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Stephen Ákos was an influential nobleman in the Kingdom of Hungary in the late 13th century and the early 14th century. He was Judge royal between 1298 and 1300, and Palatine of Hungary from 1301 to 1307. He was among the so-called oligarchs, who ruled de facto independently their dominion during the era of feudal anarchy.
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Early years
He was the son of Ernye Ákos who held several offices during the reign of Béla IV of Hungary. Stephen Ákos was first mentioned in 1281; at that time he was ispán, or head, of Borsod and Gömör Counties. In the 1280s, he was a close supporter of Ladislaus IV of Hungary. He fought against the rebellious Cumans in the battle at Lake Hód (near present-day Hódmezővásárhely) and participated in the siege of Borostyánkő (now Bernstein in Austria).
Powerful baron
Andrew III of Hungary made Stephen Ákos the queen's treasurer in 1293 and judge royal in 1298. Along with other powerful barons, he entered into a formal alliance with the monarch in 1298. He referred to Andrew III as "the last golden branch" of the tree of King St Stephen's family after the king's death.