December 3, 1086
I weep for the king Salamon, the first of that name.
I weep, as even though suspicious, he did not escape treachery.
I weep, as even though wise, he could not avoid assassins.
I weep, cause I know he would have forgiven them if he lived still.
His marriage unhappy and barren,
His land poor and without promise,
His mind bereft of talent and skill,
His life never really graced by luck.
I grieve for the king that ruled beyond expectations,
and left his country whole and stronger.
Author unknown
Excerpt from the Wars of the Arpads
Salamon I, despite his generally acknowledged warlike mindset, did not overall fight as often, or for as long as could be expected. Historians recognize three short wars fought during his rule with first one being especially bloody and costly. Being aware of fast disintegration of Byzantium, which made strong and united Pecheng tribe a growing force in the region the king decided to
break the threat early. A series of marriages with Poland and Kiev were arranged to achieve good relationships with the northern powers. An alliance with Holy Roman Empire was signed to scare away third party wishing to profit from the conflict.
1st Pecheng War
With preparations done, Salamon mobilized his personal host and on July 24, 1071 declared war. By the month end duke of Transylvania and count of Pest joined his armies in the conflict. First, victorious battle was fought on 8th of August, unfortunately Ipoly count of Pecs was proven to be a traitor and raised a rebellion against the realm not long after, diverting attention and much needed resources from the main area of conflict. Thus tribes were given a breathing space, time to organize, and Salamon faced with two separate conflicts ordered Grand Mobilization of the realm. Two battles were lost in September and Transylvania decided to pay tribute to avoid plunder and destruction. By the end of the year two more battles were fought, and lost, one more duke and four counts withdrew from the effort also offering tribute to the tribes. On December 19th orthodox heretics from Polotsk declared war on Hungary, that winter was proving to be really bleak.
New year saw a rare victory in Peresechen, and end of Pecs rebellion, but it was swiftly followed by another defeat at Belogrod and fall of Szekelyföld castle on 15th of February which marked the lowest point of the war. Five days later came the news that last tribal outpost in Perescechen finally surrendered, the tides of war turned. In April control of Belgorod was gained and despite fending off Hungarian relief attempt at Szekelyföld, High Chief Kabuksin was running out of supplies and manpower and on May 5, 1072 was forced to sign harsh pace immediately standing down all remaining forces and relinquishing control over lost tribal areas and all claims against Salamon.
This did not end the war though, armies from Polotsk were on their way south. July 23 has seen Hungarian defeat in Heves, August 18 rout in Galich, followed by two defeats in Marmaros by the end of the year. Winter again was proving to be bleak. Fortunately, on third attempt to stop enemy, marshal Ilya displayed great skill and won a crushing victory. Three battles,
and one raid by Lithuanians on Polotsk homeland later, both sides having no prospects of victory, white pace was agreed. The war ended on May 29, 1073.
Nitra Heresy
In early 1075 underage and inexperienced Kálmán Duke of Nitra fell prey to Arian heresy and got excommunicated from the church. His refusal to correct his ways sparked rebellion of his vassals and much unrest in the realm, by July Salamon finally made his mind and decided to strip him of titles. The kings request met with prompt refusal sparking all out war in the north-western parts of the land. Nine small battles and four sieges took place over next 12 months until last peace treaty was signed and titles in question transferred to Ivánka, former duke of Orava who remained loyal to the crown all through the conflict.
The Cautious Peace
Years 81, 82 and 84 saw rebellions by local counts requiring crown intervention, but period after the heresy till the year 1085 mostly enjoyed peace dedicated to paying off massive debts of the crown incurred in first war with the tribes. When that finally happened, king Salamon took his armies to the field again.
2nd Pecheng War
The war was declared in April and this time weakened Pechengs did not offer much resistance. Aided by mercenaries the king won field campaign in April despite two minor setbacks. June saw occupation of Olvia. July further victories in Birland with the area itself conquered by September. The high chief signed peace treaty on the very next day.
(...)
From Hungarian Economy in Middle Ages
It has to be said that even though king Salamon had little obvious skill or patience towards managing his realm, he did, as a side effect of his efforts to bolster the army, achieve significant progress in the areas of administration,
(where power scattered among few dozen of small countries was gathered in the hands of seven dukes improving effectiveness) and science. The chronicles note progress in army tactics (with offensive terrain and positional combat in use thorough the realm), fortification (tentative plans for small castle network) and siege techniques (popularization of battering ram)
and infantry armaments (pikes, handaxes, chained leather). The kings church scholars also managed to derive from the Bible the concepts of divine rights and duty, clerical celibacy and theory behind the Arte Liberales. chievements in matters of trade were limited mostly to adopting concepts imported from abroad. Overall the king managed nearly to double the manpower and income available to his successor which, what has to be said, was no mean feat (...)
King Salamon was murdered on December 3, 1086 by an unknown assassin. As there were no close living relatives the crown went to a distant
cousin László, at the time Count of Bihar.