Philippe von Gundelsheim (1487–1553) was the Prince-Bishop of Basel from 1527 to 1553.
Biography edit
Philippe von Gundelsheim was born in 1487.[1] He studied at Heidelberg University (1503) and the University of Basel (1504–05).[1] He became a canon of the Basel Münster in 1510.[1]
On 28 February 1527 the cathedral chapter of Basel Münster, meeting at Delémont, elected him to be the new Prince-Bishop of Basel, with Pope Clement VII confirming his appointment on 31 August 1527.[2] He was consecrated as a bishop on 31 December 1527.[2]
In 1529, the city of Basel became Protestant under the leadership of Johannes Oecolampadius.[1] In 1530, Laufental rebelled against the bishop, but were suppressed using forces from Solothurn.[1] Because of insolvency, the prince-bishopric grew increasingly dependent on the city of Basel, with the city granting him a mortgage on Birseck Castle in 1542, 1544, and 1545.[1] In 1547, Philippe and the city formally agreed to allow the city to choose its own religion, recognizing that the city had already become Protestant.[1]
He died in Porrentruy on 14 September 1553.[2]