Johann Adam von
Bicken was born in
Hainchen Castle on 27 May 1564, the son of Philipp von Bicken and his wife Anna Brendelin von Homburg (sister of
Daniel Brendel of Homburg). As a boy, he studied the
seven liberal arts in
Würzburg and
Mainz. He then spent 1582 to 1584 studying in
Pont-à-Mousson, before moving on to
Bourges,
Toulon, and
Italy. He was fluent in
French and
Italian as well as his native
German. Johann von Bicken was destined for a career in the church from an early age. Before he was ten years old, his uncle,
Daniel Brendel of Homburg arranged for him to become a
canon of the
cathedral chapter of
Mainz Cathedral. During the reign of
Wolfgang von Dalberg,
Archbishop of Mainz, Johann held several administrative posts, and was present at the
Regensburg Reichstag of 1597. He was elected
Domscholaster in 1595. The cathedral chapter of Mainz Cathedral elected Johann Adam von Bicken as the new Archbishop of Mainz on 15 May 1601.
Pope Clement VIII confirmed his election on 27 August 1601. Johann Adam's time as Archbishop of Mainz is notable for advancing the
confessionalization of the
Archbishopric of Mainz. He dismissed a number of
Lutheran officials and required a profession of
Roman Catholic faith from officials at the 1602
Feast of the Assumption (15 August 1602). The erection of the
old arsenal was started under his reign. A large number of
witch trials were held during his time as archbishop. Johann Adam von Bicken died in
Aschaffenburg on 11 January 1604. He is buried in Mainz Cathedral. == In popular culture ==