Geza II, an ally of Louis VII of France, invited French monks (Cistercians) to settle in Hungary and encouraged Hungarians to attend French universities. During his reign many German, French, Italian and Flemish tradesmen, merchants and artisans settled in Hungary.

Geza II, "a capable ruler, completed the organization of Transylvania by settling German immigrants, the `Saxons,' behind its southern passes...." - Encycl. Brit.,`56, 11:902.