Henry III of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Henry III. of Brunswick- Lüneburg (c. 1296; † February 6, 1363 in Hildesheim ) was since 1331 Bishop of Hildesheim.

Family

Heinrich came from the house of Welf dukes of Brunswick- Lüneburg. His father was Duke Albrecht II. Rixa The mother's name was and was the daughter of Prince Heinrich von Werle turn. His brothers were Duke Otto of Brunswick- Lüneburg, Bishop Albrecht of Halberstadt, Duke Magnus of Brunswick and Duke Ernest of Brunswick- Lüneburg.

Struggle for power

Henry was elected by a majority of the cathedral chapter in 1331 as bishop. However, the confirmation came across considerable difficulties. The election had confirmed the administrator of the Archdiocese of Mainz Baldwin of Luxembourg. The Pope, however, had Henry of Virneburg appointed Archbishop, so that Henry archbishop's confirmation was doubtful. Added to this was that his predecessor Otto II had laid Hildesheim before his death the diocese in the hands of the Pope, which made the choice of the chapter without papal consent in vain. In fact, Pope John XXII. Count Erich von Holstein - Schaumburg determined as Bishop of Hildesheim.

Henry has not accepted this and it was occupied by the papal excommunication and interdict. Since the cathedral chapter, the Dukes of Brunswick and the nobility stood behind him, he dominated large parts of the Bishopric of Hildesheim. The influence of his competitors was essentially limited to the city of Hildesheim and the monasteries.

Fought between the two was the dam town, a settlement of Flemish immigrants just outside the city of Hildesheim. This made ​​the city a significant economic competition and stood behind Henry. Erich attacked on Christmas night 1332 the dam city and destroyed it. As a result, he had to sign an atonement contract, which also included a cease-fire. Erich did not stick and was defeated in the subsequent battles by Heinrich. In 1346 Erich was forced to a peace treaty, in which he relinquished Hildesheim and the dam town to Henry.

Followers, followers and allies

The lengthy dispute over the bishopric of Hildesheim and more, partly toothed with it conflicts Bishop Henry gave the impetus to the already geflochtete of his predecessors to consolidate political power relationship to the regional nobility and expand. Time of his pontificate, the bishop could therefore be based on a circle of aristocratic rulers that came at different times as his allies or servants in appearance. The committed by service contract actors Dynastenadels included the Count Conrad III. and Conrad IV of Wernigerode, John IV, Burchard VIII and Gerhard von Wohldenberg and Ludolf von Wahld stone. A mostly friendly relationship also existed at the Count of Blankenburg Regenstein. From the layer of low nobility there are above all the men of Schwicheldt and Gadenstedt that are available by special services, offices respectively fief instructions as an important aid in the complex web of Henry.

More work

After the death of Eric the papal ban was lifted in 1352. Clement VI. confirmed subsequently all official acts of Henry. However, the pope reserved the appointment of a successor. In 1355 Henry received the regalia and fiefs. In 1362 the royal investiture followed. Intervention of the Emperor in matters of the congregation Hildesheim, however, were hardly available. When Emperor Charles IV to the bishop wanted to prohibit the expedition against Nordhausen, Henry had not kept it.

Inside, it has triggered a number of pledged castles and palaces. However, he had 1333 times must pledge the coin to the city of Hildesheim. He has also built or acquired new castles to secure the borders. Among them were the Marienburg, Woldenstein and Wiedelah. He also earned the county Schladen. Compared to the desires of the Dukes of Brunswick, he managed to keep the pin territory. The cathedral in Hildesheim he had further embellish. In celebration of Corpus Christi, he donated a benefice.

After his death, Henry found his grave in the Hildesheim cathedral.