Johann Gebhard von Mansfeld-Vorderort, born circa 1525–1530, was Archbishop-Elector of Cologne. He died in Frankfurt on 2 November 1562.
Career
Both Gebhard and his older brother were founding members of the Schmalkaldic League.Ekkehart Fabian, Die Entstehung des Schmalkaldischen Bundes und seiner Verfassung 1524/29-1531/35. Brück, Philipp von Hessen und Jakob Sturm, Tübingen 21962, 347-353 bzw. 357-376. Thema: Reformation politikgeschichtlich, 2b Konfessionelle Bündnisse und militärische Exekution, 1g Kommunikationsräume Städte. Accessed 15 August 2009. here . A dispute between Gebhard and his brother, Johann Albert, Graf von Mansfeld zu Arnstein (1522–1586) in 1546, led to mediation by Martin Luther.N. Weber. Smalkaldic League. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York, Robert Appleton Company, 1912. Retrieved August 16, 2009 from New Advent: here. Consequently, Luther was in Eisleben, his own hometown, at the time of his own death in late February of that year.
In 1558, Gebhard of Mansfeld was elected archbishop of Cologne. During his tenure, the Diocese of Utrecht ceased to be a suffragan of Cologne, and the Deanery of Zyfflich was incorporated with the newly founded diocese of Roermond.
Family
As Domherr (canon), a member of the cathedral chapter, he lived in concubinage. He had at least one surviving child, a daughter Sybilla, who married, first, Eduard (Egbert) von Bocholtz (died after 1590); and second, Johann Eggenoy (died before 1616).
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