Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 52. (2007)
LINDQUIST, Thea: Clement von Radolt (1593–1670): A Multifarious Career in the seventeenth-century Imperial Service
Thea Lindquist Apart from these properties, Radolt made many smaller, more specific bequests, disposing of cash, plate, and a wide range of artifacts made of precious metals and stones. He left to Franz Galeazzo, for instance, his mother Magdalena’s wedding ring and a beautiful sapphire ring; Maria Andl a hanging pearl and a band decorated with diamonds; Maria Fränzl a golden chain, various rings set with precious and semi-precious stones, and a golden vessel containing “almonds” of amber; Jacobina Barbara, the girls’ mother, a ring with a diamond rose; Wenzel Ludwig a large lozenge-shaped diamond, a neck chain with Agnus Dei pendant, and an honorary medal from the King of England; and Benigna Constantia an image of the Virgin Mary in gold.90 Radolt’s will underlines the importance of his religious faith in life and death. In it, he specifies the many prayers and masses to be said for his soul at several churches and monasteries. He left to these religious foundations generous monetary contributions and rich artwork, for example, various silver and gold-gilt vessels and sacred images carved in ivory. Also, Radolt particularly wished that the Stations of the Cross near Hietzing be kept in good repair, and he made arrangements for the Hofbauamt, of which he had formerly been director, to receive an annual sum to carry out this work. Finally, he left charitable bequests to various religious and secular organizations, including the Hofspital, to benefit prisoners and the poor, sick, infirm, and aged.91 Radolt rose to wealth, power, and noble status by virtue of his long, successful, and varied career in the Imperial service. He held posts ranging from progressively more responsible positions in the Hofkammer to several stints as an Imperial representative to foreign powers. Although the government’s financial resources - and thus its ability to enrich its servants directly through salaries - were limited in the seventeenth century, Radolt was able to take advantage of the opportunities and perquisites it could offer to improve his financial, social, and professional situations, all of which mutually reinforced and augmented one another. Just some of the ways he could realize these benefits was through the appurtenances of office, manipulation of the court quartering system, elevations in rank and status, and social connections made at court. Radolt’s years of study, hard work, investments, and wisely contracted marriages paid off in rapid career advancement, enhanced family fortunes, and ever-higher degrees social status, which laid a solid basis upon which future generations of Radolts could build. His success is perhaps illustrated most clearly in his rise from educated commoner to member of the high nobility and in his son’s alliance with 90 Magdalena’s wedding ring was “ein Ring mit einer diemet tafl di paragone.” Of Maria Fränzl’s rings, one was set with a small diamond, another with a ruby, and another with a large emerald. Radolt’s crucifix would have gone to his other daughter Maria Teresia, had she lived. 91 Radolt left annual sums to the Amtshaus and Stadtgraben (prisoners) and to the Citizens’ hospital (Bürgerspital), St. Marx’s hospital, and “Ihr ladt” as well as a lump sum to the Hofspital (poor, sick, infirm, and aged). 28
