Lothar von Metternich
Encyclopedia
Lothar Johann Reinhard von Metternich (1551–1623) was the Archbishop-Elector of Trier from 1599 to 1623.
was born in Schloss Vettelhoven in Grafschaft
on August 31, 1551, the son of Johann von Metternich (1500-1562), Lord of Vettelhoven and bailiff
of Saffenberg, and his fourth wife, Katharina von der Leyen zu Adendorf (1528-1567). He attended the University of Cologne
from 1567 to 1577; the University of Perugia
from 1577 to 1579; and the University of Padua
from 1579 to 1581. In addition to his native German
, he was fluent in Flemish
, French
, Italian
, and Latin
.
He became a Domizellar at the Cathedral of Trier
in 1570; a canon
of the cathedral in 1575; and Domscholaster in 1590. He was ordained
as a priest
on June 13, 1599.
Following the death of Archbishop of Trier Johann von Schönenberg
, the cathedral chapter
of the Cathedral of Trier elected Metternich as coadjutor archbishop on August 7, 1599. Pope Clement VIII
confirmed his appointment on October 11, 1599. Bishop emeritus of Osor
Coriolani Garzadori consecrated Metternich as a bishop
on July 30, 1600 in the church dedicated to Florinus of Remüs
in Koblenz
.
Metternich's chief goal as archbishop was to improve the finances of the Archbishopric of Trier
. He introduced a number of new taxes. In 1609, he joined the Catholic League
, which resulted in further expenses for the Archbishopric. He participated in the imperial election
of Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
in 1612 and of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
in 1619.
After a long illness, Metternich died on September 17, 1623 in Koblenz
. He is buried in the Cathedral of Trier.
Biography
Lothar von MetternichHouse of Metternich
The House of Metternich is a German noble house originating in Rhineland. The most prominent member of the House of Metternich was Klemens von Metternich, who was the dominant figure at the Congress of Vienna .-Background:...
was born in Schloss Vettelhoven in Grafschaft
Grafschaft, Rhineland
Grafschaft is a municipality in the district of Ahrweiler, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated approx. 20 km south of Bonn.The following 17 villages belong to Grafschaft:*Alteheck*Beller*Bengen*Birresdorf*Bölingen*Eckendorf*Esch*Gelsdorf...
on August 31, 1551, the son of Johann von Metternich (1500-1562), Lord of Vettelhoven and bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
of Saffenberg, and his fourth wife, Katharina von der Leyen zu Adendorf (1528-1567). He attended the University of Cologne
University of Cologne
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and, with over 44,000 students, one of the largest universities in Germany. The university is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, an association of Germany's leading research universities...
from 1567 to 1577; the University of Perugia
University of Perugia
University of Perugia is a public-owned university based in Perugia, Italy. It was founded in 1308, as attested by the Bull issued by Pope Clement V certifying the birth of the Studium Generale....
from 1577 to 1579; and the University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
from 1579 to 1581. In addition to his native German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, he was fluent in Flemish
Flemish
Flemish can refer to anything related to Flanders, and may refer directly to the following articles:*Flemish, an informal, though linguistically incorrect, name of any kind of the Dutch language as spoken in Belgium....
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
.
He became a Domizellar at the Cathedral of Trier
Cathedral of Trier
The Cathedral of Saint Peter is a church in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is the oldest cathedral in the country. The edifice is notable for its extremely long life span under multiple different eras each contributing some elements to its design, including the center of the main chapel...
in 1570; 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 the cathedral in 1575; and Domscholaster in 1590. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
as a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on June 13, 1599.
Following the death of Archbishop of Trier Johann von Schönenberg
Johann von Schönenberg
Johann von Schönenberg was the Archbishop-Elector of Trier from 1581 to 1599.-Biography:Johann von Schönenberg was born in Burg Hartelstein in Schwirzheim in 1525. His father was also named Johann von Schönenberg....
, 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 the Cathedral of Trier elected Metternich as coadjutor archbishop on August 7, 1599. 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 appointment on October 11, 1599. Bishop emeritus of Osor
Osor
Osor is a village and a small port on the Cres island in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in western Croatia.Osor lies at a narrow channel that separates islands Cres and Lošinj. The channel was built in Roman times to make sailing possible. Now the islands are connected with a rotating bridge.The...
Coriolani Garzadori consecrated Metternich as a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
on July 30, 1600 in the church dedicated to Florinus of Remüs
Florinus of Remüs
Florinus of Remüs , also known as Florin, Florian of Chur, Florinus of Matsch, and Florinus of Vinschgau, is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, particularly in the dioceses of Chur, Bolzano-Brixen, Vaduz, and in the Rhineland....
in Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
.
Metternich's chief goal as archbishop was to improve the finances of the Archbishopric of Trier
Archbishopric of Trier
The Archbishopric of Trier was a Roman Catholic diocese in Germany, that existed from Carolingian times until the end of the Holy Roman Empire. Its suffragans were the dioceses of Metz, Toul and Verdun. Since the 9th century the Archbishops of Trier were simultaneously princes and since the 11th...
. He introduced a number of new taxes. In 1609, he joined the Catholic League
Catholic League (German)
The German Catholic League was initially a loose confederation of Roman Catholic German states formed on July 10, 1609 to counteract the Protestant Union , whereby the participating states concluded an alliance "for the defence of the Catholic religion and peace within the Empire." Modeled...
, which resulted in further expenses for the Archbishopric. He participated 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 Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Matthias of Austria was Holy Roman Emperor from 1612, King of Hungary and Croatia from 1608 and King of Bohemia from 1611...
in 1612 and of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
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 :...
in 1619.
After a long illness, Metternich died on September 17, 1623 in Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
. He is buried in the Cathedral of Trier.