Frederick of Blankenheim
# Frederick of Blankenheim

Frederick of Blankenheim (c. 1355 – Castle Ter Horst (Loenen), 9 October 1423) was bishop of Strasbourg from 1375 to 1393 as Friedrich II, and bishop of Utrecht from 1393 to 1423 as Frederik III.

## Strasbourg and Utrecht

Frederik van Blankenheim studied law in Paris and was named bishop of Strasbourg in 1375. His reign was not a success, and with help from William I of Guelders and Jülich he was transferred to Utrecht, where he proved to be an able ruler. Supported by the Lichtenbergers faction, he managed to maintain his rights over the cities in the bishoprics, the local nobility and the surrounding counties of Holland and Guelders. He strengthened ecclesiastical authority in the Oversticht and forced the city of Groningen to recognise his authority. In 1407 he granted city rights to Coevorden.

## Wars

As ally of William VI, Count of Holland, he took part in the Arkel-war of 1406, through which he gained possession of Hagestein. The Hollandic faction-struggle around Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut forced the aged bishop to fight a war with Holland and Guelders from 1419 to 1422, in which the bishopric was barely able to keep itself standing.

## Church matters

Frederik did not personally deal with churchely matters, instead letting a well-organised administration deal with it. His suffragan bishop was Hubertus Schenck (titular bishop of Hippus in Palestine). He was a protector of the Modern Devotion, embodied in the Brethren of the Common Life.

## Death

Frederik van Blankenheim died on October 9, 1423, and was buried in the Dom Church.

Catholic Church titles :

| Preceded byLamprecht of Brunn | Bishop of Strasbourg 1375–1393 | Succeeded byLudwig von Thierstein |
| - | - | - |
| Preceded byFloris van Wevelinkhoven | Bishop of Utrecht 1393–1423 | Succeeded byRudolf van Diepholt Zweder van Culemborg (disputed) |
