Esterházy, Nikolaus Graf#

Esterházy, Count Nikolaus, b. 1583, d. Grosshoeflein (Burgenland), 1645, founder of the Western Hungarian line of the Esterházy dynasty of magnates. Vater of Paul I Esterházy. Converted from Calvinism to Catholicism and thus won the favour of the Emperor at Vienna. 1618 tutor to the court, 1625 palatine and 1626 Duke of Forchtenstein. Was often employed in diplomatic missions; came into the possession of Landsee and other estates in Burgenland by marriage.

Literature#