Individual Details

Count Miklós Esterházy de Galantha

(8 Apr 1583 - 11 Sep 1645)

Created Baron 10-4-1613,
Created Count 24-6-1626

383 Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece - 1628

He was born a Protestant but after a Jesuit education he converted to Catholicism at nineteen. His own two advantageous marriages increased the size of his estate and his daughter's marriage to Ferenc Nádasdy enhanced his own importance.

He was a brave soldier and in 1620 he was besieged by Gábor Bethlen, Prince of Transylvania, but managed to break away and defeat General Tarrody. Tarrody then suffered a fate he had reserved for Esterházy: he was buried alive together with his horse and armour.

In 1625 Esterházy was chosen Palatine of Hungary which he remained until his death. In 1628 he was made a knight of the Golden Fleece. To compensate for lands lost in upper Hungary, Emperor Ferdinand II gave him two Imperial castles, Frakno (Forchtenstein) and Kismarton (Eisenstadt).

Source: Leio van de Pas
 

Events

Birth8 Apr 1583Galántha
Marriage21 Jul 1624Szucsány - Baroness Krisztina Nyáry de Bedegh
Death11 Sep 1645Heflény

Families