Career
He participated in Bocskay"s War of Independence at the age of twenty. Later, he was a supporter of Gabriel Bethlen, Prince of Transylvania. However Bethlen imprisoned him because of his sympathy for Palatine György Thurzó"s royalist party.
Dániel escaped from the prison.
Dániel was created Baron in 1613. In 1635, King Ferdinand II gave him the castle of Csesznek which was then a stronghold of Győr (Raab).
Baron Dániel founded the Csesznek branch. Baron Dániel Esterházy married to Judit Rumy de Rum et Rábadoroszló, granddaughter of Vice-ispán of Vas County Ferenc Rumy, on 20 February 1623.
They had several children:
Zsófia (16 March 1624 – 26 March 1624), died as an infant
János (27 January 1625 – 22 June 1692), created Count in 1683
Tamás (20 December 1625 – 26 August 1652), killed in the Battle of Vezekény
Zsigmond (30 December 1626 – 1692)
Gáspár (13 January 1628 – 26 August 1652), killed in the Battle of Vezekény
Mihály (28 February 1629 – 27 July 1686), killed in the Battle of Buda
György (25 March 1630 – 9 August 1663), Titular Bishop of Szendrő, killed in the Battle of Párkány
Ádám (1631 – 12 August 1638), died young
Mária Magdolna (19 February 1633 – 1672), married to Count András Serényi de Kisserény (d 1689) in 1672
Anna (11 March 1634 – 22 November 1635), died young
Krisztina (1 August 1635 – 31 December 1640), died young
Gábor (5 September 1637 – 8 September 1637), died as an infant (twin)
András (5 September 1637 – September 1643), died young (twin)
Imre (15 September 1638 – 1670)
István (19 January 1640 – 4 February 1643), died young
János (2 February 1643 – 4 February 1643), died as an infant.