Wilhelm (III.) Of Raron

Wilhelm von Raron (* around 1407 ; † January 11, 1451 in Pallanza ) was Prince-Bishop of Sitten .

Career

Wilhelm von Raron was the son of Egidius and Annina von Raron. His parents came from different branches of the Barons von Raron . His grandfather Rudolf von Raron gave him all of his property in Valais in 1419 and made him his sole heir a year later. As a cleric, he was first referred to as Lord of Montville in the Val d'Hérens in 1422 . His income in the parish of Naters and Ganter was sold in 1427. In the same year he succeeded his late uncle Luquinus von Raron in the cathedral chapter. In the chapter church on Valeria he donated an altar and commissioned painting of the choir. In 1435 he visited the deanery above Sion on behalf of the bishop .

In 1437, the cathedral chapter elected him to succeed the late Andreas dei Benzi as Bishop of Sitten and thus Count and Prefect of Valais. After the confirmation by Pope Eugene IV. Followed the appointment by the cathedral chapter and the homage by the district administrator meeting in Brig . In 1439 he took part in the Council of Basel , which confirmed his election. However , he did not recognize the Pope Felix V , elected there.

In 1446 Wilhelm von Raron succeeded in signing a friendship treaty with Ludwig von Savoyen and Bern . In addition, with the articles by Naters , he allowed the country people to participate in secular government affairs. Border disputes with the Ashenvale came to a temporary end in 1448 with several contracts. During his tenure he visited all parishes in his diocese three times. He traveled to Rome in 1450, on whose return he died. He was buried in the church on Valeria, where his tomb can still be seen today.

Parish establishment

• 1438: Hérémence

Web links

• Hans Kalbermatten: Raron, Wilhelm von. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .

predecessor	Office	successor
Andreas dei Benzi	Prince-Bishop of Sion 1437–1451	Heinrich Asperlin