Domingo Ram y Lanaja facts for kids

Domenec Ram y Lanaja (born 1345 – died April 25, 1445) was an important person from Aragon, a region in what is now Spain. He was a skilled politician and a diplomat, which means he helped manage government affairs and represented his country to others. He also served as the Viceroy of Sicily from 1415 to 1419. A viceroy is like a governor who rules a country or province as the king's representative.

Early Life and Education

Domenec Ram y Lanaja was born in a town called Alcañiz. This town is located in what is now the province of Teruel in Spain.

He joined a religious group called the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. He went to the University of Lleida to study. In 1406, he earned a special degree. This degree was in both church law (canon law) and civil law.

In 1395, he became a leader for priests in Alcañiz. He also took part in important meetings called the Courts of Aragon in Zaragoza. Later, in 1405, he collected money for the church in Zaragoza. He sent these funds to the Pope's office in Avignon, France.

Working for the Pope

On August 1, 1406, Domenec Ram y Lanaja started working for Antipope Benedict XIII. An Antipope was someone who claimed to be the Pope but was not widely recognized. He worked in Benedict XIII's office in Monaco.

He became a personal helper to Benedict XIII in 1407. The Antipope sent him to Spain as a special messenger. His job was to talk to King Martin I of Aragon.

In 1409, he was one of seven ambassadors. They were sent by Benedict XIII to try and solve a big problem in the church. This problem was called the Western Schism, where there were multiple people claiming to be the Pope. Their mission failed.

Later in 1409, he attended a church meeting in Perpignan, France. On May 5, 1410, he was chosen to be the Bishop of Huesca.

Helping Choose a New King

Around 1412, there was a big problem in Aragon. The royal family had no clear heir to the throne. This led to a crisis about who would be the next king.

Domenec Ram y Lanaja was chosen as one of three judges. Their job was to help pick a new king for Aragon. This important event was called the Caspe Compromise.

They chose Prince Ferdinand of Castile to be the new king. He became King Ferdinand I of Aragón. Domenec Ram y Lanaja officially made Ferdinand king on January 15, 1414.

In 1415, he went to Naples. He helped arrange the marriage of Prince John of Aragon. John later became King John II of Aragon. He was to marry Queen Joan II of Naples.

Viceroy of Sicily and Cardinal

From 1415 to 1419, Domenec Ram y Lanaja served as the Viceroy of Sicily. This meant he ruled Sicily for the King of Aragon.

In 1415, he became the Bishop of Lleida. One of his assistants there was Alfonso de Borja. Alfonso later became Pope Callixtus III.

He also helped end the church's big problem, the Western Schism. In 1423, he was secretly made a cardinal. A cardinal is a very high-ranking official in the Catholic Church. His special church title was Santi Giovanni e Paolo.

In 1424, he led a church meeting in Tarragona. This meeting worked to fully end the schism. He also became the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia in 1428. This was an important government role in Catalonia.

In 1429, he played a big part in another church meeting in Tortosa. This meeting also aimed to finish solving the Western Schism. He helped review new rules for the church, including one about teaching the catechism.

Later Life and Diplomacy

King Alfonso V of Aragon chose Domenec Ram y Lanaja as a top ambassador. In 1430, he helped negotiate a five-year truce with the King of Castile. A truce is a temporary stop to fighting.

He became a very senior cardinal in 1434. From 1434, he also managed the church area of Tarragona. In 1435, he helped King Alfonso V try to become the King of Naples.

In 1439, he was an ambassador for King Alfonso V at a big meeting called the Council of Basel. He strongly disagreed with the idea of removing Pope Eugenius IV. Because of this, the Pope briefly removed him from his role in Tarragona. But on July 4, 1440, the Pope gave him his position back.

He was promoted to the highest church position in Tarragona in 1440. He then went back to Aragon to advise King Alfonso V. The king was fighting a war with Castile at the time.

In 1444, he helped settle disagreements between the kings of Castile and Navarre. Pope Eugenius IV also appointed him to another important church position in Rome.

Domenec Ram y Lanaja died the next year, in 1445, in Rome. He was buried in a famous church called the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

See also

In Spanish: Domingo Ram y Lanaja para niños