During his reign, a great plague descended upon Hungary.  In times of need, the Magyars always turned to their saintly king for help.  They would surround his war tent as sheep would their shepherd.

In the face of the pestilence, King Ladislas felt just as helpless as did his people.  He prayed day and night.  Finally, one night he had a dream.  God’s angel appeared before him with the following message: “Ladislas, my son, pick up your bow and arrow, go before your tent, and without aiming, shoot your arrow into the air.  It will tell you what to do.”

As soon as King Ladislas awoke, he had his bow and quiver brought to him.  He stepped out in front of his tent, placed an arrow into his bow, drew his bowstring, and let his arrow go.  It went farther than ever before, and as it fell to the ground, it penetrated a gentian herb (Gentiana cruciata).  It was this herb and the potion made from it that saved the people from the plague.  Ever since that time, the grateful Magyars have called this miraculous weed Saint Ladislas’ herb.

The life of Saint Ladislas has been the subject of many other legends as well.  The stories illustrate his love for his people and his people’s great respect for him.  He was not only a great ruler, but was also an affectionate father to the Magyars.  They have bemoaned his passing ever since he died.

Steven Bela Vardy is department chairman and professor of history at Duquesne University and adjunct professor of East European history at the University of Pittsburgh.  Agnes Huszar Vardy, his wife, is associate professor of comparative literature at Robert Morris College and also teaches Hungarian language and culture at the University of Pittsburgh.  Part One of this article appeared in the July 1988 issue of THE WORLD & I.