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Báthory family (of the Aba clan)

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Báthory of Gágy
Parent familyAba Clan
CountryKingdom of Hungary
Founded13th. Century
FounderCount Peter of Aba Lord of Szalánc
Final headGabriel Báthory of Gagy
SeatCastle of Gagybátor
Historic seatCastle of Szalánc
TitlesVoivode (duke) / Count
Dissolution1689

The Báthory of Gagy family of the Aba clan[1] represents a significant lineage within Hungarian nobility. This family is part of a broader context of Báthory families that have influenced Hungarian history across several centuries.

Historical overview

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The Báthory name is associated with four major historical families:

  1. Báthory of Somlyó
  2. Báthory of Ecsed
  3. Báthory of Szaniszlófi
  4. Báthory of Gágy[2]

Each of these families played a pivotal role in Hungary's medieval and early modern history. However, by the late 17th century, all four lines of the Báthory family had died out on the male side, leading to the complete extinction of the name. Some people with different forms of the Bátori name still live today, but most of them have nothing to do with the historical families, since King Joseph II issued a name order in 1787 [3], and it became necessary for people to have German or Hungarian names, so in the middle of the 19th century many people were given permission to take even historical names (e.g. Báthory, Rákóczy, etc.)[4] This article specifically focuses on the Báthory family of the Aba clan, exploring its unique historical trajectory and contributions.

King Samuel Aba

The Aba Clan

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Battle of Rozgony

The Báthory family of Gágy[5] is connected to the illustrious Aba clan, a prominent noble house in Hungary. The Aba clan is descended from King Samuel Aba, who was a significant figure in early Hungarian history and the brother-in-law of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary. Samuel Aba's reign was marked by efforts to consolidate and strengthen the nascent Hungarian state, laying foundational structures for future governance. The Aba clan's prominence was further enhanced by the Árpád dynasty, which granted them numerous fiefs and lands. The construction of Szalánc Castle [6], attributed to Count Péter of the Aba clan, is an example of their influence and status. The castle was first documented in 1230 and played a role in regional politics. In 1330, Count Péter II, lord of Szalánc (ancestor of the Báthory branch), allied with Mateusz III Csák and other influential nobles against King Charles I of Hungary. The subsequent defeat at the Battle of Rozgony led to the forfeiture of Szalánc Castle to Count William Drugeth, illustrating the shifting allegiances and fortunes of the era.[7][8]

Emergence of the Báthory name

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The Báthory name emerged in the early 14th century as the family solidified its position as significant landowners. Miklós I (In some documents, he is referred to as Miklós Sirokay from the Siroka estate of his father, Count Péter II of Aba, or as Miklós Grevin and Miklós Gereven, likely due to his status as "Graf" or "Greve" (Count), a key figure in the family, served as royal doorkeeper from 1338 to 1342 [9] and later as Voivode (Duke) of Transylvania.[10][11] His administrative and military roles underscore the family's growing influence. Miklós was granted the estates of Gágy and Gagybátor in Abaúj County, a clear testament to his and his family's favored status with the crown. Over time, Miklós and his descendants constructed several important buildings in these areas, including a residential castle and a fortified castle with towers in Gágy, as well as another residential castle in Gagybátor. These castles were not just symbols of power and prestige but also served as strategic strongholds in an era of constant political instability and military threats.

A small detail from the 1703 estate census notes that Gagy Castle was already in ruins

Unfortunately, none of these structures have survived the ravages of time, largely due to the relentless conflicts with both the Ottoman Turks and the Austrians, which devastated much of the region. These castles, like many others in Hungary, became casualties of centuries-long warfare, leaving behind only fragments of their former grandeur. Today, they exist only in historical records, reminders of a once-thriving noble lineage and the turbulent times they endured.[12]

Genealogy of Báthory of Gágy family starting from Count Peter II of Aba, Lord of Szalánc and his son Nicholas I Voivode of Transylvania, the father of the Báthory branch

Following these grants, Miklós I and his descendants began to use the name “Báthory of Gágy,” derived from their properties Gagy and Gagybátor. However, it was János III who consistently used the name “Báthory de Gágy” in official documents, thereby formalizing and perpetuating the family's new designation. This adoption marked the formal establishment of the Báthory branch of the Aba clan and represented the consolidation of the family's identity within the broader network of Hungarian nobility.[13]

The male line of the Báthory of Gagy family came to an end in 1689 with the death of Gábor II, who had no heirs. This extinction had a profound impact on the legacy and properties of the family, marking the end of an era for one of Hungary's most storied noble houses.[14]

Family connections and historical significance

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A notable member of the Báthory family of Gágy was Katalin Hetesi Pethe, the mother of László IV Báthory and Katalin Báthory. Katalin's lineage was directly connected to influential medieval families [15] through her mother, Margareta Perényi,[16] the wife of army general László Hetesi Pethe.[17]

Heraldry and symbols

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The heraldic achievements of the Báthory family of Gágy are meticulously recorded in Johann Ambrosius Siebmacher's Siebmacher's Wappenbuch, a comprehensive catalog of European coats of arms. Siebmacher, a renowned German herald and goldsmith, provides a detailed illustration of the great [18] and the small seal[19] used by the Báthory family. This seal reflects the family's noble status and serves as a historical artifact documenting their heraldic traditions.  

