Skeleton with Brutal Injuries Identified as Duke Assassinated in 1272
Researchers have confirmed that a skeleton found beneath a convent in Budapest belonged to Béla of Macsó, a Hungarian royal killed in a violent power struggle during the 13th century. The discovery sheds light on the brutal circumstances of his death.
Archaeological Discovery
During a 1915 excavation on Margaret Island, located in the middle of the Danube River in Budapest, archaeologists uncovered dismembered remains beneath the floor of a Dominican convent. These remains were suspected to be those of Béla of Macsó, the grandson of King Béla IV, who had founded the convent.
Historical Context
Historical documents from 13th-century Austria describe the assassination of the young duke, aged 29, during a feud over the Hungarian throne in November 1272. The records align with the location and condition of the discovered skeleton.
Injury Analysis
The bones exhibited numerous serious wounds, far exceeding what was necessary to cause death, indicating a particularly savage attack. Martin Trautmann from the University of Helsinki remarked,
“There were so many more serious injuries than would be necessary to kill somebody.”
Although the initial 1915 researchers suspected the identity and cause of death, modern scientific methods have now confirmed these findings.
Author’s Summary
This historic case reveals the brutal nature of medieval political violence, as confirmed by modern archaeology and forensic analysis of a Hungarian duke’s remains.