Mihály Mérey

Baron Mihály Mérey de Kaposmére (Mérei; 1500 – 26 February 1572) was a Hungarian jurist and noble, who served as Palatinal Governor (Hungarian: nádori helytartó) in the Kingdom of Hungary, between 1562 and 1572.

Biography

He studied law in the court of Elek Thurzó, the Royal Governor of Hungary. Mérey became a member of the Vice-regency Council in 1542. He was appointed Chief Justice (Hungarian: királyi személynök) by Ferdinand I in 1544. He held that office until 1562, when he was elected Palatinal Governor (or Vice-palatine), after the death of Tamás Nádasdy. The office had only jurisdictional function, as the Hungarian magnates demanded restoring the office of the Palatine. The Emperor-King reigned Hungary over the Royal Governor.

Mérey was created Baron in 1563. He also functioned as Ispán (Count; comes) of Pest-Pilis-Solt-Kiskun County. During his tenure, he received substantial estate donations: he acquired, among others, Éberhárd Castle (today: Malinovo, Slovakia), and the large areas of Somogy and Trencsén Counties.

He participated in the development of the Quadripartium, which would have been the Corpus Juris of Hungary, however never became law. Mérey died in 1572. He was succeeded by Imre Czobor.