The Empire and the Curia
Johann as Prince-Bishop of Würzburg and his links with the Empire and the Curia
Portrait: Prince-Bishop Johann I von Egloffstein – Part 2
Johann Probst had been a member of the Würzburg Cathedral Chapter since at least 1396. Prior to that, he had already been a member of the cathedral chapters of Bamberg and Regensburg.
Following the death of Gerhard von Schwarzburg, the election of a bishop took place very swiftly on 19 November 1400, though the result was a split decision. It was King Ruprecht of Wittelsbach who ultimately decided the election in Johann’s favour, a move that already foreshadowed the good relationship between the king and the prince-bishop. Even before the consecration, King Ruprecht granted the new Bishop of Würzburg the important regalia and bishoprick privileges.
In order to cover the usual financial costs associated with a bishop’s election – namely, the fees required to have the election confirmed by the Roman Curia – Johann first had to take out a loan from his brother Konrad. Once all the formalities had been settled, the episcopal consecration took place in the summer of 1401.
The Council of Pisa
A council was held in Pisa in 1409 with the aim of finally bringing an end to the Great Schism (1378–1417), during which three elected popes vied for leadership of the Church; however, this endeavour failed completely. Consequently, in 1410, Bishop Johann and his cathedral chapter agreed with the bishops of Bamberg and Eichstätt that they would all henceforth recognise Gregory XII – the favourite of King Ruprecht – as the legitimate Pope.
However, this agreement did not hold, as the bishops of Bamberg and Eichstätt shortly afterwards – perhaps because of a promise of exemption from ecclesiastical penalties – recognised the antipope John XXIII, who had been elected in Pisa, as the legitimate pontiff. In the end, to King Ruprecht’s displeasure, Johann aligned himself with the official view of his ecclesiastical neighbours.
When the election of a new king became necessary following Ruprecht’s death, the Bohemian King Wenceslaus of Luxembourg appointed the Bishop of Würzburg, Johann, as procurator. On 21 July 1411, Johann cast his vote for the Luxembourg candidate Sigismund, a half-brother of Wenceslaus, who, following his successful election as King of the Romans, immediately confirmed the privileges of the Würzburg bishopric for Johann.
