title: Johann Franz von Schönau-Zell
text: # Johann Franz von Schönau-Zell
  
  Johann Franz Reichsritter von Schönau-Zell (1619–1656) was the Prince-Bishop of Basel from 1651 to 1656.
  
  ## Biography
  
  Johann Franz von Schönau-Zell was born in Ensisheim on 15 July 1619, the son of Marx Jakob von Schönau and of Margaretha von Reinach. He spent his childhood in Waldshut after his father became bailiff of the forest there. His father set on a career in the clergy for his younger son. The boy studied at Porrentruy, the University of Freiburg, Lucerne, and at the Collegium Germanicum in Rome.
  
  He was ordained as a priest on 15 April 1648. On 18 September 1648 the cathedral chapter of Basel Münster elected him to be Prince-Bishop of Basel. Pope Innocent X confirmed the appointment on 3 March 1653. Thomas Henrici, auxiliary bishop of Basel on 15 June 1653.
  
  He died in Porrentruy on 30 November 1656. He received heart-burial.
  
  