Vata (bishop of Várad)

Vata (died c. 1046) was a Hungarian prelate, serving as the Bishop of Várad (present-day Oradea, Romania) in the first half of the 11th century. He is best known for leading a pagan uprising against King Peter Orseolo in 1046.

Little is known about Vata's early life or his appointment as bishop. Historical sources suggest he was a prominent figure in Hungarian society and a staunch advocate for the traditional pagan beliefs that predated the conversion of Hungary to Christianity under King Stephen I.

The uprising led by Vata was a reaction to the increasing influence of foreign advisors and the perceived undermining of Hungarian traditions by King Peter. Vata’s rebellion spread rapidly throughout the kingdom, fueled by popular discontent with Peter's policies and a desire to restore the old ways. During the uprising, many churches and monasteries were destroyed, and Christian clergy were killed.

King Peter was eventually overthrown and blinded. He was later succeeded by Andrew I, who initially sought to appease the pagan faction but ultimately solidified Christian rule. Vata himself was killed during the events of the uprising, though the precise circumstances of his death are not definitively recorded. He remains a controversial figure in Hungarian history, viewed by some as a defender of national traditions and by others as a destructive force who opposed the progress of Christianity and the stability of the kingdom.

See also: Hungarian Pagan Rebellions