Münster Diocesan Feud
| Münster Diocesan Feud | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Prince-Bishopric of Münster (section of an 18th-century map of the Westphalian Circle) | ||||||
| ||||||
| Belligerents | ||||||
|
County of Hoya Duchy of Cleves |
County of Moers Electorate of Cologne |
Lordship of Diepholz Prince-Bishopric of Utrecht | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | ||||||
|
Eric of Hoya John V of Hoya |
Walram of Moers Dietrich of Moers |
Conrad of Diepholz Rudolf of Diepholz | ||||
The Münster Diocesan Feud (German: Münsterische Stiftsfehde), or simply Münster Feud, was a dispute that took place between 1450 and 1457 over the appointment to the bishop's throne in Münster, and hence the rule of the diocese. The cause was the death of the previous prince-bishop, Henry II of Moers. The opposing candidates were his brother Walram of Moers, Eric of Hoya, and Conrad of Diepholz. They were supported by their families with Count John of Hoya, Archbishop Dietrich II of Moers and Prince-Bishop Rudolf of Diepholz at their respective heads. In addition, there were also external allies. Within the diocese the Stände, namely the cathedral chapter and the town of Münster, played an independent role at times. In the end neither candidate was able to succeed to the office.