Julius I Rátót


Julius from the kindred Rátót was a powerful Hungarian baron and landowner, who held several secular positions during the reign of kings Andrew II and Béla IV. He was the founder of the gens Rátót's economical and political power.
He was the second son of Leustach Rátót, who served as voivode of Transylvania from 1176 to 1196. As Julius I had no descendants, his brother Rathold, ispán of Somogy County carried on the clan's name through his two sons.
His influence arose during the reign of Andrew II. He served as ispán of Nyitra County in 1214. He functioned as judge royal between 1219 and 1221, besides that he also served as ispán of Keve County. He lost the office during the constitutional crisis around the Golden Bull of 1222. After that he held several county functions: he was the ispán of Moson, Bihar and Vas Counties.
Julius I was appointed voivode of Transylvania in 1229. During that time, he joined to the liege of prince Béla, who became duke of Transylvania in 1226, following the agreement between the king and his son after a series of conflicts for the throne. The fact could be played a role in his betrayal that his cousin, Matthias Rátót, who functioned as provost of Zagreb, held the dignity of chancellor for Béla, future king of Hungary. Julius served as voivode until 1231.
When Béla IV ascended the throne in 1235, Julius was appointed judge royal for the second time and remained in office until his death in 1239. Besides that he also served as ispán of Csanád and Keve Counties.