Albert Krantz (December 7, 1517),
German historian, was a native of
Hamburg
Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...
. He studied law,
theology
Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...
and history at
Rostock
Rostock (; Polabian language, Polabian: ''Roztoc''), officially the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock (), is the largest city in the German States of Germany, state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and lies in the Mecklenburgian part of the sta ...
and
Cologne
Cologne ( ; ; ) is the largest city of the States of Germany, German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the List of cities in Germany by population, fourth-most populous city of Germany with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants in the city pr ...
, and after travelling through western and southern
Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...
was appointed professor, first of
philosophy
Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
and subsequently of theology, in the
University of Rostock
The University of Rostock () is a public university located in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Founded in 1419, it is the third-oldest university in Germany. It is the oldest university in continental northern Europe and the Baltic Se ...
, of which he was rector in 1482.
In 1493 he returned to Hamburg as theological lecturer, canon and prebendary in
St. Mary's Cathedral. By the
Senate of Hamburg he was employed on more than one diplomatic mission abroad, and in 1500 he was chosen by the king of
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
and the duke of
Holstein
Holstein (; ; ; ; ) is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider (river), Eider. It is the southern half of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost States of Germany, state of Germany.
Holstein once existed as the German County of Holstein (; 8 ...
as arbiter in their dispute regarding the province of
Dithmarschen
Dithmarschen (, ; archaic English: ''Ditmarsh''; ; ) is a district in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Flensburg, Rendsburg-Eckernförde, and Steinburg, by the ...
. As dean of the cathedral chapter, to which office he was appointed in 1508, Krantz applied himself with zeal to the reform of ecclesiastical abuses, but, though opposed to various corruptions connected with church discipline, he had little sympathy with the drastic measures of
Wycliffe or
Huss. With
Martin Luther
Martin Luther ( ; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, Theology, theologian, author, hymnwriter, professor, and former Order of Saint Augustine, Augustinian friar. Luther was the seminal figure of the Reformation, Pr ...
's protest against the abuse of
Indulgences he was in general sympathy, but with the reformer's later attitude he could not agree. When, on his death-bed, he heard of the
ninety-five theses, he is said, on good authority, to have exclaimed: "Brother, Brother, go into thy cell and say, God have mercy upon me!" Krantz died on December 7, 1517.
Krantz was the author of a number of historical works which for the period when they were written are characterized by exceptional impartiality and research. The principal of these are ''Chronica regnorum aquilonarium Daniae, Sueciae, et Noruagiae'' (
Strassburg
Strasbourg ( , ; ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est Regions of France, region of Geography of France, eastern France, in the historic region of Alsace. It is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin Departmen ...
, 1546); ''Vandalia, sive Historia de Vandalorum vera origine, etc.'' (Cologne, 1518);
Saxonia (1520); and ''Metropolis, sive Historia de ecclesiis sub Carolo Magno in Saxonia'' (
Basel
Basel ( ; ), also known as Basle ( ), ; ; ; . is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the river Rhine (at the transition from the High Rhine, High to the Upper Rhine). Basel is Switzerland's List of cities in Switzerland, third-most-populo ...
, 1548). See life by N. Wilckens (Hamburg, 1722).
The book "''Vandalia, sive Historia de Vandalorum vera origine,''" stands as a crucial historical chronicle primarily centered on the history of the Vandals. It offers readers a compelling journey back to ancient times, providing valuable insights into the lives and cultures of these early peoples.
This significant work delves deeply into the history of the Vandals and their influence in Eastern Europe, placing a particular emphasis on their impact within the context of Slavic history, as he described the Vandals as Sclavoni, Slavs. The narrative within the book serves as a window into the historical significance and cultural contributions of the Vandals, shedding light on their interactions and lasting influence on the Slavic peoples and the broader Eastern European landscape. He also describes the Burgundians who settled Eastern parts of France and parts of present day Switzerland as Vandals.
In the spring of 2021, the inaugural translation from Latin to Polish of Krantz's historical text was finally accomplished and the book "WANDALIA Albert Krantz"
was published, marking a commendable achievement of historian and researcher Grzegorz Skwarek. This momentous effort rendered the significant historical account accessible to a broader audience, breaking barriers that had previously hindered its reach. Skwarek's translation has played a pivotal role in fostering a newfound understanding and deeper appreciation for the narrative and historical insights encapsulated within Krantz's seminal work.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Krantz, Albert
16th-century German historians
1450s births
1517 deaths
Writers from Hamburg
German male non-fiction writers
15th-century German jurists
16th-century German jurists
15th-century German historians