- Profile
- Images
Location: Fürstbistum Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich
![map](/images/icons/map.gif.pagespeed.ce.dRGS_qcAFb.gif)
Surname/tag: Heiliges Römisches Reich
~783 - 1806
Contents |
The Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück
The Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück was a territory of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation that belonged to the Lower Rhine-Westphalian Imperial Circle. Its territory covered around 2700 square kilometres. The sovereign (Landesherr) was the Bishop of Osnabrück.
![]() |
Osnabrugensis episcopatus. Auctore Joanne Gigante. 1650. |
Charlemagne (abt.0748-0814) had founded the bishopric of Osnabrück around 783, whose ecclesiastical jurisdiction was limited by the rivers Ems and Hunte. From endowments and legal titles, the Osnabrück bishop's see grew into sovereignty in the High Middle Ages so that it came about that this territory did not coincide with the diocesan territory. It essentially comprised the area of the current district (Landkreis) and the city of Osnabrück, as well as an exclave around Wiedenbrück in Westphalia.
![]() |
Osnabrugensis Episcopatus Nova Delineatio liberali opera. 1772. |
![]() |
Topographic Map of the Bishopric of Osnabrück, 1774. |
Sovereign
The sovereign of the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück was the Bishop of Osnabrück. The Prince-Bishopric was a religious state and an elective principality in which the Cathedral Chapter elected the bishops.
Since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, a restriction was imposed that was unique within all of the Holy Roman Empire: after the Principality of Osnabrück was temporarily occupied by troops from the Catholic League, the Protestant Union, as well as Danish and Swedish troops during the Thirty Years' War, it was determined according to Article XIII of the Peace of Westphalia and the decisions made at the Nuremberg Exekutionstag in 1650, as stated in the Capitulatio Perpetua Osnabrugensis ("Perpetual Capitulation"), that the sovereignty of the territory would be exercised alternately by a Catholic bishop and a Protestant bishop. Therefore, the cathedral chapter had to alternate between a freely elected Catholic bishop and a Protestant bishop, who could only come from the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
Name | Tenure |
---|---|
Albrecht von Hoya (-1473) | 1450–1454 |
Rudolf von Diepholz (abt 1400-1455) | 1454–1455 |
Konrad von Diepholz (1424-1482) | 1455–1482 |
Konrad von Rietberg (abt 1456-1508) | 1482–1508 |
Erich von Braunschweig-Grubenhagen (1478-1532) | 1508–1532 |
Franz von Waldeck (1491-1553) | 1532–1553 |
Johann von Hoya (1529-1574) | 1553–1574 |
Heinrich von Sachsen-Lauenburg (1550-1585) | 1574–1585 |
Wilhelm von Schencking (1555-1585) | 30 Jul - 3 Aug 1585 |
Bernhard von Waldeck (1561-1591) | 1585-1591 |
Philipp Sigismund von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel (1568-1623) | 1591–1623 |
Eitel Friedrich von Hohenzollern (1582 - 1625) | 1623–1625 |
Franz Wilhelm von Wartenberg (1593-1661) | 1625–1661 |
Ernst August (Welf) Braunschweig-Lüneburg (1629-1698) | 1662–1698 |
Karl Joseph von Lothringen (1680-1715) | 1698–1715 |
Ernest August Augustus (1674-1728) | 1716–1728 |
Clemens August (von Wittelsbach) Bayern (1700-1761) | 1728–1761 |
Frederick Augustus (Hannover) Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827) | 1764–1802 |
Stand representatives
Since the late Middle Ages, the stands had certain governmental rights. This included, above all, the approval of taxes and the consent and co-supervision in matters of national defense and administration. The stands consisted of:
- Stand: The Chapter of the Cathedral of Osnabrück, which formed the first stand, known as the "first curia",
- Stand: Osnabrück's Nobility (Osnabrücker Ritterschaft), and
- Stand: The cities, Osnabrück, Iburg (now Bad Iburg in modern Germany, where "Schloss Iburg" was the seat of the sovereign), Melle, Vörden, Wiedenbrück, Quakenbrück, and Fürstenau, with the city of Osnabrück being the most influential among them.
The standing representation of the stands was the Landräte (land councillors), who, together with the Land- and Justizkanzlei (administrative and justice chancellery), formed the "Landrat" (regional council).
Since the 16th century, each of the three estates had employed a secretary and a syndic.
