Erkanbald was the Abbot of Fulda from 997 and afterwards Archbishop of Mainz from 1011 until his death.

Erkanbald was a member of the family of the counts of Ölsburg and was thus related to Bernard III of Sommerescheburg, Bishop of Hildesheim. He supported of the election of Henry IV, Duke of Bavaria, as King of Germany and was rewarded for it in 1011 when the ancient see of Mainz became vacant.