Ernst Adalbert von Harrach
Encyclopedia
Count
Ernst Adalbert von Harrach (4 November 1598 - 25 October 1667) was an Austrian Catholic
Cardinal
who was appointed Archbishop of Prague
and Prince-Bishop of Trento
. His name in Czech
is Arnost Vojtìch hrabì z Harrachu.
, Austria
, the son of Count Karl von Harrach and Maria Elisabeth von Schrattenbach. He was educated by Nikolaus Walther and was later, thanks to his family's connection to Italian aristocratic families including the Borghese and Barberini
, admitted to the Collegio Teutonico
in 1616. In 1621 he was ordained a priest at age 22 and became privy chamberlain
to Pope Gregory XV
.
with dispensation for not having yet reached the canonical age. He was consecrated and ordained
in 1623 in the Sistine chapel
by Cardinal Marcantonio Gozzadini
.
In 1626 he was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Urban VIII
and in 1632 he was appointed Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
where he served for 12 years. He was appointed Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prassede
in 1644 and participated in the Papal conclave of 1644
, which elected Pope Innocent X
.
Adalbert von Harrach participated in the Papal conclave of 1655
which elected Pope Alexander VII
and in 1663 he was appointed Bishop of Trento with permission to retain both bishoprics (the other being Prague, which he had retained).
of the Kingdom of Bohemia
and crowned Eleonora Gonzaga, wife of Emperor Ferdinand II
of Austria, the following year in 1627.
He became privy counsellor to Emperor Ferdinand III
in 1637 and crowned the Emperor's first wife, Empress Marie-Anne. He was named Grand Master of the Order of the Cross with the Red Star in Bohemia
, Silesia
, and Poland
and Chancellor of the University of Prague
.
Adalbert von Harrach was arrested at his palace when the Swedish took over a section of Prague
in the precursor conflict to the Battle of Prague
and lost a significant part of his wealth. He was eventually released after intercession by cardinal Jules Mazarin before Queen Christina of Sweden
, with 15,000 écu
s and a letter written by him promising not to take revenge for Adalbert von Harrach's losses.
After his release he became a representative of the Pope
and the Church
to a number of royal courts. On behalf of the Pope he also crowned Ferdinand IV, King of the Romans (1646); Leopold and Eleonora Gonzaga, iuniore, third wife of Ferdinand II, as king and queen of Bohemia (1655); and Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
(1656). He also blessed the marriage of King Philip IV of Spain
with Mariana of Austria
, daughter of Emperor Ferdinand III
(1648) and accompanied the new queen, in the name of the emperor, to the frontier with Italy
.
Although he opposed the merger of the Charles-Ferdinand University, he participated in the ceremonial formalities bringing the two academies together in 1654.
which elected Pope Clement IX
and upon the election of the new Pope he was appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Lucina
.
On his return from the conclave he died on 25 October 1667 and he was buried in his family's crypt in Vienna.
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Ernst Adalbert von Harrach (4 November 1598 - 25 October 1667) was an Austrian Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Cardinal
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...
who was appointed Archbishop of Prague
Archbishop of Prague
The following is a list of bishops and archbishops of Prague. The bishopric of Prague was established in 973, and elevated to an archbishopric on 30 April 1344. The today's Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Prague is the continual successor of the bishoprie established in 973...
and Prince-Bishop of Trento
Bishopric of Trent
The Bishopric of Trent is a former ecclesiastical territory roughly corresponding to the present-day Northern Italian autonomous province of Trentino. It was created in 1027 and existed until 1802, when it was secularised and absorbed into the County of Tyrol held by the House of Habsburg...
. His name in Czech
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
is Arnost Vojtìch hrabì z Harrachu.
Early life
Adalbert von Harrach was born 4 November 1598 in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, the son of Count Karl von Harrach and Maria Elisabeth von Schrattenbach. He was educated by Nikolaus Walther and was later, thanks to his family's connection to Italian aristocratic families including the Borghese and Barberini
Barberini
The Barberini are a family of the Italian nobility that rose to prominence in 17th century Rome. Their influence peaked with the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini to the papal throne in 1623, as Pope Urban VIII...
, admitted to the Collegio Teutonico
Collegio Teutonico
The Collegio Teutonico or German College is a Roman College established and maintained at the Vatican for the education of future ecclesiastics of the Roman Catholic Church of German nationality....
in 1616. In 1621 he was ordained a priest at age 22 and became privy chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
to Pope Gregory XV
Pope Gregory XV
Pope Gregory XV , born Alessandro Ludovisi, was pope from 1621, succeeding Paul V on 9 February 1621...
.
Ecclesiastic career
In 1622, at only 24 years of age, Adalbert von Harrach was elected Archbishop of PragueArchbishop of Prague
The following is a list of bishops and archbishops of Prague. The bishopric of Prague was established in 973, and elevated to an archbishopric on 30 April 1344. The today's Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Prague is the continual successor of the bishoprie established in 973...
with dispensation for not having yet reached the canonical age. He was consecrated and ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in 1623 in the Sistine chapel
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio...
by Cardinal Marcantonio Gozzadini
Marcantonio Gozzadini
Marcantonio Gozzadini was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal.-Biography:He was born in Bologna into a patrician family...
