Preliminary communication

When and Where was Helen Zrinski Born?

Ferenc Végh orcid.org/0000-0003-1296-9057 ; University of Pécs, Institute of History, Pécs, Republic of Hungary

Abstract

Following Peter Zrinski’s (†1670) detention, as is well known, the archives of the family was almost completely destroyed. As a result, uncertainty has been dominating both the Croatian and the Hungarian historiography regarding the birth dates of the conspirant aristocrat’s children until now. Only Helen Zrinski’s (†1703) year of birth was thought to be certain. According to her epitaph she died in exile in Nicomedia (present-day Izmit) at the age of 60. Considering the events of her life, however, some Hungarian researchers have disputed the calculated year of 1643 as birth date with good reason. Relying on released and unpublished sources, the author concludes that Helen Zrinski was born later, in 1649 in Muraköz, actually. The newly discovered date put a different complexion on the major stages of her turbulent course of life. Besides, Helen Zrinski turned out not to be Peter Zrinski’s firstborn child.

Keywords

Helena Zrinski; Petar Zrinski; Katarina Frankopan; Franjo Rákóczi II; Emery Thököly; Međimurje; Podbrest

Hrčak ID:

268166

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/268166

Publication date:

1.6.2021.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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