Alvise Contarini (diplomat)
Encyclopedia
Alvise Contarini was an Italian nobleman and diplomat
of the Republic of Venice
.
, Alvise Contarini entered the service of the Republic of Venice
in 1618, and by 1623, he had risen to such prominence that he was elected to the Grand Council of the Republic.
His diplomatic career began with a posting as Venetian ambassador
to the Dutch Republic
. In 1626, he was named ambassador to England
, and in 1629 he moved on to become ambassador to France
. During his time as Venetian ambassador to France, Contarini persuaded King Louis XIII
to enter into an alliance with Venice in order to prevent troops of the Austrian Habsburgs from occupying the Valtellina
. He also played a crucial role in persuading Cardinal Richelieu that France should back Sweden
's intervention in the Thirty Years' War
in 1630. In 1632, Contarini left France and became Venetian ambassador to the papal court
, before traveling to Istanbul
as Venice's ambassador to the Sublime Porte.
In 1641, Venice sent Contarini to the Congress of Münster. In this capacity, he spent the next seven years attempting to negotiate the end of the Thirty Years' War, a process that ultimately ended in the Peace of Westphalia
. Contarini was particularly important in this process in that he was seen as a neutral party, who had the confidence of all parties. The chief papal negotiator, Cardinal
Fabio Chigi, refused to meet with Protestant princes, whom he considered to be heretics
. Contarini was thus able to play a role as a go-between between Cardinal Chigi and the Protestants during the negotiations.
He died in Venice in 1651.
is named in Contarini's honour.
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
.
Biography
Born in VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, Alvise Contarini entered the service of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
in 1618, and by 1623, he had risen to such prominence that he was elected to the Grand Council of the Republic.
His diplomatic career began with a posting as Venetian ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
. In 1626, he was named ambassador to England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
, and in 1629 he moved on to become ambassador to France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
. During his time as Venetian ambassador to France, Contarini persuaded King Louis XIII
Louis XIII of France
Louis XIII was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1610 to 1643.Louis was only eight years old when he succeeded his father. His mother, Marie de Medici, acted as regent during Louis' minority...
to enter into an alliance with Venice in order to prevent troops of the Austrian Habsburgs from occupying the Valtellina
Valtellina
Valtellina or the Valtelline valley ; is a valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, bordering Switzerland. Today it is known for its skiing, its hot spring spas, its cheeses and its wines...
. He also played a crucial role in persuading Cardinal Richelieu that France should back Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
's intervention in the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
in 1630. In 1632, Contarini left France and became Venetian ambassador to the papal court
Papal court
The Papal Household or Pontifical Household , called until 1968 the Papal Court , consists of dignitaries who assist the Pope in carrying out particular ceremonies of either a religious or a civil character....
, before traveling to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
as Venice's ambassador to the Sublime Porte.
In 1641, Venice sent Contarini to the Congress of Münster. In this capacity, he spent the next seven years attempting to negotiate the end of the Thirty Years' War, a process that ultimately ended in the Peace of Westphalia
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
. Contarini was particularly important in this process in that he was seen as a neutral party, who had the confidence of all parties. The chief papal negotiator, 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...
Fabio Chigi, refused to meet with Protestant princes, whom he considered to be heretics
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
. Contarini was thus able to play a role as a go-between between Cardinal Chigi and the Protestants during the negotiations.
He died in Venice in 1651.
Legacy
The Contarini Institute for Mediation of the FernUniversität HagenFernUniversität Hagen
The University of Hagen, is the largest and the only state-run distance teaching university in Germany. The Headquarters are located in Hagen, Germany....
is named in Contarini's honour.