The Báthory family in the modern era

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In recent times, Tibor Báthory-Szőnyi has played a crucial role in verifying the Báthory family's lineage. Through meticulous research, Tibor traced his ancestry to the female branch of the family, specifically to Katalin, daughter of Sigismundo Báthory of Gágy. This genealogical confirmation was conducted with the Civil Records Department in Hungary, relying on a range of civil, ecclesiastical, and archival documents.[20]

Tibor Báthory-Szőnyi's work, particularly in his book Noblesse Oblige (ISBN 978-615-01-9476-9),[21][22][23][24] offers an in-depth exploration of the family's historical trajectory and its impact on Hungarian society. The book not only recounts the events and prominent figures of the Báthory family but also examines their cultural and social contributions. Tibor's scholarship contributes significantly to the preservation of the family's legacy and enhances our understanding of the Báthory family's role in Hungarian history.[25][26]

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Samuel Aba – the third King of Hungary   Amadeus Aba – Palatine of Hungary  

Castle of Szalánc

Count Peter of Aba – Lord of Szalánc Castle

Nicholas I’ Voivode (duke) of Transylvania

László of Gágy [27] – Nicholas I’ brother, whose tombstone from 1332 displays the Aba clan's Árpád-striped coat of arms. This tombstone is noteworthy as one of the oldest in Hungary, featuring a beautifully executed early Gothic heraldic style and representing the ancient coat of arms of the Aba clan.

References

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  1. ^ "Báthori család. (Gágyi). | Nagy Iván: Magyarország családai | Reference Library". www.arcanum.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  2. ^ "Báthori család. (Gágyi). | Nagy Iván: Magyarország családai | Reference Library". www.arcanum.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  3. ^ "Kohnból Kovács: kis magyar zsidó névtörténet | Mazsihisz". mazsihisz.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  4. ^ "Családnevek enciklopédiája". dtk.tankonyvtar.hu. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  5. ^ "Címerhatározó/Báthory címer – Wikikönyvek". hu.wikibooks.org (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  6. ^ "Slanec - castle". Ancient and medieval architecture. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  7. ^ "A rozgonyi csata. 1312 június 15.-én. | Bánlaky József: A magyar nemzet hadtörténelme | Kézikönyvtár". www.arcanum.com (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  8. ^ "Fájl:Szalánczy családfa 1678.jpg – Wikikönyvek". hu.wikibooks.org (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  9. ^ "Master of the doorkeepers", Wikipedia, 2023-09-11, retrieved 2024-09-19
  10. ^ "Voivode of Transylvania", Wikipedia, 2024-08-27, retrieved 2024-09-19
  11. ^ "a. Herzoge. | Siebmacher: Wappenbuch | Reference Library". www.arcanum.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  12. ^ "HU MNL OL E 156 - a. - Fasc. 009. - No. 079 / e. | Urbáriumok és összeírások | Hungaricana". archives.hungaricana.hu. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  13. ^ "Báthori család. (Gágyi). | Nagy Iván: Magyarország családai | Reference Library". www.arcanum.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  14. ^ "Báthori család. (Gágyi). | Nagy Iván: Magyarország családai | Reference Library". www.arcanum.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  15. ^ Aurél, Kenessey (2024-08-13), Magyar: Származási lánc Hugó Capet francia királyig (PDF), retrieved 2024-09-19
  16. ^ "Perényi család", Wikipédia (in Hungarian), 2023-02-28, retrieved 2024-09-19
  17. ^ "Pethe László", Wikipédia (in Hungarian), 2024-08-08, retrieved 2024-09-19
  18. ^ "Báthori II. v. Gágy. | Siebmacher: Wappenbuch | Kézikönyvtár". www.arcanum.com (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  19. ^ "Báthory I., v. Gagy. | Siebmacher: Wappenbuch | Kézikönyvtár". www.arcanum.com (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  20. ^ Aurél, Kenessey (2024-02-22), English: Hungarian History Research Institute (PDF), retrieved 2024-09-19
  21. ^ Báthory-Szőnyi Tibor (2023). Noblesse oblige: családom története Árpád vezérig. Budapest: Báthory-Szőnyi Tibor. ISBN 978-615-01-9317-5.
  22. ^ Aurél, Kenessey (2024-07-24), English: British Library (Aknowledgement), retrieved 2024-09-19
  23. ^ Báthory-Szőnyi, Tibor (2023). Noblesse oblige : the history of my family until Grand Prince Arpad and the conquest of Hungary (1st ed.). ISBN 978-615-01-9476-9.
  24. ^ "OGYK katalógus - Rekord teljes nézete". al24.ogyk.hu. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  25. ^ "Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal". catalogo.bnportugal.gov.pt. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  26. ^ Báthory-Szőnyi, Tibor (2023). Noblesse oblige : the history of my family until grand prince arpad and the conquest of Hungary (in inglese).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  27. ^ "GAGYI LÁSZLÓ SÍRKÖVE. | Turul 1883-1950 | Kézikönyvtár". www.arcanum.com (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
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