Congress of Visegrád (1335)

The Visegrád Congress of 1335 stood as a pivotal diplomatic gathering in Central Europe during the 14th century. This analysis first sketches the overarching historical trends of the involved realms—Bohemia, Hungary, and Poland—in the early 1300s. It then delves into the immediate events leading up to this diplomatic meeting, focusing particularly on efforts to resolve political and territorial disputes. Notably, it addresses conflicts between Poland and both Bohemia and the Teutonic Order, mediated by Charles I of Hungary, the region's foremost leader. Using a comprehensive review of relevant documents and narratives, the research evaluates key agreements reached at the conference. It acknowledges varying perspectives among chroniclers from different countries. Contrary to some Hungarian accounts emphasizing commercial motives, this study suggests that commerce wasn't the primary driver behind the Visegrád discussions. Additionally, the analysis examines the quantities of food consumed to estimate the retinues of Polish and Czech leaders, aiming to discern whether these figures reflected typical arrangements or signaled a deliberate show of power by the monarchs.