Simon Kacsics

Simon from the kindred Kacsics (Hungarian: Kacsics nembeli Simon, Croatian: Šimun Kačić; died after 1228) was a Hungarian distinguished nobleman from the gens Kacsics (Kačić). He was one of the leading instigators of Queen Gertrude's assassination in September 1213.

His only known brother was Michael Kacsics, Voivode of Transylvania (1209–1212) and Ban of Slavonia in 1212. As Michael and Simon suddenly appeared in Hungarian contemporary sources without genealogical antecedents, several scholars, including Croatian historian Ivan Majnarić considered their kindred may have been descendants of Omiš Kačićs, one of the Croatian "twelve noble tribes" described in the Pacta conventa and Supetar Cartulary. The brothers were first mentioned in the early 13th century, they possessed villages in Nógrád County, for instance Salgó and Hollókő. Majnarić argued the Kacsics brothers may have belonged to supporters of Duke Andrew in his rebellion against the elder brother and then king Emeric. Following the coronation of Andrew II in 1205, the brothers were probably gifted with estates in Hungary, establishing a new branch within the clan, which now became part of the Hungarian nobility. A relationship between Hungarian and Omiš Kačićs is identified primarily in the mention of Šimun Kačić in a document from 1178, with father Nikola and brother Jakov, and with brothers Borislav, Bogdan and other family members in a document from 1190. This source possibly reflects to Simon Kacsics.

Earlier historical works considered that his father-in-law was the powerful baron Bánk Bár-Kalán, who served as Palatine of Hungary from 1212 to 1213. However Bánk's son-in-law, a certain Simon, who was mentioned by a royal charter of Stephen V from 1270, and who possibly also participated in the murder of Queen Gertrude, died without descendants. Simon Kacsics and his unidentified wife had two sons, John I and Simon II, and a daughter who became a nun. Historian János Karácsonyi considered the Salgói (or Salgay) noble family originated from Simon II, but Pál Engel improved the data and linked the family to other namesake member of the Kacsics kinship. In fact, Simon's branch remained marginal and died out shortly after 1299.