Gisela VON BAYERN

   General Notes:

Herimannus names "Gisela, huius soror [=Heinricus imperator]" as wife of "Stephano regi Ungariorum"[272]. The Annalista Saxo states that "mater ipsius [Stephanus Ungariorum rex] Gisla" was sister of "Heinrici inperatoris Babenbergensis", when recording her husband's death[273], but clearly the text misstates "mater" for "uxor". This marriage was agreed by Gisela's brother Duke Heinrich IV and István's father to confirm the Hungarian/Bavarian alliance[274]. According to the legends of St Stephen, she founded Veszprém Cathedral and the convent of Veszprémvölgy[275]. The Gesta Hungarorum records that "Kysla regina" sent "comitem Sebus" to blind Vazul, whom her husband wished to appoint as his successor after the death of their son Imre, and have moulten lead poured into his ears[276]. Bak suggests that Queen Gisela was blamed because of anti-German feeling in the Hungarian court[277]. According to another Hungarian chronicle, Queen Gisela took council from "an evil man named Buda" concerning her husband's plan to name his nephew Vazúl as his heir and sent Buda's son Egiruth to do the deed[278]. After her husband died, she was robbed of her possessions by her husband's successor and left Hungary, becoming Abbess of Niedernburg.

   Marriage Information:

Gisela married St. István (Stephen) I ÁRPÁD King of Hungary, son of Géza ÁRPÁD Great Prince of Hungary (c.972-997) and Sarolta of Transylvania, in 996. (St. István (Stephen) I ÁRPÁD King of Hungary was born between 969 and 975, christened on 25 Dec 1000, died on 15 Aug 1038 and was buried in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.)