Conrad von Bibra

Who was Conrad von Bibra?

Conrad von Bibra, Duke in Franconia was Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1540 to 1544.

Born in 1490, he studied at the universities of Cologne, Bologna, Erfurt and Ingolstadt. His whole life Conrad seemed to have had a hard time making up his mind about being a priest. Three times between 1520 and 1532 he entered a priestly position and then resigned. In 1525 during the German Peasants' War, Conrad was among the defenders of the Fortress Marienberg at Würzburg which was under siege. Afterwards he served on the commission determining damages. Finally in February 1539 he entered a priestly position again. On 28 April 1540 he became Provost of Neu Münster in Würzburg. Already on 1 July 1540, he was surprisingly elected Prince Bishop. Afterwards he showed an independent even uncooperative attitude. Seven times he put off his ordination as a priest and bishop. Also despite the Kaiser's admonitions, he gave excuses and refused to personally attend meetings of the Reichstag.

In 1542 when the plague broke out in Würzburg, he moved his court to Aschach and Neustadt.