Wladislaus Posthumous (alternative spellings: László, Ladislav, Ladislaus) was the King of Bohemia and Hungary from 1440 until 1457, and the Archduke of Austria from 1440 until 1457. Wladislaus was the son of Archduke Albert V of Austria and Elizabeth of Bohemia. Wladislaus was born four months after his father died, hence the title "Posthumous". After he was born he was immediately crowned the Archduke of Austria and the official head of the House of Habsburg, and was soon also recognised in Bohemia. The nobility of Hungary though had before his birth elected Wladislaw III of Poland their king. Elizabeth, however, had the crown of Hungary stolen from its guards in Visegrád and brought to Wiener Neustadt by Helene Kottannerin. Legend has it that the cross is bent due to damage occurred dur