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Jan III van Diest | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Utrecht | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Utrecht |
| In office | 1322–1340 |
| Personal details | |
| Died | (1340-06-01)1 June 1340 |
John orJan van Diest (died 1 June 1340) served asBishop of Utrecht from 1322 until his death in 1340.[1]
Jan descended from a noble family fromBrabant, and was initiallyprovost ofCambrai. In 1322 Jan was proposed as candidate for the Bishopric of Utrecht byWilliam III, Count of Holland andReginald II of Guelders, much against the wishes of the Utrechtchapters, who had chosen Jan van Bronkhorst. The latter was confirmed by thearchbishop of Cologne, butPope John XXII intervened, declaring the choice of the Utrecht chapters void, and personallyconsecrated Jan van Diest inAvignon. It was not until 1327 that Jan was dedicated aspriest.
Jan's reign was a low point for the bishopric of Utrecht. It was characterised by financial abuses andnepotism on a large scale. Upon taking office, Jan immediately inherited a large debt from his predecessors. Jan made the situation even worse through the purchase of goods in theOversticht. Not only did the local nobility profit from this, but the counts of Holland and Guelders also saw their chances. They lent the bishop large amounts of money, which made the bishop completely dependent on them. In 1331 the counts of Holland and Guelders signed an agreement where they would divide the lands of the bishopric amongst themselves. William III threatened to take over theNedersticht, and it was only because of the resistance of its citizens that the independence of the bishopric was maintained.
Jan van Diest was buried in theDom Church.
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Utrecht 1322–1340 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| People | |
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