Béla VI was the Hungarian king between 1235 and 1270. He was the son of Andrew II who issued the so-called Golden Bull through which he granted the gentry extensive privileges. He had been ruling already during the time when he was a coregent of his father. During his reign, he tried to withdraw privileges from the gentry; nonetheless, his attempts were not successful. He invited foreign settlers, granted them extensive privileges, what aroused outrage of the gentry. That time, the Kingdom of Hungary was facing a violent Tatarian invasion. The situation in the state contributed to the defeat of royal army in the Battle of the Sajó River in 1241. Almost the whole army died and Béla had to hide at various castles and manors. Eventually, he started to invite the colonists to depopulated areas again. During his reign, he had to fight against Austrian army and Czech Přemyslid as well. In 1238, Trnava as the first town in the territory of Slovakia was granted town privileges by him. Thus, Trnava became a free royal town. It governed itself, had a right to hold town markets, storage right and also a right of free election of mayor.

Detailed information