Matthias Corvinus

Who was Matthias Corvinus?

Matthias Corvinus, also Matthias I, was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458, King of Bohemia from 1469, and Duke of Austria from 1487. He was the younger son of John Hunyadi, a famed military commander and Regent of Hungary, who died in 1456. Next year Matthias was seized and imprisoned along with his older brother, Ladislaus Hunyadi, on the orders of King Ladislaus V of Hungary, who accused them of high treason. Ladislaus Hunyadi was executed, which caused a rebellion. The King fled from Hungary, taking Matthias with him to Prague. After the King died unexpectedly, Matthias's uncle, Michael Szilágyi persuaded the Estates to unanimously proclaim Matthias king on 24 January 1458. The 14-year-old Matthias began reigning under his uncle's guardianship, but within two weeks he took the reins of government.

Matthias could only strengthen his rule after a five-year-long period of struggle. He waged wars against the Czech mercenaries who had dominated Upper Hungary for decades, and against Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor who claimed Hungary for himself with the support of the most influential barons.