Albert of Brandenburg,   Archbishop of Mayence etc., 1514-1545.

Albert, *1490, Margrave of Brandenburg, became Archbishop of Magdeburg in 1513 and of Mayence in 1514 without having studied theology. In order to gain the pope's agreement to holding more than one diocese, contrary to church law, Albert made a large contribution to the rebuilding of St. Peter's in Rome. These funds, borrowed from the banking house of Fugger, were to be repaid by selling indulgences. Luther condemned this practice in his famous Ninety-five Theses in 1517. In 1518 Albert became cardinal. His vote for Charles V as emperor was well paid in 1519. Albert was a religious liberal, but late in life he promoted the Counter-Reformation in Germany.