Mercurius | |
|---|---|
| Ban of Slavonia | |
| Reign | 1205–1206 |
| Predecessor | Ipoch Bogátradvány |
| Successor | Csépán Ják |
| Died | after 1206 |
| Noble family | Janur kinship |
| Spouse | Princess Margaret |
| Issue | Janur |
Mercurius (Hungarian:Merkúr; died after 1206) was aMoravian lord in the early 13th century, who settled down in theKingdom of Hungary. As a confidant of KingAndrew II of Hungary, he served asBan of Slavonia from 1205 to 1206. He became related to the royalÁrpád dynasty through his marriage.
Early 19th-century historiographical works incorrectly propounded that Mercurius belonged to the powerful Hungarian clanGutkeled.[1] Since then, it was proved that he was grandfather of that Mérk (Myrk or Mercurius), Wenceslaus and James of the Csákányi family, about whom the 13th century chroniclerSimon of Kéza mentions that they descended "from the dukes of Moravia and have ties of kinship with KingBéla IV".[2] According to historian Tibor Neumann, it is possible he is identical with one of the lords called Marquartus, whose name appear in contemporary charters from theKingdom of Bohemia. However, he was certainly not member of thePřemyslid dynasty, despite Simon's account.[3]
The circumstances of his arrival to Hungary is unknown. Perhaps it occurred in 1198, when KingOttokar I of Bohemia married toConstance of Hungary, the sister ofEmeric, King of Hungary and Duke Andrew.[4] A letter of judgment from 1413 mentions that Mercurius was granted the estatesKolon and Kovácsi inNyitra County (present-day Kolíňany inSlovakia) from King Andrew II around 1205. The monarch also married off his "blood relative" ("consanguinea") Margaret to the Moravian lord. It is possible this Margaret is identical with the daughter ofGéza II, who had been widowed twice before as the wife of Isaac Doukas thenAndrew, Ban of Slavonia. If this is the place, Mercurius' wife died before 1208.[5] Their marriage produced a son Janur (or Gyánúr), ancestor of the Koloni and Rovi noble families, which flourished until the first half of the 15th century.[6]
Mercurius was installed as Ban of Slavonia in 1205, serving in this capacity until 1206. Beside that, he also administeredSomogy County.[7] Thereafter, he functioned asispán ofPozsony County for a brief time in 1206.[8] At some point in his life (prior to 1213), he sold the landHagymás inBihar County (today Hășmaș,Romania) toBoleslaus, Bishop of Vác.[1]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Ban of Slavonia 1205–1206 | Succeeded by |