Domenico Capranica
Encyclopedia
Domenico Capranica was an Italian theologian, canonist, statesman, and Cardinal
.
He was born in Capranica Prenestina
. After studies in canon and civil law at Padua
and Bologna
, under teachers probably including Giuliano Cesarini, he received the title of Doctor of Both Laws at the age of twenty-one. Soon he became secretary to Pope Martin V
, and Apostolic prothonotary, and in 1423 or 1426 was made cardinal by this pope, though his nomination was not published in secret consistory until 1430.
He had earned this rapid promotion by various political and military services, notable by his administration of Imola
and Forlì
and by his successful reduction of rebellious Bologna. In the meantime he had become Bishop of Fermo, but for some reason did not go to Rome for the public ceremonies of the cardinalate. Despite his protest, and their previous agreement with Martin V, the cardinals of the conclave
that followed the latter's death (1431) refused to recognize Capranica's nomination, and the new pope, Pope Eugene IV
, sustained their decision on the ground that the delivery of the hat and assignment of the title were necessary for the validity of a cardinalitial nomination.
Capranica, having already suffered severe losses at Rome through the enmity of the Orsini
, took refuge first with the Visconti of Milan and later appealed (1432) to the Council of Basle for recognition of his title. Among his entourage when he left for Basel was Enea Silvio Piccolomini. The Basel assembly recognized Capranica's promotion, but to punish him for adhering to the Council Eugene IV deprived him of all honours and dignities, also of his possessions.
Capranica sought a reconciliation with the pope at Florence
(30 April 1434). Eugene restored to him his offices and goods, gave him the cardinalitial Title of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
, and sent him to the Council at Ferrara with special commission to treat with the Greek bishops and theologians concerning the reunion of the Churches.
He executed twelve responsible embassies for the Apostolic See, and was named (1449) Grand Penitentiary and Archpriest of the Lateran
.
Capranica was one of the most earnest reformers in the Roman Church, inaugurated the restoration of primitive fervor among the Cistercians of Tuscany, and drew up for Pope Nicholas V
, in 1449, a model plan of a general religious reformation. He was stern and severe in character, and in the duties of his office open and free of speech, also quite fearless. He insisted on a personal examination of the votes cast for Nicholas V, whose election greatly surprised him, and remonstrated vigorously with Pope Callistus III for his nepotism
, especially in the nomination of Don Pedro Luis Borgia as Vicar (governor) of Spoleto
(Pastor, op. cit., tr. II, 461).
Capranica was eminent as a peacemaker, notable at Genoa, where he healed grievous municipal dissensions, and again between the Apostolic See and King Alfonso V of Aragon
and the princes of Germany. During the plague of 1456 he remained at Rome. He took a very prominent part in all the negotiations for a crusade against the Turks in the hope of restoring Constantinople
to the Palæologi.
He is now best known as the founder of the Almo Collegio Capranica
, which he opened in his own palace (the oldest Roman monument of the early Renaissance) for thirty-one poor scholars, sixteen in theology and the liberal arts
, and fifteen in canon law. Its constitutions, drawn up by himself, are praised as a model of their kind; the college itself is the oldest of the Roman colleges and therefore rejoices in the peculiar title of "Almo Collegio". His manuscript library passed to the college. In 1460 his brother Cardinal Angelo Capranica erected nearby a special building for the college.
He left all his property to ecclesiastical uses, saying: "The Church gave it to me; I give it back, for I am not its master, but its steward. I should indeed have reaped but little profit from the nights spent in studying ecclesiastical discipline if I were to leave to my relatives the goods of the Church which belong to the poor") At his death the Milanese ambassador wrote home that "the wisest, the most perfect, the most learned, and the holiest prelate whom the Church has in our days possessed is gone from us". He added that he was universally considered as the next pope. Pastor himself says that of all the cardinals of the Renaissance Age none but Niccolò Albergati
, Cesarini, and Carvajal can be compared with him. He lies buried in Santa Maria sopra Minerva
, near St. Catherine of Siena.
He supposedly wrote an opusculum known as "The Art of Dying Well" (1487). He is said by Mansi to have written a history of that council, never printed. The cardinal actually compiled a systematic collection of Basle's documents, found only in manuscript form.
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
.
He was born in Capranica Prenestina
Capranica Prenestina
Capranica Prenestina is a comune in the Province of Rome in the Italian region Latium, located about 40 km east of Rome.It is located in the Monti Prenestini area.-External links:*...
. After studies in canon and civil law at Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
and Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, under teachers probably including Giuliano Cesarini, he received the title of Doctor of Both Laws at the age of twenty-one. Soon he became secretary to Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
, and Apostolic prothonotary, and in 1423 or 1426 was made cardinal by this pope, though his nomination was not published in secret consistory until 1430.
