Zsófia Báthory

Zsófia Báthory (1629 – 2 June or 14 July 1680) was a Hungarian noblewoman and princess consort of Transylvania through her marriage to George II Rákóczi. A rare love marriage, although forced to convert to Reformed Christianity, she secretly followed her birth religion of Roman Catholicism, keeping Jesuits in court and raising her son, Francis I Rákóczi, in the religion. Following her husband's death in 1660, she publicly converted back to Catholicism with her son, and imposed strict anti-Protestant legislature and beliefs throughout the region.

Biography Zsófia Báthory was born in 1629 to and , in Șimleu Silvaniei. Throughout her life, she was married thrice, to Count László Haller, Count József Teleki, and George II Rákóczi, whom she married on 3 February 1643. She converted from Catholicism to Reformed Christianity upon her marriage.

However, Gabriella Erdélyi for the journal Social History proposed that the marriage was deliberately interfaith to strengthen the royal family's ties with Catholics, and was instead "sold" as a love marriage to cover this up. She secretly still followed Catholicism, keeping Jesuits in her court and raising her son, Francis I Rákóczi, in the religion.

The pair soon began discriminating against Protestants. Although frequently criticised for her religious intolerance, Báthory did partake in some charitable efforts. When three Franciscans in Vynohradiv were severely wounded and chased away, she assisted in their care, which helped them survive. She similarly supported Franciscans in other ways, including through financial donations to a destroyed church. She died in Palanok Castle on either 2 June or 14 July 1680.