in march 1194 he received his episcopal consecration by hermann ii of katzenelnbogen, prince-bishop of münster. in the same year adolf was instrumental in arranging the release of king richard i of england, whom he received with considerable solemnity in cologne shortly afterwards, at the beginning of february 1194. he was a declared opponent of the plans for a hereditary empire of emperor henry vi and at christmas 1195 refused henry's wish for the election of his son frederick roger. he gave up his opposition in august 1197 for the secondary election of the candidate chosen in the meantime by the other electors in boppard. however, after the death of henry vi, adolf declared the election invalid, as the candidate was not baptised and the emperor had put the electors under pressure.