List of bishops and archbishops of Cologne
Encyclopedia
Bishops of Colonia Agrippina, 88–784
All names before MaternusMaternus
Maternus, also known as Maternus II or St. Maternus, was the first known bishop of Cologne, Germany, c. 285-315. He founded a church on the site of a Roman temple which later became Cologne Cathedral.-Legend:...
('II') are to be approached with considerable scepticism since no contemporary evidence is available. Maternus was present at a council 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...
in 313. The bishops between Severinus and Charentius are also apocryphal. Domitianus was bishop of Maastricht (Mosa Traiectum). The given dates of office before bishop Gunther
Gunther of Cologne
Günther of Cologne was a Roman Catholic archbishop of Cologne in Germany who was excommunicated and deposed.Günther belonged to a noble Frankish family and, if we may believe the poet Sedulius Scottus , was a man of great ability.He was consecrated Archbishop of Cologne on 22 April 850 Günther of...
are also conjectural at best.
- Maternus I c. 88–128
- Paulinus
- Marcellinus ?
- Aquilinus
- Levoldus ? c. 248–285
- Maternus II c. 285–315
- Euphrates c. 315–348
- SeverinusSeverin of CologneSaint Severin of Cologne was the third known Bishop of Cologne, living in the later 4th century. Little is known of him. He is said in 376 to have founded a monastery in the then Colonia Agrippina in honour of the martyrs Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, from which developed the later Basilica of St....
c. 348–403 - Ebergisil I ? c. 403–440
- Solatius c. 440–470
- Sunnovaeus c. 470–500
- Domitianus fl. c. 535
- Charentinus fl. c. 570
- EberigisilEberigisilEberigisil was Bishop of Cologne, being the fifth well-attested bishop, and the first with a Frankish name. He is mentioned by Gregory of Tours.He is a Catholic saint, honoured on 24 October....
II ? c. 580–600 ? - Remedius c. 600 ? –611 ?
- Solatius c. 611 ? –622
- CunibertCunibert, Bishop of CologneSaint Cunibert, Cunipert, or Kunibert was the ninth Bishop of Cologne from 627 to his death. Contemporary sources only mention him between 627 and 643....
c. 623–663 - Bodatus c. 663–674
- Stephen 674–680
- Adelwin 680–695
- Giso 695–708
- Anno I 708–710
- Faramund 710–713
- Agilolf 713–717
- Reginfried 718–747
- Hildegar 747–753
- Bertholm 753–763
- Rikulf 763–784
Archbishops of CologneCologneCologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, 784–1238
- bbbdebold 784–818
- Hadbold 818–842
- Hildwin 842–849
- Günther 850–864
- Hugo WelfHugh the AbbotHugh the Abbot was a member of the Welf family, a son of Conrad I of Auxerre and Adelaide. After his father's death, his mother apparently married Robert the Strong, the margrave of Neustria. On Robert's death in 866, Hugh became the regent and guardian for Robert's sons, Odo and Robert.Hugh...
864 - WilbertWilbert, Archbishop of CologneWilbert, Wilibert, or Willibert was the Archbishop of Cologne from 870 until his death.Willibert was originally a priest in Cologne Cathedral...
870–889 - Hermann IHermann I, Archbishop of CologneHerman I was Archbishop of Cologne from 890 to 924. He was the son of Erenfried I of Maasgau, of the Ezzonian dynasty.As chancellor of Zwentibold, King of Lotharingia, he helped to execute in 911 his kingdom's annexation to West Francia...
890–924 - Wigfried 924–953
- Bruno IBruno I, Archbishop of CologneBruno the Great was Archbishop of Cologne, Germany, from 953 until his death, and Duke of Lotharingia from 954. He was the brother of Otto I, king of Germany and later Holy Roman Emperor....
953–965 - Volkmar 965–969
- GeroGero, Archbishop of CologneGero was the Archbishop of Cologne from 969 until his death.Gero originated from Thuringia. He and Thietmar, Margrave of Meissen, were the sons of Hidda, sister of Gero the Great, and Christian of Thuringia. On 29 August 970, he and his brother donated part of their inheritance for the foundation...
969–976 - WarinWarin of CologneWarin was the Archbishop of Cologne, Germany, from 976 to 984.-Life:Warin's origins are not recorded. He became a cleric of the Cathedral in Cologne....
