Bishopric of Metz

Prince-Bishopric of Metz
Principauté épiscopale de Metz (fr)
Fürstbistum Metz (de)
State of the Holy Roman Empire
←
the 10th century–1552 →


Coat of arms

The Three Bishoprics of Metz, Toul and Verdun, about 1648
Capital Metz
Vic-sur-Seille (from 1234)
Government Principality
Historical era Middle Ages
 - County of Metz
    established		 842
 -  Ceded to Metz diocese 10th century
 - Metz Imperial City 1189 - 1234
 - Imperial immediacy
    confirmed		 1357
 -  Three Bishoprics
    annexed by France		 1552
 - Treaty of Westphalia
    recognises annexation		  
1648

The Bishopric of Metz was a prince-bishopric of the Holy Roman Empire. It was one of the Three Bishoprics that were annexed by France in 1552.

Metz Cathedral

The Bishops of Metz had already ruled over a significant amount of territories within the former Kingdom of Lotharingia, which by the 870 Treaty of Meerssen became a part of East Francia. They had to struggle for their independence from the Dukes of Lorraine, acquired the lands of the Counts of Metz, but had to face the rise of their capital Metz to the status of an Imperial City in 1189. In 1234 the unrest of the Metz citizens forced the bishops to move their residence to Vic-sur-Seille.

In 1357 Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg again confirmed the bishopric's Imperial immediacy. From the accession of Henri of Lorraine-Vaudémont in 1484 however, the diocese was ruled by bishops from the House of Lorraine, who by their close relations with the House of Valois brought Metz unter the influence of the French crown. By the 1552 Treaty of Chambord, an alliance of revolting Protestant Imperial princes led by Elector Maurice of Saxony promised the overlordship over the Three Bishoprics of Metz, Toul and Verdun to King Henry II of France. Metz was occupied by Henry's troops and annexed by the French crown, finally acknowledged by the Empire in the 1648 Peace of Westphalia.

See also