Gambara, Uberto

Gambara, Uberto an Italian prelate, was born at Brescia, near the close of the 15th century. He was the son of Gian. Francesco, count of Prato Albuino, who abandoned the side of the Venetians after the battle of Chiara in 1509, and joined the French in order to save the city of Brescia, his native place. This desertion irritated the Venetians against him, but they were appeased through the intervention of pope Leo X, a particular friend of the count. This pontiff called the young Uberto to himself, and sent him as nuncio to Portugal. Clement VII sent him to solicit, in 1527, the aid of the king of England against Charles V. Gambara acquitted himself with success in this mission, and on his return was appointed bishop of Tortona. Paul III made him cardinal in 1539, and confided to him the legations of Parma and Placentia. In this position Gambara adroitly favored the designs of the Farnese, and afforded them much aid, by placing them in possession of these principalities. He died at Rome, February 14, 1549. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.