István Kovacsóczy

István Kovacsóczy
Chancellor of Transylvania
In office 1622–1634
Monarch	Gabriel Bethlen Catherine of Brandenburg Stephen Bethlen George I Rákóczi
Preceded by	Vacant last office-holder: Simon Péchi
Succeeded by	Vacant next office-holder: Mihály Mikes
Personal details
Died	October 1634
Nationality	Hungarian
Spouse(s)	Zsófia Telegdi

István Kovacsóczy de Körtvélyfa (? – October 1634)^[1] was a Hungarian noble in the Principality of Transylvania, who served as Chancellor of Transylvania from 1622 to 1634. His father Farkas Kovacsóczy, also a Chancellor (1578–1594), was executed by Sigismund Báthory in 1594.

Biography

His mother was his father's first wife Kata Farkas de Harina. He had two brothers and two sisters. He married Zsófia Telegdi (died 1637). They had no children. During his early career, he served as familiar of Prince Gabriel Bethlen. He functioned as Secretary in the Transylvanian Chancellery between 1616 and 1622. After the arrest of Simon Péchi in 1621, he dealt with the daily internal political issues when the seat of the Chancellor was vacant. Finally, he was appointed Chancellor in 1622. He held the office until his death, he served under four Princes of Transylvania. He was also a member of the Royal Council.

He was the signatory of the Treaty of Vienna (1624) in the name of the Prince, which renewed the Peace of Nikolsburg. He also served as Captain General of Háromszék (since 1625) and as Ispán (Count; comes) of Torda County (since 1627) until his death. He was the last male member of the Kovacsóczy de Körtvélyfa family.

References

1. Markó 2006, p. 113.

Sources

• Markó, László: A magyar állam főméltóságai Szent Istvántól napjainkig – Életrajzi Lexikon pp. 113-114. (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.
• Trócsányi, Zsolt: Erdély központi kormányzata 1540–1690. Budapest, Akadémiai Kiadó, 1980. ISBN 963 05 2327 2