Johannes Dantiscus

Who was Johannes Dantiscus?

Johannes Dantiscus, was prince-bishop of Warmia and Bishop of Culm. In recognition of his diplomatic services for Polish kings, the bishop and poet is also known as the Father of Polish Diplomacy.

Johannes Dantiscus' personal seal, a depiction located at Stanford University Libraries, identifies him as Ioannes De Curiis, Pruss. Varmien with St. Katherine, St. Jacob and St. Peter crests.

Dantiscus was born in Gdańsk. His family's name was von Höfen, while Flachsbinder was an occupational name derived from his grandfather's ropemaking trade. Johannes took on the nickname Dantiscus in order to show that he was a burgher of Danzig 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 Kraków 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.