Nikolaus, Count Esterházy
| Nikolaus Esterházy | |
|---|---|
| Count of Galántha | |
 | |
| Palatine of Hungary | |
| Reign | 25 October 1625 – 11 September 1645 |
| Predecessor | Szaniszló Thurzó |
| Successor | János Draskovich |
| Spouse(s) |
Baroness Orsolya Dersffy de Szerdahely (1612–1619) Baroness Krisztina Nyáry de Bedegh (1624–1641) |
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Issue | |
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Full name
Count Miklós Esterházy de Galántha | |
| Noble family | House of Esterházy |
| Father | Ferenc Esterházy de Galántha |
| Mother | Zsófia Illésházy de Illésháza |
| Born |
April 8, 1583 Galántha, Kingdom of Hungary (today: Galanta, Slovakia) |
| Died |
September 11, 1645 (aged 62) Nagyhöflány, Kingdom of Hungary (today: Großhöflein, Austria) |
Baron, later Count Nikolaus Esterházy de Galántha (English: Nicholas Esterházy of Galántha) (Galanta, April 8, 1583 - Großhöflein, September 11, 1645) was the founder of the West-Hungarian noble House of Esterházy which became one of the grandest and most influential aristocratic families of the Kingdom of Hungary.
The Habsburg noted Baron Nikolaus because he was one of the few members of the Hungarian nobility to convert to Catholicism, and also because of his zeal in fighting the Turks.
His first marriage with Orsolya Dersffy made him immensely rich and brought him also the lordships of Munkács (today: Mukachevo, Ukraine) and Lánzsér-Lakompak (today: Landsee and Lackenbach in Austria). When he had to hand over Munkács in 1622 to Gabriel Bethlen because of the Peace of Nikolsburg, he was compensated by the Emperor with 2 new lordships, namely Fraknó (today: Forchtenstein, Austria) and Kismarton (today: Eisenstadt, Austria).
The Emperor made him in 1625 Palatine of Hungary, the highest political function in the country. He also became Count of Fraknó and Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece on 10 August 1626.
Ha was the father of Ladislaus Esterházy and the later Prince Paul I Esterházy of Galántha.
References
| Nikolaus, Count Esterházy Born: 8 April 1583 Died: 11 September 1645 | ||
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Péter Révay |
Master of the household 2 September 1618 – 4 August 1622 |
Succeeded by Imre Czobor |
| Preceded by György Drugeth |
Judge royal 4 August 1622 – 25 October 1625 |
Succeeded by Menyhért Alaghy |
| Preceded by Szaniszló Thurzó |
Palatine of Hungary 25 October 1625 – 11 September 1645 |
Succeeded by János Draskovich |
| Hungarian nobility | ||
| Preceded by himself as Baron |
Count Esterházy of Galántha 10 August 1626 – 11 September 1645 |
Succeeded by Ladislaus |
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