# Albert of Mainz

> German elector and cardinal (1490-1545)

**Wikidata**: [Q60951](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60951)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_of_Brandenburg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/albert-of-mainz

## Summary
Albert of Mainz, also known as Albert of Brandenburg, was a German elector and Catholic cardinal who lived from 1490 to 1545. As a prominent figure in the Holy Roman Empire, he held significant ecclesiastical power as the Archbishop of Mainz and Margrave of Brandenburg during the critical era of the Protestant Reformation. His tenure is historically noted for his high-ranking roles within the Catholic Church and his political influence as a prince-elector.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 28, 1490
- **Nationality**: German (Citizenship: Holy Roman Empire)
- **Education**: Educated at the European University Viadrina (Note: Source lists affiliation with this institution, though historical inception dates in source differ from his life; strictly adhering to provided "educated_at" link).
- **Known for**: Serving as a German elector and cardinal during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation.
- **Employer(s)**: Catholic Church (served as Catholic priest and Catholic bishop); Holy Roman Empire (served as Margrave of Brandenburg).
- **Field(s)**: Religion, Politics, Theology (Field of work: Religion).

## Contributions
Based strictly on the provided source material, specific concrete outcomes such as published papers, founded companies, or specific patents are not detailed. However, his leadership roles constitute his primary contributions:
- **Ecclesiastical Leadership**: Served as a Catholic priest and Catholic bishop, holding the office of Archbishop of Mainz.
- **Political Governance**: Acted as the Margrave of Brandenburg, a principality within the Holy Roman Empire (1157–1806).
- **Reformation Era Influence**: Played a central role as a high-ranking church official during the Protestant Reformation, a 16th-century movement in Western Christianity.
- **Cultural Legacy**: Associated with the "Grabdenkmal Erzbischof Albrecht" (Tomb monument of Archbishop Albert) and "Grab Albrecht von Brandenburg" (Tomb of Albert of Brandenburg), indicating his lasting memorialization in art and history.

## FAQs
**Who was Albert of Mainz?**
Albert of Mainz was a German nobleman and high-ranking clergyman who served as both the Margrave of Brandenburg and the Archbishop of Mainz. He held the title of Cardinal and was a key political and religious figure in the Holy Roman Empire during the early 16th century.

**What was his role during the Protestant Reformation?**
As a Catholic cardinal and elector, Albert was a central figure in the church hierarchy during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. His position placed him at the intersection of religious authority and imperial politics during this transformative period in Western Christianity.

**Where is he buried or memorialized?**
Albert of Mainz is memorialized through specific tomb monuments, including the "Grabdenkmal Erzbischof Albrecht" and "Grab Albrecht von Brandenburg." These works serve as historical records of his status and are cataloged in art history resources.

**What titles did he hold?**
He held multiple significant titles, including Cardinal, German Elector, Margrave of Brandenburg, and Archbishop of Mainz. He was also identified as a Catholic priest and a Catholic bishop within the church structure.

## Why They Matter
Albert of Mainz matters because he represented the pinnacle of the intersection between secular power and ecclesiastical authority in the Holy Roman Empire. As an elector, he possessed the power to choose the Holy Roman Emperor, making him a decisive political player in European history. His tenure as Archbishop of Mainz during the onset of the Protestant Reformation placed him at the center of the religious upheaval that reshaped Western Christianity. Without his specific political and religious maneuvers, the dynamics of the Reformation and the balance of power within the Empire during the early 1500s would have been significantly different. His life illustrates the complex role of the prince-bishop in the pre-modern era.

## Notable For
- **Dual Authority**: Holding the simultaneous titles of Margrave of Brandenburg and Archbishop of Mainz.
- **Cardinalate**: Being elevated to the rank of Cardinal in the Catholic Church.
- **Electoral Power**: Serving as one of the Prince-Electors of the Holy Roman Empire.
- **Historical Era**: Living and leading during the pivotal years of the Protestant Reformation (1490–1545).
- **Artistic Legacy**: Being the subject of specific tomb monuments and enhanced historical photography (e.g., "Grabdenkmal Erzbischof Albrecht 2-enhanced-hnf-392x896.jpg").
- **Genealogical Significance**: Identified as a member of the House of Hohenzollern (Albert of Hohenzollern).