976–984 - EbergarEbergarEbergar was the Archbishop of Cologne, Germany, from 984 to 998.-Biography:Ebergar's origins are not known. Before becoming Archbishop, Ebergar was a member of the Cathedral Chapter....
984–999 - HeribertHeribert of CologneSaint Heribert was Archbishop of Cologne and Chancellor of Emperor Otto III, and was canonized c. 1074.-Life:He was born in Worms, the son of Hugo, count of Worms. He was educated in the school of Worms Cathedral and at the Benedictine Gorze Abbey in Lorraine...
999–1021 - PilgrimPilgrim, Archbishop of ColognePilgrim was the archbishop of Cologne and archchancellor of Italy in the Holy Roman Empire, a dignity he obtained for all his successors....
1021–1036 - Hermann IIHermann II, Archbishop of CologneHerman II , of the Ezzonian dynasty, a son of Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia, was the Archbishop of Cologne from 1036 until his death.He became archchancellor of the Regnum Italicum and protector of Brauweiler...
1036–1056 - Anno II 1056–1075
- Hildholf 1076–1078
- SigwinSigwin, Archbishop of CologneSigwin von Are , called the Pious, was Archbishop of Cologne from 1078 to his death.He was a deacon in Cologne in 1076. Appointed archbishop by the Emperor Henry IV, he remained a staunch supporter of Henry throughout the Investiture Controversy. He problaimed the Peace of God in 1083, only the...
1078–1089 - Hermann III 1089–1099
- Friedrich IFrederick I, Archbishop of CologneFrederick I was the Archbishop of Cologne from 1100 until his death.Frederick I was a son of Count Berthold I of Schwarzenburg. He became a canon in Bamberg and Speyer....
1100–1131
- Bruno II von BergBruno II von BergBruno II of Berg was the Archbishop of Cologne from 1131 until 1137.Bruno II of Berg was a son of Count Adolf III of Berg. In 1119 he was mentioned as a Provost in Cologne, and he became the Provost of St. Gereon in Cologne in 1127...
1131–1137 - Hugo von Sponheim 1137
- Arnold IArnold I of Cologne- Life :Arnold's origins are not definitively known. It is assumed he came from the lower Rhenish nobility. He became Provost of St. Andreas in Cologne in about 1124, and was elected the new Archbishop of Cologne in December 1137, after two archbishops had died in that year...
1138–1151 - Arnold II von Wied 1152–1156
- Friedrich II von BergFriedrich II of BergFriedrich II of Berg , son of Adolf IV, Count of Berg, was Archbishop of Cologne from 1156 until his death.He died at Pavia....
1156–1158, nephew of Bruno II von BergBruno II von BergBruno II of Berg was the Archbishop of Cologne from 1131 until 1137.Bruno II of Berg was a son of Count Adolf III of Berg. In 1119 he was mentioned as a Provost in Cologne, and he became the Provost of St. Gereon in Cologne in 1127...
above - Rainald of DasselRainald of DasselRainald of Dassel was archbishop of Cologne from 1159 to 1167 and archchancellor of Italy. He was preceded as archbishop by Friedrich II of Berg and succeeded by Philip I von Heinsberg....
1159–1167 - Philipp von Heinsberg 1167–1191, he gained the title of Duke of Westphalia and Angria in 1180, from then on held in personal unionPersonal unionA personal union is the combination by which two or more different states have the same monarch while their boundaries, their laws and their interests remain distinct. It should not be confused with a federation which is internationally considered a single state...
by all incumbents of the Cologne see until 1803. - Bruno III von BergBruno III of BergBruno III of Berg was Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Westphalia from 1191 until 1193.The fifth son of Adolf IV, Count of Berg, he is first mentioned in 1156 as provost of St. George in Cologne, and in 1168 as provost at Cologne Cathedral. Named in 1191 Archbishop of Cologne, he resigned in...
1191–1192, brother of Friedrich IIFriedrich II of BergFriedrich II of Berg , son of Adolf IV, Count of Berg, was Archbishop of Cologne from 1156 until his death.He died at Pavia....
above - Adolf I von BergAdolf of AltenaAdolf of Altena, Adolf of Berg or Adolf of Cologne, was Archbishop of Cologne from 1193 to 1205.-Biography:...
