Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz
Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz more commonly Gil de Albornoz (Spanish: Egidio Álvarez de Albornoz y Luna; c. 1295/1310 – 23 August 1367), was a Spanish curial cardinal, archbishop of Toledo from 13 May 1338 to 17 December 1350. Grand Penitentiary from December 1352 to August 23, 1364. Cardinal priest with the title of San Clemente from December 17, 1350 to December 1356. Cardinal bishop of Sabina from December 1356 to August 23, 1364. Cardinal legate and vicar general from 30 June 1353 to 1357, who led as condottiere Papal States mercenary armies in two campaigns to reconquer territory in Italy, and statesman.
Cardinal Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz | |
|---|---|
| Cardinal-Bishop | |
Cardinal Gil de Albornoz in the painting by Matías Moreno, owned by the Museo del Prado, kept at the Real Academia de la Historia in Madrid | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Toledo |
| Province | Toledo |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 17 December 1350 |
| Created cardinal | by Pope Clement VI |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Egidio Álvarez de Albornoz y Luna c. 1295/1310 |
| Died | August 23, 1367 (aged 56–57) Viterbo, Papal States |
| Buried | Chapel of San Ildefonso 40°2′10″N 2°44′12″W |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Coat of arms | |
| Chancellor of Toledo | |
| In office c. 1350–c. 1367 | |
Albornoz was born in Carrascosa del Campo, Spain. Raised in Zaragoza and educated alongside his mother's brother, Albornoz pursued his studies in law at Toulouse. As the Archbishop of Toledo, he held two reform synods, and throughout his career, he demonstrated his military prowess. He fought against a Marinid invasion from Morocco in 1340 at the Battle of Río Salado and led the armed levy of his archbishopric at the taking of Algeciras in 1344.
In 1350, Pope Clement VI appointed Albornoz as a cardinal-priest of S. Clemente, recognizing his military and diplomatic abilities. Shortly after Pope Innocent VI's election in 1352, Albornoz was appointed grand penitentiary and given the epithet "Angel of Peace." However, this title would become an ironic misnomer as he later led campaigns in the Papal States.
In 1353, Pope Innocent VI sent Albornoz to Italy with the goal of restoring papal authority in the Church states. Leading a small mercenary army, he embarked on a series of successful campaigns against various rulers, ultimately expanding the territories of the Papal States. During his time in Italy, Albornoz issued the Constitutiones Sanctæ Matris Ecclesiæ, which effectively regulated the Papal States and their division into provinces until 1816.
Despite a decade of warfare and multiple successful campaigns, Albornoz's efforts did not completely secure peace and stability in Italy. The Papal State itself faced ongoing conflicts, and mercenary companies roamed Italy, spreading further bloodshed and strife. Regardless, as a mark of gratitude for his service, Pope Urban V appointed Albornoz as legate at Bologna in 1367.
In addition to his military and diplomatic achievements, Albornoz left a lasting legacy in the field of education. In 1364, he founded the College of Saint Clement in Bologna to benefit Castilian, Aragonese, and Portuguese students, providing them with a unique learning opportunity.
Albornoz was a descendant of the kings of León and Aragón and founder of the Collegio di Spagna, an academic institution of Bologna.