Hugo von Hohenlandenberg
Encyclopedia
Hugo von Hohenlandenberg (c. 1457 in Schloss Hegi bei Winterthur
[ Zurich
] – 7 January 1532 in Meersburg
, Germany
) was Bishop of Konstanz from 1496 to 1529, and again in 1530 and 1531 until his death in 1532.
His first known Church position came in 1484 when he was appointed provost of Saint Mary's at Erfurt
. He was later a canon
at Basel
, Constanz, and Chur
from 1486 until 1492, when he was promoted to deacon
. The cities are on the border of modern Germany and Switzerland.
In October 1496, he was elected by the Cathedral Chapter of Konstanz
as the new Bishop of the diocese. He was installed as Bishop in Konstanz on 18 December 1496.
He facilitated reforms in his diocese, and did not interfere with the spread of Reformation
ideas. Hugo was in agreement with the reformer Zwingli on a number of topics, particularly on indulgences, until the publication of two of the latter's works, Apologetic vs Archeteles Adpellat vs (Zürich, 1522), and a petition arguing against the need for priestly celibacy
, when his opinions shifted dramatically. His response came swiftly in a short work defending the Church's position on celibacy, entitled "Ernstliche Ermanung des Fridensund Christenlicher Einigkeit des durchlüchtigen Fürsten unnd genädigenHerren Hugonis vo[n] Landenberg Bischoff tzu Costantz mitt Schönerusslegung unnd erklärung, vast trostlich unnd nutzlich zu lässen,nüwlich ussgangen" ((Augsburg), 1522/23).
The irony of this story is that, according to the canon of Constanz, Johann von Botzheim, Hugo was romantically involved with a mayor's daughter. To cover this information and discredit its source, the bishop initiated an investigation of Botzheim for heresy for his reformist beliefs. Despite his best efforts, Hugo lost his battle against the rising tide of the Reformation as the Constanz reform movement steadily grew, and in 1526, Hugo and his chapter moved from the city to his castle at Meersburg
, leaving the city to the followers of Martin Luther
and Zwingli.
He resigned his see
on 5 January 1529, but resumed his duties near the end of his life due to the untimely death of his successor to the see, Balthasar Merklin.
Hugo von Hohenlandenberg can be grouped with contemporary Bishops of the Catholic Church such as Guillaume Briçonnet
and Christoph von Utenheim
who attempted, unsuccessfully, to reform the Church along evangelical lines without compromising ecclesiastical unity.
We owe the following significant works of art to Hugo von Hohenlandenberg:
Construction of the central tower of the Cathedral of Constance began in 1497 under Bishop von Hohenlandenberg; however, after a fire in 1511, the construction remained unfinished. In 1515, he contracted for a new organ
and an artfully carved organ loft.
Beginning in 1508, the bishop had Burg Meersburg
enlarged and converted into an episcopal residence. He also had Schloss Arbon, in Arbon
, considerably enlarged.
Winterthur
Winterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
Meersburg
Meersburg is a town of Baden-Württemberg in the southwest of Germany at Lake Constance.It is famous for its charming medieval city. The lower town and upper town are reserved for pedestrians only and connected by two stairways and a steep street .-History:The name of the town means "Burg on the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) was Bishop of Konstanz from 1496 to 1529, and again in 1530 and 1531 until his death in 1532.
Biography
Hugo von Landenberg was born around the year 1457 in Oberwinterthur, near Zurich. He was born into a wealthy aristocratic family, which owned estates near Zurich. Like many younger sons from aristocratic families, Hugo entered the Church early in life.His first known Church position came in 1484 when he was appointed provost of Saint Mary's at 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 was later 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 ....
at Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, Constanz, and Chur
Chur
Chur or Coire is the capital of the Swiss canton of Graubünden and lies in the northern part of the canton.-History:The name "chur" derives perhaps from the Celtic kora or koria, meaning "tribe", or from the Latin curia....
from 1486 until 1492, when he was promoted to deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
. The cities are on the border of modern Germany and Switzerland.
