Adolph II of Nassau

Who was Adolph II of Nassau?

Adolph II of Nassau-Wiesbaden-Idstein was Archbishop of Mainz from 1461 until 1475.

Adolph was a son of Count Adolph II of Nassau-Wiesbaden-Idstein.

In 1459 he was defeated in the election to the Archbishopric of Mainz by Theodoric of Isenburg-Büdingen. In 1461 Pope Pius II declared Adolph the archbishop of Mainz following the confrontational reforms of Theodoric. Since the city of Mainz and its and cathedral chapter remained loyal to Theodoric, Adolph declared war. The devastating Mainzer Feud continued for a year until on 28 October 1462 Adolph captured the city. Some 400 citizens he had killed, and another 400 fled abroad. Adolph also revoked Mainz's privileges and the status as an Imperial City.

Adolph died in Eltville in 1475 and was buried in the Eberbach Abbey.