Sigismund Báthory
Encyclopedia
Sigismund Báthory (1572 – March 27, 1613) was Prince of Transylvania.
family's Somlyó branch, he was the son of Christopher Báthory
, Voivod of Transylvania, and nephew of Stephen Báthory, King of Poland. He was elected prince in his father's lifetime, but being quite young at his fathers death, the government was entrusted to a regency.
In 1588 he attained his majority, and joined the league of Christian princes against the Turk. The obvious danger of such a course caused no small anxiety in the principality, and the diet of Torda
(today Turda
) even went so far as to demand a fresh coronation oath from Sigismund. Upon his refusal to render it, the members threatened him with deposition. Ultimately
Bathory got the better of his opponents, and executed all whom he got into his hands (1595).
In 1595, at Gyulafehérvár (today Alba Iulia
), Sigismund Bathory signed a treaty with Michael the Brave, the Voivod of Wallachia
, in which Wallachia came under sovereignty of Transylvania, requiring to Sigismund to send aid to Michael the Brave for fighting the Ottomans.
On August 13, 1595 at the Battle of Călugăreni
near the Neajlov river, Michael defeated a Turkish army led by Sinan Pasha
. Despite the victory Michael, having too few troops to continue the war, retreated toward Transylvania. Joining Sigismund Bathory's 40,000-strong army led by István Bocskay, they liberated Târgovişte
(October 8, 1595), Bucharest
(October 12, 1595) and Brăila
. Wallachia was liberated on October 29, 1595.
The turning-point of his career was his separation from his wife, Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (1574-1621)
(daughter of Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria), in 1599, an event followed by his own abdication the same year, in order that he might take orders. It was on this occasion that he offered the throne of Transylvania to Rudolph II
, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary, in exchange for the duchy of Opole
in Silesia
. As Duke of Opole he also was a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire
.
In April 1598 Sigismund resigned as Prince of Transylvania in favor of Emperor Rudolf, reversed his decision in October 1598, and then resigned again in favor of Cardinal Andrew Báthory
, his cousin. This allowed Transylvania to fall under the influence of the King of Poland
. Michael the Brave reestablished an alliance with Emperor Rudolf, began a campagain against Andrew on October 5, 1599, and became Prince of Transylvania in November 1599, while the Habsburg
general Giorgio Basta
entered Transylvania from the west at the same time.
In 1600, however, Sigismund at the head of an army of Pole
s and Cossack
s, he attempted to recover his throne, but was routed by Michael the Brave, voivode of Moldavia
and Wallachia
, at Suceava
. In February 1601 the diet of Cluj
reinstated him, but again he was driven out, after Battle of Guruslău
, by Michael the Brave and general Giorgio Basta
, never to return. He died at Prague in 1613.
His reign described by the contemporary Baranyai Decsi Janos
in his chronicle link
Biography
Hailing from the BáthoryBáthory
The Báthory were a Hungarian noble family of the Gutkeled clan. The family rose to significant influence in Central Europe during the late Middle Ages, holding high military, administrative and ecclesiastical positions in the Kingdom of Hungary...
family's Somlyó branch, he was the son of Christopher Báthory
Christopher Báthory
Christopher Báthory was a prince of Transylvania. He succeeded his brother Stephen Báthory. He was the father of Sigismund Báthory....
, Voivod of Transylvania, and nephew of Stephen Báthory, King of Poland. He was elected prince in his father's lifetime, but being quite young at his fathers death, the government was entrusted to a regency.
In 1588 he attained his majority, and joined the league of Christian princes against the Turk. The obvious danger of such a course caused no small anxiety in the principality, and the diet of Torda
Torda
Torda can refer to:Transylvania* Turda , a city and municipality in Cluj County, Romania* Turda River* Edict of Torda* Decree of Torda* Torda-Aranyos County* Maros-Torda County* Cheile Turzii Serbia:...
(today Turda
Turda
Turda is a city and Municipality in Cluj County, Romania, situated on the Arieş River.- Ancient times :The city was founded by Dacians under the name Patavissa or Potaissa...
) even went so far as to demand a fresh coronation oath from Sigismund. Upon his refusal to render it, the members threatened him with deposition. Ultimately
Bathory got the better of his opponents, and executed all whom he got into his hands (1595).
In 1595, at Gyulafehérvár (today Alba Iulia
Alba Iulia
Alba Iulia is a city in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania with a population of 66,747, located on the Mureş River. Since the High Middle Ages, the city has been the seat of Transylvania's Roman Catholic diocese. Between 1541 and 1690 it was the capital of the Principality of Transylvania...
), Sigismund Bathory signed a treaty with Michael the Brave, the Voivod of Wallachia
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
, in which Wallachia came under sovereignty of Transylvania, requiring to Sigismund to send aid to Michael the Brave for fighting the Ottomans.
