Andrew III of Hungary, the last reigning monarch of the Árpád dynasty, died in Buda in January 1301. His reign, characterized by a series of political struggles and external conflicts, had seen diminishing royal power and increasing influence of the noble class. Andrew III, who had been king since 1290, faced significant challenges throughout his rule, including the pressure of foreign powers and internal disunity among the Hungarian nobility. Notably, his reign included confrontations with the powerful noble families, which ultimately weakened royal authority. His death without a direct heir prompted a significant crisis in the realm. The absence of an established succession plan led to disputes among the nobility and claims by various pretenders, both Hungarian and foreign. This power struggle reflected the growing fragmentation of royal power and foreshadowed a tumultuous period in Hungarian history. As factions vied for control, Hungary entered an era marked by instability and foreign intervention, drifting further from the centralized authority of the earlier Árpád kings.