Conrad von Bolanden


Conrad von Bolanden, born Joseph Eduard Konrad Bischoff, was a German prelate and novelist in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Speyer, who wrote A Wedding Trip, Queen Bertha and Historical Tales of Frederick II.

Life

A German novelist, son of a rich merchant, b. 9 August 1828, at Niedergailbach, a village of the Palatinate, in that time a part of Bavaria. Now Niedergailbach belongs to the Saarland, although the main portion of the Palatinate became a part of the neighbour-state Rheinland-Pfalz. Bolanden attended the Latin school at Blieskastel, the seminary at Speyer, and in 1849 entered the University of Munich to study theology.
Ordained priest in Speyer 1852 he was appointed assistant pastor at the cathedral. Two years later he became pastor at Kirchheimbolanden. The following year he was transferred to Börrstadt and three years later to. During this time he wrote his first four works: "A Wedding Trip", "Queen Bertha ", "Historical Tales of Frederick II." and "Gustav Adolf". From the castle and village of Bolanden he chose his pen name "Conrad von Bolanden". In 1870 the priest resigned his parish to devote himself exclusively to literary work, and lived in strict retirement at Speyer.
He published more than 60 books, mostly novels, of which the most noteworthy are: "Canossa", "Franz von Sickingen" "Trowel or Cross", "Night of St. Bartholomew", "Savonarola", "Crusades", "Wambold", "Charlemagne", "Otto the Great", "Pillar of Truth". His novels and romances, though not all of equal worth, are written for the people, brilliant in conception, simple in style. He fearlessly defends the Catholic standpoint and supports his position by frequent quotations from original sources. His works were widely read and have been translated into English and almost 6 further languages. Some time his publications were prohibited in the Kingdom of Prussia. By Pope Pius IX he was honored with the title of a Papal Chamberlain. Bolanden was the first priest of the Diocese of Speyer, who had a driver license. In his birth-village of Niedergailbach a street was named in his honour in 1993.