Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn

Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn (18 March 1545 – 9 September 1617) was Prince-Bishop of Würzburg from 1573. He was born in Mespelbrunn Castle, Spessart (Lower Franconia) and died in Würzburg.

Life

Mespelbrunn was born the second son of diplomat Peter III Echter. He was educated in Mainz, Leuven, Douai, Paris, Angers, Pavia, and Rome. which was opened 2 January 1582. It became a model for all similar Counter-Reformation institutions. Under the Jesuits it flourished, grew rapidly, and furnished the see with the priests and officials needed to prosecute the Counter-Reformation. He also founded a seminary in 1589.

Echter took decisive steps against Protestants. He banished all Lutheran preachers from his territory

Legacy He is also identified by Dillinger (2009) as one of the "spearheads of Tridentine reform in Germany. For them, the fight against witches was clearly part of an apocalyptic battle against evil and for the purity of the church".

His most lasting monument, after the University of Würzburg, is the Julius Hospital (Juliusspital) in that town, which he founded with the endowment of the abandoned monastery of Heiligenthal. By skillful administration he improved the economic conditions, reduced taxes and improved the administration of justice. He proved himself one of the most capable rulers of his time as "founder and soul of the Catholic League".

Echter built or renovated around 300 churches as well as constructing numerous rectories and school buildings in his territory.

Würzburger Hofbräu makes a wheat beer called Julius Echter Hefe-Weissbier in honor of the bishop.

St John's College, Cambridge holds 20 volumes which previously belonged to him; these were taken from Mespelbrunn's library during the Thirty Years War.