Chapter of the Cathedral of Osnabrück
The Chapter of the Cathedral of Osnabrück began as a monastery-like community of clergy at the time of Christianization. The Chapter developed into an important political player who played a significant role in the history of the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück, especially during the Reformation.
The most prominent positions within the cathedral chapter were:
- the Cathedral Provost (German: Domprobst), who was responsible for the external representation of the cathedral chapter and the administration of the chapter's assets,
- the Cathedral Dean (German: Domdekan), who had disciplinary powers and was responsible for regulating the church service,
- the Cantor, who was responsible for singing and the organ,
- the Scholaster, as head of the cathedral school,
- the Cathedral Sexton or custos (German: Domküster), who was responsible for the utensils, paraments, reliquaries, the archives and the pastoral care of the cathedral congregation,
- the Cathedral Cellarer, who was responsible for the administration of the goods in kind, who was last mentioned in 1184.
Certain dignities or offices could only be given to "Cathedral Canons" (German: Domherren), which was another way to secure the influence of the chapter across the diocese; these were:
- provosts of the collegiate monasteries of
- St. Johann in Osnabrück,
- Wiedenbrück,
- Drebber,
- Bramsche/Quakenbrück,
- as well as the four chaplaincies in
- Wiedenbrück (which was replaced by Schledehausen in 1258),
- Dissen
- Melle
- Bramsche (in 1276 replaced by Laer with a branch in Glandorf.
Cathedral Provosts The cathedral provost was entitled to represent the cathedral chapter externally and to manage the cathedral chapter's assets. The use of the estate Gut Eversburg was reserved for the cathedral provost.[1] This estate was the most important one among the cathedral chapter estates with an area of 560 acres, which experienced its heyday under Provost Ferdinand Ebbe (Kerssenbrock) von Kerssenbrock zu Brinke (1676-1754).
Provosts of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Osnabrück[2]
Name | Tenure |
---|---|
Bilo | 1037/1052 |
Wido | 1090–1093 |
Johannes | 1096–1101 |
Walter | 1102 |
Thiethard | 1118 |
Aderich | 1142–1146 |
Alberich | 1147–1163 |
Arnold | 1169–1175 |
Lentfried | 1179–1208 |
Heinrich | 1209–1213 |
Otto | 1215–1223 |
Engelbert von Isenberg | 1223–1224 |
Heinrich von Cappeln | 1224–1227 |
Wilhelm von Holte | 1227–1238 (–1241) |
Bruno von Isenberg | 1242–1251 |
Balduin von Rüssel | 1251–1259 |
Ludger von Bissendorf | 1259–1280 |
Helmold von Hildesheim | 1280–1285 |
Hugo von Goltern | 1286–1306 |
Hermann zur Lippe | 1309 |
Johann Bar | 1309–1316 |
Bernard von Ravensburg | 1316–1346 |
Balduin von der Horst | 1347 |
Otto Bar | 1347–1369 |
Dietrich von Horne | 1370–1377 |
Ludolf von Horne | 1377–1393 |
Arnold Stecke | 1393–1410 |
Rudolf von Diepholz | 1412–1424 |
Rudolf Westphal | 1426 |
Magnus von Hoya | 1432 |
Konrad von Diepholz | 1439–1455 |
Johann von Raesfeld | 1455–1482 |
Dr. Heinrich Manegolt | 1483–1489 |
Wulbrand von Oberg | 1518 |
Jasper von Nesselrode | 1523 |
Giselbert | 1538 |
Arnd von der Borch | 1539 |
Amelung von Varentorpe | 1547–1552 |
Arnd von der Borch | 1552–1559 |
Jobst von Dinklage | 1560–1564 |
Gisbert Budde | 1567–1580 |
Konrad von Ketteler | 1582–1594 |
Gottschalk von Ledeburg | 1594–1600 |
Nikolaus von Bar | 1600–1604 |
Balduin von Voss | 1604–1617 |
Sixtus von Liaukema | 1618–1638 |
Benedikt von Nehem | 1638–1643 |
Johannes Werner von Leeradt | 1644–1676 |
Adam von Wendt | 1676–1694 |
Franz Arnold Joseph von Wolff-Metternich | 1695–1718 |
Ferdinand Ebbe (Kerssenbrock) von Kerssenbrock zu Brinke (1676-1754) | 1719–1754 |
Wilhelm Antonius Ignatius von der Asseburg | 1754–1782 |
Franz Salesius von und zu Weichs-Roesberg | 1783–1803 |
Osnabrück Nobility
(todo)
Collegium Civitatensium - Representatives of the Cities
The city of Osnabrück sent seven members to the assemblies, including:
- Both mayors of the old town (Altstadt),
- The mayor of the Neustadt (the new town),
- The senior councillor of the city of Osnabrück's magistracy,
- A representative of the employers,
- The first senior representative of the city of Osnabrück's magistracy,
- The second senior representative of the city of Osnabrück's magistracy.
