Louis I of Hungary

Early Life and Succession

Louis I of Hungary (Hungarian: Nagy Lajos; Polish: Ludwik Węgierski), also known as "the Great" or "the Hungarian", was born on 5 March 1326 in Visegrád, Kingdom of Hungary. He was the first son of Charles I of Hungary and his wife Elizabeth of Poland to survive childhood.

Succession to the Throne

Under a treaty stipulated in 1338 between his father and Casimiro III of Poland, Louis's maternal uncle, he confirmed his right to inherit the Kingdom of Poland if his uncle had died without having a son. In return, Louis was forced to help his relative regain possession of the lands that Poland had lost in previous decades.

Reign

Louis I was crowned King of Hungary in 1342 and King of Poland in 1370. He was one of the most powerful rulers in Europe during the late Middle Ages, extending the realm of domination and influence of his kingdom from the Adriatic Sea to the Black Sea and almost to the Baltic Sea in the North.

Wars and Conquests

He spent a long time in wars with the Republic of Venice and was also involved in conflicts with the Kingdom of Naples. Additionally, he was one of the first rulers in Europe to confront the Ottoman Empire.

Legacy

Louis I's reign saw the expansion of his kingdom, which included the Kingdom of Bosnia, Serbia, and the Principality of Moldavia, as well as Bulgaria. He was a skilled military leader and strategist, known for his ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield.

Death

Louis I died on 10 September 1382 in Nagyszombat (now Trnava, Slovakia). His legacy as one of the greatest kings of Hungary and Poland has endured for centuries, earning him the nickname "the Great".