Balthasar, Duke of Mecklenburg

Balthasar of Mecklenburg (* 1451, † March 16, 1507 in Wismar ) was Duke of Mecklenburg, coadjutor and administrator of the pin Hildesheim ( 1471-1474 ) and pin Schwerin 1474-1479.

Life

Balthasar was the youngest son of Henry IV, the thicknesses and Dorothea, daughter of the Margrave of Brandenburg Friedrich I. He suggested after reaching age of majority, a clerical career in. Already in 1470 the cathedral chapter had he postulated with the consent of Bishop Werner to his coadjutor. Balthasar was studying at the University of Rostock, whose rector he had already become an honorary 1467 and a second time should be 1470. The view as the administrator of the pin Hildesheim with a bishopric in 1470 suggested even by force of arms by Duke Henry, as well as a barter against the meantime become vacant bishopric of Schwerin, fail.

Apparently, the succession was through the postulation Coadjutor Bishop Werner's not automatically secured by Herzig Balthasar. It had to be put to a new application. Under the March 10, 1474 found themselves in a reverse of the postulates of the cathedral chapter and the clergy of the diocese towards Schwerin because of an embassy to Rome and the aid it. A further application of 12 April was successful in Rome, because already on 18 April was referring to the death of Bishop Werner confirmation only as Pastor et Administrator. Balthasar was bishop with his 22 years at this time either in Hildesheim still in Schwerin.

Duke Balthasar detectable never the title of bishop out, but can be enough to the legally correct titles were: Dei gracia dux Magnopolensis, princeps Slavie inferioris, comes Zwerinensis, Star Gardie et Rotztockcensis terrarum dominus, necnon eadem et apostolice sedis gracia ecclesie Zwerinensis in spiritualibus et temporalibus pastor et administrator.

Spectacular events for the term of Balthazar are not to report from the diocese of Schwerin. The surviving deeds or other serious indications at Balthazar's activity can be seen that he had taken it seriously with his job. On July 4, 1475 the privileges of the monastery of Doberan were confirmed and the spiritual jurisdiction in Archidiakonat Kropelin. Ten days later he confirmed in Biitzow the custom that the new entrants Präbendare like to entertain in Parchim the other clerics within two months after temporarily this custom had come through a donation of books and jewels except used. In August, he gave a discharge for the cemetery to Alt -Wismar to be built chapel. On October 4, Baltasar confirmed the visitation of the house of the Brothers of the Common Life at Rostock. On October 25, he tried to limit the voting age to 20 years and the occupation of law within the chapter act to Schwerin and also arrange the Präbendenwesen there again. Under the March 31, 1476, the Brethren of the Common Life in Rostock renewed confirmation enjoyed by the interim local Ordinary and received a rule. The monastery Rühn received a donated Vikarie and on April 25, 1477 confirmed Balthasar at the request of the Dean and Chapter to Biitzow the order of service, facilities and privileges.

After the death of his father deeply indebted Henry IV on March 9, 1477 Duke Magnus II strove to procure for his brother Balthasar better care, as granted to him the administration of the pen Schwerin. He negotiated with Bishop Gebard of Halberstadt and the cathedral chapter for a possible candidacy Balthazar for this bishopric, but you did not come here to the desired destination.

After finding of guilt upon the sale of the pin Balthasar was born on February 16, 1479 with the cathedral chapter to Schwerin agreed to give his ecclesiastical offices, and returned to the lay state, the secular state. As Balthasar had never received higher orders, it needed to take this step only a unilateral declaration of intent.

On January 13, 1480 mediation of the mother was a partition treaty between him and his elder brothers. His brother Albert VI. received large parts of the former princely Werle, while Balthasar with his brother Magnus II co-managed the rest of the duchy. After Magnus 's death, he managed the country together with his sons, without taking a big part.

On November 7, 1487 Balthasar became engaged to Margaret, the sister of his sister Sophie, the wife of Duke Magnus, a daughter of the Duke Eric II of Pomerania. The wedding was to take place on 24 August 1485 but was probably not take place until autumn 1487. The marriage remained childless. Duchess Margaret survived her husband by almost 20 years. She died on March 27, 1526 and was buried in the church of the Dominican monastery at Wismar.

In 1479 he was defeated at the Holy grave in Jerusalem a Knight of the Holy grave.

Balthasar died on March 16, 1507 (or less likely on March 17 ) in Wismar, where he spent the last years of his life and was buried in the Doberan Minster. As a still image it is in a pillar of Pribislav Chapel in the Abbey Church of Doberan. Also on the main altar carved altarpiece in the cathedral of Güstrow Balthasar is kneeling next to the ducal coat of arms.

Seal

The cars of Duke Balthasar as an administrator seal was round. In midfield, the coat of arms is with sign holders. The inscription reads: S. BALTASARI. Ducis. MAGNOPOLLEN. ADMINISTRATOR Q. ECCLIE zwer

In the following secular time Balthasar used first with the seal of his brother and gave as the reason for the lack of a separate seal. For the later period Duke Balthasar classified as postulated administrator of the pin Schwerin the fields of his engraved blazon as follows: Mecklenburg, Schwerin pen, County Schwerin, Rostock. As sign holders are right a crowned bull with the seeing forward head, left grip.