1192–1205, nephew of Bruno IIIBruno III of BergBruno III of Berg was Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Westphalia from 1191 until 1193.The fifth son of Adolf IV, Count of Berg, he is first mentioned in 1156 as provost of St. George in Cologne, and in 1168 as provost at Cologne Cathedral. Named in 1191 Archbishop of Cologne, he resigned in...
above - Bruno IV von Sayn 1205–1208 (in opposition)
- Dietrich I von HengebachDietrich I von HengebachDietrich I von Hengebach was the Archbishop of Cologne. He was elected in 1208. He supported Otto of the House of Welf as Holy Roman Emperor and was excommunicated in 1212 by Innocent III. Upon his excommunication, he lost the Episcopal see and he brought suit in Rome...
1208–1215 (in opposition) - Engelbert II von BergEngelbert II of BergCount Engelbert II of Berg, also known as Saint Engelbert, Engelbert of Cologne, Engelbert I, Archbishop of Cologne or Engelbert I of Berg, Archbishop of Cologne was Archbishop of Cologne and a saint; he was the victim of a notorious murder by a member of his own family.-Early life:Engelbert was...
1216–1225, nephew of Bruno IIIBruno III of BergBruno III of Berg was Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Westphalia from 1191 until 1193.The fifth son of Adolf IV, Count of Berg, he is first mentioned in 1156 as provost of St. George in Cologne, and in 1168 as provost at Cologne Cathedral. Named in 1191 Archbishop of Cologne, he resigned in...
above - Heinrich I von Mulnarken 1225–1237
Archbishop-Electors of Cologne, 1238–1803
| Image | Name | From | To | Notes |
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| Konrad von Hochstaden Konrad von Hochstaden Konrad von Hochstaden was Archbishop of Cologne from 1238 to 1261.-Life:Konrad was a son of Count Lothar of Hochstadt, canon of St. Maria ad Gradus and of the old Cologne Cathedral, and Mathilde of Vianden. His date of birth is unknown, and nothing is known of his early youth... |
1238 | 1261 | ||
| Engelbert II von Falkenstein | 1261 | 1274 | ||
| Siegfried II of Westerburg Siegfried II of Westerburg Siegfried II of Westerburg was Archbishop of Cologne from 1275 to 1297.Siegfried was the second son of Siegfried IV, Count of Runkel in Westerburg... |
1274 | 1297 | ||
| Wikbold I von Holte | 1297 | 1304 | ||
| Heinrich II von Virneburg | 1304 | 1332 | ||
| Walram von Jülich | 1332 | 1349 | ||
| Wilhelm von Gennep Wilhelm von Gennep -Life:Wilhelm was a member of a minor comital family from the region of the Maas. He was active in Cologne as the archbishop's secretary under his predecessor Walram von Jülich and was one of his most important advisers.... |
1349 | 1362 | First Elector of Cologne under the Golden Bull of 1356 Golden Bull of 1356 The Golden Bull of 1356 was a decree issued by the Reichstag assembly in Nuremberg headed by the Luxembourg Emperor Charles IV that fixed, for a period of more than four hundred years, important aspects of the constitutional structure of the Holy Roman Empire... |
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| Adolf II von der Marck | 1363 | 1363 | ||
| Engelbert III von der Marck | 1364 | 1369 | ||
| Kuno von Falkenstein | 1370 | 1371 | ||
| Friedrich III von Saarwerden | 1372 | 1414 | ||
| Dietrich II von Moers | 1414 | 1463 | ||
| Ruprecht of the Palatinate Ruprecht of the Palatinate (Archbishop of Cologne) Ruprecht of the Palatinate was the Archbishop and Prince Elector of Cologne from 1463 to 1480.He was the third son of Louis III, Count Palatine of the Rhine, by his second wife, Matilda of Savoy. He renounced his claim to lands of the Palatinate and studied for holy orders at the universities of... |
1463 | 1480 | ||
| Hermann IV of Hesse Hermann IV of Hesse Hermann IV of Hesse was Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1480 to 1508 and Prince-Bishop of Paderborn from 1498 to 1508.-Early years, 1450–1473:... |
1480 | 1508 | ||
| Philip II of Daun-Oberstein Philip II of Daun-Oberstein Philip II of Daun-Oberstein was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1508 until 1515.-Early Life:Philip II of Daun-Oberstein was the fourth son of Graf Wirich IV of Daun-Oberstein and his wife Margaretha of Leiningen. As a younger son, he was groomed for a career in the church from an early age... |
1508 | 1515 | ||
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Hermann V von Wied | 1515 | 1546 | Sought to reform religious practice in the Electorate; converted to Protestantism Protestantism Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the... ; deposed and excommunicated. |
| Adolf III of Schauenburg Adolf III of Schauenburg Adolf III of Schauenburg was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1547 to 1556.-Biography:Adolf of Schauenburg was born on January 19, 1511 and baptized in Leuven in February 1511. He was the son of Jobst I of Schaumburg and his wife Maria of Nassau-Dillenburg.As a younger son, Adolf was... |
