Among the children of King István and Queen Gizella, only two boys' names have survived: Ottó's, who was probably born before 1000 (according to the chronicles, he was baptized before 1002 and died early), and Imré's. Imre was probably named after his maternal uncle, II. He received it after the Holy Roman Emperor Henrik. He was born between 1000 and 1007 in Székesfehérvár. We only know about his life based on chronicles and legends.
Great care was taken to raise Prince Imre: his education was taken over by Bishop Gellert in 1015. He taught Prince Imre Latin for seven years, and had him complete the highest school grades of the time; in addition to the sciences, he also initiated him into religion and the mysteries of priestly life.
The prince then grew up with King István from the age of fifteen, and the Intelmek were written for him. He mastered the science of state management, military leadership and diplomacy. At the end of the 1020s, he occupied the duchy belonging to the crown princes (probably the duchy of Bihar), and his father entrusted him with the command of the royal army.
"[…] my beloved son, the sweetness of my heart, my offspring, the hope of the future, please, I command you to rely on love everywhere and in everything, and not only to your fraternity and your relatives, or to the nobles, or to the rich, to your neighbor and to those who live here, but also to foreigners, even to everyone who contributes to you. Because the practice of love leads to the greatest happiness. Be merciful to all victims of violence, always keep the divine admonition in your heart:
"I want mercy and not sacrifice."
King St. István's admonitions to Prince Imre (excerpt)
Prince Imre died on 2 September 1031 after being wounded by a boar while hunting, probably in the Igfon forest of Bihar. The St. Imre Abbey was built here at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries after the prince's canonization. His body was placed in the Fehérvár basilica, which was still under construction at the time.
VII. During the reign of King Saint László, on November 4, 1083, Pope Gregory canonized Duke Imre together with King István and Bishop Gellért. His holiday was November 5.
You can read the entire article about Szent Imre by clicking here