Their syndic and secretary were also allowed to participate in the assemblies. However, Iburg, Melle, and Vörden did not make use of their right to send a representative to the assemblies, as the dominance of Osnabrück was probably too great. Therefore, only Wiedenbrück and Quakenbrück each sent two representatives, and Fürstenau sent one representative, but their delegates often did not attend the assemblies.
Members of the Collegium Civitatensium did not have to fulfil specific requirements, unlike the Second Estate, the nobility. The representatives of Osnabrück already held sufficient proof of their status through their municipal positions. On the other hand, representatives from other cities had to provide evidence that they were elected within their magistracy upon request.
See also...
Magistracy of the City of Quakenbrück In Quakenbrück, the magistracy consisted of noble "Burgmänner" and the council of citizens ("Bürgerrat"). The "Burgmänner" were part of the magistracy because they owned a property in the city that had the status of a noble property. There were ten such properties.
The council of citizens ("Bürgerrat") consisted of 6 people:
- The senior councilor ("Ratssenior"), who held the position of the first mayor,
- The sub-senior councilor ("Subsenior"),
- 4 council members ("Ratsverwandte").
"Burgmänner" and council members appointed the city secretary. In important matters, since 1600, a committee called the "Sechszehner" was elected by the citizens. These six members of the "Sechszehner" then chose six citizens who were responsible for electing the magistracy. The citizenship in Quakenbrück was usually elected annually, initially on January 3rd, but from the early 17th century, it was done on the day after Candlemas. Ten days before, the "Burgmänner" were invited to participate in the election. The "Sechszehner" and the city secretary gathered in the town hall on the day of the election, and the "Sechszehner" cast dice among themselves. The four members with the lowest roll were chosen as electors. These four then selected five "Körherren": three from the "Sechszehnerkollegium" and one each from the "St. Annenhalbstadt" and the "St. Antoniushalbstadt." In alternate years, two members were chosen from one half and one from the other half. These five "Körherren" then locked themselves together in the town hall and, by a majority vote, elected the six magistrates. The names of the chosen individuals were written on a piece of paper and presented to the "Burgmänner" after the city servant unlocked the town hall upon the call of the "Körherren." The elected council members were then summoned and, if there were any newly elected, sworn in immediately.
Magistracy of the City of Fürstenau The magistracy in Fürstenau consisted of two mayors, two council members, a "Gemeinsmann," and a city secretary. The "Gemeinsmann" supervised the common lands of the citizens. The magistracy was elected annually on the Feast of the Epiphany (Three Kings' Day) by a committee of the citizens.
Magistracy of the City of Melle In Melle, the magistracy was initially called "Bürgermeister," "Schöffen," and "Rat" according to a privilege granted by Bishop Heinrich von Holstein in 1443. In a decree issued by Ernst August I on 28 November 1694, the number of magistracy members was reduced, and the magistracy thereafter consisted of one mayor, one judge, and two council members, with the oldest council member also serving as a representative of the employers. The sitting judges and council members were allowed to continue in their positions until their death. The same decree also regulated the election process: After the death of the magistrates, leaving only three remaining, the citizens were to choose six individuals from the community. These six, in turn, were to select six other citizens. These twelve would then choose one person to fill the magistrate position, subject to the approval of the official in the Grönenberg office. The judge also had to take care of the duties of the city secretary.
Magistracy of the City of Iburg Iburg had two mayors and four council members, as well as a local judge ("Fleckenrichter"). According to an ordinance by Bishop Franz Wilhelm on 13 December 1657, the election of the magistracy was to take place annually on the Feast of St. John the Baptist ("Johannis") in the same manner as later introduced in Melle. Six individuals chosen by the existing mayors would select the six citizens responsible for electing the magistracy. Citizenship in Iburg was dependent on affiliation with the Catholic Church, as determined by Franz Wilhelm.