1546 | 1556 | ||
| Anton of Schauenburg Anton of Schauenburg Anton of Schauenburg was Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1557 to 1558.-Biography:Anton of Schauenburg was the son of Jobst I of Schaumburg and his wife Maria of Nassau-Dillenburg... |
1556 | 1558 | ||
| Gebhard I von Mansfeld-Vorderort Gebhard I von Mansfeld-Vorderort Johann Gebhard von Mansfeld-Vorderort, born circa 1525-30, was Archbishop-Elector of Cologne. He died in Frankfurt on 2 November 1562.-Career:Both Gebhard and his older brother were founding members of the Schmalkaldic League... |
1558 | 1562 | A founding member of the Schmalkaldic League Schmalkaldic League The Schmalkaldic League was a defensive alliance of Lutheran princes within the Holy Roman Empire during the mid-16th century. Although originally started for religious motives soon after the start of the Protestant Reformation, its members eventually intended for the League to replace the Holy... |
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| Friedrich IV of Wied Friedrich IV of Wied Friedrich IV of Wied was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1562 to 1567.-Biography:Friedrich IV of Wied was born in 1518, the son of Graf Johann II of Wied and his wife Elisabeth of Nassau-Dillenburg.... |
1562 | 1567 | ||
| ⋅ | Salentin von Isenburg-Grenzau | 1567 | 1577 | Upon the deaths of his younger and older brothers, there were no more brothers to carry on the family name; he left Church administration in 1577, married, had two sons, and conducted a successful military career. He died in 1610. |
| Gebhard II Truchsess von Waldburg | 1577 | 1583 | Converted to Calvinism in 1582; married Agnes von Mansfeld-Eisleben Agnes von Mansfeld-Eisleben Agnes von Mansfeld-Eisleben was Countess of Mansfeld and the daughter of Johann Georg I, of Mansfeld Eisleben. She converted Gebhard, Seneschal of Waldburg, the Prince-Elector of Electorate of Cologne and archbishop of the Diocese of Cologne to the Protestant faith, leading to the Cologne War... (cousin once removed of the archbishop and Prince-Elector Gebhard I von Mansfeld-Vorderort Gebhard I von Mansfeld-Vorderort Johann Gebhard von Mansfeld-Vorderort, born circa 1525-30, was Archbishop-Elector of Cologne. He died in Frankfurt on 2 November 1562.-Career:Both Gebhard and his older brother were founding members of the Schmalkaldic League... ); Competing archbishop elected;Cologne War Cologne War The Cologne War devastated the Electorate of Cologne, a historical ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire, present-day North-Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany... war decides the outcome. |
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Ernest of Bavaria Ernest of Bavaria Ernest of Bavaria was Prince-elector-archbishop of the Archbishopric of Cologne from 1583 to 1612 as successor of the expelled Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg. He was also bishop of Münster, Hildesheim, Freising and Liège.... |
1583 | 1612 | Brother of William V, Duke of Bavaria William V, Duke of Bavaria William V, Duke of Bavaria , called the Pious, was Duke of Bavaria from 1579 to 1597.- Education and early life :... ; Papal Nunciate established permanently in Cologne. |
| Ferdinand of Bavaria | 1612 | 1650 | Brother of Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria Maximilian I, Duke/Elector of Bavaria , called "the Great", was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire. His reign was marked by the Thirty Years' War .... , nephew of Ernest of Bavaria Ernest of Bavaria Ernest of Bavaria was Prince-elector-archbishop of the Archbishopric of Cologne from 1583 to 1612 as successor of the expelled Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg. He was also bishop of Münster, Hildesheim, Freising and Liège.... . Principle of Secundogeniture. |
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Maximilian Henry of Bavaria Maximilian Henry of Bavaria thumb|154 px|Maximilian Heinrich of BavariaMaximilian Henry of Bavaria was the third son and fourth child of Albert VI, landgrave of Leuchtenberg and his wife, Mechthilde von Leuchtenberg. In 1650, he was named Archbishop of Cologne, Bishop of Hildesheim and Bishop of Liège succeeding his uncle,... |
1650 | 1688 | First cousin of Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and an elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 1651 to 1679.-Biography:He was born in Munich... |
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Joseph Clemens of Bavaria Joseph Clemens of Bavaria Joseph Clemens of Bavaria was a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty of Bavaria and Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1688 to 1723.-Biography:... |
