Ruprecht of the Palatinate (Archbishop of Cologne)
Encyclopedia
Ruprecht of the Palatinate (27 February 1427 – 16 or 26 July 1480) 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 Heidelberg and Cologne
. He was a canon
in the Mainz Cathedral
and then became subdeacon of the cathedral chapter
at Cologne
and cathedral provost
at Würzburg
.
Ruprecht was elected Archbishop of Cologne on 30 March 1463, but not confirmed by the Pope until August 1464 and not consecrated until Palm Sunday
1468. He only received the episcopal regalia from the Holy Roman Emperor
in August 1471. Chosen for his family connections, he faced the challenge of guarding the Electorate of Cologne against diminution of its powers while solving its internal problems, in particular the shortage of income from being denied the toll
income from the most important Rhine trading towns, which had been mortgaged by his predecessor, Dietrich II von Moers, to raise money for war. He was required to agree to 23 articles presented by the cathedral chapter limiting his financial options which the chapter and the Estates
had agreed upon four days before his election, and to the chapter holding the important trading town of Zons
as a pledge of his good behaviour.
Ruprecht quarrelled with his advisors and became involved in external politics. In 1467, he entered into an alliance with Adolf, Duke of Guelders
against the Duke of Cleves, with the aim of regaining control over Soest
, Xanten
and Rees
. After finally receiving his regalia, by autumn 1471 he was repudiating the agreement he himself had had a hand in drafting as a chapter member and demanding higher taxes, and to obtain them, he occupied Zons.
Ruprecht persisted in trying to reduce the privileges of cities within the archbishopric. With military and financial assistance from his brother Frederick I, Elector Palatine
, he began the Cologne Ecclesiastical Conflict , which grew into the Burgundian Wars
. The majority of Ruprecht's vassal
s, including the citizens of Cologne, renounced their allegiance to him and asked both the Pope and Emperor Frederick III
to intervene. In open rebellion, they proclaimed Landgrave Hermann of Hesse
administrator and protector of the archbishopric. Only a few minor lords remained loyal to Ruprecht. Ruprecht appealed for help to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy
, who announced himself the protector of Cologne. The Emperor attempted in December 1473 to mediate the conflict, but failed. In 1474, Charles besieged Neuss
, a stronghold of the rebels in which Hermann had taken refuge; the Reichstag
decided at Augsburg
to go to war against Charles, and a general call to arms was issued in the German Empire. The Siege of Neuss
lasted almost a year and ended in Charles accepting the Pope's mediation, including concerning Ruprecht's position as archbishop.
Ruprecht had been excommunicated
by the Pope in 1472 for not paying required contributions from his see to Rome. His position continued to weaken; his brother did not support him against the Emperor and died on 12 December 1476, and he lost the support of all but Kempen
and Altenahr
and in March 1478 was taken captive by the Hessians
. Imprisoned in Burg Blankenstein near Gladenbach
and with the Duke of Jülich
-Berg
acting as mediator, he was forced to renounce his position as archbishop in exchange for an income of 4,000 gold guilder
s. He died before the Pope granted acceptance of his resignation, and was buried in the Bonn Minster
. His successor as Archbishop of Cologne was Hermann of Hesse, who had successfully defended Neuss against him and his allies and became Hermann IV; he gave Ruprecht an imposing tomb.
Ruprecht had some success in monastic reform, extending even to institutions outside his area of control, in Cleves and Jülich-Berg. He was passionate about hunting
and hawking
.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne
The Archdiocese of Cologne is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in western North Rhine-Westphalia and northern Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany.-History:...
and Prince Elector of Cologne from 1463 to 1480.
He was the third son of Louis III, Count Palatine of the Rhine
Louis III, Elector Palatine
Louis III, Count Palatine of the Rhine , was an Elector Palatine of the Rhine from the house of Wittelsbach in 1410–1436....
, 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 Heidelberg and 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...
