Frederieke M. Schnack Bücher

Late medieval bishops were both church dignitaries and rulers of prince-bishoprics, facing a range of clerical and secular challenges. Research on the numerous bishops governing small prince-bishoprics has been limited, often portraying them as less powerful and reliant on other authorities. This study focuses on the bishops of Minden, exploring their agency and examining the possibilities and limitations of their actions. By applying a methodology originally developed for secular princes to bishops for the first time, the study offers a novel perspective. It analyzes their maneuvering space through a comprehensive lens, addressing both ecclesiastical and secular issues. The research highlights the complexities of episcopal authority and challenges existing narratives about the perceived weakness of these church leaders. Recognized with the Ignaz-Theodor-Liborius-Meyer Prize from the Association for History and Antiquities of Westphalia, Department Paderborn, this work contributes significantly to the understanding of late medieval church governance and the dynamics of power within the Holy Roman Empire.