Jan III van Diest

Family and early years

He came from the noble family of Brabant van Diest. He was the son of Arnold V. von Diest and Viscount of Antwerp. He entered the clergy, became canon and archdeacon and provost was finally in Cambrai. After the death of his father, he shared some time with his brothers the heritage and eventually became the main beneficiary. He was finally proprietor of the town and rule Diest and the castle county of Antwerp.

Bishop of Utrecht

For his ascent his inner conflicts in the Bishopric of Utrecht benefited. There, the opponents and the proponents of a growing influence of the Counts of Holland fought. In 1322 year, the antiholländische party could prevail with the election of Jacob van Oudtshoorn first. The bishop died, however, after a few months. The next election coincided with Jan van Bronkhorst again on an opponent of the Dutch. William III. Holland, Reinald II of funds and Johann III. of Brabant joined forces against him. Your insistence is to be ascribed that Pope John XXII. Johann von Diest appointed against the will of the chapter to the bishop of Utrecht. He was ordained a priest until 1327.

Under military protection of Brabant and Holland, he was able to move in Utrecht. However, the real power lay with the Dutch. In addition, the diocese was in a disastrous financial situation. Finally, all that was possible was pledged. In 1328 it had to put up with Johann that all income to William III. fell from Holland, Reinald II of funds and other borrowers. The bishop himself was only an income of £ 2000 a year. In 1331, the secular government of the Bishopric was formally divided between funds and Holland. It was a futile rebellion, with the result that Johann had to acknowledge the supremacy of William and Reinald. In 1337, John founded the collegiate church in Amersfoort. After the death of William III. whose power was in Utrecht on to his son William IV, who even appointed a governor. Shortly thereafter, the bishop died and was buried in the Dom Tower in Utrecht.