. 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 ....
in the 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...
and then became subdeacon of 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...
at Cologne
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a World Heritage Site...
and cathedral provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
at Würzburg
Würzburg Cathedral
Würzburg Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany, dedicated to Saint Kilian. It is the seat of the Bishop of Würzburg...
.
Ruprecht was elected Archbishop of Cologne on 30 March 1463, but not confirmed by the Pope until August 1464 and not consecrated until Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
1468. He only received the episcopal regalia from the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
in August 1471. Chosen for his family connections, he faced the challenge of guarding the Electorate of Cologne against diminution of its powers while solving its internal problems, in particular the shortage of income from being denied the toll
Tariff
A tariff may be either tax on imports or exports , or a list or schedule of prices for such things as rail service, bus routes, and electrical usage ....
income from the most important Rhine trading towns, which had been mortgaged by his predecessor, Dietrich II von Moers, to raise money for war. He was required to agree to 23 articles presented by the cathedral chapter limiting his financial options which the chapter and the Estates
Estates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
had agreed upon four days before his election, and to the chapter holding the important trading town of Zons
Zons
Zons, or Feste Zons is an old city in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Germany. It is now a part of the city of Dormagen since 1975. In 2006 its population was 5,405 .- History :...
as a pledge of his good behaviour.
Ruprecht quarrelled with his advisors and became involved in external politics. In 1467, he entered into an alliance with Adolf, Duke of Guelders
Adolf, Duke of Guelders
Adolf of Egmond was a Duke of Guelders, Count of Zutphen from 1465–1471 and in 1477.He was the son of Arnold, Duke of Guelders and Catherine of Cleves....
against the Duke of Cleves, with the aim of regaining control over Soest
Soest, Germany
Soest is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Soest district. After Lippstadt, a neighbouring town, Soest is the second biggest town in its district.-Geography:...
, Xanten
Xanten
Xanten is a historic town in the North Rhine-Westphalia state of Germany, located in the district of Wesel.Xanten is known for the Archaeological Park or archaeological open air museum , its medieval picturesque city centre with Xanten Cathedral and many museums, its large man-made lake for...
and Rees
Rees, Germany
Rees is a town in the district of Cleves in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the right bank of the Rhine, approx. 20 km east of Cleves...
. After finally receiving his regalia, by autumn 1471 he was repudiating the agreement he himself had had a hand in drafting as a chapter member and demanding higher taxes, and to obtain them, he occupied Zons.
Ruprecht persisted in trying to reduce the privileges of cities within the archbishopric. With military and financial assistance from his brother Frederick I, Elector Palatine
Frederick I, Elector Palatine
Frederick I, the Victorious was a Count Palatine of the Rhine and Elector Palatine from the House of Wittelsbach in 1451 - 1476....
, he began the Cologne Ecclesiastical Conflict , which grew into the Burgundian Wars
Burgundian Wars
The Burgundian Wars were a conflict between the Dukes of Burgundy and the Kings of France, later involving the Old Swiss Confederacy, which would play a decisive role. Open war broke out in 1474, and in the following years the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, was defeated three times on the...
. The majority of Ruprecht's vassal
Vassal
A vassal or feudatory is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. The obligations often included military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain privileges, usually including the grant of land held...
s, including the citizens of Cologne, renounced their allegiance to him and asked both the Pope and Emperor Frederick III
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick the Peaceful KG was Duke of Austria as Frederick V from 1424, the successor of Albert II as German King as Frederick IV from 1440, and Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick III from 1452...
to intervene. In open rebellion, they proclaimed Landgrave Hermann 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:...
administrator and protector of the archbishopric. Only a few minor lords remained loyal to Ruprecht. Ruprecht appealed for help to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
, who announced himself the protector of Cologne. The Emperor attempted in December 1473 to mediate the conflict, but failed. In 1474, Charles besieged Neuss
Neuss
Neuss is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the west bank of the Rhine opposite Düsseldorf. Neuss is the largest city within the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district and owes its prosperity to its location at the crossing of historic and modern trade routes. It is primarily known...
