Adolphe de Waldeck, prévôt d’Utrecht (1286–1301) et futur évêque de Liège (1301–1302) : un long prélude à un bref épiscopat

Abstract

This paper recounts the tumultuous journey of Adolf of Waldeck from his accession to the office of Provost of the Cathedral chapter of Utrecht (ca 1286) to his appointment as Bishop of Liège (1301). During these fifteen years, he managed to climb to the highest spheres of power in the bishopric of Utrecht and to assert himself as the most powerful clergyman after the bishop. He carried out a policy of opposition to the bishops John of Nassau (1267–1290) and John van Sierck (1291–1296), with whom he had extremely contentious relations, but was an unfailing supporter of William Berthout (1296–1301). At Berthout’s death, Adolf attempted to gain the episcopal see by becoming the key player for the House of Dampierre, for which Berthout had been the spearhead in Utrecht and which was opposed to the candidacy of Guy van Avesnes, a representative of the House of Hainaut. Thus competition in Utrecht was one of the episodes in a much broader political struggle that tore apart the Dutch principalities. The House of Hainaut stood in opposition to the House of Flanders, with support from higher authorities (the Pope, the King of France, the King of England, and the King of the Romans) favoring one or the other.