2021-01-14 Thu

Andrew III the Venetian was king of Hungary and Croatia between 1290 and 1301.

Andrew grew up in Venice and first arrived in Hungary upon the invitation of a rebellious baron, Ivan Koszegi, in 1278. Koszegi tried to play Andrew off against Ladislaus IV of Hungary, but the conspiracy collapsed and Andrew returned to Venice.

Being the last male member of the House of Arpad, Andrew was elected king after the death of King Ladislaus IV in 1290. He was the first Hungarian monarch to issue a coronation diploma confirming the privileges of the noblemen and the clergy.

At least three pretenders—Albert of Austria, Mary of Hungary, and an adventurer—challenged his claim to the throne. The Hungarian bishops and Andrew's maternal family from Venice were his principal supporters, but the leading Croatian and Slavonian lords were opposed to his rule.

Hungary was in a state of constant anarchy during Andrew's reign. With Andrew's death, the House of Arpad became extinct. A civil war ensued which lasted for more than two decades and ended with the victory of Mary of Hungary's grandson, Charles Robert.

Depicted here is 1 Hungarian Denar issued under his reign. The obverse of a coin depicts two figures facing each other.

Image Source: colnect.com