Bakocz, Thomas
Bakocz or Bakacs, Thomas
(bŏ`kôts, bŭ`kŏch), Hung. Bakócz or Bakács Tamás (tŏ`mäsh), c.1442–1521, Hungarian politician, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is often called the Hungarian Wolsey. Of unbounded ambition, he rose from servile origin, was secretary to King Matthias CorvinusMatthias Corvinus, 1443?–1490, king of Hungary (1458–90) and Bohemia (1478–90), second son of John Hunyadi. He was elected king of Hungary on the death of Ladislaus V. Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III sought to contest the election but recognized him in 1462.
..... Click the link for more information. , and under Uladislaus IIUladislaus II
, Hung. Ulászló II, c.1456–1516, king of Hungary (1490–1516) and, as Ladislaus II, king of Bohemia (1471–1516); son of Casimir IV of Poland.
..... Click the link for more information. , whom he dominated, became chancellor, archbishop of Esztergom, and papal legate. Although he was expected by many to succeed Julius II as pope, Leo X was elected. Leo in 1514 charged him as primate of Hungary with a crusade against the Turks. The nobles did not heed Bakocz's call, and the peasants who had volunteered revolted against the aristocracy. The rebellion was crushed with great cruelty by John Zapolya (see John IJohn I
(John Zapolya) , 1487–1540, king of Hungary (1526–40), voivode [governor] of Transylvania (1511–26). He was born John Zapolya, the son of Stephen Zápolya.
..... Click the link for more information. ), and the few remaining liberties of the peasants were abolished. After Uladislaus's death Bakocz retired to Esztergom, where he died, leaving an enormous fortune.