Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg facts for kids
Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg (born 1469 – died March 30, 1540) was a very important official and church leader in the Holy Roman Empire. He became a Cardinal and the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg from 1519 until his death in 1540. A cardinal is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church. A Prince-Archbishop was both a religious leader and a ruler of a territory.
Contents
Life and Career
Matthäus Lang was born in Augsburg, a city in Germany. His father was a regular citizen. Later, Matthäus received a special noble title, Wellenburg. This name came from a castle near his hometown that he owned from 1507.
Early Education and Rise to Power
Matthäus was very smart. He studied at important universities in Ingolstadt, Vienna, and Tübingen. After finishing his studies, he started working for Emperor Frederick III. He quickly became a trusted helper.
He also became a close advisor to Frederick's son, Emperor Maximilian I. Because of his good work, he received many important positions. In 1500, he became the head of the cathedral in Augsburg. Five years later, he became the Bishop of Gurk.
Becoming a Cardinal and Archbishop
In 1510, Matthäus Lang also became the Bishop of Cartagena in Spain. The next year, Pope Julius II made him a cardinal. This was a very high honor in the Catholic Church.
In 1514, he started working with Leonhard von Keutschach, who was the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. Matthäus took over as Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg in 1519. This meant he was both a powerful church leader and a ruler of the Salzburg region. In 1535, he received another important title as a Cardinal Bishop.
Challenges in Salzburg
During a time called the Protestant Reformation, many people started to question the old ways of the church. Matthäus Lang strongly believed in the traditional Catholic faith. However, some people in his area did not like his pride and how he acted. This made him quite unpopular in Salzburg.
In 1523, he had a big disagreement with the people in the City of Salzburg. Then, in 1525, during the German Peasants' War, he faced even bigger challenges. This was a time when many peasants (farmers) rebelled against their rulers.
Dealing with Rebellions
The rebellious peasants took over the town of Hallein. They also damaged the archbishop's castle, Burg Hohenwerfen. They even surrounded his home at Hohensalzburg. Matthäus Lang had to fight hard to keep control.
Finally, he got help from soldiers provided by the Swabian League. With their help, the rebels were defeated. Matthäus Lang was able to keep his position.
Advisor to Emperor Charles V
Cardinal Lang was also one of the main advisors to Emperor Charles V. He played a big part in important international discussions and agreements of his time. He was always very loyal to the emperors he served.
