Stephen, Duke of Slavonia

Stephen, Duke of Slavonia (26 December 1332 – 9 August 1354) was a Hungarian Angevin prince who served as governor of Transylvania, Slavonia, Dalmatia and Croatia during the reign of his brother, King Louis I of Hungary.

Family

He was the youngest of five sons born to Charles I of Hungary and his third wife Elizabeth of Poland. He was a younger brother of both Louis I of Hungary and Andrew, Duke of Calabria, first consort of Joan I of Naples.

His paternal grandparents were Charles Martel of Anjou and Klementia of Habsburg. His maternal grandparents were Władysław I the Elbow-high and Hedwig of Kalisz.

Duke

Stephen established his own court in 1349, initially as ruler of Szepes and Sáros counties. He was then established as ruler of Transylvania. He was named ruler of Croatia and Dalmatia in 1351. He became Duke of Slavonia in 1353.

He died a year later. His son was initially allowed to succeed to his realms. However the separate government of their realms was abolished in 1356. The oldest part of Buda Castle was established by Stephen. The big keep was called Stephen's Tower (Hungarian: István-torony) but only its foundations survived.

Marriage and children

In January, 1350, Stephen married Margaret of Bavaria. She was a daughter of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and Margaret II, Countess of Hainault. They had two children:

• Elizabeth of Slavonia (1352 – before 1380), regarded as heiress presumptive to the throne of Hungary, married Philip II of Taranto.
• John of Slavonia (1354–1363), designated heir presumptive to his granduncle Casimir III of Poland on 24 June 1355, but predeceased his uncle.