Alberoni, Giulio 1664-1752
Spanish-Italian cardinal and politician

Born in Firenzuola, near Piacenza, he became a priest and in 1713 was agent for the Duke of Parma in Madrid, where he quickly gained the favour of Philip V. Rising rapidly, he became Prime Minister of Spain and was made a cardinal in 1717. Though he was wise in home affairs, his foreign policy was often impetuous and irresponsible. He violated the Treaty of Utrecht by invading Sardinia, and was subsequently confronted by the 'Quadruple Alliance' of England, France, Austria and Holland, resulting in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. He later tried to provoke a war between Austria and Turkey, an insurrection in Hungary and the downfall of the regent in France. In 1719, in the face of international pressure, Philip dismissed him and ordered him to leave Spain. He returned to Italy and spent most of his remaining years in a monastery, until Pope Innocent XIII befriended him in 1721.