journal of jesuit studies 7 (2020) 545-569 brill.com/jjs A Failed Politician, a Disputed Jesuit: Cardinal Johann Eberhard Nithard (1607–81) Miguel Córdoba Salmerón Facultad de Teología de Granada, Granada, Spain
[email protected] Abstract One of the most controversial Jesuit cardinals was Johann Eberhard Nithard, not only because of the intriguing circumstances of his promotion, but also because he was a favorite of Queen Mariana of Austria, regent of Spain and mother of King Charles ii. The aim of this essay is to examine a series of events in Nithard’s life, focusing in par- ticular on the details surrounding his consecration as bishop and creation as cardi- nal. This task is performed through an analysis of various sources, many of which— including the Jesuit ones—have been responsible for forging Nithard’s black legend, which resulted in his eventual expulsion from Spain and in distorted narratives of his- torians of Nithard’s role in the church and state politics in the seventeenth century. Keywords Spanish Embassy Rome – Jesuit cardinal – Johann Eberhard Nithard – diplomacy – Catholic Church – seventeenth century Who was Johann Eberhard Nithard (1607–81)? Who was this royal favorite (va- lido) of Regent Mariana of Austria (1665–75)? Who was this Jesuit who became a cardinal? The way in which we answer these questions ultimately depends on the sources we consult, many of which have been responsible for forging Nithard’s black legend, the source of his eventual expulsion from Spain. In- deed, so well-articulated is this black legend in the sources that many scholars, and even some Jesuits, have simply taken it for granted, thus explaining its per- sistence up to the present day.