BRANCACCI, NICOLA. - Cardinal, born in Naples of a patrician family, died in Florence on 29 June 1412. After graduating in law, he became a canon of the cathedral of Naples. Having then gone to Avignon to the papal court, he was appointed papal chaplain and auditor of the palace. On 12 Apr. 1367 he was elected by Urbano V archbishop of Bari, where he convened a provincial council to discuss reforms concerning the morals of the clergy. In 1374 he was chosen by Queen Giovanna of Naples as a special counsellor, and on
13 Jan. 1377 he was transferred by Gregorio XI to the archbishopric of Cosenza. Following the political intrigues of the queen, he sided with the antipope Clemente VII, who created him cardinal of S. Maria in Trastevere at Fondi on 16 Dec. 1378, and bishop of Albano in 1390. He subsequently also recognized the antipope Benedetto XIII. He then adhered to the Council of Pisa in 1409 and took part in the election of the new pontiff Alessandro V, who confirmed him as cardinal of S. Marco. He was later among the electors of Giovanni XXIII at Bologna. He was buried in the church of S. Maria Novella in Florence.