The patronage of noblewomen in the 17th century in the kingdom of Hungary

Erzsébet Batthyány and Éva Thököly as patrons of the church

Abstract

There are few sources on the patronage of early modern noblewomen. Hence the significance of the surviving wills, in which women had the autonomy to decide on their share of property. This study analyses the wills of two noblewomen, Erzsébet Batthyány and Éva Thököly, from the point of view of the provisions they made for the benefit of the church. Although both were raised in Lutheran families, they converted to Catholicism before their marriage and from then on they were devoted supporters of the Catholic Church and its institutions. During their widowhood and Eva Thököly’s separation from her husband, their patronage activities were extended; Countess Batthyány mainly supported the Dominican Order, while the Duchess the Franciscan Order. Most of their wealth was inherited by their children, but they also spent considerable sums on starting church foundations, on construction projects, on equipping churches and supporting priests, which made them outstanding patrons of their time.