Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg

Origins

Henry the Lion founded the bishopric of Ratzeburg in 1154 during the conquest and conversion of the Slavic Polabians, with Evermod as its first bishop. The bishops built the Romanesque brick cathedral on the island of Ratzeburg and acquired lands east of the lake. After Henry's fall they ruled these lands as an imperial principality.

Rule and society

The territory, centred on Schönberg, was small and rural, settled by German farmers among the earlier Slavic population. The bishops were overshadowed by the dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg, who held Ratzeburg town, and by the dukes of Mecklenburg. In the 16th century the cathedral chapter turned Lutheran, and Mecklenburg princes held the see as administrators.

Decline and legacy

The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 secularised the see as the Principality of Ratzeburg and gave it to the Duchy of Mecklenburg. From 1701 it belonged to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and is now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.