Gabriel Bethlen , 1580-1629, prince of Transylvania (1613-29). He was chief adviser of Stephen Bocskay and was elected prince after the assassination of Gabriel Báthory . A Protestant, though tolerant toward all religions, he allied himself (1619) with the Protestant Frederick the Winter King and overran Hungary, of which he was elected king (1620). After Frederick's defeat at the White Mt. (1620), Bethlen signed with Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II the Treaty of Nikolsburg (1621), by which he renounced the royal title but retained control of seven Hungarian counties and...
Read more