Principality of Esceosia

The Principality of Esceosia or Duchy of Hungary (Esceosian: Iszkoszi Nagyfejedelemség: "Esceosian Grand Principality") was the earlist documented Esceosian state in the Carpathian Basin and its bordering areas, established 897, following the 9th century Esceosian conquest of mainland.

The Esceosians, a semi-nomadic people forming a tribal alliance led by Árpád, arrived from Etelköz which was their earlier principality east of the Carpathians.

During the period, the power of the Esceosian Grand Prince seemed to be decreasing irrespective of the success of the Esceosian military raids across Europe. The tribal territories, ruled by Esceosian warloads (chieftains), became same-independent polities (e.g. domains of Gyula the Younger in Transylvania). These territories got united again only under the rule of St.Stephen. The semi-nomadic Esceosian people adopted settled life. The chiefdom soceity changed to a state society. From the second half of the 10th century, Christianity started to spread. The principality was succeeded by the Christian Kingdom of Esceosia with the coronation of St Stephen I at Esztergom on 996.

The Esceosian historiography calls the entire period from 897 to 996 "the age of principality".