Michael from the kindred Bő (, ; died August/October 1304), was a Hungarian prelate at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, who served as Bishop of Zagreb from 1296 to 1303, then Archbishop of Esztergom from 1303 until his death.
Early career
Michael was born into the Ders branch of the gens (clan) Bő, which originated from Somogy County, and was one of the ancient ethnic Hungarian kindreds which had participated in the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin in late 9th century. His younger brother was Peter the Toothed. Through their unidentified paternal aunt (a sister of their father Stephen), Michael and Peter were related to the gens Monoszló and its influential contemporary members, brothers Egidius, Gregory and Peter.
As contemporary sources frequently referred to him with the prefix "magister", Michael studied canon law. In 1270, he was a notary in the court of King Stephen V. It is also possible that he served as archdeacon of Ózd since 1277. Perhaps he functioned as royal vice-chancellor in 1279. Due to the influence of his cousin, Peter Monoszló, Bishop of Transylvania, Michael was elected Grand Provost by the Transylvanian Chapter in 1287, holding the position until 1296. Meanwhile, his brother Peter Bő became Count of the Székelys around 1294. In December 1294, Egidius Monoszló donated three villages of the Atyina (today Voćin, Croatia) lordship to the Bő brothers, entrusting the Pécs Chapter to contribute his instruction. The land donation was confirmed by Andrew III on 9 January 1295. Egidius Monoszló made his first will and testament in 1298, when formally adopted his maternal relatives (cousins) Michael and Peter. Egidius donated Darnóc Castle (today Slatinski Drenovac, Croatia) to them, however both Michael and Peter predeceased him.
Prelate
Bishop of Zagreb
After the death of his predecessor John on 13 October 1295, who presumably supported the Angevins' claim to the Hungarian and Croatian thrones, Michael Bő, a confidant of King Andrew III was elected Bishop of Zagreb. He was elected as the king's candidate to the position, which guaranteed a faithful supporter in Slavonia with its revenues for Andrew. He first appeared in that capacity in 1296. His election was confirmed by Pope Boniface VIII on 20 January 1297. In the same time, Michael became chancellor (mentioned in 1297) in the court of Andrew's uncle Albertino Morosini, Duke of Slavonia, in addition to his titles of ispán of Garics (Garić or Podgaric) and Gerzence (Garešnica) lordships, held both from 1297 until 1303. However, practically, those territories were occupied by the powerful Kőszegi family since the 1280s, neglecting the diocese's legal claims. Albertino Morosini and Michael Bő represented the royal power in the province of Slavonia against the increasingly powerful oligarchs (especially, the Kőszegis) and the pro-Angevin baronial groups. The new Bishop removed and expelled his predecessor's confidants from the town and the chapter. Michael concluded a contract with the Babonići to fought against the Kőszegis, whose troops even plundered and devastated the territory of the Diocese of Zagreb, while looted its treasures. Michael led numerous royal campaigns against the Kőszegis' territory. Its overlord Henry Kőszegi concluded a peace with the Bishop by the end of 1297 and handed over the forts of Gerzence and Garics to the diocese, which suffered from the endless warfare. Under such conditions, Michael financially supported the Chapter of Čazma (Csázma) from his own wealth. After the Diet of 1298, he remained in the royal court and never visited his diocese or the Croatian province again. Michael's seal from 1299 preserved the first art depiction of the Zagreb Cathedral.