BIRAGO, RENATO. - Cardinal, born in Milan to Galeazzo, who was ambassador of the duke of Milan in France, on 2 February 1506. He lived at the court of the kings of France, holding very high offices. Having become a widower, he entered the ecclesiastical career, and was ambassador of Carlo IX to the Council of Trent (1563) and to the emperors Ferdinand and Maximilian. In 1570 he was appointed by the same Carlo IX keeper of the seals in the secret council of the crown; it is uncertain whether he influenced the decision for the massacre of St. Bartholomew (Aug. 1572). Created cardinal in 1578, he nevertheless retained the title of keeper of the seals. Because of his implacability toward Protestants, he was called the “hammer of heretics.” He died in Paris on 14 November 1583.
He is buried in the abbey of S. Caterina degli Scolari in Paris; two statues of his mausoleum remain in the Louvre.
Renata Orazi Ausenda