Johan Rantzau

Johan Rantzau
Born	(1492-11-12)12 November 1492 Steinburg,Duchy of Holstein
Died	12 December 1565(1565-12-12)(aged 73) Itzehoe,Duchy of Holstein
Buried	St James' Church, Lübeck
Allegiance	Christian III
Service/branch	Royal Danish Army
Rank	Field marshal
Battles/wars	Scanian peasant rebellion Count's Feud Battle of Aalborg Battle of Øksnebjerg Siege of Copenhagen Conquest of Dithmarschen
Spouse(s)	Anna Walstrop ​ (m.1554)​
Children	Heinrich Rantzau

Schloss Breitenburg at Steinburg

Johan(alsoJohann)Rantzau(12 November 1492 – 12 December 1565) was aGerman-Danishfield marshalandstatesmanknown for his role in theCount's Feud.His military leadership ensured the succession ofChristian IIIto the throne, which brought about theReformation in Denmark.

Biography

Rantzau was born at Schloss Breitenburg atSteinburgnearItzehoeinSchleswig-Holstein.He was born into nobility as the son of Henrik Breidesen Rantzau (1434–1497) and Ollegaard Ditlevsdatter von Buchwald (1458–1538). His family had come into the service of the Danish king after the union between Denmark and the duchies ofSchleswigandHolstein,but he was loyal to the rulers of the latter. From his early years he sought amilitarycareer and was educated an officer and amercenary(landsknecht), but at the same time he also acted as an important political advisor of the duke.

When KingChristian II of Denmarkwas overthrown in 1523 by KingFrederick I,Rantzau led Frederick's army of conquest. He became a member of theDanish Privy Councilas well asgovernorof the duchies and was the most important of the king's non-Danish advisors. At the same time he emerged asquireof Holstein, making the manor house Schloss Breitenburg his entailed estate. Among his military missions was his fight against theScanianpeasant rebellion (Bondeoprør) of 1525 that was bloodily crushed. During these years he also became a devoutProtestant,working together with his Danish colleagues on advancing theLutherancause.

Rantzau became especially notable due to his participation in the Count's Feud from 1534–1536. Together with the Holstein nobility, he supportedChristian IIIin spite of the latter's desperate situation. An attempt at conqueringFunenin 1534 ended in a defeat and a humiliating retreat, but in the same year Rantzau crushedSkipper Clement's peasant rebellion inJutlandand secured the peninsula for the king. The next year, he successfully conquered Funen, defeating CountChristopher of Oldenburg’s army at theBattle of Øksnebjerg(Slaget ved Øksnebjerg) and finally leading the siege ofCopenhagenthat ended with the triumph of Christian III.

After the war, Rantzau continued being the king’s general and advisor, but he was pushed into the background in Denmark while concentrating on Holstein affairs. In 1545 he resigned as the governor of Schleswig and Holstein in protest against the threefold division of the duchies between King Christian III and his brothersJohn the ElderandAdolfthe year before. However, he went back into the active service of KingFrederick II of Denmarkduring the summer of 1559 as the leader of the conquest ofDithmarschen.Peace was concluded atLoheon 20 June 1559.

Personal life

In 1554, Johan Rantzau was married to Anna Walstrop (ca. 1510-1582). He died during 1565 atItzehoe.Rantzau's sonHeinrich Rantzau(1526–1598) was an outstandingHolstein cattlelord, governor, and squire of cultural and literary interests. Heinrich's biography of his father is the main source of the latter's life. He was the great-grandfather of Danish military leader andMarshal of FranceJosias von Rantzau(1609–1650).

Literature

• Dansk Biografisk Leksikon,vol.11, Copenh. 1982.
• Politikens Danmarkshistorie,vol 5, by Johan Hvidtfeldt. Copenh. 1963.
• Politikens Danmarkshistorie,vol 6, by Svend Cedergreen Bech, Copenh. 1963.

External links

• Media related toJohann Rantzauat Wikimedia Commons