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Battle of the Theben Pass

Coordinates: 48°10′26″N 16°59′00″E / 48.17389°N 16.98333°E / 48.17389; 16.98333
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Battle of Moson
DateAutumn 1060
Location
Result

Béla's victory

Belligerents
Kingdom of Hungary
Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Hungary
Duchy of Poland
Commanders and leaders
King Andrew I  (DOW)
Eppo of Naumburg Surrendered
William of Meissen Surrendered
Poto the Brave Surrendered
Duke Béla
Strength
Heavy

The Battle of the Theben Pass, also known as the Battle of Moson, was fought in the Theben pass near Wieselburg, where the March meets the Danube, in 1060. It was a victory for the nationalist part in Hungary over that of their own pro-German king.

In 1058, Solomon, son of Andrew I of Hungary was betrothed to Judith, daughter of the Emperor Henry III. In Hungary, however, a party opposed to such close ties with Germany arose, led by Béla, Andrew's brother. A German embassy composed of Eppo, Bishop of Naumburg, and William, Margrave of Meissen, was sent to Hungary to negotiate with the national party, but this merely provoked a backlash.

In 1060, Andrew and his queen, Anastasia, attempted to flee Hungary for the March of Austria, but were trapped by Béla in the pass of Theben. Andrew was immediately taken captive, but Anastasia with her son and the royal treasure escaped to the Melk Abbey. Andrew was killed in a subsequent charge of the Hungarian cavalry, but the Margrave William and a certain Bavarian named Poto fought from sunset until sunrise so that "the deeds of the very bravest of men of former times seem small in comparison."[1] They held out until Béla promised to spare their lives; surrender was then made. William, Poto, and the rest of the embassy were all taken captive by the Béla and expelled. Poto would henceforth be known to the world as Poto the Brave.

Sources

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Notes

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  1. ^ Annales Altahenses, quoted in Thompson, 601.

48°10′26″N 16°59′00″E / 48.17389°N 16.98333°E / 48.17389; 16.98333