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Johannes Dantiscus, (German:Johann(es) von Höfen-Flachsbinder;Polish:Jan Dantyszek; 1 November 1485 – 27 October 1548) wasprince-bishop ofWarmia andBishop of Chełmno (Culm). In recognition of his diplomatic services forPolish kings, the bishop and poet is also known as the "Father of Polish Diplomacy."
Johannes Dantiscus' personal seal, a depiction located at Stanford University Libraries, identifies him asIoannes De Curiis, Pruss. Varmien with St. Katherine, St. Jacob and St. Peter crests.
Dantiscus was born in Danzig (Gdańsk), in theKingdom of Poland. His family's name wasvon Höfen,[1] whileFlachsbinder was an occupational name derived from his grandfather'sropemaking trade (literallyflax binder). Johannes took on the nickname Dantiscus in order to show that he was aburgher of Danzig (Latin:Dantiscum) where his father was abrewer andmerchant.
He finished his elementary studies at aparishschool inGrudziądz (Graudenz), and studied first inGreifswald, then inKraków where he was awarded a bachelor's degree.
During his studies, the teenage Dantiscus became associated with the royal court of KingJohn I Albert ofPoland, and took part in military expeditions against theTurks and theMoldavians. For over 30 years he was a royal diplomat and the royal secretary.
Dantiscus, at KingSigismund I's side, took part in theHoly Roman Empire's convention ofVienna in 1515. In Vienna he was knighted by the emperor for his services and was made a nobleman.
Johannes became a churchcanon, thenBishop of Chełmno and later ofBishop of Warmia. He also wrote many poems, mainly inLatin, for which he is regarded as one of the most outstanding poets. Among his many works is hisautobiographyVita Joannis de Curiis Dantisci ("The Life of Johannes of the Danzig Church").
In addition, he maintained an activecorrespondence with prominent persons and institutions throughoutEurope as well as with relatives. Thousands of hisletters dating from 1500–1548 are still in existence.[2] Dantiscus wrote mainly in Latin and German, and sporadically received letters in Polish, or in other languages.
He died, aged 63, inLidzbark (Heilsberg).
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| Preceded by | Prince-Bishop of Warmia (Ermland) 1537–1548 | Succeeded by |
