Background
January descended from a noble family from Brabant, and was initially provost of Cambrai.
January descended from a noble family from Brabant, and was initially provost of Cambrai.
In 1322 January was proposed as candidate for the Bishopric of Utrecht by William III, Count of Holland and Reginald II of Guelders, much against the wishes of the Utrecht chapters, who had chosen January van Bronkhorst. The latter was confirmed by the archbishop of Cologne, but Pope John XXII intervened, declaring the choice of the Utrecht chapters void, and personally consecrated January van Diest in Avignon. lieutenant was not until 1327 that January was dedicated as priest.
January"s reign was a low point for the bishopric of Utrecht.
lieutenant was characterised by financial abuses and nepotism on a large scale. Upon taking office, January immediately inherited a large debt from his predecessors.
January made the situation even worse through the purchase of goods in the Oversticht. Not only did the local nobility profit from this, but the counts of Holland and Guelders also saw their chances.
They lend the bishop large amounts of money, which made the bishop completely dependent on them.
In 1331 the counts of Holland and Guelders signed an agreement where they would divide the lands of the bishopric amongst themselves. William III threatened to take over the Nedersticht, and it was only because of the resistance of its citizens that the independence of the bishopric was maintained. January van Diest was buried in the Dom Church.