He had earned this rapid promotion by various political and military services, notable by his administration of Imola
Imola
thumb|250px|The Cathedral of Imola.Imola is a town and comune in the province of Bologna, located on the Santerno river, in the Emilia-Romagna region of north-central Italy...
and Forlì
Forlì
Forlì is a comune and city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and is the capital of the province of Forlì-Cesena. The city is situated along the Via Emilia, to the right of the Montone river, and is an important agricultural centre...
and by his successful reduction of rebellious Bologna. In the meantime he had become Bishop of Fermo, but for some reason did not go to Rome for the public ceremonies of the cardinalate. Despite his protest, and their previous agreement with Martin V, the cardinals of the conclave
Papal conclave
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...
that followed the latter's death (1431) refused to recognize Capranica's nomination, and the new pope, Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV
Pope Eugene IV , born Gabriele Condulmer, was pope from March 3, 1431, to his death.-Biography:He was born in Venice to a rich merchant family, a Correr on his mother's side. Condulmer entered the Order of Saint Augustine at the monastery of St. George in his native city...
, sustained their decision on the ground that the delivery of the hat and assignment of the title were necessary for the validity of a cardinalitial nomination.
Capranica, having already suffered severe losses at Rome through the enmity of the Orsini
Orsini family
Orsini: the origin of learning.We love Mrs. Orsini forever! ~8F Social Studies 2011The Orsini family is an Italian noble family; it was one of the most influential princely families in medieval Italy and renaissance Rome...
, took refuge first with the Visconti of Milan and later appealed (1432) to the Council of Basle for recognition of his title. Among his entourage when he left for Basel was Enea Silvio Piccolomini. The Basel assembly recognized Capranica's promotion, but to punish him for adhering to the Council Eugene IV deprived him of all honours and dignities, also of his possessions.
Capranica sought a reconciliation with the pope at Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
(30 April 1434). Eugene restored to him his offices and goods, gave him the cardinalitial Title of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome....
, and sent him to the Council at Ferrara with special commission to treat with the Greek bishops and theologians concerning the reunion of the Churches.
He executed twelve responsible embassies for the Apostolic See, and was named (1449) Grand Penitentiary and Archpriest of the Lateran
Basilica of St. John Lateran
The Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran , commonly known as St. John Lateran's Archbasilica and St. John Lateran's Basilica, is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope...
.
Capranica was one of the most earnest reformers in the Roman Church, inaugurated the restoration of primitive fervor among the Cistercians of Tuscany, and drew up for Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
, in 1449, a model plan of a general religious reformation. He was stern and severe in character, and in the duties of his office open and free of speech, also quite fearless. He insisted on a personal examination of the votes cast for Nicholas V, whose election greatly surprised him, and remonstrated vigorously with Pope Callistus III for his nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
, especially in the nomination of Don Pedro Luis Borgia as Vicar (governor) of Spoleto
Spoleto
Spoleto is an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria on a foothill of the Apennines. It is S. of Trevi, N. of Terni, SE of Perugia; SE of Florence; and N of Rome.-History:...
(Pastor, op. cit., tr. II, 461).
Capranica was eminent as a peacemaker, notable at Genoa, where he healed grievous municipal dissensions, and again between the Apostolic See and King Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso the Magnanimous KG was the King of Aragon , Valencia , Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , and Sicily and Count of Barcelona from 1416 and King of Naples from 1442 until his death...
and the princes of Germany. During the plague of 1456 he remained at Rome. He took a very prominent part in all the negotiations for a crusade against the Turks in the hope of restoring Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
to the Palæologi.
He is now best known as the founder of the Almo Collegio Capranica
Almo Collegio Capranica
The Almo Collegio Capranica is the oldest Roman college, founded in 1457 by Cardinal Domenico Capranica in his own palace for 31 young clerics, who received an education suitable for the formation of good priests. Capranica himself drew up their rules and presented the college with his own library,...
, which he opened in his own palace (the oldest Roman monument of the early Renaissance) for thirty-one poor scholars, sixteen in theology and the liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
, and fifteen in canon law. Its constitutions, drawn up by himself, are praised as a model of their kind; the college itself is the oldest of the Roman colleges and therefore rejoices in the peculiar title of "Almo Collegio". His manuscript library passed to the college. In 1460 his brother Cardinal Angelo Capranica erected nearby a special building for the college.
He left all his property to ecclesiastical uses, saying: "The Church gave it to me; I give it back, for I am not its master, but its steward. I should indeed have reaped but little profit from the nights spent in studying ecclesiastical discipline if I were to leave to my relatives the goods of the Church which belong to the poor") At his death the Milanese ambassador wrote home that "the wisest, the most perfect, the most learned, and the holiest prelate whom the Church has in our days possessed is gone from us". He added that he was universally considered as the next pope. Pastor himself says that of all the cardinals of the Renaissance Age none but Niccolò Albergati
Niccolò Albergati
Niccolò Albergati was an Italian Cardinal and diplomat.Born in Bologna, he entered the Carthusian order in 1394, at the age of twenty...
, Cesarini, and Carvajal can be compared with him. He lies buried in Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
The Basilica of Saint Mary Above Minerva is a titular minor basilica and one of the most important churches of the Roman Catholic Dominican order in Rome, Italy. The church, located in the Piazza della Minerva in the Campus Martius region, is considered the only Gothic church in Rome. It houses...
, near St. Catherine of Siena.
He supposedly wrote an opusculum known as "The Art of Dying Well" (1487). He is said by Mansi to have written a history of that council, never printed. The cardinal actually compiled a systematic collection of Basle's documents, found only in manuscript form.