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Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck

The Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck, (German: Hochstift Lübeck; Fürstbistum Lübeck; Bistum Lübeck) was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire until 1803. Originally ruled by Roman-Catholic bishops, after 1586 it was ruled by lay administrators and bishops who were members of the Protestant Holstein-Gottorp line of the House of Oldenburg. The prince-bishops had seat and vote on the Ecclesiastical Bench of the College of Ruling Princes of the Imperial Diet.

Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck
Hochstift Lübeck (German)

Prince-Bishopric

Lübeck (seat of the chapter),
Eutin (prince-episcopal residence) since 1309

1149

1180

1180

1500

The Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck, a secular state, should not be confused with the Diocese of Lübeck, which was larger and over which the bishop exercised only pastoral authority.

Geography[edit]

The state had an area of 541 km2 (209 sq mi); as the imperial city of Lübeck was not incorporated, its only city was Eutin.

At Meyers Konversationslexikon, 4th ed., 1885-92