Moys II Daroi, Palatin

Mojs, also Moys, Majs or Majos (died September/December 1280) was a powerful Hungarian baron in the 13th century, who held various positions in the royal court since the early 1250s. He retained his influence until his death, owing to his marriage with an unidentified relative of the ruling Árpád dynasty. His last will and testament is a uniquely detailed source on the social history of the Árpádian era. Through his daughters, Mojs was maternal ancestor of the Meggyesi, Tamási, Herceg de Szekcső and Báthory de Somlyó noble families. Career Béla's confidant Mojs (II) was born in the first decade of the 13th century, as one of the three children of Mojs (I) and Venys Monoszló. The family background of the elder Mojs is unknown, but he definitely originated from a wealthy and notable kindred due to his marriage, which presumably possessed lands in Slavonia. He was a prominent supporter of Duke Béla since the 1220s, as a result his career in the royal court could not be fulfilled because of the tension between Béla and his father, King Andrew II. Mojs (II) had a brother Alexander, who was referred to as royal sword-bearer in 1233. Their unidentified sister married Nana Bár-Kalán, the son of Pousa Bár-Kalán. Due to his father's political orientation, the young Mojs raised in the ducal court of Béla, who ascended the Hungarian throne in 1235. It is plausible that Mojs Sr. died before that, and his political legacy was carried forward by his son, who first appeared in contemporary records in August 1245, when King Béla IV donated the village of Izdenc in Somogy County beyond the river Drava (present-day Zdenci, Croatia) to him. Mojs participated in the royal campaign against the Duchy of Austria in the summer of 1250. He commanded a huge contingent, which besieged and captured the castle of Kirchschlag. For his merits, he was made Master of the horse in 1251. He served in this capacity until 1254. Thereafter, he held the position of head of Gora ispánate (located in Zagreb County) from 1254 to 1256. Mojs functioned as Master of the stewards and ispán of Vrbas (or Orbász) County from 1256 to 1258.