Matthäus Schiner

Matthäus Schiner (born c. 1465, Mühlebach, Switz.—died Oct. 1, 1522, Rome) was a Swiss prelate, papal diplomat, and intimate counsellor of the Holy Roman emperor Charles V; he worked to preserve the freedom of the Papal States from French domination. Consecrated bishop of Sion in 1499, Schiner soon established himself as a master of diplomacy. He helped secure Bellinzona and the Blenio Valley for the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Nidwalden (Treaty of Arona, 1503)...