Ferenc Wesselényi (František Vešeléni) came from a noble family, and Zsófia Bosnyák (Žofia Bosniak) became his wife in 1630. He fought against the Turks alongside her father Tomas Bosnyák (Tomáš Bosniak). Later, he took over from his father-in-law as captain of Fiľakovo castle. In 1647, he became the main military captain of Upper Hungary. He attained the peak of his career in 1655, when he acquired the post of palatine of Hungary. Later he was given the rank of count, as were his two sons, Adam and Ladislaus, and he was also given the distinction of the Order of the Golden Fleece. After Zsófia’s premature death, Wesselényi married again. He took Mária as his wife, who was known as the Venus of Muraň for her beauty. As a result of donations, advantageous marriages and good administration, he became one of the richest men in Hungary. The conclusion of the Peace of Vasvár, which was disadvantageous for Hungary, the unfavourable economic situation, as well as the growing religious terror resulted in the formation of an anti-Habsburg opposition. Ferenc stood at the head of this opposition. Together with other nobles, he devised a conspiracy against the ruler Leopold I which still bears his name today: Wesselényi. However, Ferenc’s plans were quickly uncovered and he risked beheading. But before this could happen, he died a natural death.
