Stephen Bocskay

1557-1606. Hungarian Protestant leader. He led the Protestant opposition to the attempt of Rudolph II of Austria to destroy civil and religious liberty in Hungary. Roused to action by the outrages inflicted on the people of Transylvania by the Austrian general Basta (1602-4), he sought the help of the Turks and drove Basta from Transylvania. He was elected prince in 1605, and in 1606 concluded the Peace of Vienna with the Archduke Matthias, who had succeeded Rudolph. By this all the religious and constitutional rights of the Hungarian people were guaranteed. Bocskay did not live to enjoy his victory for long: he is said to have been poisoned by his chancellor, Mihaly Katay, who was hacked to pieces by Bocskay's supporters.