12 Facts About Bernardino Spada

Bernardino Spada was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and a patron of the arts whose collection is housed in the Palazzo Spada in Rome.

Bernardino Spada's father was the rich merchant Paolo Spada who had directed him early on to a career in the church, though the generations before his had been colliers.

Bernardino Spada studied law in Bologna, Perugia and Rome and received a doctorate.

Bernardino Spada served as nuncio until 1627, when he became papal legate in Bologna.

Bernardino Spada successfully negotiated a truce but when the pope's military leaders became aware that the dukes were massing troops to counter their troops, Urban VIII declared the articles of peace null and void and claimed Bernardino Spada had negotiated them without his consent.

Bernardino Spada was furious and later published a manifesto detailing his version of events which, according to contemporary John Bargrave, many accepted to be the truth.

Nonetheless, Bernardino Spada had the man imprisoned where he was beaten to death.

Bernardino Spada was successively Bishop of Albano, Frascati, Sabina and Palestrina.

Bernardino Spada supported the church careers of several of his family members.

Bernardino Spada died in Rome in 1661 and was interred in the family grave in the church of San Girolamo della Carita.

Bernardino Spada recognized her literary talents after exchanging epigrams about the plague that was ravaging Italy at that time.

Bernardino Spada included some of his own poetry, including a dedicatory poem written in Latin, addressed to the former queen of Sweden, Christine.