In October 1496, he was elected by the Cathedral Chapter of Konstanz
Konstanz
Konstanz is a university city with approximately 80,000 inhabitants located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south-west corner of Germany, bordering Switzerland. The city houses the University of Konstanz.-Location:...
as the new Bishop of the diocese. He was installed as Bishop in Konstanz on 18 December 1496.
He facilitated reforms in his diocese, and did not interfere with the spread of Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
ideas. Hugo was in agreement with the reformer Zwingli on a number of topics, particularly on indulgences, until the publication of two of the latter's works, Apologetic vs Archeteles Adpellat vs (Zürich, 1522), and a petition arguing against the need for priestly celibacy
Clerical celibacy
Clerical celibacy is the discipline by which some or all members of the clergy in certain religions are required to be unmarried. Since these religions consider deliberate sexual thoughts, feelings, and behavior outside of marriage to be sinful, clerical celibacy also requires abstension from these...
, when his opinions shifted dramatically. His response came swiftly in a short work defending the Church's position on celibacy, entitled "Ernstliche Ermanung des Fridensund Christenlicher Einigkeit des durchlüchtigen Fürsten unnd genädigenHerren Hugonis vo[n] Landenberg Bischoff tzu Costantz mitt Schönerusslegung unnd erklärung, vast trostlich unnd nutzlich zu lässen,nüwlich ussgangen" ((Augsburg), 1522/23).
The irony of this story is that, according to the canon of Constanz, Johann von Botzheim, Hugo was romantically involved with a mayor's daughter. To cover this information and discredit its source, the bishop initiated an investigation of Botzheim for heresy for his reformist beliefs. Despite his best efforts, Hugo lost his battle against the rising tide of the Reformation as the Constanz reform movement steadily grew, and in 1526, Hugo and his chapter moved from the city to his castle at Meersburg
Meersburg
Meersburg is a town of Baden-Württemberg in the southwest of Germany at Lake Constance.It is famous for its charming medieval city. The lower town and upper town are reserved for pedestrians only and connected by two stairways and a steep street .-History:The name of the town means "Burg on the...
, leaving the city to the followers of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
and Zwingli.
He resigned his see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
on 5 January 1529, but resumed his duties near the end of his life due to the untimely death of his successor to the see, Balthasar Merklin.
Hugo von Hohenlandenberg can be grouped with contemporary Bishops of the Catholic Church such as Guillaume Briçonnet
Guillaume Briçonnet
Guillaume Briçonnet may refer to* Guillaume Briçonnet * Guillaume Briçonnet his son...
and Christoph von Utenheim
Christoph von Utenheim
Christoph von Utenheim was Bishop of Basel from 1502 until his resignation from that office in 1527.Christoph von Utenheim was born about the year 1450. He studied theology and canon law at Basel and Erfurt. In either 1473 or 1474 he became the rector of Basel University. He earned his doctorate...
who attempted, unsuccessfully, to reform the Church along evangelical lines without compromising ecclesiastical unity.
Art patronage
Note: This is directly translated from the German Wikipedia article, without verification of translationWe owe the following significant works of art to Hugo von Hohenlandenberg:
- The so-called Hohenlandenberg Altar, circa 1500. Today, this triptychTriptychA triptych , from tri-= "three" + ptysso= "to fold") is a work of art which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all multi-panel works...
is in the Staatliche Kunsthalle KarlsruheStaatliche Kunsthalle KarlsruheThe Staatliche Kunsthalle is an art museum in Karlsruhe, Germany.The museum, created by architect Heinrich Hübsch, opened in 1846 after nine years of work in a neoclassical building next to the Karlsruhe Castle and the Karlsruhe Botanical Garden...
. Ont its left panel, it depicts St ConradConrad of Constance-Life:Conrad was a member of the powerful Welf family, son of Count Heinrich of Altdorf. After an education at the cathedral school in Constance, he became provost of Constance Cathedral and in 934 was made Bishop of Constance....
with the kneeling figure of the bishop as donor, though without resemblance to his appearance. On the right panel, it depicts St PelagiusPelagius of ConstanceSaint Pelagius of Constance was, according to unverifiable legends, a child martyr put to death in Pannonia during the persecution of Roman Emperor Numerian...
, and in the center, a crucifixionCrucifixionCrucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
before a backdrop of an idealized city. The artist of the late medieval oil on wood paintings is to be regarded as Michel Haider.
- The so-called Bockstorf Altar, 1524, Chapel of St ConradConrad of Constance-Life:Conrad was a member of the powerful Welf family, son of Count Heinrich of Altdorf. After an education at the cathedral school in Constance, he became provost of Constance Cathedral and in 934 was made Bishop of Constance....
, Cathedral of Constance. The artist was long thought to have been Christoph Bockstorfer. Today, Matthaeus Gutrecht the Younger with some work by Philipp Memberger is considered more likely. The altar was the only survival of the iconoclasmIconoclasmIconoclasm is the deliberate destruction of religious icons and other symbols or monuments, usually with religious or political motives. It is a frequent component of major political or religious changes...
of the ReformationReformation- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
, because it stood in the Bishop's Palace and not in the cathedral. The triptychTriptychA triptych , from tri-= "three" + ptysso= "to fold") is a work of art which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all multi-panel works...
shows the diocesan saints Conrad and PelagiusPelagius of ConstanceSaint Pelagius of Constance was, according to unverifiable legends, a child martyr put to death in Pannonia during the persecution of Roman Emperor Numerian...
on the right and left panels, respectively, and on the center panel, a richly populated crucifixionCrucifixionCrucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
scene.
- Hugo is also recorded as donor on a predellaPredellaA predella is the platform or step on which an altar stands . In painting, the predella is the painting or sculpture along the frame at the bottom of an altarpiece...
with a scene of the burial of Christ (circa 1515). This predella was located in the Fürstenberg collections at DonaueschingenDonaueschingenDonaueschingen is a German town in the Black Forest in the southwest of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in the Schwarzwald-Baar Kreis. It stands near the confluence of the two sources of the river Danube ....
and was sold to Reinhold WürthReinhold WürthReinhold Würth is a German businessman. He took over his father's tiny wholesale screw business at 19 and built it into the Adolf Würth Group, which posted record $8.2 billion in sales in 2004.- Honors and awards :...
in 2003, with the majority of the older German pictures.
- Latin missalRoman MissalThe Roman Missal is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.-Situation before the Council of Trent:...
illustrated with miniatureMiniature (illuminated manuscript)The word miniature, derived from the Latin minium, red lead, is a picture in an ancient or medieval illuminated manuscript; the simple decoration of the early codices having been miniated or delineated with that pigment...
s, originally in 4 volumes. This is one of the most valuable works of the Renaissance and one of the most outstanding pieces of South German illustration; it was illustrated by two artists: Hans Springinklee the Elder (of Nuremberg) (volumes 1 and 3) and Ulrich Taler (of Augsburg) (volumes 2 and 4). It survived the Reformation largely undamaged, in the bishop's private possession. Volumes 2–4 are in the archiepiscopal archive in Freiburg im Breisgau (Cod. Da 42, 2–4); the first volume was sold as single sheets in 1832.
Construction of the central tower of the Cathedral of Constance began in 1497 under Bishop von Hohenlandenberg; however, after a fire in 1511, the construction remained unfinished. In 1515, he contracted for a new organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and an artfully carved organ loft.
Beginning in 1508, the bishop had Burg Meersburg
Burg Meersburg
Burg Meersburg, also known as the Alte Burg , in Meersburg on Lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg, Germany is the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. The central tower was first built during the 7th century, though the original structure is no longer visible...
enlarged and converted into an episcopal residence. He also had Schloss Arbon, in Arbon
Arbon
Arbon may refer to:* Arbon, Haute-Garonne, French commune* Arbon, Switzerland* Arbon , in Switzerland* Arbon Valley, Idaho...
, considerably enlarged.
External links
- Kreuzigungsbild from the missale (German language)