, a stronghold of the rebels in which Hermann had taken refuge; the Reichstag
Reichstag (Holy Roman Empire)
The Imperial Diet was the Diet, or general assembly, of the Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire.During the period of the Empire, which lasted formally until 1806, the Diet was not a parliament in today's sense; instead, it was an assembly of the various estates of the realm...
decided at Augsburg
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
to go to war against Charles, and a general call to arms was issued in the German Empire. The Siege of Neuss
Siege of Neuss
The Siege of Neuss, from 1474–75, was part of the Burgundian Wars. The siege, led by Charles the Bold against the Holy Roman Empire city of Neuss, was unsuccessful...
lasted almost a year and ended in Charles accepting the Pope's mediation, including concerning Ruprecht's position as archbishop.
Ruprecht had been excommunicated
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
by the Pope in 1472 for not paying required contributions from his see to Rome. His position continued to weaken; his brother did not support him against the Emperor and died on 12 December 1476, and he lost the support of all but Kempen
Kempen, Germany
Kempen is a town in the district of Viersen, named after Aaron Kempen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approx. 30 km northwest of Düsseldorf, and 20 km east of Venlo. It was once a centre of textile manufacturing, i.e. silk, cotton, linen, etc.-Notable persons:Kempen is...
and Altenahr
Altenahr
Altenahr is a municipality in the district of Ahrweiler, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the river Ahr, in the Eifel mountains, approx. 10 km west of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler....
and in March 1478 was taken captive by the Hessians
Landgraviate of Hesse
The Landgraviate of Hesse was a Landgraviate of the Holy Roman Empire. It existed as a unity from 1264 to 1567, when it was divided between the sons of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse.-History:...
. Imprisoned in Burg Blankenstein near Gladenbach
Gladenbach
-Location:The town of Gladenbach lies on the eastern edge of the Westerwald in the Hessian Highland . This part of the Lahn-Dill Highland is often also called the Gladenbach Uplands...
and with the Duke of Jülich
Duchy of Jülich
The Duchy of Jülich comprised a state within the Holy Roman Empire from the 11th to the 18th centuries. The duchy lay left of the Rhine river between the Electorate of Cologne in the east and the Duchy of Limburg in the west. It had territories on both sides of the river Rur, around its capital...
-Berg
Berg (state)
Berg was a state – originally a county, later a duchy – in the Rhineland of Germany. Its capital was Düsseldorf. It existed from the early 12th to the 19th centuries.-Ascent:...
acting as mediator, he was forced to renounce his position as archbishop in exchange for an income of 4,000 gold guilder
Rhenish guilder
Rhenish guilder is the name of the golden, base currency coin of the Rhineland in the 14th and 15th centuries.- Formation :...
s. He died before the Pope granted acceptance of his resignation, and was buried in the Bonn Minster
Bonn Minster
The Bonn Minster is one of Germany's oldest churches, having been built between the 11th and 13th centuries. At one point the church served as the cathedral for the Archbishopric of Cologne...
. His successor as Archbishop of Cologne was Hermann of Hesse, who had successfully defended Neuss against him and his allies and became Hermann IV; he gave Ruprecht an imposing tomb.
Ruprecht had some success in monastic reform, extending even to institutions outside his area of control, in Cleves and Jülich-Berg. He was passionate about hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and hawking
Falconry
Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
.
Sources
- Ellen Widder. "Karriere im Windschatten. Zur Biographie Erzbischof Ruprechts von Köln (1427–1478)". Vestigia Monasteriensia. Westfalen - Rheinland - Niederlande. Festschrift W. Janssen. Ed. Ellen Widder, Mark Mersiowsky and Peter Johanek. Studien zur Regionalgeschichte 5. Bielefeld: Verlag für Regionalgeschichte, 1995. ISBN 9783895341106. pp. 29–72.