Oak Tree Monument of Kurszan by Boltresz Ervin 2014

June 20, 2024

Oak Tree Monument of Kurszan by Boltresz Ervin 2014

Kurszan and his entourage were deceived by the Franks and invited to a banquet to discuss peace in 904 CE. The Franks then had him and his entourage murdered. Up to this point the Magyars and the Franks had some skirmishes on the borderlands but nothing major. Four years earlier the Magyars had also tried to establish peaceful relations with the new Frankish leadership, following Arnulf of Carinthia's death, however the Franks rejected the offer for peace. The alliance between the Franks and Magyars, established by Arnulf, had been destroyed: "They first opted for the pacific alternative and sent peace delegations to the court of the new Frankish ruler, Louis the Infant. After their offer was rejected they took severe measures. The Magyar armies launched an attack against the area under Bavarian control" (Hungarians and Europe in the Early Middle Ages by Andras Rona-Tas).

While the rejection of peace resulted in border skirmishes, the death of the Hungarian leader warranted more aggressive actions. After Kurszan's assassination the Magyars undertook a series of massive invasions of the Frankish kingdoms, with the Magyars eventually reaching the Atlantic shores in West Francia.