Demeter (Archbishop of Esztergom)

His Eminence Demetrius
Cardinal Archbishop of Esztergom
Seal of Archbishop Demetrius
Archdiocese	Archdiocese of Esztergom
Appointed	16 August 1378
Term ended	23 January 1387
Predecessor	John de Surdis
Successor	John Kanizsai
Other posts	Bishop of Zagreb Bishop of Transylvania Bishop of Syrmia
Orders
Created Cardinal	18 October 1378 by Pope Urban VI
Personal details
Died	20 February 1387
Denomination	Roman Catholicism

Demetrius (Hungarian: Demeter; died 20 February 1387), was a Hungarian cardinal and politician, who served as archbishop of Esztergom and bishop of Zagreb and Transylvania, and chancellor.

Nothing is known about the origin of Demetrius, who would rise to the highest ecclesiastical titles, but it is presumed that he came from a family of peasants. His father was a certain Peter. Other historians claimed he belonged to the Kaplon of Kaplai kindreds, or was a member of the Bajoni noble family. Towards the end of his life, he appeared in contemporary sources as Demetrius of Vaskút (Hungarian: Vaskúti Demeter), after receiving land donations in Nógrád and Gömör Counties in 1381.

Along with his brother Philip, he was raised together with King Charles I's eldest son, Louis, who would become King Louis I in 1342. In 1356, he became Keeper of the Seals thus permanently belonged to the escort of Louis I. Three years later, he was put in charge of the royal treasury. In this capacity, he oversaw the treasury's goods and gifts (munera), and also retained and stored the royal charters on estate donations. According to historian Pál Engel, the office of treasurer was emerged into permanent status by 1377, possibly on the initiative of Demetrius himself. At this time, he began his ecclesiastical career, becoming canon of Pécs in 1363 and provost of Eger. In July 1364, Pope Urban V appointed him bishop of Syrmia but Demetrius did not assume the office until 1 April 1365. On 28 June 1368, Demetrius was also made bishop of Transylvania. During his tenure as bishop of Transylvania, Demetrius had a cloister built for the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit. From May to July 1375, he was also mentioned as secret chancellor in the royal court. In the same year, he participated in negotiations over the future marriage of Sigismund of Luxemburg and Princess Mary.