Matthias Corvinus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthias Corvinus
King of Hungary and Croatia
Reign	1458–1490
Coronation	29 April 1464
Predecessor	Ladislaus V
Successor	Vladislaus II
Regent	Michael Szilágyi (1458)
King of Bohemia contested by George and Vladislaus II
Reign	1469–1490
Predecessor	George
Successor	Vladislaus II
Duke of Austria contested by Frederick V
Reign	1487–1490
Predecessor	Frederick V
Successor	Frederick V
Born	23 February 1443 Kolozsvár, Hungary (now Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
Died	6 April 1490(1490-04-06) (aged 47) Vienna, Austria
Burial	Royal Basilica, Székesfehérvár
Spouse	Elizabeth of Celje Catherine of Poděbrady Beatrice of Naples
Issue	John Corvinus
House	Hunyadi
Father	John Hunyadi
Mother	Elizabeth Szilágyi
Religion	Roman Catholic
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Matthias Corvinus (born February 23, 1443 – died April 6, 1490) was a very important king. People sometimes called him the Just in old stories. He became King of Hungary and Croatia in 1458 when he was only 14 years old. He ruled until he died.

Matthias was also a powerful military leader. He won many battles and became King of Bohemia (from 1469 to 1490) and Duke of Austria (from 1486 to 1490). During his time, Hungary was the first European country to embrace the Renaissance ideas from Italy.

As a Renaissance ruler, Matthias loved learning and art. He started new schools and supported artists and scientists. He also created a new legal system for the Kingdom of Hungary. Matthias tried to rule like a "philosopher-king," an idea from the ancient Greek thinker Plato.

Other Names for Matthias

Matthias Corvinus was known by different names in various languages:

• Medieval Latin: Mattias Corvinus
• Romanian: Matia/Matei/Mateiaş Corvin/Corvinul
• Croatian: Matija/Matijaš Korvin
• Czech: Matyáš Korvín
• German: Matthias Corvinus
• Polish: Maciej Korwin
• Rusyn: Матяш Корвiн/Matiash Corvin
• Serbian: Матија Корвин/Matija Korvin
• Slovak: Matej Korvín
• Hungarian: Hunyadi Mátyás or Corvin Mátyás
• Slovene: Matija Korvin
• Russian: Матьяш Корвин/Matyash Korvin

Matthias's Early Life

The Hunyad Castle, where Matthias grew up, is located in Transylvania, in present-day Romania.

Signature and the royal stamp

Coat of arms

Matthias as young monarch. Contemporary miniature from the Corviniana collection of the British Museum.

Matthias was born in Kolozsvár, which is now Cluj-Napoca, Romania. His home is now called the Matthias Corvinus House. He was the second son of John Hunyadi, a very successful general in Hungary. John Hunyadi had become a powerful leader and even a regent (a temporary ruler) of Hungary.

Matthias's mother was Erzsébet Szilágyi, who came from an important Hungarian noble family. Matthias had excellent teachers, including János Vitéz, a bishop. He also learned from the Polish scholar Gregory of Sanok.

Besides learning many languages, Matthias also trained as a soldier. He started following his father on military campaigns when he was just twelve. In 1456, he was knighted at the famous Siege of Belgrade.

Matthias's Rule as King

Becoming King

Forints of Matthias

Matthias Corvinus as depicted in Chronica Hungarorum by Johannes de Thurocz

Matthias was the first Hungarian king from a noble family, not a royal one. This was a big change for the country. He became king at a difficult time. Hungary was threatened by the Ottomans from the south. Emperor Frederick III and Casimir IV of Poland also wanted the Hungarian throne.

Matthias was only 15 when he became king. He quickly showed he was a strong leader. He removed powerful nobles who opposed him. He also started collecting taxes to hire soldiers. This helped him create a strong central government.

He fought against the Ottomans and took back the Golubac Fortress. He also gained control over parts of Bosnia. In 1461, he married Catherine, the daughter of George of Poděbrady, who was the King of Bohemia.

In 1462, Matthias made a deal with Emperor Frederick. Frederick returned the holy crown of Hungary to Matthias. This deal helped Matthias become the recognized ruler of Hungary. He then focused on fighting the Ottomans again. He captured the fortress of Jajce in Bosnia in 1463. Matthias was officially crowned King of Hungary in 1464. Sadly, his wife Catherine died shortly after.

Wars in Central Europe

Western conquests of Matthias Corvinus.

John Corvinus (His illegitime son) triumphed in Vienna in 1485, See: Siege of Vienna (1485)

The roughly 50 years old Matthias (contemporary sculpture from Buda Castle)

Matthias made his power stronger by creating a large royal army. This army was called the fekete sereg or the King's Black Army. It was made up of professional mercenary soldiers. With this army, Hungary became very large and powerful. It stretched from present-day Germany to Poland and down to Dalmatia.

