Friedrich von Wirsberg


Friedrich von Wirsberg
Prince-Bishop of Würzburg
ChurchRoman Catholic
Installed4 November 1558
Term ended12 November 1573
PredecessorMelchior Zobel von Giebelstadt
SuccessorJulius Echter von Mespelbrunn
Orders
Ordination28 February 1545
Consecration9 April 1559
Personal details
Born(1507-11-16)16 November 1507
Died12 November 1573(1573-11-12) (aged 65)
near Marienberg Fortress
Contemporary armorial showing Bishop Friedrich von Wirsberg and his coat of arms
Friedrich von Wirsberg Epitaph in Würzburg Dom
Friedrich von Wirsberg coat of arms from 1569

Friedrich von Wirsberg (16 November 1507 – 12 November 1573) was the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1558 to 1573.

Friedrich von Wirsberg was born in Glashütten, Bavaria on November 16, 1507.[1]

On April 15, 1558, Melchior Zobel von Giebelstadt, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, was assassinated by the forces of Wilhelm von Grumbach.[2] The cathedral chapter of Würzburg Cathedral elected Friedrich von Wirsberg as Zobel's successor on April 27, 1558.[1] Von Grumbach claimed he was not involved in the murder of Zobel, but Bishop von Wirsberg was determined to bring von Grumbach to justice.[2] Von Grumbach, along with Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, sought refuge in the Kingdom of France.[2]

In 1560, von Wirsberg expelled all Jews from the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg.[2]

He died on November 12, 1573, and is buried in Würzburg Cathedral (grave #14, grave plate #59 on diagram).[1]