The Family of Berthold of Merania: Royalty of Europe in the 1200s

This book tells the true story of how a seemingly minor family from a small town in Bavaria, the family of Berthold, Duke of Merania, played an outsized role in European affairs, affecting countries ranging from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and even Russia and France, and playing a particularly key role in trying to stave off the Mongolian invasion of the 13th century. Berthold’s ancestors are reviewed, and there is discussion of each of the members of the family, at least down to the level of Berthold’s and his wife Agnes’ grandchildren, and beyond in some circumstances. Through this family, we also will relate some of the more important European history of their times, through the stories of the children, including the daughters Agnes, queen of France; Gertrude, queen of Hungary; and St. Hedwig, duchess of Silesia, and their children, two of whom became kings of Hungary and Galicia. We hope the reader will grasp the importance of this family in European history during the late 12th and early 13th centuries.Read more