Juan Everardo Nithard facts for kids
Juan Everardo Nithard (whose German name was Johann Eberhard Nithard) was an important Austrian priest. He was born in Falkenstein, Austria, on December 8, 1607. Nithard became a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He was a trusted advisor to Queen Mariana of Austria, who was the Queen and Regent of Spain. Later, he became a cardinal. He was also known as the valido of Spain, which means he was the king's most trusted advisor and the real power behind the throne. He passed away in Rome on February 1, 1681.
Contents
Nithard's Life Story
Early Years and Learning
Juan Everardo Nithard was born into a Catholic family in Tirol, Austria. When he was 21 years old, he joined the Society of Jesus, a group of Catholic priests. He studied at the University of Graz.
Emperor Ferdinand III chose Nithard to be the teacher, or preceptor, for his children. These children included Leopold and Mariana.
Moving to Spain
In 1649, Archduchess Mariana married her uncle, King Philip IV of Spain. Nithard went with her to the Spanish royal court. He served as her confessor, meaning he was her spiritual advisor.
When King Philip IV died, his son Charles was only four years old. Queen Mariana then became the regent. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young or unable to rule.
Rise to Power
In 1666, Queen Mariana made Nithard the Grand Inquisitor. This was a very powerful position. It gave him a seat on the Regency Board, which was the group that helped Queen Mariana rule. From this position, he became the most important person in the Spanish court. He was like the prime minister, or valido, of Spain. He also worked closely with another powerful royal favorite, Mariana Engracia Álvarez de Toledo Portugal y Alfonso-Pimentel.
His Downfall
Nithard signed two treaties that were not good for Spain. These were the Treaty of Lisbon (1668) with Portugal and the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668) with France. Because of these unpopular agreements, other powerful people in the government started to plot against him.
One of the main people who wanted to remove him was John Joseph of Austria. In 1669, Nithard was removed from his position. This happened through a military pronunciamiento, which is a type of military uprising or declaration that forces a change in government.
Later Life and Death
After he was dismissed, Nithard was sent to Rome as an ambassador. He also became the Bishop of Agrigento. Later, he became an Archbishop with the title of Bishop of Edessa.
In 1672, Pope Clement X made him a cardinal. Nithard wrote his own memories, called Memorias. He died in 1681 and was buried in the Church of the Gesu in Rome.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Everardo Nithard para niños
