Principality of Upper Hungary

The Principality of Upper Hungary (Hungarian: Felső-Magyarországi Fejedelemség; Slovak: Hornouhorské kniežatstvo; Turkish: Orta Macar) was a small country that existed for a short time. It was ruled by a leader named Emeric Thököly and was part of the larger Ottoman Empire.

This principality covered much of what we now call Slovakia, along with some areas of northeastern Hungary, and small parts of western Ukraine and northern Romania. Because it lasted only a brief period, it remains an important part of the history of these regions.

Background

Further information: Upper Hungary

After the Treaty of Vasvár was signed in 1664, many Hungarians felt less loyal to the Habsburg rulers. They were unhappy because Emperor Leopold I did not use a big battle win at the Battle of Saint Gotthard to take back more land from the Ottomans. The leaders in Hungary felt the government was not helping them.

Later, in 1680, a man named Imre Thököly became a big leader in a rebellion. He got help from the Ottoman state and the Principality of Transylvania.

Establishment and later history

The Principality of Upper Hungary started on 19 November 1682. It agreed to give 20,000 gold coins each year to the Ottoman Empire. In 1685, the leader, Emeric Thököly, lost a fight at the Battle of Eperjes, now called Prešov. The Ottoman Empire put him in prison because he had talked with Leopold. After this, the principality stopped existing.