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In the HRE, a number of states came to be ruled both ecclesiastically and secularly by Prince-Bishops, often corresponding to their own diocese. Some of these became very powerful such as the Archbishoprics of Mainz, Trier, and Cologne who were electors of the HRE. Other notable prince-bishoprics included Basel, Salzburg, Munster, Wurzburg, Metz, Toul, Verdun, Augsburg, Liege, Utrecht, and Trent. Outside of the HRE, such states are few in number, limited to the Papacy and the Livonian/Teutonic lands. What if prince-bishops were more common outside of the HRE by becoming both secular and ecclesiastic leaders of their communities and unifying their two positions?

For starters, one map of France in 1030 depicted some ecclesiastic lands belonging to the bishops of Reims, Châlons, Langres, Noyon, Beauvais, Laon, and Tournai. A later map showed Velay also being under ecclesiastic rule. One can also point to the Bishop of Urgell in Aragon, Spain, who is a co-prince of Andorra. What if these retained power for longer periods? What the effect of these be on the local politics?
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