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William Murphy's avatar

Many thanks for a hugely enjoyable and informative article. It shows what fascinating forms of states can still exist. No wonder people accuse President Macron of lordly airs when he really is a Prince, but not a member of any French royal family. What a biopic you could make out of the life of this glorious rogue Boris Skossyreff.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Skossyreff

My favourite Prince-Bishop is Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau of Salzburg. He does illustrate some of the possible problems of wearing Church and civil hats at the same time. He had a mistress and fifteen kids and built the Mirabell Palace for them. He already had a splendid official Residenz as Archbishop, but plainly it would not do to move the family there.

Sadly, you cannot get into the Mirabell as it is occupied by the local government officials. Why can't they rent a boring office block and charge the public for guided tours and talks? I can recommend the Residenz which is open.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Dietrich_von_Raitenau

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Graham Wright's avatar

This was a great read, very interesting, thank you!

While in todays world its appropriate that secular and ecclesial powers are separate, I think it is good that this "special case" of Andorra seems set to continue with its Prince-Bishop.

Things move on, but there is always a place for traditional social structures - look at the affection many people still have for European Monarchies, for example.

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