Charles I (1288 – 16 July 1342), also known as Charles Robert (Caroberto), is the first King of Hungary and Croatia (1308–42) of the House of Anjou.

He is also descended from the old Hungarian Árpád dynasty.

His claim to the throne of Hungary is contested by several pretenders.

Nevertheless, although he is only a child when his grandfather, King Charles II of Naples, sends him to Hungary in 1300, Charles will strengthen his rule in the kingdom against his opponents and the powerful magnates following a long series of internal struggles.

Charles also carries out numerous important political and economical reforms: he establishes the so- called honor system, which makes the powerful barons dependent of his favor, and he introduces new coins with a consistently high purity of gold.

Charles's foreign policy largely stems from dynastic alliances.

His most successful achievement is the mutual defense union with Poland and Bohemia against the Habsburgs.

Charles also endeavors to enforce his or his descendants' claim to the Kingdom of Naples, but he achieves only sham results.

Nevertheless, he is one of the most successful rulers of the Kingdom of Hungary, whose efforts establish his successor's achievements.