabars
6. daughter ([989]-1026). married Petro Ottone III, son of the Doge of Venice, Petro Ottone II.
7. [daughter .She became a nun as SKOLASZTIKA [Scholastica]. Abbess of Somlóvàsárhely.]
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