Tamás Bakócz facts for kids

Tamás Bakócz (born in Erdőd in 1442, died in Esztergom on June 15, 1521) was a very important Hungarian leader. He was a high-ranking church official, known as an archbishop and cardinal, and also a powerful politician.

Tamás came from a simple family; his father was a wagon driver. His uncle adopted him and helped him study to become a priest. Tamás later took over his uncle's church position in Tétel in 1480. He also studied at universities in Breslau and Padua.

Rising to Power

Soon after his studies, Tamás Bakócz became a secretary for King Matthias Corvinus. The King recognized his talents and made him a bishop in Győr. He also became a member of the King's special council in 1490.

After King Matthias died, Tamás continued to rise in power under the new King, Vladislaus II. He became the bishop of Eger, which was the richest church area in Hungary. In 1497, he became the Archbishop of Esztergom, an even more important church role. By 1500, he was made a cardinal, which is a very high position in the Catholic Church, just below the Pope. In 1510, he also received the special title of Latin Patriarch of Constantinople.

Leading Hungary's Foreign Policy

From 1490 until his death in 1521, Tamás Bakócz was the most important politician in Hungary. He was mostly in charge of how Hungary dealt with other countries, which is called foreign policy.

Thanks to his efforts, Hungary did not join a group of countries called the League of Cambrai. Instead, Hungary remained good friends with Venice. He also helped Hungary form a special agreement with the powerful Habsburg family.

Aiming to Become Pope

Tamás Bakócz was the only Hungarian church leader who seriously tried to become the Pope. In 1513, when Pope Julius II died, Tamás traveled to Rome with the goal of being elected the new Pope.

He was welcomed with great honor, like a prince. He almost succeeded in becoming Pope because he was very clever and had a lot of money to help his cause. However, Venice and the Holy Roman Emperor did not support him in the end, and he was not chosen.

Later Years and Legacy

After his attempt to become Pope, Tamás Bakócz returned to Hungary as a special representative of the Pope. He brought with him a special order from Pope Leo X. This order called for a new crusade, which was a religious war, against the Ottoman Turks.

However, this crusade turned into a large peasant revolt that caused a lot of damage across Hungary. This event made Tamás Bakócz less popular for a while. Even after King Vladislaus died, Tamás continued to be a guiding force in the royal court. In his last three years, he was mostly confined to his home due to old age and illness. He left behind a very large fortune.

Tamás Bakócz and his family are buried in a special chapel within the Esztergom Basilica. This chapel is considered one of the most beautiful artworks from the Hungarian Renaissance period.

See also

In Spanish: Tomás Bakócz para niños