Ivan III. Drašković

One of the most powerful members of the Drašković family was Ivan III. He performed the duties of the Croatian ban and the Hungarian palatine. Following the completion of his studies in Graz and Bologna, he began his career of a high state dignitary at the court of Ferdinand II who appointed him Great Zupan of Nógrád County and later a royal chamberlain and a secret counselor.

He held high military commanding posts in the Military Border. He was Captain of Križevac, and since 1640 Commander-in-Chief of the Karlovac Military Border and Ban of Croatia. He opposed the generals in the Military Border who violated the rights of the Kingdom of Croatia, and achieved military successes in defending Croatia's borders and consequently was known as defensor Croatiae (defender of Croatia).

As a token of gratitude for heroism Ivan III had shown and for his successful participation in the anti-Ottoman wars, Emperor and King of Hungary and Croatia, Ferdinand II, conferred, in 1631, on him, his brother Nikola and his nephew Gašpar, as well as on all their heirs, the title of count.

In 1644, Ivan III became Knight of the Golden Spur (eques auratus), and considerably extended the family estates.

He fathered two sons, Ivan IV, who was also Ban of Croatia, and Nikola II.