Prince-Bishopric of Lebus

Origins

The bishopric of Lebus was founded in the early 12th century by the Polish dukes, under the archdiocese of Gniezno. When the margraves of Brandenburg seized the Land of Lebus around 1249 to 1252, the bishops came under their influence while keeping estates on both banks of the Oder. They moved their seat to Fürstenwalde in the late 14th century.

Rule and society

The territory was small and its bishops weak, caught between Brandenburg, Poland and Silesia. They held lands around Fürstenwalde, Lebus and Storkow and depended on the Brandenburg electors, who effectively nominated them. During the Reformation the electors installed Hohenzollern administrators, and the see became Lutheran.

Decline and legacy

After the last administrator, the bishopric was dissolved and absorbed into the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1598. Its lands west of the Oder remain in Brandenburg, those east of it in Poland.