Description

Charles I, also known as Charles Robert (Hungarian: Károly Róbert; Croatian: Karlo Robert; Slovak: Karol Róbert; 1288 – 16 July 1342), ruled as King of Hungary and Croatia from 1308 until his death. Born into the Capetian House of Anjou, he was the sole son of Charles Martel, Prince of Salerno, who was the eldest son of Charles II of Naples and Mary of Hungary. Following Mary's claim to the Hungarian throne, Charles inherited it after his father's death in 1295. Despite initial opposition and a provisional coronation, Charles solidified his reign through papal recognition in 1303 and eventual acceptance by the Hungarian nobility. His reign was characterized by struggles to centralize power and consolidate authority, marked by victories in battles such as Rozgony in 1312, though challenges persisted, notably in Croatia and Wallachia. Charles implemented administrative reforms, including the establishment of the Order of Saint George and the promotion of gold mining, which bolstered Hungary's economy. His diplomatic efforts at the Congress of Visegrád in 1335 facilitated peace and commerce, setting the stage for the successes of his successor, Louis the Great.

Engraver: András Kiss Nagy