Esterh�zy
Hungarian noble dynasty

A powerful Magyar family, originally founded by Ferenc Zerhazy (1563-94), it developed along the Frankn�, Csesznek and Z�lyom lines and produced diplomats, soldiers and art patrons into the 20th century. The Frankn� line was founded by Zerhazy's son Mikl�s Esterh�zy (1582-1645), whose goal was to free Hungary from Turkish dominance and whose son P�l Esterh�zy (1635-1713) was made a prince of the empire (1687) for his successes against the Turks, thus establishing the princely line. He also strongly supported the Habsburg monarchy, whose wealth the Esterh�zy dynasty exceeded, and helped to reduce the power held by the Magyar nobles. Prince Mikl�s Joseph (1714-90), a notable art patron, employed Haydn in his private orchestra for nearly 30 years. The fourth Prince Mikl�s (1765-1833) formed a splendid collection of pictures in Vienna, but his extravagance put his estates into sequestration. He raised an army to fight the French in the Napoleonic Wars and refused the honour of becoming king. Prince P�l Antal (1786-1866) represented Austria at London until 1842, and in 1848 was Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs. His extravagance caused the estates to be sequestrated again in 1860. Count Moritz (1807-1890) too was a diplomat; he served as Austrian Minister in Rome until 1856, and later as Minister without Portfolio (1861-66).

Bibliography: Rebecca Gates-Coon, The Landed Estates of the Esterh�zy Princes: Hungary during the reforms of Maria Theresa and Joseph II (1994)