.
In 1626 he was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
and in 1632 he was appointed Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs is a titular basilica church in Rome, built inside the frigidarium of the Baths of Diocletian. The Cardinal priest of the is William Henry Keeler.- The basilica :...
where he served for 12 years. He was appointed Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prassede
Santa Prassede
The Basilica of Saint Praxedes , commonly known in Italian as Santa Prassede, is an ancient titular church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy, located near the papal basilica of Saint Mary Major...
in 1644 and participated in the Papal conclave of 1644
Papal conclave, 1644
The papal conclave of 1644 was the papal conclave of Cardinals called on the death of Pope Urban VIII. It lasted from 9 August to 15 September 1644 and eventually chose Giovanni Battista Pamphili, who took office as Pope Innocent X.- Urban's influence :...
, which elected Pope Innocent X
Pope Innocent X
Pope Innocent X , born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj , was Pope from 1644 to 1655. Born in Rome of a family from Gubbio in Umbria who had come to Rome during the pontificate of Pope Innocent IX, he graduated from the Collegio Romano and followed a conventional cursus honorum, following his uncle...
.
Adalbert von Harrach participated in the Papal conclave of 1655
Papal conclave, 1655
The Papal conclave of 1655 was the papal conclave of Cardinals called on the death of Pope Innocent X. The conclave elected Fabio Chigi, who took office as Alexander VII.- History :...
which elected Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...
and in 1663 he was appointed Bishop of Trento with permission to retain both bishoprics (the other being Prague, which he had retained).
As primate to the Kingdom of Bohemia
Upon being elevated to Cardinal in 1626 he was made primatePrimate (religion)
Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
of the Kingdom of Bohemia
Kingdom of Bohemia
The Kingdom of Bohemia was a country located in the region of Bohemia in Central Europe, most of whose territory is currently located in the modern-day Czech Republic. The King was Elector of Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, whereupon it became part of the Austrian Empire, and...
and crowned Eleonora Gonzaga, wife of Emperor Ferdinand II
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand II , a member of the House of Habsburg, was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Bohemia , and King of Hungary . His rule coincided with the Thirty Years' War.- Life :...
of Austria, the following year in 1627.
He became privy counsellor to Emperor Ferdinand III
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand III was Holy Roman Emperor from 15 February 1637 until his death, as well as King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria.-Life:...
in 1637 and crowned the Emperor's first wife, Empress Marie-Anne. He was named Grand Master of the Order of the Cross with the Red Star in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
, and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Chancellor of the University of Prague
Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
.
Adalbert von Harrach was arrested at his palace when the Swedish took over a section of Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
in the precursor conflict to the Battle of Prague
Battle of Prague (1648)
The Battle of Prague between 25 June and 1 November 1648 was the last action of the Thirty Years' War. General Hans Christoff von Königsmarck, commanding Sweden's flying column, entered the city and captured Prague Castle on the western bank of the Vltava river. The Swedes attempted to enter the...
and lost a significant part of his wealth. He was eventually released after intercession by cardinal Jules Mazarin before Queen Christina of Sweden
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
, with 15,000 écu
ECU
ECU may refer to:Automotive terms* Electronic control unit, a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle...
s and a letter written by him promising not to take revenge for Adalbert von Harrach's losses.
After his release he became a representative of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and the Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
to a number of royal courts. On behalf of the Pope he also crowned Ferdinand IV, King of the Romans (1646); Leopold and Eleonora Gonzaga, iuniore, third wife of Ferdinand II, as king and queen of Bohemia (1655); and Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
| style="float:right;" | Leopold I was a Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and King of Bohemia. A member of the Habsburg family, he was the second son of Emperor Ferdinand III and his first wife, Maria Anna of Spain. His maternal grandparents were Philip III of Spain and Margaret of Austria...
(1656). He also blessed the marriage of King Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...
with Mariana of Austria
Mariana of Austria
Mariana of Austria was Queen consort of Spain as the second wife of King Philip IV, who was also her maternal uncle...
, daughter of Emperor Ferdinand III
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand III was Holy Roman Emperor from 15 February 1637 until his death, as well as King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria.-Life:...
(1648) and accompanied the new queen, in the name of the emperor, to the frontier with Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Although he opposed the merger of the Charles-Ferdinand University, he participated in the ceremonial formalities bringing the two academies together in 1654.
Final appointments and death
Adalbert von Harrach participated in the Papal conclave of 1667Papal conclave, 1667
The Papal conclave, 1667 to determine the successor to the departed Pope Alexander VII resulted in the election of cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi, who took the name of Clement IX.-Divisions among cardinals:...
which elected Pope Clement IX
Pope Clement IX
Pope Clement IX , born Giulio Rospigliosi, was Pope from 1667 to 1669.-Early life:Born Giulio Rospigliosi to a noble family of Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, he was a pupil of the Jesuits. After receiving his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Pisa, he taught theology there...
and upon the election of the new Pope he was appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Lucina
San Lorenzo in Lucina
The Church of St Lawrence's at Lucina is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, Roman deacon and martyr. The name Lucina comes from the Roman matron owner of the house on which the church was built.The current Cardinal Priest of...
.
On his return from the conclave he died on 25 October 1667 and he was buried in his family's crypt in Vienna.