“The Untold Story of Hungary’s First Christian Queen”
Gisela of Hungary played a vital role in transforming pagan Hungary into a Christian state. She married Hungary’s first Christian king, Stephen I, in 996, and the couple had two sons, Otto and Prince Emeric. After Stephen’s death, Gisela found herself in a difficult situation as there was no direct heir. Stephen I named Peter Orseolo as his successor, but Peter failed to become a strong ruler. Neither he nor his adversary, Sámuel Aba, treated Gisela well, so she had to flee Hungary in 1044. She went to Passau, joined a nunnery, and worked as its head. Gisela of Hungary died in 1065 and was beatified in 1975. Interestingly, the coronation pall, the only contemporary artifact of Saint Stephen’s age, is the work of Gisela and her ladies. The pall is displayed in the Hungarian National Museum.
