Bakocz, Thomas

Related Category: Austria and Hungary, History: Biographies

(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 Corvinus, and under Uladislaus II, 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 I), 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.