Louis II of Hungary, also known as Ludvk Jagellonsk, was the King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia from 1516 to 1526. He is infamous for his tragic demise during the Battle of Mohács, which led to the Ottoman annexation of significant parts of Hungary.
Louis II was born prematurely on July 1, 1506, in Buda, Hungary. In a bizarre and primitive attempt to keep him alive, court doctors wrapped him in the warm carcasses of slaughtered animals, serving as a makeshift incubator.
He was the only son of Vladislaus II Jagiellon and his third wife, Anne of Foix-Candale. Vladislaus II took measures to ensure a smooth succession by arranging for Louis' coronation during his own lifetime. The coronation of Louis as King of Hungary took place on June 4, 1508, in Székesfehérvár Basilica, and his coronation as King of Bohemia was held on March 11, 1509, in St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
In 1515, Louis II married Mary of Austria, granddaughter of Emperor Maximilian I, as stipulated by the First Congress of Vienna. His sister Anne was married to Mary's brother Ferdinand, who would later become Emperor Ferdinand I.
During his reign, Louis II was often at the mercy of powerful magnates, who controlled the kingdom and squandered its resources. He was forced to pawn his jewels to afford basic necessities like food and clothing. His guardians, Cardinal Tamás Bakócz and Count George of Brandenburg-Ansbach, shamefully neglected him and fueled endless power struggles, distracting the entire kingdom.
The Battle of Mohács on August 29, 1526, marked the tragic end of Louis II's life and the beginning of Ottoman domination in Hungary. The Hungarian army, vastly outnumbered and outgunned, was crushed by the Ottoman forces, leading to the king's death and the subsequent annexation of significant parts of Hungary.
Louis II's reign was marked by turmoil, power struggles, and ultimately, tragedy. His death at the Battle of Mohács had far-reaching consequences, paving the way for Ottoman expansion in Eastern Europe.
Despite his tumultuous reign, Louis II's legacy is also marked by the introduction of the first thaler coins in Bohemia during his reign, which would later become a standard unit of currency.
Born in 1262
King of Hungary and Croatia from 1272 to 1290, known for his tumultuous reign marked by power struggles, wars, and a decline in royal authority.
