John Zápolya
| John I | |
|---|---|
Engraving by Erhard Schön | |
| King of Hungary and Croatia Contested by Ferdinand I | |
| Reign | 1526–1540 |
| Coronation | 11 November 1526 |
| Predecessor | Louis II |
| Successor | Ferdinand I John II Sigismund Zápolya |
| Born | 1487 Szepesváralja, Kingdom of Hungary (now Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia) |
| Died | 22 July 1540 (aged 49–50) Szászsebes, Kingdom of Hungary (now Sebeș, Romania) |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | Isabella Jagiellon |
| Issue | John II Sigismund Zápolya |
| House | House of Zápolya |
| Father | Stephen Zápolya |
| Mother | Hedwig of Cieszyn |
| Signature | |
John Zápolya or Szapolyai (Hungarian: Szapolyai/ Zápolya János; Croatian: Ivan Zapolja; Romanian: Ioan Zápolya; Slovak: Ján Zápoľský; 1487 – 22 July 1540), was King of Hungary (as John I) from 1526 to 1540. His rule was disputed by Archduke Ferdinand I, who also claimed the title King of Hungary. He was Voivode of Transylvania before his coronation, from 1510 to 1526.
John came from a prominent Croatian-Slavonian noble family. His father became one of Hungary's wealthiest lords and served as Palatine of Hungary. During the Peasants' Revolt of 1514 led by György Dózsa, John gained influence through his military campaigns and by crushing the revolt, which bolstered his authority and earned him the title of "liberator of the realm." However, his power declined after his sister Barbara's death in 1515. And in 1528, he fled to Poland, later aligning with the Ottomans, leading Hungary to become an Ottoman vassal state.