Baron Mihály Mérey de Kaposmére (Mérei; 1500 – 26 February 1572) was a Hungarian jurist and noble, who served as Palatinal Governor (Hungarian: nádori helytartó) in the Kingdom of Hungary, between 1562 and 1572.[1]

Mihály Mérey
Baron of Kaposmére
Palatinal Governor of Hungary
Reign25 September 1562 – 26 February 1572
PredecessorTamás Nádasdy (as Palatine)
SuccessorImre Czobor
Full name
Baron Mihály Mérey de Kaposmére
Born1500
Died26 February 1572 (aged 71–72)
Pozsony (Pressburg), Kingdom of Hungary
(today: Bratislava, Slovakia)
Noble familyHouse of Mérey
Spouse(s)Julianna Forgách de Ghymes et Gács
FatherJános Mérey de Kaposmére
MotherMargit Hanyi

Biography

edit

Mérey studied law in the court of Elek Thurzó, the Royal Governor of Hungary. Mérey became a member of the Vice-regency Council in 1542. He was appointed Chief Justice (Hungarian: királyi személynök) by Ferdinand I in 1544. He held that office until 1562, when he was elected Palatinal Governor (or Vice-palatine), after the death of Tamás Nádasdy. The office had only jurisdictional function, as the Hungarian magnates demanded restoring the office of the Palatine. The Emperor-King reigned Hungary over the Royal Governor.

Mérey was created Baron in 1563. He also functioned as Ispán (Count; comes) of Pest-Pilis-Solt-Kiskun County. During his tenure, he received substantial estate donations: he acquired, among others, Éberhárd Castle (today: Malinovo, Slovakia), and the large areas of Somogy and Trencsén Counties.

He participated in the development of the Quadripartium, which would have been the Corpus Juris of Hungary, however never became law. Mérey died in 1572. He was succeeded by Imre Czobor.

References

edit
  1. ^ Markó 2006, p. 240.

Sources

edit
  • Markó, László: A magyar állam főméltóságai Szent Istvántól napjainkig – Életrajzi Lexikon p. 240. (The High Officers of the Hungarian State from Saint Stephen to the Present Days – A Biographical Encyclopedia) (2nd edition); Helikon Kiadó Kft., 2006, Budapest; ISBN 963-547-085-1.
  • Bokor, József (ed.) Négyes könyv, A Pallas nagy lexikona. Arcanum, FolioNET Kft, 1998. ISBN 963 85923 2 X.
Political offices
Preceded by Chief justice
1544–1562
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Tamás Nádasdy
as Palatine
Palatinal Governor of Hungary
1562–1572
Succeeded by