Andrew has come into increasing conflict with the powerful Hungarian magnates, who are in turn embroiled in a struggle with the emerging lower nobility.

In early 1222, the latter faction, to protect their social and economic position, rebels and, coming to Andrew's court in a large body, forces Andrew to issue a Golden Bull (from the Latin “bulla,” meaning "seal," an important document with a gold seal attached).

This agreement, similar to England's Magna Carta, enumerates the rights and privileges of the nobility, including the right to disobey the King if he acts not in line with the provisions of the Golden Bull (ius resistendi), and compels the king to share his powers with them in a national Diet, or assembly.

Béla, the eldest son of Andrew II of Hungary, had in 1220 married Maria Laskarina, a daughter of the Emperor Theodore I Laskaris of Nicaea, and his father had entrusted him with the government of Slavonia.

However, the king, who had arranged Béla's marriage during his return from the Crusade, persuades Béla to separate from his wife in 1222.