Johannes Dantiscus
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Johannes Dantiscus, also Johann(es) von Höfen or Johann(es) Flachsbinder, Polish: Jan Dantyszek (Dantyszek Coat of Arms), was born 1 October 1485 in Danzig (Gdańsk) and died 27 October 1548 in Lidzbark Warmiński (Heilsberg). Due to his diplomatic services for Polish kings, the bishop and poet is also known as a Father of Polish Diplomacy.
His family's name was von Höfen, while Flachsbinder is an occupational name derived from his grandfather's ropemaking trade (literally flax binder). Johannes took on the nickname Dantiscus in order to show that he was a burgher of Danzig (Latin: Dantiscum) where his father was a brewer and merchant.
He finished his elementary studies at a parish school in Grudziądz (Graudenz), and studied first in Greifswald, then in Cracow where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree.
During his studies, the teenage Dantiscus became associated with the royal court of king John I Albert of Poland, and took part in military expeditions against the Turks and the Moldavians. For over 30 years he was a royal diplomat and the royal secretary. Dantiscus, at King Sigismund I's side, took part in the Holy Roman Empire's convention of Vienna in 1515. For his services he was made a nobleman (herbu Dantyszek).
Johannes became a church canon, then Bishop of Chełmno (Kulm) and later of Warmia. He also wrote many poems, mainly in Latin, for which he is regarded as one of the most outstanding poets. Among his many works is his autobiography Vita Joannis de Curiis Dantisci ("The Life of Johannes of the Danzig Church").
In addition, he maintained an active correspondence with prominent persons and institutions throughout Europe as well as with relatives, also named Flachsbinder or Höfen. Thousands of his letters dating from 1500-1548 are still in existence [1]. Dantiscus wrote mainly in Latin and German, and sporadically received letters in other languages, like Polish.
