Franz I, Graf von Waldeck

wikipedia-de:

Franz I was the archbishop of Muenster. His line are descandants from Charlemagne, the famous King of the Frank. And most of the royal houses of Europe today, can trace their line of origin from this man......as can we!! Below is a more detailed article about him.

Franz von Waldeck

This is a partial and rough translation of an article by Hans-Joachim Behr. His original article in German, can be located at the address below.

Westfaelische Geschichte

http://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/portal/Internet/index_a...

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Franz von Waldeck originated for a high noble born family who already in the 14 century had place a bishop in Minden. The exact being unknown, he was born around 1491, as the third son of the Count Philipp II von Waldeck-Eisenberg. He was the youngest of a total of 6 children. When his father was younger he was certainly a priest, but for dynastic reasons married. He Ministered to the Jewish "klevischer" governor of the Ravensberg area. His mother was Katharina Solms of Lich. She died one year after her son Franz. Franz was early noted for religious school in Cologne. Cologne religious school however did not teach law studies, required of secular schools, and this was certainly the reason for the fact that in 1506 he went to the University of Erfurt, whereupon on 19 Oct 1508 he became to rector magnificus at the age of 17 years. When he continued his study in Leipzig in the summer of 1510, Franz von Waldeck was already registered there as a "canonicus ecclesiae majoris Colonjensis". Without being religiously consecrated, it was not unusual at that time him to slowly earn a half dozen "Kanonikate" or canonry. On 15 Feb 1523 he was selected as provost to the Alexander Chapter in Einbeck. The Dukes of Braunschweig-Grubenhagen who were opposed, had especially aided the College Chapter and in the nearby Muenster Church had their burial plots, they had to oblige him, in case he was elected Bishop. Despite this possibility, his father had already in 1508 suggested the possibility of the vacant chair in Osnabrueck. Anger with the Lutheran teaching-preaching Augustans, and those who agreed such as cousin Duke Philipp Franz put off his stay in Einbeck.

He had by his father's death the dukedom of the bonded city of Beyenburg near Elberfeld and it's belongings and seems to be already living there. Franz von Waldeck became "burdened" with wife and child. In Einbeck a relationship developed between the Propst and the 18 year old daughter of the canvas dealer and Linenweaver Gildmaster Barthold Poleman. He had in 1524 in Einbeck a son born, who received the name of the father.

If Franz von Waldeck and Anna Poleman ever married, which is occasionally assumed, we today will probably not know. He lived until his death in a conjugal relationship, fathering 8 children with Anna, being a good father and husband.

We do not have reason to doubt that he was serious in the Christian faith and he honestly hoped with the Reformation in his jurisdiction, to smoothly renew the Church from it's origins, as the Duke meant, "with humanity to concur". With his intention of following the new teachings, what also played a role was the inequality of his relationship with Anna Poleman, to be publicly married and have heirs to receive his principality. At that time the burden of debts could be erased in this way. Secularization and a marriage ceremony Philipp von Hessen certainly advised urgently against. He rather recommended a "secret" marriage to Franz and suggested to him his entry into the Schmalkalden federation. A secularization attempt in the three north German dioceses at the same time could cause unforeseeable problems. In addition, the Princes could act with self interest, if he urged the Bishop to do this project. A strong non-religious section of Westfalphalia went against the traditional Hessian interests on this project. Philipp tried to bring an alliance over the co-assistant-elections with the sons of the Lands of Franz von Waldeck. But the Bishop reacted to all of this by avoiding it.

It seems that the health of the Bishop Franz von Waldeck was long since exhausted. On the morning of the 12th in Castle Wolbeck, in the presence of his councilors, he was suddenly different. After a sickness of 3 days, on Saturday the 15 July 1553, the 12th apostle day, he died. On the following Sunday, with minimal cortege, he was buried in the Castle Church Choir.

Anna Polemann outlived Franz von Waldeck only 4 years. 11 Aug Anna became ill. On his death bed Franz had commended his wife and children to the Duke Johann von Waldeck, along with the Bishop of Osnabrueck and Minister Johann of Hoya. Then on 9 Aug 1557, after 8 days Anna Polemann died.

From the union between Franz von Waldeck and Anna Polemann are 8 children - 4 sons and 4 daughters. Of the sons, 3 became clergymen. The oldest Franz, became Senior, Philipp Sub Senior of the chapter at St. Martin in Minden. Barthold held a Vickorship in Osnabrueck. Christoph, as the youngest was a lawyer and notary in Warendorf and died as "princely Waldeckher Official", in 1587 in Korbach.

Estate and rent-consignments are a good example how Bishop Franz. his common-law wife and their peers provided for the guardianship of the Dukes of Waldeck.

By his daughters marrying Clerks, the numerous pedigree descendants of Franz von Waldeck and Anna Polemann became Waldecken and Hessen clerks and Clergy families.

• Updated from FamilySearch Family Tree via sister Anna von Waldeck by SmartCopy: Jul 13 2015, 11:53:10 UTC