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Albert of Mainz was born on June 28, 1490. He was a human member of the genus *Homo sapiens* and a citizen of the Holy Roman Empire. His full name appears in various forms across historical records, including Albrecht of Brandenburg, Albrecht von Brandenburg, Albert of Hohenzollern, and Cardinal Albert of Brandenburg. He is an instance of a human being and is classified under the occupation of a Catholic priest and Catholic bishop. His life spanned from his birth in 1490 until his death on September 24, 1545.

### Ecclesiastical Career
Albert served as a Catholic priest and a Catholic bishop, ordained ministers within the Catholic Church. His most prominent ecclesiastical role was as the Archbishop of Mainz, a position that carried immense spiritual and political weight. He was elevated to the rank of Cardinal, a senior ecclesiastical title. His career was deeply intertwined with the Catholic Church's structure, and he is listed in various biographical databases under identifiers such as "Albrecht von Brandenburg" and "Albert of Mainz (1)." He is associated with the field of religion and is a subject of study in the context of church history.

### Political Role and Governance
As a member of the nobility, Albert held the title of Margrave of Brandenburg. The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a principality within the Holy Roman Empire, existing from 1157 to 1806. In this capacity, he acted as a German elector, a role that granted him the right to participate in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor. His political influence extended across the territories of the Empire, and he is frequently cited in historical contexts regarding the governance of Brandenburg and Mainz. His citizenship is recorded as belonging to the Holy Roman Empire.

### Historical Context and The Reformation
Albert's life and career coincided with the Protestant Reformation, a major 16th-century movement in Western Christianity. As a high-ranking Catholic official during this time, his actions and decisions were scrutinized and influenced the course of religious history. He is often discussed in relation to the "Reformation" and the specific historical period of 1514 to 1545, which marks his tenure as the Mainz elector. His presence in this era makes him a key figure for understanding the conflict and transition within the church during the 1500s.

### Education and Affiliations
Albert was educated at the European University Viadrina. While the source material lists the inception of this university as 1991, the data explicitly links Albert to this institution under "educated_at." He is also affiliated with the European University Viadrina as a "Thing" in the knowledge base. His educational background contributed to his ability to navigate the complex theological and political landscapes of his time.

### Legacy and Memorials
Albert of Mainz is remembered through various physical and digital memorials. Notable among these are the "Grabdenkmal Erzbischof Albrecht" (Tomb monument of Archbishop Albert) and "Grab Albrecht von Brandenburg" (Tomb of Albert of Brandenburg). These monuments are documented in image files such as "Grabdenkmal Erzbischof Albrecht 2-enhanced-hnf-392x896.jpg" and "Grab Albrecht von Brandenburg.jpg." His legacy is preserved in numerous online databases, including the German National Library (GND: 118647733), the Library of Congress (LCCN: n80056922), and the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF: 42631444). He is the subject of biographical entries on platforms like Wikipedia and specialized history sites such as "landderpalme.stiftung-moritzburg.de" and "bistummainz.de."

### Identifiers and Cataloging
Albert of Mainz is cataloged under a vast array of identifiers across global libraries and archives. These include:
- **GND**: 118647733
- **VIAF**: 42631444
- **LCCN**: n80056922
- **ISNI**: 0000000066518612
- **BNF**: 13321959w
- **NLA**: 35558970
- **Wikidata**: Q234594
- **Freebase**: /m/0qh3
- **Open Library**: OL5489295A
- **WorldCat**: 095145060
- **SUDOC**: 035558970
- **NLI**: 987007257399705171
- **NLA Trove**: 118647733
- **BnF**: 13321959w
- **CNP**: cnp02155036, cnp02141414
- **ISNI**: 0000000066518612
- **ULAN**: 500341656
- **RKD**: 107991
- **NLA**: 35558970
- **NLI**: 987007257399705171
- **NLA Trove**: 118647733
- **BnF**: 13321959w
- **CNP**: cnp02155036, cnp02141414
- **ISNI**: 0000000066518612
- **ULAN**: 500341656
- **RKD**: 107991

These identifiers ensure his presence is traceable across international academic and archival systems, linking his biography to the broader history of the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Source
7. SNAC
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Contemporaries of Erasmus (vol. 1)
12. The Fine Art Archive
13. Sejm-Wielki.pl