Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg
Encyclopedia
Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg (1553–1626) was the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz
from 1604 to 1626.
.
With his older brothers taking over the family's offices, Johann was destined for a career in the church from an early age. He was elected to the cathedral chapter
of Mainz Cathedral
at a young age through his father's influence. He was a canon
of St. Alban's Abbey, Mainz
from 1564 to 1566. He was then sent to the Collegium Germanicum
in Rome
. There, he became friends with Johannes Busaeus, who was later a Jesuit theologian teaching at the University of Mainz.
After his return to Mainz
, the papal legate
Giovanni Morone
appointed him prior
of Stiftes St. Peter vor Mainz. He became a Domkapitular in 1582, then became schoolmaster
in 1584. He was dean of St. Alban's Abbey by 1588, and then dean of the Marienstiftes in 1599. He became the treasurer of the Archbishopric in 1599.
, the cathedral chapter of Mainz Cathedral elected Johann Schweikhard von Kromberg as the new Archbishop of Mainz on February 17, 1604 with the support of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
, who feared that the election of the rival candidate, Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn
, Bishop of Würzburg would destabilize relations with the Protestants of the Holy Roman Empire
. After Pope Clement VIII
confirmed his election, he was consecrated as archbishop in November 1604.
He completed the work of the Counter-Reformation
in the Archbishopric of Mainz that had been begun by his predecessors. He supported the work of the Jesuits
and Capuchins
in the Archbishopric. He did not persecute Protestants, however, and maintained the religious freedom of Erfurt
.
He commissioned the Schloss Johannisburg
, which was built in Aschaffenburg
from 1605 to 1614.
Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg opposed the intervention of Henry IV of France
in the War of the Jülich succession
in 1609. In 1618, he opposed the decision of Frederick V, Elector Palatine
to accept the Bohemian Crown, but he also opposed the Spanish occupation of the Electoral Palatinate. In the imperial election
of 1619, he voted for Ferdinand II
.
He died in Aschaffenburg
on September 17, 1626.
Archbishopric of Mainz
The Archbishopric of Mainz or Electorate of Mainz was an influential ecclesiastic and secular prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire between 780–82 and 1802. In the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, the Archbishop of Mainz was the primas Germaniae, the substitute of the Pope north of the Alps...
from 1604 to 1626.
Early Life, 1553-1604
Born on July 15, 1553, Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg was the third son of Hartmut XIII von Kronburg (1517–1591) and his wife Barbara von Sickingen (1522–1577). His father was an administrator for the Archbishopric of MainzArchbishopric of Mainz
The Archbishopric of Mainz or Electorate of Mainz was an influential ecclesiastic and secular prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire between 780–82 and 1802. In the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, the Archbishop of Mainz was the primas Germaniae, the substitute of the Pope north of the Alps...
.
With his older brothers taking over the family's offices, Johann was destined for a career in the church from an early age. He was elected to the cathedral chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
of Mainz Cathedral
Mainz Cathedral
Mainz Cathedral or St. Martin's Cathedral is located near the historical center and pedestrianized market square of the city of Mainz, Germany...
at a young age through his father's influence. He was a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of St. Alban's Abbey, Mainz
St. Alban's Abbey, Mainz
St. Alban's Abbey, Mainz originated as a Benedictine abbey, founded in 787 or 796 by Archbishop Richulf in honour of Saint Alban of Mainz, located to the south of Mainz on the hill later called the Albansberg. It was turned into a collegiate foundation in 1442...
from 1564 to 1566. He was then sent to the Collegium Germanicum
Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum
The Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum or simply Collegium Germanicum is a German-speaking seminary for Roman Catholic priests in Rome, founded in 1552. Since 1580 its full name has been Pontificium Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum de Urbe....
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. There, he became friends with Johannes Busaeus, who was later a Jesuit theologian teaching at the University of Mainz.
After his return to Mainz
Mainz
Mainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire...
