Bulcsú (chieftain)

Bulcsú (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈbult͡ʃuː]; or Vérbulcsú; Latin: Bultzus, Greek: Βουλοσουδης Boulosoudes and Βουλτζους Boultzous, Arabic: Wuljūdī; c. 910 – 15 August 955) was a chieftain of the Hungarians and military leader in the 10th century. He held the title of harka (Greek: karchas). Despite not being a member of the ruling Árpád dynasty, he was one of the most important figures of the Hungarian invasions of Europe. He led military campaigns in the direction of the northwest, west, and south during the 930–950s.

In 948, Bulcsú visited the court of Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII, where he was received with great pomp. Bulcsú adopted Christianity, and the emperor became his godfather. He was a "guest friend of the emperor" and was awarded the title of 'patrikios' (patrician).

After his army had lost the disastrous Battle of Lechfeld in 955, he was caught by the German victors and executed. The lands of his tribe lay around Lake Balaton in Transdanubia, the core area of which later formed Zala County.