Hochstift
Encyclopedia
In the Holy Roman Empire
the German term Hochstift was often used to denote the form of secular authority held by bishops ruling a prince-bishopric.
"Stift
" (literally, 'pencil'), was the German word for a feudal entity under the secular rule of a prince of the church
; "Hochstift" was a compound with "hoch" ("high").
Specific prince-bishoprics were often called "Hochstift X", as in "Hochstift Ermland",
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
the German term Hochstift was often used to denote the form of secular authority held by bishops ruling a prince-bishopric.
"Stift
Stift
A Stift can be:* a German word for 'pen' or 'pencil'* a German word for a feudal entity under the secular rule of a prince of the church; also in compounds such as Hochstift* a Nordic administrative jurisdiction, under a Stiftamtmand...
" (literally, 'pencil'), was the German word for a feudal entity under the secular rule of a prince of the church
Prince of the Church
The term Prince of the Church is nowadays used nearly exclusively for Catholic Cardinals. However the term is historically more important as a generic term for clergymen whose offices hold the secular rank and privilege of a prince or are considered its equivalent...
; "Hochstift" was a compound with "hoch" ("high").
Specific prince-bishoprics were often called "Hochstift X", as in "Hochstift Ermland",