Antonio Pimentel de Prado facts for kids
.jpg)
Antonio Pimentel de Prado y lo Bianco (born in Palermo, 1604 – died in Antwerp around 1671-72) was an important Spanish officer and diplomat. He held many roles during his life, including governor of Nieuwpoort (1646–1651) and Cadiz (1660–1670). He was also an ambassador in Stockholm (1652–1654) and a representative in Paris (1659). He was even made a Knight of the Order of Santiago in 1658. Towards the end of his life, he was a chief of the army in Antwerp.
Life of Antonio Pimentel
We don't know much about Antonio Pimentel's early life. His father, Lorenzo Pimentel Prado, worked for the Duke of Bivona in Palermo. Antonio had two brothers, Juan and Gregorio. Later, his relative, Bernardino de Rebolledo, chose Antonio Pimentel del Prado to be the Spanish ambassador to Sweden. This was a big deal because it was the first time Spain had sent an ambassador to Sweden in a long time.
Christina of Sweden started talking with Philip IV of Spain in 1651. She sent a Swedish diplomat named Matthias Palbitzki to the Spanish court. King Philip IV wanted to have good relationships with Sweden. He told his diplomats to help Sweden's interests across Europe.
The main goal of Pimentel's visit to Sweden was to learn about Sweden's military strength. But his most important job was to find out if Queen Christina planned to get married. A marriage could change the balance of power in Europe. If Christina married someone who was against Spain, it could cause big problems.
Antonio Pimentel arrived in Dalarö, Sweden, on August 12, 1652. He came with his wife, children, and about 50 other people. He reached Stockholm on August 16 and met Queen Christina on August 19. Pimentel quickly became someone the Queen trusted. He even tried to help her with her plan to step down from the throne. Christina and Pimentel had many secret talks, often in her library. This led to many rumors. She shared her future plans with him after she gave up her crown.
Leaving Sweden and New Roles
Before Pimentel left Sweden, he asked for a large painting of the Queen as a gift for the King of Spain. This painting, made by Sebastien Bourdon, was finished in June 1653. You can see it today in the Prado Museum.
Before Pimentel's final departure in early August, the Queen made him a knight of the Order of Amarante. Members of this group promised never to marry or remarry. The order was later ended in 1654. When Pimentel left Gothenburg, his ship had a leak, so he had to go back. He then traveled with the Queen to Östergötland and followed her back to Stockholm.
In June 1654, Queen Christina officially gave up her throne. She left Sweden for the Spanish Netherlands to become a Catholic. Christina and Pimentel remained friends. She even wanted him to help make peace between France and Spain, who were fighting in the Franco-Spanish War (1635-1659).
Pimentel and Christina met again in Brussels in 1655. He was there when she officially became Catholic on Christmas Eve that year. He then joined her group on trips to Innsbruck and Rome. He left her in 1656 when she started working more closely with France. Pimentel continued his work as a diplomat in Paris. He helped Spain prepare for the Peace of the Pyrenees, a peace treaty signed in October 1659.
Antonio Pimentel continued to serve Spain until the early 1670s.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio Pimentel de Prado para niños
