# Vitéz Conspiracy and Polish Invasion (1471)

URL: https://allhistories.com/slovakia/timeline/1471-vitez-conspiracy-and-polish-invasion
Location: Nitra, Nitra Region
Themes: Key Events

Matthias's heavy taxation and his wars against George of Poděbrady in Bohemia, begun in 1468, alienated many prelates and barons. His former tutor and chancellor János Vitéz, archbishop of Esztergom and patron of the Academia Istropolitana, and his nephew the poet Janus Pannonius led a group of malcontents who offered the throne to Casimir, the thirteen-year-old son of King Casimir IV of Poland. In the autumn of 1471 a Polish army under Prince Casimir invaded Upper Hungary, expecting general support. Matthias, however, quickly reconciled most of the conspirators with concessions, and few nobles joined the invaders. Casimir's army advanced as far as Nitra, which it occupied, but soon found itself isolated and withdrew. Vitéz was placed under arrest and died in 1472, while Janus Pannonius died while fleeing. The young Casimir later became a saint, venerated as the patron of Poland and Lithuania. The failed rebellion strengthened Matthias's hold on power, allowing him to continue his campaigns against Bohemia and later Austria. It also hit humanist culture in the kingdom, as the Academia Istropolitana lost its chief patron. Hostilities with Poland in Upper Hungary continued intermittently for several years, until a truce in 1474 and later peace settlements.

## Why it matters
The 1471 conspiracy and Polish invasion were the greatest challenge to Matthias's rule and passed through the lands of western Slovakia.

Ruler at the Time: [Matthias Corvinus](https://allhistories.com/slovakia/rulers/matthias-corvinus)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — John Vitéz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vitéz)
- [Wikipedia — Late Medieval Upper Hungary (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Hungary)