Magistracy of the City of Vörden Vörden based its urban rights on a privilege granted by Bishop Dietrich in 1387. Especially in terms of jurisdiction, these rights were significant. The privilege, like those for Quakenbrück and Fürstenau, referred several times to the city law of Osnabrück. The magistracy consisted of two mayors, two officers ("Befehlshaber," later called assessors), and four council members. Vörden also had a judge. The council election took place annually on "Handgiftentag," January 2nd. The outgoing magistrates would select four members from their own ranks, and four more would be chosen from the community. These eight people would then elect the eight council members and four more community representatives.
Administration
- Land and Justice Chancellery ( Land- and Justizkanzlei): In the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück, administrative authorities developed since the 16th century. The first and initially sole central authority was the so-called chancellery (also known as the government), which served as both a governmental and judicial institution. The earliest government ordinance dates back to February 15, 1585. Alongside and above the chancellery, a closer council of the Prince-Bishop emerged in the 17th century, which dealt with important government affairs and managed the chamber administration. Since the 1660s, this council was institutionalized as the Secret Council (Geheimer Rat). As a result, the old chancellery became the Land and Justice Chancellery.
- The Secret Council (Geheimer Rat): Since the Secret Council was always tied to the person of the Prince-Bishop due to the alternation between Catholic and Protestant bishops and subject to constant changes, the Land and Justice Chancellery was established as a permanent state authority independent of the change of sovereign.
- Special Central Authorities: In addition to the Secret Council and the Land and Justice Chancellery, there was an Protestant Consistory since 1651, as well as other central special authorities such as the Oberaufseheramt (established in 1728) and the Hofmarschallamt (institutionalized in 1783), both of which were exclusively Brunswick-Lüneburg offices. The Oberaufseheramt had supervisory authority over the Welf Allodial property in the Principality of Osnabrück, while the Hofmarschallamt had oversight over the Castle and Petersburg in Osnabrück, as well as the princely court.
- Districts or Offices (Ämter): At the lower level, administration and jurisdiction were separate. Administration was carried out by the Ämter (districts). In addition to performing sovereign and policing tasks, the administrative activities of the districts primarily involved collecting the sovereign's revenues and managing the demesne properties. Regarding jurisdiction, the office held the so-called Brüchtengerichte (lower courts) and police courts for minor offenses. Each district was led by a Drost, while the execution of tasks was carried out by the Rentmeister. They were subordinate to the Vogt, who also served as the executive body of the courts.
History
(to do)
Successor State(s)
With the end of the spiritual principality of Osnabrück at the end of 1802, the administration worked under Prussian, Westphalian, and French rule in the years to come until 1814:
The Congress of Vienna assigned Osnabrück to the Kingdom of Hanover. As the Hanoverian government considered the decrees and changes made during the Westphalian and French times as invalid, the conditions from 1803 theoretically returned in 1814. Thus, the former first estate, the cathedral chapter, was replaced by the nobility. The urban estate was formed by Osnabrück, Fürstenau, Quakenbrück, and Melle. During the Prussian period, Bramsche was later added to the urban estate.
Y-DNA Project - OSNABRUCK HOCHSTIFT
For those of you having a patrilineal ancestor born in the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück, there is a dedicated Y-DNA Project that you are invited to join. The objective of this Y-DNA project is to
- substantiate genealogic findings with Y-DNA evidence,
- help Y-DNA descendants of inhabitants of the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück to collaborate,
- advance the understanding of migration into and out of the Prince-Bishopric.
