Henri Spondanus

Henri Spondanus (né de Sponde; 6 January 1568, Mauléon – 18 May 1643, Toulouse) was a French Catholic jurist, historian, and continuator of the Annales Ecclesiastici compiled by Cardinal Baronius, and Bishop of Pamiers.

Henri de Sponde's father, Ennico (Iñigo), was a Councilor and Private Secretary of Queen Jeanne d'Albret of Navarre.

In 1600 Henri was a member of the suite of Cardinal François de Sourdis who was sent to Rome as French ambassador and pilgrim in observance of the Holy Year of 1600.

After his immediate return to France, he received a letter from Cardinal Baronius, dated 31 August 1606, granting him permission to publish his epitome of the Annales Ecclesiastici.

He suggested to the Archbishop of Lyon, who was the French Ambassador in Rome, that Pierre de Bérulle might supply two Oratorian priests to the church of San Luigi to help raise standards.

[11] The Administrators of Saint Louis and the Chaplains, however, feared the loss of their posts, raised such strong opposition that the two Oratorian priests asked to be repatriated.

The affair dragged on for six years, until Pope Paul put an end to it, but in the meantime Father Sponde, realizing the difficulty of his position, resigned and returned to France.

[13] In 1625 he was nominated Bishop of Pamiers by King Louis XIII, and approved in Consistory by Pope Urban VIII on 20 July 1626.

[20] In 1638 he obtained an order in council of Louis XIII, granting him 60,000 livres over a period of ten years for the reconstruction of the cathedral and the bishop's residence.