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Ernst Adalbert of Harrach

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His Eminence
Ernst Adalbert von Harrach
O.Cr.
Archbishop of Prague
Church Catholic Church
Archdiocese Prague
Appointed 6 January 1623
Term ended 25 October 1667
Predecessor Johann Lohel
Successor Matouš Sobek von Bílenberk
Other posts Prince-Bishop of Trent
(1665-1667)
Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Lucina
(1667)
Previous posts Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
(1632–1667)
Orders
Created cardinal 19 January 1626
by Pope Urban VIII
Rank Cardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born 4 November 1598
Vienna, Austria
Died 25 October 1667 (aged 68)
Vienna, Austria

Count Ernst Adalbert of Harrach (German: Ernst Adalbert von Harrach; Czech: Arnošt Vojtěch hrabě z Harrachu; 4 November 1598 – 25 October 1667) was an Austrian Catholic Cardinal who was appointed Archbishop of Prague and Prince-Bishop of Trento.

Life

Early life

Ernst Adalbert of Harrach was born 4 November 1598 in Vienna, Archduchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire as 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,[1] admitted to the Collegio Teutonico in 1616.

In 1621 he was ordained a priest at age 22.[2] He became Archbishop of Prague in 1623.

As primate to the Kingdom of Bohemia

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 écus and a letter written by him promising not to take revenge for Adalbert von Harrach's losses.[3]

He visited Rome rarely; so much so that when he did in 1643, Pope Urban VIII is said to have considered it a bad omen (as the cardinal would only otherwise have visited had the pope died, requiring a papal conclave).[4]

References

  1. Back to citation "Die Tagebücher und Tagzettel des Kardinals Ernst Adalbert von Harrach (1598-1667). Edition und Kommentar". University of Vienna. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  2. Back to citation Catholic Hierarchy: Ernst Adalbert Cardinal von Harrach zu Rohrau
  3. Back to citation S. Miranda: Ernst Adalbert von Harrach
  4. Back to citation Pope Alexander the Seventh and the College of Cardinals by John Bargrave, edited by James Craigie Robertson (reprint; 2009)