Editing Principality (section)

===Ecclesiastical principalities===
{{see also|Hochstift}}
Several principalities where genealogical inheritance is replaced by succession in a religious office have existed in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], in each case consisting of a feudal polity (often a former secular principality in the broad sense) held ''ex officio'' — the closest possible equivalent to hereditary succession — by a [[prince of the church]], styled more precisely according to his ecclesiastical rank, such as [[prince-bishop]], [[prince-abbot]] or, especially as a form of crusader state, [[Grand Master (order)|grand master]].

Some of these instances were religious offices without sovereign power over any territory. In contrast, others, such as [[prince-bishop of Salzburg|Salzburg]] and [[Prince-bishop of Durham|Durham]], shared some of the characteristics of secular princes.