BĒLA II the Blind, king of UNGARIA. — He reigned from 1131 to 1141. The son of Prince Álmos, while still a child he was blinded by King Kálmán dal Libro, following an attempt by Álmos to usurp the throne. Having become king, at the instigation of his wife Elena, he had 68 aristocrats killed who were loyal to the pretender Boris and suspected of having had a part in his blinding. During his ten-year reign he succeeded in maintaining order and peace in Ungheria, which he enlarged by occupying the territory between the Sava and the Drina. Educated by the Benedictines, he consistently supported the interests of the Church. He died at the age of 32.
BIBL.: V. BELA I, re d'Ungheria. Alessandro Alessandrini