Bishopric of Hildesheim

The Bishopric of Hildesheim is a Roman Catholic diocese in Lower Saxony; it was founded in 815. The Bishopric of Hildesheim was also a state of the Holy Roman Empire from the Middle Ages until 1803. It is named after its capital, Hildesheim.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Diocese - Lower Saxony - 815 - Holy Roman Empire - 1803 - Hildesheim

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After the Duchy of Saxony had been conquered by the Frankish Kingdom, Hildesheim was founded as a missionary diocese by King Louis the Pious in 815. Saint Altfrid was bishop from 847 until 874.

Related Topics:
Duchy of Saxony - Frankish Kingdom - Louis the Pious - Altfrid - 847 - 874

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In the 16th century, most of the diocese as well as most of the state of Hildesheim switched to protestantism. But the Bishopric managed to retain its independence from the surrounding protestant states of Brunswick-Lüneburg, mostly because its bishops were members of the powerful House of Wittelsbach from 1573 until 1761. Among them was Klemens August of Bavaria, who was bishop from 1723 until 1761.

Related Topics:
16th century - Protestantism - Brunswick-Lüneburg - House of Wittelsbach - 1573 - 1761 - Klemens August of Bavaria - 1723

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During the German Mediatisation of 1803, Hildesheim lost its statehood, and the territory was given to Prussia. Prussia lost it soon therafter to the Kingdom of Westphalia. The Congress of Vienna of 1815 gave the territory to the Kingdom of Hanover.

Related Topics:
German Mediatisation - 1803 - Prussia - Kingdom of Westphalia - Congress of Vienna - 1815 - Kingdom of Hanover

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The Diocese of Hildesheim continues to exist; today, it covers those parts of the State of Lower Saxony that are east of the River Weser. Only 5% of the population of this area are members of the Roman Catholic Church, however. Currently, the office of the bishop is vacant. The diocese is subordinate to the Archdiocese of Hamburg.

Related Topics:
Lower Saxony - Weser - Archdiocese of Hamburg

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