Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 52. (2007)
LINDQUIST, Thea: Clement von Radolt (1593–1670): A Multifarious Career in the seventeenth-century Imperial Service
Clement von Radolt (1593-1670) Bohemian nobility, accompanied by a grant of großes Palatinat.s6 Radolt’s service as an Imperial representative was highlighted in the official grant, which specifically noted his more than thirty years of loyal and efficient service in many capacities, “the foremost however among them at the royal courts in England and Poland, also many times in Italy and other countries at the courts of various respective Arch- and Grand Dukes as well as other princes and republics.”* 57 It goes on to mention other important commissions, missions, and duties entrusted to him, most particularly his service in the Hoflcammer. The rewards of social privilege that the Habsburg emperors bestowed upon Radolt over his long career attest to the value they placed on his service and also to the penury of the crown. In spite of the fact that Radolt, like most of the Briefadel, undoubtedly did not receive direct financial compensation from the crown commensurate with his increased social and professional status, he did manage to advance his family’s financial interests very effectively during his career in the Imperial service.58 One way he could benefit financially was through the emoluments of his offices. Imperial officials often augmented their earnings by collecting fees for the services they provided to people needing their assistance, that is, to people other than their own superiors. Radolf s position as a high-ranking Hofkammer official would have presented him with plenty of opportunities to assist appreciative clients - by expediting the payment of debts, the release of property sealed in the treasury, and other financial transactions - and accumulate the accompanying rewards. This system of fees for service was an accepted practice that was clearly distinguished from bribery, and the Habsburgs in fact depended upon their officials’ ability to AVA, Hofadelsakten, Radolt, Konv. 13 Aug. 1656, ff. 1-53; HKA, FA R-10, ff. 64-67: 13 Aug. 1656. For a sketch and description of Radolt’s improved coat of arms, see Siebmacher: Niederösterreichischer Adel, vol. 26, pt. 1, p. 371, pi. 203 (Radolt II). It is interesting that Franz Galeazzo, Radolt’s youngest son with his third wife Magdalena, Countess of Nieva, was specifically named to receive the honor along with his father; his other two sons, Wolf Franz and Johann Anton, were also awarded the honor, but only at their father’s discretion. It is likely that Franz Galeazzo was given special consideration due to the noble background of his mother. A grant of großes Palatinat, a prerogative often accompanying elevation to the rank of count and almost always pertaining to the status of prince, conferred honorary and financial benefits on its recipient. The privileges it conveyed varied, but usually included the right to legitimize, confer elevations in rank upon those lower down on the social scale, appoint notaries, and mint money. (Schwarz: The Imperial Privy Council, p. 396). 57 “[•••] vorderist aber in denen an die königliche hoff in Engelandt unndt Poln, auch zu mehrmahl in Italia, unndt andren ländern bey underschiedlichen respecktive Erz: unndt großherzogen, auch andern fürstn unndt Republichen hoffe”. (AVA, Hofadelsakten, Radolt, Konv. 13 Aug. 1656, f. 4). 58 It is noteworthy that even though he certainly did not receive all that the government owed him, the court treasury books show that Radolt was relatively successful in collecting his salaiy and occasional bonuses from the government, probably by virtue of his employment in the Hofkammer. Imperial salaries, however, including Radolt’s, would not in and of themselves make their recipients rich men. 21
