Hans von Bodeck

Who was Hans von Bodeck?

Hans von Bodeck was a German diplomat and chancellor of the Hohenzollern Prince-electors of Brandenburg-Prussia.

Bodeck came from a prominent patrician family of Elbing in the Polish province of Royal Prussia. His grandfather was the burgomaster, while his father was a city councilman. His ancestor Johann III von Bodeck received imperial status from Emperor Rudolf II and was allowed to improve the family's coat of arms. The family also held offices in Danzig.

In order to find a trading partner Bodeck was sent on a diplomatic mission from Elbing throughout Europe. During that time he wrote liber amicorum, which is now studied by musicologists. During his diplomatic tour Bodeck visited the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and England, where he attended the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He attended the funeral ceremony for Queen Elizabeth I of England and the coronation of the new English king, James I. The council of Elbing had sent two delegates with dual missions: firstly, to pay its respects to the new king and secondly to oppose the transfer of English trade from Elbing to nearby Danzig.