1688 | 1723 | Brother of Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria Maximilian II , also known as Max Emanuel or Maximilian Emanuel, was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and an elector of the Holy Roman Empire. He was also the last Governor of the Spanish Netherlands and duke of Luxembourg... . Put under Imperial ban for siding with France in the War of the Spanish Succession War of the Spanish Succession The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have... . |
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Clemens Augustus I of Bavaria | 1723 | 1761 | Brother of Charles, Elector of Bavaria Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII Albert a member of the Wittelsbach family, was Prince-elector of Bavaria from 1726 and Holy Roman Emperor from 24 January 1742 until his death in 1745... and Emperor. Last Wittelsbach Wittelsbach The Wittelsbach family is a European royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria.Members of the family served as Dukes, Electors and Kings of Bavaria , Counts Palatine of the Rhine , Margraves of Brandenburg , Counts of Holland, Hainaut and Zeeland , Elector-Archbishops of Cologne , Dukes of... to hold the office. |
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Maximilian Frederick of Königsegg-Rothenfels Maximilian Frederick of Königsegg-Rothenfels Maximilian Friedrich von Königsegg-Rothenfels was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne and the Bishop of Münster from 1761 to 1784. He was born in Cologne. He was the first Elector of Cologne to come from outside the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty since 1583.- References :... |
1761 | 1784 | |
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Maximilian Franz of Austria Archduke Maximilian Franz of Austria Archduke Maximilian Francis of Austria was an Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, the last child of the Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. His siblings included two Holy Roman Emperors , as well as Queen Marie Antoinette of France and Queen Maria Carolina of... |
1784 | 1801 | The electorate's left-bank territories were seized and annexed by France in 1795 |
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Anton Viktor of Austria Archduke Anton Victor of Austria Anton Victor, Viceroy of Lombardy-Venetia was an Archduke of Austria and a Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. He was also briefly the last Archbishop-Elector of Cologne and Prince-Bishop of Münster, before those territories were secularized in 1803.Anton Victor was the son of Leopold II, Holy... |
1801 | 1803 | The electorate's remaining territories were secularized and given to the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt The Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. It was formed in 1567 following the division of the Landgraviate of Hesse between the four sons of Philip I, the last Landgrave of Hesse.... in 1803. |
Modern Archbishops of Cologne, 1824 to date
- Ferdinand August von SpiegelFerdinand August von SpiegelCount Ferdinand August von Spiegel zum Desenberg und Canstein, was Archbishop of Cologne from 1824 until 1835.- Literature :...
1824–1835 - Clemens August II Droste zu FischeringClemens August von Droste-VischeringBaron Clemens August von Droste-Vischering, German Clemens August Freiherr von Droste-Vischering was an Archbishop of Cologne.-Biography:...
1835–1845 - Johannes von GeisselJohannes von GeisselJohannes von Geissel was a German Catholic Archbishop of Cologne and Cardinal.-Life:Gessel was born in Gimmeldingen in the Electoral Palatinate....
1845–1864 - Paul MelchersPaul MelchersPaul Melchers was a Cardinal and Archbishop of Cologne. At the height of the Kulturkampf he took refuge in the Netherlands.-Life:Melchers was born in Münster...
1866–1885 - Philipp KrementzPhilipp KrementzPhilipp Krementz was a German Catholic bishop, created Cardinal in 1893.He was bishop of Ermland from 1867, and headed the Fulda Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1884 to 1896. He became Archbishop of Cologne in 1885.-External links:*...
1885–1899 - Anton Hubert FischerAnton Hubert FischerAnton Hubert Fischer was a Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cologne and Cardinal.-Life:...
1902–1912 - Felix von Hartmann 1912–1919
- Karl Joseph SchulteKarl Joseph SchulteKarl Joseph Schulte , was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Cologne from 1920 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1921.-Biography:...
1920–1941 - Josef Frings 1942–1969
- Joseph Höffner 1969–1987
- Joachim Meisner 1988–present