Johann Gottfried von Aschhausen

Johann Gottfried I of Aschhausen ( born August 12, 1575 Oberlauda, † December 29, 1622 at the Regensburg Princes ) was prince-bishop and ruled the bishoprics of Würzburg and Bamberg in personal union.

Johann Gottfried in the family context

Johann Gottfried I of Aschhausen came from the Franconian family of Aschhausen. The eponymous place Aschhausen with the castle Aschhausen is now part of the municipality Schoental in the district of Hohenlohe in Baden- Württemberg.

Biographical information

In 1593 he obtained the resignation of an older brother Domherrenpfründe in Bamberg, 1596 in Würzburg. He received in 1604 the deanery of the Knight pin Comburg.

As bishop, he sought to curb the Protestantism. He called the Jesuits in the pen and gave them important roles in education. The Catholic League was renewed in 1607 through his initiative, led by Maximilian I of Bavaria. This alliance proved to be the Thirty Years War as beneficial. Bamberg and Würzburg presented in the period 1620-1622 significant contingents of infantry and cavalry. These were led by Colonel Bauer of Eiseneck. Invade Also known as Peter Ernst II von Mansfeld in the dioceses threatened, Johann Gottfried I. did not change his policy.

He was the founder of a marriage holding house ( retirement home for servants ). For this foundation, he had the house Upper Stephan Berg 1 built in Bamberg ( home to the Golden Arms). He was buried in the cathedral of Bamberg.

Witch hunts

Under his rule, the witch hunts took great proportions (see witch trials in Würzburg). 1612/1613 and 1617/1618 died in the Bishopric of Bamberg 300 people in the flames of the pyre. Alone 1617 102 people were executed in the high pin as witches. The witch hunts were under his successor Johann Georg II Fuchs Bamberger Dorn home, called the witch burners, nor increased.