Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg was the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz from 1604 to 1626.
Background
Born on July 15, 1553, Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg was the third son of Hartmut XIII von Kronburg (1517–1591) and his wife Barbara von Sickingen (1522–1577). His father was an administrator for the Archbishopric of Mainz. He was elected to the cathedral chapter of Mainz Cathedral at a young age through his father"s influence.
Career
Early Life, 1553-1604
He was a canon of Saint Alban"s Abbey, Mainz from 1564 to 1566. He was then sent to the Collegium Germanicum in Rome. After his return to Mainz, the papal legate Giovanni Morone appointed him prior of Stiftes Saint Peter vor Mainz.
He became a Domkapitular in 1582, then became schoolmaster in 1584.
He was dean of Saint Alban"s Abbey by 1588, and then dean of the Marienstiftes in 1599. He became the treasurer of the Archbishopric in 1599.
Elector, 1604-1626
After Pope Clement VIII confirmed his election, he was consecrated as archbishop in November 1604. He completed the work of the Counter-Reformation in the Archbishopric of Mainz that had been begun by his predecessors.
He supported the work of the Jesuits and Capuchins in the Archbishopric.
He commissioned the Schloss Johannisburg, which was built in Aschaffenburg from 1605 to 1614. Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg opposed the intervention of Henry IV of France in the War of the Jülich succession in 1609. In 1618, he opposed the decision of Frederick V, Elector Palatine to accept the Bohemian Crown, but he also opposed the Spanish occupation of the Electorate of the Palatinate.
In the imperial election of 1619, he voted for Ferdinand World War II He died in Aschaffenburg on September 17, 1626.