Conrad of Vechta

Konrad of Vechta ( Czech Konrád Vechty z ) (* around 1370 probably in Bremen, † December 24, 1431 in Roudnice ) was Bishop and Elect of Verden, Bishop of Olomouc, administrator and archbishop of Prague and mint master and sub- treasurer of Bohemia.

Background and Career

Konrad of Vechta probably came from the same Bremer councilman family. He was early to the followers of the Czech King Wenceslas IV, on whose recommendation he received numerous benefices. However, in 1395 the king tried in vain to give Konrad the Bishop of Regensburg chair.

Bishop of Verden

At the instigation of King Wenceslas IV summoned Pope Boniface IX. Konrad of Vechta in 1400 as Bishop of Verden. During his short tenure Konrad tried to move the bishopric of Verden to Lüneburg. After King Wenceslas was deposed in kingdom half a year later, Konrad von Vechta lost his patrons. On September 25, 1402, Pope confirmed the previously deposited Conrad of Soltau again to the bishop of Verden. Nevertheless, Konrad von Vechta led to 1407 the title of Elect of Verden.

Royal offices

After Konrad lost his episcopate Verden in 1402, he was, because he was considered a financial expert, royal mint master in Bohemia. 1405-1412 he held the post of sub- chamberlain and was 1405-1406 and 1411-1413 Member of the Royal Council and thus de facto co-regent. Since 1404 he was also Provost of Melnik and at the same time canon of Prague.

Bishop of Olomouc

In June 1408 Konrad von Vechta was proposed by King Wenceslas IV Bishop of Olomouc. Already in the same year he gave in Kremsier fief from the Olomouc diocese. Although his priestly or episcopal ordination is not known, he wore since February 20, 1409 the title of bishop. Since he still exercised the office of sub- chamberlain, he stayed in Olomouc rarely on, but remained to 1413 dortiger bishop.

Archbishop of Prague

Following the resignation of the Prague Archbishop Sigismund Albik of Uničov 1412 Konrad von Vechta IV on request Wenceslas appointed administrator of the diocese of Prague. At the same time he renounced the office of sub- chamberlain. On February 20, 1413 he was the anti-pope John XXIII. appointed Archbishop of Prague. The provost Melnik and Prague canonry he ceded to his brother Constantine, who was a canon of Bremen.

Although it is assumed that Konrad von Vechta only 1416 received ordination, he held the office of Bishop of Prague, energetic and active. As Vicar General and prosecuted ex officio, he confirmed Wenzel von KURIM. Conrad held several diocesan synods. He also attempted to reform the administration and by the sale of goods to improve the difficult economic situation of the diocese.

During his tenure, the beginning of the Hussite movement in which Konrad initially strove for a balance fell. Although he did not participate in the Council of Constance, he nevertheless published 1417 antihussitischen decrees and paid attention to their observance and implementation. As Chancellor of the University of Prague, he forbade the Magister exams at the Faculty of Arts, where the followers of Jan Hus formed the majority. He also forbade the chalice and limited the ordinations a, so as to limit the number of Utraquist priest.

On July 28, 1419 Conrad of Vechta Sigismund of Luxembourg was crowned as King of Bohemia. After his military defeat, Konrad turned to the Utraquists. On April 21, 1421 he read publicly the Four Articles of Prague, which later became the Council of Basel confirmed as so-called compacts. However, the Prague cathedral chapter and Conrad officials remained on the Catholic side.

In July 1421 Konrad took part in the first parliament of Čáslav, where he represented the doctrines of the Hussites. In the same year he organized a general synod, but on the part took only the Utraquist party and which later developed the Utraquist consistory. 1424 he convened a synod priest and tried the next year to introduce the Catholic liturgical traditions in the Utraquists again. After this he did not succeed, he retired to the Episcopal castle Roudnice. In 1425 he was removed by the Curia of office and confirmed by Pope Martin V. with the highest spell. His last known action was the 1430 re-authorization of MA exams at the University of Prague. He died on 25 December 1431, the castle Roudnice. His burial place is not known.