Mazarin, Giulio (Mazarin Jules)

(1602-1661)
Born in Pechiney (near Avezzano, Kingdom of Naples), July 14, 1602. Parents Mazarin belonged to the entourage of the ancient aristocratic family Colonna, . his father, Pietro (born in Sicily) served with Connetable Philip I Column, . and mother Ortenziya Bufalini, . came from a noble Tuscan kind, . is related to the column in the female line,
. After studying in Italy and Spain, from 1628 to 1634 Mazarin was in the service at the papal curia. As nuncio from 1634 to 1636 was at the French court. Mazarin was the French Ambassador in Savoy in 1640, next year at the request of King Louis XIII was cardinal. After the death of Richelieu in 1642 the King appointed Mazarin, who took French citizenship, the first minister. From that time until his death in 1661 Mazarin remained Prime Minister, his absolute power over the country was shaken only during the Fronde (1648-1653), when he was twice (in 1651 and 1652) had to leave France. In relations with other states Mazarin continued anti-Habsburg policy of Richelieu and the Thirty Years War led to a favorable conclusion for France. Under the Peace of Westphalia (1648) France got Alsace (except in Strasbourg), and finally cemented a Metz, Toul and Verdun (TN. Three bishops). The war with Spain ended with the signing of the Iberian World (1659), on which France has of Roussillon and Artois, and several Flemish cities. In addition, in 1660 was the marriage between the daughter of Philip IV of Spanish Habsburg Maria Theresia and the young Louis XIV. In France, Mazarin had to deal with the Fronde, the last before the French Revolution an attempt to combat absolutism. During his tenure as minister Mazarin became one of the largest landowners France. A patron of the arts, collector of books and pictures. Mazarin died in Vincennes March 9, 1661.