The son of Otto of Holstein-Schauenburg became a canon in Hildesheim in 1445.
In 1458 (at the age of seventeen) he was chosen as the bishop and installed in the following year.
He was unable, however, to fend off the devastation of his bishopric by the neighbouring princes.
In 1469, his city forged a defensive alliance with Duke Otto of Lüneburg.
He died of grief on 22/23 Jul 1471, as a result of the misfortune suffered in the war with Duke Frederick.