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Niels Kaas

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Niels Kaas
Chancellor of Denmark
In office
1573–1594
MonarchsFrederick II
Christian IV
Preceded byJohan Friis
Personal details
Born1535
Stårupgård,Viborg Municipality,Denmark
Died29 June 1594 (aged 59–60)
Copenhagen,Denmark–Norway
ResidenceCopenhagen
Alma materViborgSchool

Niels Kaas(1535 – 29 June 1594)[1]was a Danish politician who served asChancellorof Denmark from 1573 until his death. He was influential in the negotiation of thePeace of Stettinand in the upbringing ofChristian IV.Kaas also played an important role in the emancipation ofSchleswig-Holstein.

Early life and education

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Kaas belonged to a noble family. His parents were Niels, who died seven months before he was born, and Anne Bjørn, who died when he was five. As a result, Kaas was raised by his uncle Mogens Kaas, the dean of the district ofJelling,and later cantor of Ribe Chapel.[2]He was educated at theViborgschool, where he studied for nine years, concentrating on theology and classical studies. In 1549, Kaas moved toCopenhagen,where he was taken in by theologianNiels Hemmingsenunder the direction of his brother Bjørn. Under Hemmingsen, he completed his theological, Latin, and historical training. In 1554, Kaas began studying underPhilipp MelanchthoninWittenberg.He also studied inFrankfurtandLeuven,and saw theBattle of St. Quentinin 1557.[3]

Career

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Kaas returned to Copenhagen in 1557, entering the Danish Chancery three years later. His knowledge of history and Latin became invaluable in negotiations with other countries. During theNorthern Seven Years' War,Kaas remained in Copenhagen and helped negotiate with Sweden inRoskilde.In 1570, he helped complete thePeace of Stettin.[4]

After the death of ChancellorJohan Friisin December 1570, Kaas was appointed Chancellor by the Herredag (lords of the realm) in May 1573. In 1575, he became the second-most powerful person in the country on the death of theSteward of the Realm,Peder Oxe.Frederick IIgreatly relied on Kaas's negotiating skills. As chancellor, Kaas helped solve the question of succession forJohn II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-HaderslevandJohn II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburgin 1582.[4]

He also served as the Chancellor of theUniversity of Copenhagen,and under his leadership the university created its first professorship in history. Many of his writings survive from this time. He took special interest in the research of astronomy underTycho Brahe,and of history in general.[5]

Christian IVreceiving the keys of government from Kaas

In June 1587 when Frederick II had toothache, Kaas met the Scottish ambassadorsPatrick VansandPeter Youngwho wanted to discuss the marriage ofJames VIto a Danish princess.[6]Upon the death of Frederick II in 1588, Kaas became the guardian of government. During this time, he dealt with many issues, such as the influence wielded by the dowager queenSophiaand her father DukeUlrich III of Mecklenburg-Güstrow.Kaas was a supporter of the two, but the Folketing opposed their influence and sought to limit it.[7]

James VI marriedAnne of Denmarkand came to Denmark in 1589 and gave Kaas a gold chain worth 900dalers.[8]On 12 December 1591 he signed the autograph book of Dietrich Bevernest, writing, "Fortuna fugacior undis."[9]

In 1593, Kaas helped emancipate the duchies ofSchleswig-Holsteinfrom theHoly Roman Empireand secure the rule over them of Frederick's successor,Christian IV.On his deathbed in 1594, Kaas called Christian IV in order to advise him on government, saying:

Your grace Lord Father, holy remembrance, I promised to his utmost, that I with all power, counsel and faithfulness should ensure that the crown came upon your head. But now prevents death me therein upon the will of God, yet I will do what I can, and provide therefore the honor of your Grace's own hands the key to the vault, where the crown, scepter, sword and orb since his death, having been bestowed. Take therefore the kingdom treasures of God himself, bears the crown with Price and glory reigns spire with wisdom and grace, bring the sword of justice and power and keeps the orb lay with counsel and prudence. God bless the king! Farewell king, farewell kingdoms and lands, father surely all the world! Come, O Jesus, if you will, now I die happy.

— Niels Kaas,[10]

References

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  1. ^Bricka 1895,pp. 65, 70.
  2. ^Bricka 1895,p. 65.
  3. ^Bricka 1895,p. 66.
  4. ^abBricka 1895,p. 67.
  5. ^Bricka 1895,pp. 67, 68.
  6. ^Stevenson 1997,pp. 9–10.
  7. ^Bricka 1895,pp. 68, 69.
  8. ^Kerr-Peterson & Pearce 2020,p. 38.
  9. ^Leonard 1982,p. 33.
  10. ^Bricka 1895,p. 70.

Sources

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  • Leonard, Forster (1982).Das Album amicorum von Dietrich Bevernest(in German). North-Holland Publishing Company.
  • Stevenson, David (1997).Scotland's Last Royal Wedding: The marriage of James VI and Anne of Denmark.John Donald.ISBN0-85976-451-6.OCLC36798423.
  • Bricka, Carl Frederik(1895)."Niels Kaas".Dansk biografisk Lexikon, tillige omfattende Norge for tidsrummet 1537–1814 Danish Biographic Lexicon, including Norway for the period 1537–1814(in Danish). Vol. IX (1st ed.). pp. 65–71.
  • Kerr-Peterson, Miles; Pearce, Michael (2020). "James VI's English Subsidy and Danish Dowry Accounts".Miscellany of the Scottish History Society.Vol. XVI. Boydell Press.ISBN978-0-906245-45-3.OCLC1122799160.
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