The two members of Hungary’s exiled Árpád dynasty, András and Levente, only set out after the agents they had sent to Hungary confirmed that the Hungarians were ripe for an uprising against the king.
Fearing ambush and accompanied by Russian troops from Kiev, they enter the still-pagan portion of Hungary.
In Újvár (today Abaújvár, after the Aba family), they immediately gain the support of the pagan and other factions opposed to Peter’s rule, despite the fact that András is Christian (Levente had remained pagan).
On their return, a rebellion begins that András and Levente initially support.
During this rebellion, a pagan noble named Vata (or Vatha) gains power over a group of rebels who wish to abolish Christian rule and revert to paganism.
According to legend.
Vata shaved his head in the pagan fashion, leaving three braids remaining, and declared war on the Christians.
