Confalonieri, Giovanni Battista.

The ancient Milanese house of the Confalonieri had the privilege of accompanying the archbishops of Milan on their entrance into the city for their installation. There were many branches including the counts of Agliate and the counts of Colnago as well as feudal lords of other territories. The line that was registered with the Roman nobility was, however, that of Piacenza.

Giovanni Battista began his career as a canon in Velletri in the service of Cardinal Gesualdo, bishop of Velletri. From 1585 to 1592 Giovanni was secretary to Cardinal Montalto, nephew of Sixtus V, and an assistant to Fabio Biondo, both of whom he accompanied to the legation in Portugal. In 1596 he returned from Lisbon to Rome, where he remained for a while, leaving again in 1597 for Spain. There he stayed until 1600 as secretary of the nuncio, Camillo Caetani. He was still in Madrid when Cardinal Gesualdo engaged him again, but when he returned from Madrid to Rome he remained there for just a short time. In 1601, renouncing his (canonship) position in Velletri, he returned to Rome and functioned again as an agent for various bishops from Portugal.

In two years (1609-1611) during the pontificate of Paul V, he was part-time segreteria segreta working with the nuncios of Portugal, Vienna, Graz, Colonia, and Polonia. He was also involved with matters relative to the Levante and Persia.

In August 1626 Giovanni was appointed prefect of the archives of the Castel S. Angelo, where from 1638 he had as assistant Carlo Cartari. He died in 1648.

From the description of Fondo Confalonieri, 1351 (copy)-1636. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 145570209