Hungary, Principality of
Years: 895 - 1000
The Principality of Hungary or Duchy of Hungary is the earliest documented Hungarian state in the Carpathian Basin, established 895 or 896, following the 9th century Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin.The Hungarians, a semi-nomadic people forming a tribal alliance led by Árpád, establish the Principality of Hungary at the very end of the 9th century.
They arrive from Etelköz, which was their earlier principality east of the Carpathians.In contemporary Byzantine sources, written in Greek, the country is also known as "Western Tourkia".
The Jewish Hasdai ibn Shaprut around 960 calls the polity "the land of the Hungrin" (the land of the Hungarians) in a letter to Joseph of the Khazars.
The Hungarian historiography calls the entire period from 896 to 1000 "the age of principality".
The principality is succeeded by the Christian Kingdom of Hungary with the coronation of St. Stephen I at Esztergom on Christmas Day 1000 (its alternative date is 1 January 1001).
