Background
Born in Trento, he was the son of baron Niccolò Madruzzo and Helene of Lanberg, and nephew of Cristoforo Madruzzo, Prince-Bishop of Trento.
Born in Trento, he was the son of baron Niccolò Madruzzo and Helene of Lanberg, and nephew of Cristoforo Madruzzo, Prince-Bishop of Trento.
He studied at the universities of Leuven and Paris.
After numerous important diplomatic and political experiences (including the mourning discourse at Charles V"s funeral), he was created cardinal in 1561 by Pope Pius IV, given the titular church of San Callisto. Six years later he was appointed titular of the diocese of Trento. Under agreements between Bernardo Clesio and Cristoforo Madruzzo, the bishopric had gained a substantial independence from the Habsburg-controlled county of Tyrol, and this caused strife between Ludovico and the Austrian archduke (and future emperor) Ferdinand World War II The latter invaded Trentine territory in 1567, and Ludovico moved to Rome, waiting for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.
Trento"s authority was totally re-established by the Diet of Speyer in 1587.
He died in Rome in 1600.
