Johannes Dantiscus
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Johannes Dantiscus, also Johann(es) von Höfen or Johann(es) Flachsbinder, Polish: , was born 1 October 1485 in Danzig (Gdańsk) and died 27 October 1548 in Heilsberg.
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 Graudenz, and studied first in Greifswald, then in Cracow where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree.
During his studies he became associated with the royal court of John I Albert, King 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. He became a nobleman (herbu Dantyszek).
Johannes became a church canon and a poet. He became Bishop of Culm (now Chełmno) and, later, of Warmia. He wrote many poems in Latin. Among his many works is an autobiography, the "Life of Johannes Dantiscus" (Vita Joannis de Curiis Dantisci).
Dantiscus belongs to the circle of the most outstanding poets.
In addition, he maintained an active correspondence with prominent persons throughout Europe. There are thousands of his letters, many in Latin but some in several other languages, still in existence (see Ext.Link below). Some are to relatives, also named Flachsbinder.
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