Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg
Encyclopedia
Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-Neuburg (1663–1737) was the Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
from 1690 to 1737.
was born in Neuburg an der Donau
on April 16, 1663, the fifth son of Philip William, Elector Palatine and his wife Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
. (At the time Alexander Sigismund was born, his father was Herzog of Palatinate-Neuburg
; his father became Elector Palatine in 1685.) He was destined for the clergy from a young age, and was sent to study with the Jesuits in Neuburg an der Donau and Düsseldorf
.
He was appointed coadjutor bishop
of Augsburg
on February 10, 1681. He suffered a serious riding accident in 1688. He was ordained
as a priest
on July 26, 1689.
Johann Christoph von Freyberg-Allmendingen
died on April 1, 1690 and Alexander Sigismund succeeded him as Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
, with Pope Alexander VIII
confirming his appointment on May 31, 1690. He was consecrated as a bishop
by Marquard Rudolf von Rodt, Bishop of Constance, on June 18, 1690.
In 1714, Alexander Sigismund suffered a bout of mental illness
, and the cathedral chapter
of Augsburg Cathedral
selected Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg
, Bishop of Constance, to be coadjutor bishop
on June 11, 1714. Alexander Sigismund finally recovered enough to resume his duties as Prince-Bishop
in 1718.
He died in Augsburg
on January 24, 1737.
Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg
The Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg was one of the prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire, which belonged to the Swabian Circle.-Early period:...
from 1690 to 1737.
Biography
A member of the House of Wittelsbach, Alexander Sigismund von der Pfalz-NeuburgPalatinate-Neuburg
Palatinate-Neuburg is a former territory of the Holy Roman Empire, founded in 1505. Its capital was Neuburg an der Donau. Its area was about 2,750 km², with a population of some 100,000.-History:...
was born in Neuburg an der Donau
Neuburg an der Donau
Neuburg an der Donau, literally Neuburg on the Danube River, is a town which is the capital of the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district in the state of Bavaria in Germany.-Divisions:The municipality has 16 divisions:-History:...
on April 16, 1663, the fifth son of Philip William, Elector Palatine and his wife Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt was a princess of Hesse-Darmstadt and wife of the Prince-elector of the Palatinate.-Biography:...
. (At the time Alexander Sigismund was born, his father was Herzog of Palatinate-Neuburg
Palatinate-Neuburg
Palatinate-Neuburg is a former territory of the Holy Roman Empire, founded in 1505. Its capital was Neuburg an der Donau. Its area was about 2,750 km², with a population of some 100,000.-History:...
; his father became Elector Palatine in 1685.) He was destined for the clergy from a young age, and was sent to study with the Jesuits in Neuburg an der Donau and Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
.
He was appointed coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Augsburg
Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg
The Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg was one of the prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire, which belonged to the Swabian Circle.-Early period:...
on February 10, 1681. He suffered a serious riding accident in 1688. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
as a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on July 26, 1689.
Johann Christoph von Freyberg-Allmendingen
Johann Christoph von Freyberg-Allmendingen
Johann Christoph Reichsritter von Freyberg-Allmendingen was the Prince-Provost of Ellwangen Abbey from 1660 to 1674, and the Prince-Bishop of Augsburg from 1665 to 1690.-Biography:...
died on April 1, 1690 and Alexander Sigismund succeeded him as Prince-Bishop of Augsburg
Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg
The Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg was one of the prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire, which belonged to the Swabian Circle.-Early period:...
, with Pope Alexander VIII
Pope Alexander VIII
Pope Alexander VIII , born Pietro Vito Ottoboni, was Pope from 1689 to 1691.-Early life:Pietro Ottoboni was born of a noble Venetian family, and was the son of Marco Ottoboni, chancellor of the Republic of Venice...
confirming his appointment on May 31, 1690. He was consecrated as a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
by Marquard Rudolf von Rodt, Bishop of Constance, on June 18, 1690.
In 1714, Alexander Sigismund suffered a bout of mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
, and the cathedral chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
of Augsburg Cathedral
Augsburg Cathedral
The Cathedral of Augsburg is a church in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, founded in the 11th century in Romanesque style, but with 14th century Gothic additions. Together with the Basilica of St. Ulrich and Afra, it is one of the city's main attractions. It measures 113 x 40 m, and its towers...
selected Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg
Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg
Johann Franz Schenk von Stauffenberg was Prince-Bishop of Constance from 1704 to 1740 and Prince-Bishop of Augsburg from 1737 to 1740.-Biography:...
, Bishop of Constance, to be coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
on June 11, 1714. Alexander Sigismund finally recovered enough to resume his duties as Prince-Bishop
Prince-Bishop
A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office...
in 1718.
He died in Augsburg
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
on January 24, 1737.