The Y-DNA project is called "Osnabruck-Hochstift" at FamilyTreeDNA, see the following link:
Wikitree "Stuff"
Location Name Field
The following table is still incomplete and should be extended with all villages in the Prince-Bishopric to show what should be put into the Location field at Wikitree for events (births, marriages, deaths) that occurred before 29 October 1802.[3]
Place | |||
---|---|---|---|
Place | Parish/Bailiwick | Amt | Full text for location field |
Eversburg | Osnabrück (Dom) | Iburg | Eversburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Gartlage | Osnabrück (Dom) | Iburg | Gartlage, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Haste | Osnabrück (Dom) | Iburg | Haste, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Schinkel | Osnabrück (Dom) | Iburg | Schinkel, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Ankum | Ankum | Fürstenau | Ankum, Fürstenau, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Rüssel | Ankum | Fürstenau | Rüssel, Ankum, Fürstenau, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Menslage | Menslage | Fürstenau | Menslage, Fürstenau, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Achmer | Bramsche | Vörden | Achmer, Bramsche, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Balkum | Bramsche | Vörden | Balkum, Bramsche, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Bramsche | Bramsche | Vörden | Bramsche, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Engter | Bramsche | Vörden | Engter, Bramsche, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Pente | Bramsche | Vörden | Pente, Bramsche, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Schleptrup | Bramsche | Vörden | Engter, Bramsche, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Bühren | Malgarten | Vörden | Bühren, Malgarten, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Eckelort | Malgarten | Vörden | Eckelort, Malgarten, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Epe | Malgarten | Vörden | Epe, Malgarten, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Knäppen | Malgarten | Vörden | Knäppen, Malgarten, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Malgarten | Malgarten | Vörden | Malgarten, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Wittefeld | Malgarten | Vörden | Wittefeld, Malgarten, Vörden, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Barlage | Wallenhorst | Iburg | Barlage, Hollage, Wallenhorst, Iburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Hollage | Wallenhorst | Iburg | Hollage, Wallenhorst, Iburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Fiestel | Wallenhorst | Iburg | Fiestel, Hollage, Wallenhorst, Iburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Lechtingen | Wallenhorst | Iburg | Lechtingen, Wallenhorst, Iburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Pye | Wallenhorst | Iburg | Pye, Wallenhorst, Iburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
Wallenhorst | Wallenhorst | Iburg | Wallenhorst, Iburg, Osnabrück, Heiliges Römisches Reich |
One-Place Studies
A few One Place Studies cover certain locations that were located in the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück. They might cover longer periods or only a subsegment within the existence of the Prince-Bishopric of OsnabrücK:
Banners
Banner | Code | Result |
Born | {{Nonmigrating Ancestor |addinfo= NAME was born in the [[Space:Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück|Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück]] |flag=Furstbistum_Osnabruck.png |tooltip=Coat of Arms Fürstbistum Osnabrück}} | |
Sovereign | {{Nonmigrating Ancestor |addinfo=NAME was Sovereign of the [[Space:Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück|Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück]] |flag=Furstbistum_Osnabruck.png |tooltip=Coat of Arms Fürstbistum Osnabrück}} | |
Member of Collegium Civitatensium | {{Nonmigrating Ancestor |addinfo= NAME was a member of the Collegium Civitatensium in the [[Space:Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück|Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück]] |flag=Furstbistum_Osnabruck.png |tooltip=Coat of Arms Fürstbistum Osnabrück}} | |
Migrant to the US | Travelled 3 Dec 1775 - 14 Jun 1777: {{Migrating Ancestor |origin= Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück|destination= United States of America|origin-flag=Furstbistum_Osnabruck.png|destination-flag= US_Flags.png }} | |
Travelled 14 Jun 1777- 1 May 1795: {{Migrating Ancestor |origin= Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück|destination= United States of America|origin-flag=Furstbistum_Osnabruck.png|destination-flag= US_Flags-1.png }} | ||
Travelled 1 May 1795 - 1802 {{Migrating Ancestor |origin= Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück|destination= United States of America|origin-flag=Furstbistum_Osnabruck.png|destination-flag= US_Flags-3.png }} |
Emigration
While a large wave of emigrants left the region of Osnabrück only much later in the 1830-1870s, there was also emigration from the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück, before it seized to exist as a separate state in 1802. In WikiTree, these emigrant profiles can be browsed by using the following category
It is recommended that you add this category also to other profiles of emigrants from the Prince-Bishopric.
Immigration
There was also immigration to the Prince-Bishopric, however, only a few profiles are currently available on WikiTree. The immigration category structure is below:
It is recommended that you add this category also to other profiles of immigrants to the Prince-Bishopric.
Sources
- ↑ vom Bruch, Rudolf: Die Rittersitze des Fürstentums Osnabrück, Verlag der Buchhandlung H. Th. Wenner, Osnabrück, 2004, page 70ff.
- ↑ Hermann Stieglitz: Handbuch des Bistums Osnabrück, Bischöfliches Generalvikariat Osnabrück (Hrsg.), Verlag Dombücherstube Osnabrück, Osnabrück, 1991, 2. völlig neubearbeitete Auflage, ISBN 3925164103, page 32.
- ↑ German Wikipedia: Hochstift Osnabrück.
- Wikpedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince-Bishopric_of_Osnabr%C3%BCck Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück
- GenWiki: Portal Fürstbistum Osnabrück (in German)
- Column search in table with multiple tables on page Jul 29, 2023.
- Login to edit this profile and add images.
- Private Messages: Send a private message to the Profile Manager. (Best when privacy is an issue.)
- Public Comments: Login to post. (Best for messages specifically directed to those editing this profile. Limit 20 per day.)