Johann Theodor of Bavaria
Encyclopedia
John Theodore of Bavaria (3 September 1703 – 27 January 1763), a son of Elector Maximilian II Emanuel
of Bavaria and Teresa Kunegunda Sobieska
, and a grandson of King John III Sobieski
of Poland
. In 1743, John Theodore was a cardinal, prince-bishop of Liège from 1744 until 1763, and also prince-bishop of Freising
and Regensburg.
in Bavaria and the University of Siena
. He was elected bishop of Regensburg on 29 July 1721, at age 17. A little more than four months later, he was elected bishop of Freising, on 5 November 1723.
Even though Theodore was already a bishop, he wasn't ordained as a priest until 9 April 1730.
on 9 September 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV
.
He did not participate in the conclave of 1758 following the death of Benedict. He was the last representative of the Wittelsbach family to occupy the bishopric of Liège. In March 1761, shortly after the death of his elder brother Clemens August
, Pope Clement XIII
rejected his succession as Archbishop and Prince-Elector of Cologne because the pope entertained some doubt as to Theodore's moral conduct.
Theodore was known as a great hunter, patron of music (he played the violincello) and theatre, and held a splendid court at Liège. He was said to have had affairs with several women despite his clerical status and was liked by the inhabitants of the bishopric. Asthmatic and tubercular, he gave into the advice of his doctor, an physician named Steppler (a German from Munich), who pretended that his sickness originated from coal vapours. He thus went for regular stays in Germany, though this did not improve his health.
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...
of Bavaria and Teresa Kunegunda Sobieska
Teresa Kunegunda Sobieska
Theresa Kunegunda was an Electress of Bavaria and the Palatinate. She also served as Regent of the Palatinate in 1704–05.-Biography:...
, and a grandson of King John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and...
of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. In 1743, John Theodore was a cardinal, prince-bishop of Liège from 1744 until 1763, and also prince-bishop of Freising
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Munich and Freising
The Archdiocese of Munich and Freising is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Bavaria, Germany. It is led by the prelature of the Archbishop of Munich, who administers the see from the mother church in Munich, the Frauenkirche, also known as Munich Cathedral...
and Regensburg.
Early life
Theodore was educated at the University of IngolstadtUniversity of Ingolstadt
The University of Ingolstadt was founded in 1472 by Louis the Rich, the Duke of Bavaria at the time, and its first Chancellor was the Bishop of Eichstätt. It consisted of five faculties: humanities, sciences, theology, law and medicine, all of which were contained in the Hoheschule...
in Bavaria and the University of Siena
University of Siena
The University of Siena in Siena, Tuscany is one of the oldest and first publicly funded universities in Italy. Originally called Studium Senese, the University of Siena was founded in 1240. The University has around 20,000 students, nearly half of Siena's total population of around 54,000...
. He was elected bishop of Regensburg on 29 July 1721, at age 17. A little more than four months later, he was elected bishop of Freising, on 5 November 1723.
Even though Theodore was already a bishop, he wasn't ordained as a priest until 9 April 1730.
Cardinalate
Theodore was created a cardinalCardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
on 9 September 1743 by Pope Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:...
.
He did not participate in the conclave of 1758 following the death of Benedict. He was the last representative of the Wittelsbach family to occupy the bishopric of Liège. In March 1761, shortly after the death of his elder brother Clemens August
Clemens August of Bavaria
Clemens August of Bavaria was a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty of Bavaria and Archbishop-Elector of Cologne.-Biography:...
, Pope Clement XIII
Pope Clement XIII
Pope Clement XIII , born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, was Pope from 16 July 1758 to 2 February 1769....
rejected his succession as Archbishop and Prince-Elector of Cologne because the pope entertained some doubt as to Theodore's moral conduct.
Theodore was known as a great hunter, patron of music (he played the violincello) and theatre, and held a splendid court at Liège. He was said to have had affairs with several women despite his clerical status and was liked by the inhabitants of the bishopric. Asthmatic and tubercular, he gave into the advice of his doctor, an physician named Steppler (a German from Munich), who pretended that his sickness originated from coal vapours. He thus went for regular stays in Germany, though this did not improve his health.
Death
Theodore died on 27 January 1763, in Liège, Belgium. He was buried in Saint-Lambert Cathedral in Liège while his heart was buried in Grace Chapel, Altötting.Sources
- A. De Bryun, Anciennes houillères de la région liégeoises, Dricot, Liège, 1988. (ISBN 2-87095-056-X)