Báthory family facts for kids
The House of Báthory was a very old and powerful noble family from Hungary. They became very important in Central Europe during the Late Middle Ages. Members of the family held high positions in the government, military, and church in the Kingdom of Hungary. Later, in more recent times, some Báthorys became Princes of Transylvania, and one even became King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (this was Stephen Báthory).
| Báthory |
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Quick facts for kids  |
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| Country: | Kingdom of Hungary Principality of Transylvania Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth |
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| Parent House: | Gutkeled | ||
| Titles: | * Palatine of Hungary
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| Founder: | Briccius | ||
| Final Ruler: | Stephen XII (Ecsed branch) Andrew (Somlyó branch) |
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| Founding Year: | 13th century | ||
| Dissolution: | 1605 (Ecsed branch) 1637 (Somlyó branch) |
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| Ethnicity: | Hungarian | ||
| Cadet Branches: | Ecsed branch Szaniszlófi branch
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Contents
Where the Báthorys Came From
The Báthory family belonged to the Gutkeled clan. This was a group of Hungarian nobles. Their family story says they came from two brothers, Gut and Kelad, from a place called Swabia (in modern-day Germany). They moved to Hungary around the year 1038.
In 1279, a king named Ladislaus IV gave land to some members of the Gutkeled family. This was a reward for their help in battles. The land they received was called Bátor.
In 1310, one of these family members, named Briccius, became the sole owner of Bátor. After this, Briccius and his family started calling themselves Báthory. This means "of Bátor."
Family Branches
The Báthory family grew and split into two main branches. These branches came from the sons and grandsons of Briccius.
Báthory of Somlyó
The older branch was called the Báthory of Somlyó. They came from John, who was Briccius's first son. One of John's grandsons, Ladislaus, married a woman named Anna Meggyesi. He received the town of Somlyó as part of her dowry.
Báthory of Ecsed
The younger branch was the Báthory of Ecsed. They came from Luke, who was Briccius's youngest son. Luke owned many lands. A king named Charles Robert gave him the lordship of Ecsed. Luke built a castle there called Hűség, which means "loyalty."
Because this branch kept possession of Bátor, they were sometimes called "of Bátor."
Family Legend and Coat of Arms
There is a famous legend about the Báthory family's beginnings. It tells of a brave warrior named Vitus. He fought a dangerous dragon that lived in the swamps near the castle of Ecsed. Vitus killed the dragon with three thrusts of his spear. As a reward, he received the castle. The people called him Báthory, meaning "good hero" or "brave." In the Hungarian language, the word bátor truly means "brave."
The Báthory coat of arms was created in 1325. It shows three horizontally placed teeth. These are surrounded by a dragon biting its own tail. The dragon around the teeth is the symbol of the Order of the Dragon. This special symbol connects the family to the old legend.
Important History of the Family
The Ecsed branch of the family became well-known with the grandsons of Luke. One grandson, Stephen III, became a very important official called the Palatine of Hungary. He was also a flag-bearer in a major battle in 1444.
Another grandson, Stephen V, was a great military leader. He became the Voivode of Transylvania. This was the first of many Báthory rulers of that region.
A younger son, Nicolaus III, was a bishop and a smart scholar. He advised King Matthias Corvinus.
Later, Stephen VII became Palatine of Hungary in 1519. He fought in the terrible Battle of Mohács in 1526 against the Ottoman Empire. After this battle, Hungary faced many challenges.
The two Báthory branches took different sides in the conflicts that followed. The Ecsed branch usually supported the Habsburg family. The Somlyó branch, however, supported John Zápolya. He was chosen as king by many Hungarian nobles.
John Zápolya made Stephen VIII of the Somlyó branch the Voivode of Transylvania. Later, Stephen VIII's son, Stephen IX, became Prince of Transylvania and then King of Poland.
George VI Báthory, from the Ecsed branch, was impressed by Stephen IX. He decided to support John Zápolya instead of the Habsburgs. George married Stephen's sister, Anna. This marriage helped to unite the two Báthory branches.
George and Anna Báthory had a daughter named Elizabeth. She is a very well-known member of the family. She faced serious accusations and was imprisoned for a long time in one of the Báthory castles. Her story has become a part of many legends. Some people think she might have influenced the famous novel Dracula.
Key Members of the Somlyó Branch
- Stephen VIII Báthory (1477–1534): He was the Voivode of Transylvania.
- Stephen IX Báthory (1533–1586): He was the youngest son of Stephen VIII. He became the Prince of Transylvania and later the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania.
- Christopher Báthory (1530–1581): He was Stephen IX's older brother. He governed Transylvania when his brother was away.
- Sigismund Báthory (1572–1613): Son of Christopher, he was also a Prince of Transylvania.
- Cardinal Andrew Báthory (1562/63–1599): A cousin of Sigismund, he became Prince of Transylvania and a Grand Master of the Order of the Dragon.
- Gabriel I Báthory (1589–1613): Nephew of Andrew, he also served as Prince of Transylvania.
- Sophia Báthory (died 1680): Niece of Gabriel Báthory. She married into the Rákóczi family, joining two important Hungarian families.
Key Members of the Ecsed Branch
- Stephen III Báthory (died 1444): He was a Palatine of Hungary.
- Stephen V Báthory (died 1493): He served as the Voivode of Transylvania.
- Stephen VII Báthory (died 1530): He was a Hungarian commander and also a Palatine of Hungary.
- Bonaventura Báthory (died 1566): He was a royal judge and held other important positions.
- Nicolaus VI Báthory (died 1585): He was known as a royal judge and a very honest man.
- George VI Báthory: He was the father of Elizabeth Báthory.
- Stephen XII Báthory (died 1605): He was a royal judge and supported a rebellion against the Habsburgs.
- Elizabeth Báthory (died 1614): Daughter of George VI. She was a famous countess whose story is still told today.
Báthory of Simolin
Another part of the family was called the Báthory of Simolin. They were named after their land, Simony. This branch had large estates in Prussia and Courland. Some members worked as diplomats for Russian Empresses. In the 1800s, this family claimed the title of "Counts Báthory," and the Russian government agreed to their claim.
See also
- List of titled noble families in the Kingdom of Hungary
In Spanish: Casa de Báthory para niños
