Apaj Gutkeled

Apaj was a confidant of prince Coloman, who was Duke of Slavonia from 1226.^[2] He functioned as ispán of Somogy County between 1229 and 1234, which then belonged to the duke's province.^[3] As a prominent member of Coloman's entourage, he swore to the Oath of Bereg in 1233.^[4] Apaj possessed landholdings in Križevci County (Körös) in the area between Legrad and Rasinja (present-day in Croatia). In the latter place he built a castle later called Apajvára (lit. "Apaj's Castle). Apajkeresztúr, the Hungarian name of the village Rasinja still preserves the name of the original owner. The castle is first mentioned by contemporary sources in 1236. According to Croatian historian Baltazar Adam Krčelić, Apaj handed over the fort to the Knights Templar in exchange for his spiritual salvation.^[5]

Following Béla's ascension to the Hungarian throne, Apaj was appointed Ban of Slavonia sometime between 1235 and 1237. His deputy was vice-ban Jaksa Isaan, who is mentioned in this capacity throughout from 1238 to 1242. Apaj held his office at least until 1239, when he was succeeded by his brother Nicholas Gutkeled.^[6] It is likely that his death can be placed around this time, 1239 or 1240. His surviving seal from 1239 is one of the earliest rare examples in Hungary which depicts a mounted knight.^[5] His lands were inherited by his only son Apaj (II), who was also referred to as patron of the Sárvár family monastery in 1270.^[5] Apaj's great-grandson, Stephen was the last male member of Apaj's branch.^[7]