Frederick of Blankenheim

Frederick of Blankenheim
Bishop of Utrecht
Church	Catholic Church
Diocese	Utrecht
In office	1393–1423
Predecessor	Floris van Wevelinkhoven
Successor	Utrecht Schism Rudolf van Diepholt Zweder van Culemborg
Previous post(s)	Bishop of Strasbourg
Personal details
Born	c. 1355
Died	9 October 1423

Frederick of Blankenheim (c. 1355 – Castle Ter Horst (Loenen), 9 October 1423) served as Bishop of Strasbourg from 1375 to 1393 and then as Bishop of Utrecht from 1393 until his death in 1423.

Strasbourg and Utrecht

Frederik van Blankenheim studied law in Paris and was named bishop of Strasbourg in 1375. His reign was not a success, and with help from William I of Guelders and Jülich he was transferred to Utrecht, where he proved to be an able ruler. Supported by the Lichtenbergers faction, he managed to maintain his rights over the cities in the bishoprics, the local nobility and the surrounding counties of Holland and Guelders. He strengthened ecclesiastical authority in the Oversticht and forced the city of Groningen to recognise his authority. In 1407 he granted city rights to Coevorden.

Wars

As ally of William VI, Count of Holland, he took part in the Arkel-war of 1406, through which he gained possession of Hagestein. The Hollandic faction-struggle around Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut forced the aged bishop to fight a war with Holland and Guelders from 1419 to 1422, in which the bishopric was barely able to keep itself standing.

Church matters

Frederik did not personally deal with churchely matters, instead letting a well-organised administration deal with it. His suffragan bishop was Hubertus Schenck (titular bishop of Hippus in Palestine). He was a protector of the Modern Devotion, embodied in the Brethren of the Common Life.

Death

Frederik van Blankenheim died on October 9, 1423, and was buried in the Dom Church.