Zázemí Specianovy nunciatury u císařského dvora v Praze v letech 1592–1594
The Background of Speciano Nunciature at the Imperial Court in Prague in 1592–1594

Summary/Abstract: The nunciature of Cesare Speciano at the imperial court in Prague took place in 1592-1598 under the pontificate of Clement VIII. It falls to the period when Rome, regenerated by the Council of Trent, became again a natural centre of the Church politics, it reinstated its authority in international relations and was trying to gain influence on all European rulers. Due to complicated ecclesiastical and religious situation in the Empire, undergoing through Reformation from the first half of the 16th century, the imperial nunciature was paid a particular attention. The goal of the study is to detail the background of the Speciano nunciature in the first half of its duration, i. e. in the years 1592-1594. The term background can be understood in a broader and narrower sense. The broader sense includes curial offices and institutions that directed and financed Speciano’s mission, i. e. Secretariat of State and papal chamber, but also advisory organs to the Emperor, imperial and court institutions and authorities, mostly privy court council and imperial chancellery which influenced nuncio’s activities to various extent and which he depended on. In a narrower sense, it was famiglia, i. e. the office of the nuncio in Prague and nuncio’s own household. Based on pertaining literature and nuncio’s correspondence the study follows nuncio’s cooperation with the above mentioned offices and authorities and Speciano’s personal contacts with the leading representatives, it reconstructs and explains not only activities and staff of the Prague nunciature but also structure of the nuncio’s famiglia. To depict official activities of the nunciature in the followed period two important cases were expounded: abjuration of Utraquist priests and their conversion to the Catholic faith and selection process of the Prague Archbishop Zbyněk Berka.

• Details
• Contents