Baron István Jósika de Branyicska, also Ștefan Jósika or Ștefan Iojică (? – 11 September 1598)Markó 2006, p. 110. was a Hungarian noble in the Principality of Transylvania, who served as

Chancellor of Transylvania The following is the list of chancellors of Transylvania during the Principality of Transylvania (1570–1711) and the (Grand) Principality of Transylvania (1711–1867). List of chancellors Principality of Transylvania (1570–1711), Principali ...

from Autumn 1594 to August 1598. He was the ancestor and first prominent member of the ''Baron Jósika de Branyicska'' family.

Biography

His Romanian origin is mentioned by Giovanni de Marini Poli (the agent of Emperor Rudolf) in 1595 ("di natione Vallacha”), by Cosimo Capponi in 1596 ("è pure un povero Valacho"), by

István Szamosközy István Szamosközy, Latinisation of names, latinised as Stephanus Zamosius (1565–1612) was a Hungary, Hungarian Renaissance Humanism, humanist and historian. Life Zamosius was probably born in 1565 in Kolozsvár, Principality of Transylvania ...

and by the Franciscan friar Giuseppe Pisculo. His father was Dániel Jósika de Karánsebes, who functioned as vice-ispán of Szörény County. István had five siblings. He married Borbála Füzy (widow of Pál Gyulai) in 1593, they had a son, Zsigmond. He mastered Romanian, Hungarian,

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and

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.Diaconescu, Marius (2004) "Gândirea politică a lui Ştefan Jósika, cancelarul principelui Sigismund Báthory" https://www.semperfidelis.ro/e107_files/public/1263591828_2323_FT38854_stefan_josica.doc Branyicska kastely

Jósika raised among the Transylvanian aristocrats, because his wife was related to the

Báthory family The House of Báthory () was an old and powerful Hungarian nobility, Hungarian noble family of the Gutkeled clan. The family rose to significant influence in Central Europe during the Late Middle Ages, holding high military, administrative and ...

. István became founder of his family's property. In 1585, he became a secretary for the Chancellery. After the death of Farkas Kovacsóczy, he was appointed Chancellor of Transylvania (''suppremus cancelarius'') by

Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...

Sigismund Báthory. The monarch donated the confiscated estates of László Szalánczi to Jósika, like Zsidóvár (today: ''Jdioara, Romania'') and Branyicska (today: ''Brănișca, Romania''). He took his title of nobility from the latter village's name. He was also promoted to the rank of Baron, after that his family belonged to the

Hungarian nobility The Kingdom of Hungary held a Nobility, noble class of individuals, most of whom owned landed property, from the 11th century until the mid-20th century. Initially, a diverse body of people were described as noblemen, but from the lat ...

.Markó 2006, p. 110.Trócsányi, p. 28. According to historian

, Jósika was responsible for the execution of his predecessor, because he wanted Kovacsóczy's office. He was mentioned as Captain General in September 1597. He besieged Temesvár (today: ''Timișoara, Romania'') on 17 October 1597, but he was forced to retire ten days later. Jósika was a trusted man of Báthory, the prince often sent him to

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and

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as his envoy. He also negotiated with Emperor Rudolf. When the Holy Roman Emperor became Prince of Transylvania after series of conflicts and abdication of Báthory, he appointed Archduchess Maria Christina (wife of Sigismund Báthory) as his Regent. Jósika also held the position of Chancellor. However he became advocate of the pro-Ottoman politics in Transylvania. His activity revealed. He was arrested and imprisoned on 4 April 1598. Sigismund Báthory returned to Transylvania and marched into Kolozsvár (today: ''Cluj-Napoca, Romania'') to retake his throne. The prince accused him to want to obtain the power, as a result he was decapitated without judgement before gate of the Szatmár Castle.

Legacy

His widow married to Zsigmond Sármasági. Jósika's possessions were confiscated, but later his son, Zsigmond, regained them. His life inspired the novel of his descendant, Miklós Jósika (''Jósika István'' I-V, Pest, 1847).

References

Sources

* Markó, László: A magyar állam főméltóságai Szent Istvántól napjainkig – Életrajzi Lexikon ''p. 110.'' ''(The High Officers of the Hungarian State from Saint Stephen to the Present Days – A Biographical Encyclopedia)'' (2nd edition); Helikon Kiadó Kft., 2006, Budapest; . * Trócsányi, Zsolt: Erdély központi kormányzata 1540–1690. Budapest, Akadémiai Kiadó, 1980. ''p. 28.'', ''p. 48.'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Josika, Istvan Year of birth unknown 1598 deaths Ethnic Romanian politicians in Transylvania Romanian people in the Principality of Transylvania (1570–1711) Romanian Roman Catholics Chancellors of Transylvania Executed Hungarian people People executed by Hungary by decapitation Istvan People of the Long Turkish War