On August 13, 1595 at the Battle of Călugăreni
Battle of Calugareni
The Battle of Călugăreni was one of the most important battles in the history of medieval Romania. It took place on 23 August 1595 between the Wallachian army led by Michael the Brave and the Ottoman army led by Sinan Pasha...
near the Neajlov river, Michael defeated a Turkish army led by Sinan Pasha
Sinan Pasha
Sinan Pasha or Sinan Pashë Kahremanliu was an Albanian Grand Vizier, Ottoman military commander and statesman.-Life:...
. Despite the victory Michael, having too few troops to continue the war, retreated toward Transylvania. Joining Sigismund Bathory's 40,000-strong army led by István Bocskay, they liberated Târgovişte
Târgoviste
Târgoviște is a city in the Dâmbovița county of Romania. It is situated on the right bank of the Ialomiţa River. , it had an estimated population of 89,000. One village, Priseaca, is administered by the city.-Name:...
(October 8, 1595), Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
(October 12, 1595) and Brăila
Braila
Brăila is a city in Muntenia, eastern Romania, a port on the Danube and the capital of Brăila County, in the close vicinity of Galaţi.According to the 2002 Romanian census there were 216,292 people living within the city of Brăila, making it the 10th most populous city in Romania.-History:A...
. Wallachia was liberated on October 29, 1595.
The turning-point of his career was his separation from his wife, Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (1574-1621)
Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (1574-1621)
Maria Christierna of Austria , was a German princess member of the House of Habsburg and by marriage Princess of Transylvania....
(daughter of Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria), in 1599, an event followed by his own abdication the same year, in order that he might take orders. It was on this occasion that he offered the throne of Transylvania to Rudolph II
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...
, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary, in exchange for the duchy of Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
in Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
. As Duke of Opole he also was a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
.
In April 1598 Sigismund resigned as Prince of Transylvania in favor of Emperor Rudolf, reversed his decision in October 1598, and then resigned again in favor of Cardinal Andrew Báthory
Andrew Báthory
Andrew Báthory was a Hungarian Roman Catholic Cardinal, a Prince-Bishop of Warmia , and Prince of Transylvania . He was also Grand Master of the Order of the Dragon.-Life:Báthory was born at Szilágysomlyó, Transylvania...
, his cousin. This allowed Transylvania to fall under the influence of the King of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Michael the Brave reestablished an alliance with Emperor Rudolf, began a campagain against Andrew on October 5, 1599, and became Prince of Transylvania in November 1599, while the Habsburg
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
general Giorgio Basta
Giorgio Basta
Giorgio Basta, Count of Huszt was an Italian general of Arbëreshë descent, employed by the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II to command Habsburg forces in the Long War of 1591-1606 and later to administer Transylvania as an Imperial vassal to restore Catholicism as a predominant religion in...
entered Transylvania from the west at the same time.
In 1600, however, Sigismund at the head of an army of Pole
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
s and Cossack
Cossack
Cossacks are a group of predominantly East Slavic people who originally were members of democratic, semi-military communities in what is today Ukraine and Southern Russia inhabiting sparsely populated areas and islands in the lower Dnieper and Don basins and who played an important role in the...
s, he attempted to recover his throne, but was routed by Michael the Brave, voivode of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
and Wallachia
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
, at Suceava
Suceava
Suceava is the Suceava County seat in Bukovina, Moldavia region, in north-eastern Romania. The city was the capital of the Principality of Moldavia from 1388 to 1565.-History:...
. In February 1601 the diet of Cluj
Cluj
Cluj may refer to*Cluj-Napoca, county seat of Cluj County, named Cluj until 1974*Cluj County, Romania*Cluj-Napoca International Airport*U Cluj, a Romanian sports club*U Cluj, a Romanian football club*CFR Cluj, a Romanian football club...
reinstated him, but again he was driven out, after Battle of Guruslău
Battle of Guruslău
The Battle of Goroszló was fought on 3 August 1601, between the troops of the Habsburg Empire led by Giorgio Basta, the Cossacks and Wallachia led by Michael the Brave on one side and the Transylvanian troops led by Sigismund Báthory on the other side...
, by Michael the Brave and general Giorgio Basta
Giorgio Basta
Giorgio Basta, Count of Huszt was an Italian general of Arbëreshë descent, employed by the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II to command Habsburg forces in the Long War of 1591-1606 and later to administer Transylvania as an Imperial vassal to restore Catholicism as a predominant religion in...
, never to return. He died at Prague in 1613.
His reign described by the contemporary Baranyai Decsi Janos
Baranyai Decsi János
János Baranyai Decsi is a Hungarian Renaissance writer who lived in the 16th century. He lived in the Transylvanian court of Báthory Zsigmond.-Life:...
in his chronicle link
See also
- Moldavian Magnate WarsMoldavian Magnate WarsThe Moldavian Magnate Wars refer to the period at the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century when the magnates of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth intervened in the affairs of Moldavia, clashing with the Habsburgs and the Ottoman Empire for domination and influence over the...
- List of rulers of Transylvania
- For other nobles of the same name, please see SigismundSigismundSigismund is a German proper name, meaning "protection through victory", from Old High German sigu "victory" + munt "hand, protection". Tacitus Latinises it Segimundus...
.