Nicholas Sáfár

Nicholas I was born into the Sáfár family as the son of Stephen I the Sáfár ("steward"), a prominent diplomat of Charles I of Hungary since the 1310s. Nicholas had a brother John I and two (or three) sisters.[1] During his father's death in 1345, Nicholas and John were possibly still minors as their unidentified mother represented them before Louis I on the occasion of a confirmation request of their land donations in 1347.[2] Nicholas Sáfár have gained in social status when married an unidentified daughter of Stephen Domoszlói, who originated from the gens (clan) Aba.[3]

Due to his marriage, Sáfár served as castellan of Gönc and Regéc forts from 1371 to 1375, both ancient estates of the Aba kinship, which then belonged to the royal crown.[4] Following that he simultaneously held the offices of ispán of Borsod and Nógrád Counties between 1376 and 1384.[5] Beside that he also served as castellan of Diósgyőr and Dédes Castles, both were part of the honour to the dignity of Borsod ispánate.[6]

Nicholas Sáfár and his spouse had four children. Two of their sons, Nicholas II and John II rebelled against the rule of Sigismund of Luxemburg and were declared "treacherous" in 1405. As a result Sigismund confiscated their domains. Gaining pardon later, Nicholas and John was able to recover a portion of their property but gradually impoverished and forced to mortgage their inherited estates.[2] Nicholas I's only daughter Dorothea I married Paul Perényi from the Rihnó branch, who acquired most of the Sáfár estates from his brothers-in-law.[7]