Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 01.djvu/342

ALBERT. sia. He was tlie son of the Margrave Frederic of Aiisbaoh, who wished him to enter the Church. He was educated under the care of Archbishop Hermann, of Cologne, where he became a canon. He did not, however, neglect knightly exercises. He accompanied the Emperor Maximilian I. in his expedition against Venice, and was present at the siege of Pavia. In 1511, when scarcely twenty-one years old, he was chosen Grand blaster of the Teutonic Order, the knights expecting their feudal allegiance to Poland to be abolished, on account of his near relationship to Sigismund. the monarch of that country, while they also hoped for protection against the Poles from his friends in Germany. He was consecrated at Mergentheim with his father's consent. In 1512 he removed to Konigsberg, having been acknowledged by Poland likewise; but refusing to take the oath of allesiance, he was plunged into a »rr with Sigisnunid in 1520. The year after, a four years' truce was agreed to at Thorn. Albert next made his appearance at the Imperial Diet at Nuremberg as a German prince of the Empire, to induce the other princes to assist him against the Poles. But Germany could at that time grant no assistance to any one. Disappointed in his hopes, Albert threw himself into the cause of the Reformation, which had rapidly spread into Prussia and broken the last strength of the declining order, whose possessions now appeared a certain prey to Poland. He still hoped to preserve these by acting upon Luther's advice to declare himself secular Duke of Prussia and place his land under the sovereignty of Sigismund. This was done with gieat pomp at Cra- cow in April, 152.5, the duchy being secured to him and his- descendants. During the remainder of his life Albert zealously sought to further the welfare of his duchy. He regulated the adminis- tration of all affairs, both secular and ecclesias- tical, established the ducal library, founded in 1544 the University of Konigsberg, gathered many literarv men around him, and caused their works to be -printed. In 1527 he married Doro- thea, daughter of Frederick. King of Denmark. Albert earnestly desired peace, but found himself entangled in conflicts with the nobles and in theo- logical disputes, which, along with other troubles of^a more personal character, saddened the close of his life. Consult: Lohmeyer, Bcrzog Alhrecht ion Preusseii (Dantzic, 1890) : and for the part played by Albert in the Reformation, Tschakert, Her~ori' Alhrecht von Preussen (Halle, 1894). ALBERT (1550-1621). Archduke of Austria. He was the sixth son of the Emperor Maximilian 11. He was brought up at the Spanish court, and dedicated himself to the Church. In 1577 he was made cardinal, in 1584 Archbishop of Toledo, and during the years 1594-90 held the office of Viceroy of Portugal. He was ne.xt ap- pointed Stadtliokler of the Netherlands. In 1598 he resigned his ecclesiastical offices and left the Church, and married the Infanta Isabella, re- ceiving with her the Netherlands and Franche Comtf. Had it been possible to regain by any means Spain's rebellious provinces, Albert's mild character and conciliatory policy might have done so. An it was. he became engaged in con- stant warfare prosecuted with little success and marked by bitter feeling on both sides. Later in life he became fanatic, priest-ridden, and in a measure incapable of efhcient rule. Consult: Dubois, Histoirc d' Albert ct d'lsabelle (Brussels, ) ; Schmolke, Albert and Isabella (Berlin, 1878).

ALBERT (1490-1545). Archbishop of Magdeburg and Elector of Mainz, generally called Albert of Brandenburg. He was the younger son of the Elector John Cicero of Brandenburg, and was born in Brandenburg, .June 20, 1490. In 1513 he became Archbishop of Magdeburg, and also administrator of the bishopric of Halberstadt, and in the next year Archbishop and Elector of ilainz. He was put in charge of the preaching, within a certain district, of the jubilee indulgence granted by Leo X., on the condition that one-half the proceeds was to be sent to Rome. He appointed the Dominican Tetzel sub-commis- sioner in the work, whose preaching gave occa- sion to Luther to post up his well-known ninety- five theses. He was made a cardinal in 1518. Even in the Archbishop's own diocese the reformer's doctrines found not a few adherents, so that Al- bert was compelled at the Imperial Diet at Augs- burg ( 1530) to act the part of peacemaker. When he joined the holy alliance against the League of Schmalkalden, Luther made a fierce attack on him in writing. He was the first of all the Ger- man princes who received the .Jesuits into his do- minions. In 1541 he granted religious liberty to his subjects, under the condition that they should pay his debts, amounting to 500,000 flor- ins. He died at JWainz, September 24. 1545. For liis life consult: J. May (Munich, 1865-75) ; Redlich. Albert und das A'ci/e Stift zu Halle (Mainz, 1900).

ALBERT, called Achilles (1414-80). Elec- tor of Brandenburg, third son of Friedrich I. and Elizabeth of Bavaria. He was born at Tan- germiinde, and after the death of his father, in 1440, succeeded to the margraviate of Ansbach, where, together with several other feudal lords, he soon came into conflict with the inhabitants of the cities of South Germany, which were unit- ed against him. In 1449 he attacked Nurem- berg," but was defeated at Pillenreut and com- pelled to etTect U permanent compromi.se (1453). By the death of his brother John he succeeded to the margraviate of Bayreuth, and in 1470 his brother Friedrich II. transferred to him the margraviate of Brandenbuig and the electoral dignity. He was fond of display and amusements, and was distinguished by an en- lightenment far in advance of his age.

ALBERT, called Alctbiades (1522-57). A marcrave of Brandenburg, who was born at Ansl>ach. Althougli reared in the Protestant faith, his military enthusiasm and love of power induced him to serve in the army of Charles V., and he fought in the campaign against France in 1543. Afterward he conspired against the Emperor with Jlaurice of Saxony and several other princes, and was personally instrumcnUil in arranging the Treaty of Chambord with Henrv 11. of France (January 15, 1552). In consequence of difl'erences with his confederates, he subsequently again embraced the cause of Charles, who ratified his territorial claims. In an endeavor to carry these into efTect.. however, Albert was twice defeated (July 9 and September 12. 1553). He was soon afterward outlawed by the Emperor, and fled to France (1554). He died in 1557, shortly after his return to Germany.

ALBERT, called The Bold (1443-1500).