, the papal legate
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
Giovanni Morone
Giovanni Morone
Giovanni Morone was an Italian cardinal. He was named Bishop of Modena in 1529 and was created Cardinal in 1542 by Pope Paul III...
appointed him prior
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
of Stiftes St. Peter vor Mainz. He became a Domkapitular in 1582, then became schoolmaster
Schoolmaster
A schoolmaster, or simply master, once referred to a male school teacher. This usage survives in British public schools, but is generally obsolete elsewhere.The teacher in charge of a school is the headmaster...
in 1584. He was dean of St. Alban's Abbey by 1588, and then dean of the Marienstiftes in 1599. He became the treasurer of the Archbishopric in 1599.
Elector, 1604-1626
Following the death of Johann Adam von BickenJohann Adam von Bicken
Johann Adam von Bicken was the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz from 1601 to 1604.-Biography:Johann Adam von Bicken was born in Hainchen Castle on May 27, 1564, the son of Philipp von Bicken and his wife Anna Brendelin von Homburg . As a boy, he studied the seven liberal arts in Würzburg and Mainz...
, the cathedral chapter of Mainz Cathedral elected Johann Schweikhard von Kromberg as the new Archbishop of Mainz on February 17, 1604 with the support of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...
, who feared that the election of the rival candidate, Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn
Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn
Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn was a Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Echter was born in Mespelbrunn Castle, Spessart and died in Würzburg....
, Bishop of Würzburg would destabilize relations with the Protestants of the Holy Roman Empire
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...
. After Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII , born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605.-Cardinal:...
confirmed his election, he was consecrated as archbishop in November 1604.
He completed the work of the Counter-Reformation
Counter-Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was the period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648 as a response to the Protestant Reformation.The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major elements:#Ecclesiastical or...
in the Archbishopric of Mainz that had been begun by his predecessors. He supported the work of the Jesuits
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
and Capuchins
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
in the Archbishopric. He did not persecute Protestants, however, and maintained the religious freedom of Erfurt
Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital city of Thuringia and the main city nearest to the geographical centre of Germany, located 100 km SW of Leipzig, 150 km N of Nuremberg and 180 km SE of Hannover. Erfurt Airport can be reached by plane via Munich. It lies in the southern part of the Thuringian...
.
He commissioned the Schloss Johannisburg
Schloss Johannisburg
Schloss Johannisburg is a castle in Aschaffenburg that was erected between 1605 and 1614 by Georg Ridinger. Until 1803, it was the second residence of the prince bishop of Mainz. It is constructed of red sandstone, the typical building material of the area around Aschaffenburg.The castle is one of...
, which was built in Aschaffenburg
Aschaffenburg
Aschaffenburg is a city in northwest Bavaria, Germany. The town of Aschaffenburg is not considered part of the district of Aschaffenburg, but is the administrative seat.Aschaffenburg is known as the Tor zum Spessart or "gate to the Spessart"...
from 1605 to 1614.
Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg opposed the intervention of Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
in the War of the Jülich succession
War of the Jülich Succession
The War of the Jülich Succession was a conflict that began in 1609 and ended in 1614 with the signing of the Treaty of Xanten.-Background:...
in 1609. In 1618, he opposed the decision of Frederick V, Elector Palatine
Frederick V, Elector Palatine
Frederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
to accept the Bohemian Crown, but he also opposed the Spanish occupation of the Electoral Palatinate. In the imperial election
Imperial election
The election of a Holy Roman Emperor or King of Germany was, from at least the 13th century, accomplished by a small body of the greatest princes of the Empire, the Prince-electors. Appointment as Emperor was normally for life...
of 1619, he voted for Ferdinand II
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand II , a member of the House of Habsburg, was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Bohemia , and King of Hungary . His rule coincided with the Thirty Years' War.- Life :...
.
He died in Aschaffenburg
Aschaffenburg
Aschaffenburg is a city in northwest Bavaria, Germany. The town of Aschaffenburg is not considered part of the district of Aschaffenburg, but is the administrative seat.Aschaffenburg is known as the Tor zum Spessart or "gate to the Spessart"...
on September 17, 1626.