The Emperor Henry III invaded Hungary for the second time on 6 July 1044. His force was small and the Hungarian army of Samuel Aba large. However, there was disaffection in the Hungarian ranks and the army quickly fell apart in the face of the German cavalry. Samuel fled the field, but was captured by his rival for the throne, Peter Orseolo, and beheaded. Peter was reinstalled as king at Székesfehérvár and did homage for his kingdom to Henry. The leading magnates and the less important nobles all came to Henry to make oaths of fidelity and vassalage. Hungary was made a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire, though it was not to remain so for long. The Germans killed Samuel Aba,