Matthias also fought against George of Poděbrady in Bohemia. In 1469, the Bohemian Catholics chose Matthias as their king. However, George made a deal with Poland, which complicated things. After George died, Matthias faced a rebellion in Hungary. He put down the rebellion and then fought against the Poles. They made peace in 1475.

Matthias also fought against Emperor Frederick again. He won and forced Frederick to make peace. Matthias gained control of Moravia, Silesia, and parts of Lusatia. The emperor also promised to pay Matthias a lot of money. In 1476, Matthias married his third wife, Beatrice, daughter of the King of Naples.

When Frederick didn't keep his promises, Matthias attacked him again in 1481. On June 1, 1485, Matthias marched into Vienna and made it his new capital. He also took control of Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola. Matthias became the most powerful ruler in central Europe.

Wars Against the Ottoman Empire

Medieval Coat of Arms of Matthias Corvinus, guarded by Black Army heavy infantry men. Matthias Church, Budapest. The damaged art relic was renovated in 1893.

Matthias also focused on protecting his borders from the Ottoman Empire. In 1471, he helped create the Serbian Despotate in southern Hungary. In 1479, a large Ottoman army was defeated in the Battle of Breadfield. The next year, Matthias took back Jajce and other areas from the Ottomans.

In 1480, when the Ottomans captured Otranto in Italy, Matthias sent his general, Balázs Magyar, to help. They successfully took back the fortress. Matthias also helped protect Ancona with Hungarian soldiers.

After the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II died in 1481, there was a fight for power between his sons. Matthias tried to use this to his advantage, but other European powers didn't agree. Matthias spent his last days trying to make his illegitimate son, John Corvinus, his successor. However, his wife Beatrice was against it. Matthias died suddenly on April 6, 1490.

Relations with Wallachia and Moldavia

Matthias sometimes worked with Vlad III the Impaler, the Prince of Wallachia. Vlad was known for fighting bravely against the Ottomans. However, Matthias and Vlad had disagreements, and Matthias even imprisoned Vlad for a while. Later, Vlad was freed and married Matthias's cousin. He was sent to fight the Ottomans in Wallachia with Hungarian support, but he was killed in 1476.

In 1467, Matthias had a conflict with Stephen III, the Prince of Moldavia. Stephen was tired of Hungarian influence in Wallachia. This led to a battle where Matthias suffered a defeat.

Matthias's Support for Arts and Learning

The left side of the "Fresh Palace". It was the largest palace of the three royal residences in Buda (1480s)

The renaissance palaces of the summer residence at Visegrád, contemporary engraving from 1480s

Matthias loved Italian culture and the Italian Renaissance. He brought many Italian artists and scholars to Hungary. Cities like Buda, Esztergom, Székesfehérvár, and Visegrád benefited from his support. He built new health and education centers and improved the legal system.

In 1465, he founded a university in Bratislava, called the Universitas Istropolitana. This was the third university in medieval Hungary. His marriage to Beatrice of Naples in 1476 further increased Italian influence.

Matthias rebuilt the Royal residence of Buda in the new Renaissance style. His summer palace at Visegrád was also beautiful. Many famous Italian scholars and artists worked at his court, including Antonio Bonfini and Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo even painted a Madonna for Matthias.

Matthias also supported scientists. The famous mapmaker Francesco Rosselli created detailed maps for him. The astronomer Johannes Regiomontanus built special instruments for the king. Matthias was interested in philosophy and often discussed ideas with scholars.

The Royal Library

Matthias Corvinus had one of the greatest collections of books in Europe. His library, called the Bibliotheca Corviniana, had many historical, philosophical, and scientific works. It was the second largest library in Europe, only smaller than the Vatican Library. Matthias loved reading and would often spend half his nights reading after a busy day.

Matthias's Legacy

Matthias was a skilled diplomat. He had strong relationships with his neighbors, the Pope, and the Kingdom of Naples. He also connected with France, Switzerland, and many German states.

After Matthias died, his empire fell apart. He had no legitimate children, only an illegitimate son, John Corvinus. The Hungarian nobles did not accept John as king. Instead, Ladislaus II of the Jagiellon family became king.

Matthias's rule had high taxes, especially for peasants. These taxes paid for his lavish lifestyle and his Black Army. After his death, the Black Army caused problems. However, Matthias is still seen as one of Hungary's greatest rulers. He was elected king by the people, kept the powerful nobles in check, and was known for his fairness.

People still call him Matthias the Just (Mátyás, az igazságos in Hungarian). He is a popular hero in Hungarian folk tales. There's a Hungarian saying: Matthias has died, justice is gone. He is also known as King Matjaž in Slovenia, a "sleeping king" who will return one day.

In Romania, people also remember Matthias and his father for their bravery and cultural achievements.

Matthias's Titles

In 1486, Matthias's official titles included:

• King of Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Rama, Serbia, Lodomeria, Cumania, and Bulgaria
• Prince of Silesia and Luxembourg
• Margrave of Moravia and Lusatia

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