Guala (Bichieri), Giacomo

Guala (Bichieri), Giacomo an Italian prelate, was born at Vercelli in the second part of the 12th century. At the age, of twenty-one, after having studied canon law, he was made canon of the Eusebian Cathedral, and cardinal in the same year, by Innocent VII. In 1208 Innocent sent him to France as a legate to reform the habits of the clergy. For this purpose Guala wrote constitutions of ecclesiastical discipline. After having been commissioned also to reform the clergy of Lombardy, he was sent to Sicily to the emperor Frederic II, to persuade him to undertake a new crusade, but did not succeed. On his return to Italy he Contributed to the foundation of the University of Vercelli, but died before the finishing of his establishment, May 1227. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.