Altani, Antonio

Altani, Antonio, an Italian prelate and diplomatist, was employed by pope Eugenius IV in several important affairs, especially as nuncio at the Council of Basle. Two new nunciatures — one in Scotland in the time of James I, the other in England in 1437 — were intrusted to him by the same pontiff, who also made him bishop of Urbino. Nicholas V, successor of Eugenius, also sent Altani as nuncio to Spain in order to negotiate for the marriage of the emperor Frederick III and Eleanor, infant princess of Portugal. Altani died at Barcelona in 1450, after more than twenty years of service and labor. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.