Johannes Abezier
Encyclopedia
Johannes Abezier most usually known as Johann Abezier, was a Roman Catholic
religious and political leader of the Teutonic Knights
. Abezier was provost
of Frauenburg
in Warmia
(1411), and afterward the Prince-Bishop
of Warmia (1418).
) within the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights
. Abezier studied Canon Law
in the University of Prague
since 1394. In the University of Bologna
he attained his magister, becoming Doctor Decretorum (1405). He then continued his studies at the University of Vienna
. In 1408 he participated in the preparations of the Council of Pisa
. Ever, Johannes Abezier was consulted for legal advise, by the successive Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights.
In 1411, Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen appointed Johannes Abezier as their Procurator General. In that same year, Abezier became provost in the cathedral
of Frauenburg
(Frombork). In 1414, he participated in a mission to Ofen (now Buda
) where King Sigismund
was trying to settle the disputes between the state of the Teutonic Knights, and the kingdom of Poland
and the grand duchy of Lithuania
, after the decisive Battle of Grunwald
(1410). By then, Abezier occasionally acted as Auditor Rotae of the Teutonic Knights too. Also in 1414, Johannes Abezier was appointed by the new Grand Master Michael Küchmeister
, to travel to the Council of Constance
beside the archbishop
of Riga
, Johann von Wallenrodt, who also was superordinate over Warmia
(Ermland). On 13 October 1415, Abezier participated once more in a mission to settle conflicts between the order and Poland, this time in Wileny. He also participated in other diplomatic negotiations, even from Heilsberg years later.
After finishing his duties at Constance, in the summer
of 1418 Abezier was formally enthroned as the see
of the Prince-Bishopric of Warmia - whose seat was at Heilsberg
-, as Prince-Bishop
over this territory. His election of 1415 had been unanimous. By then, the territory had been left much destroyed, by the war between both nations. Abezier remained at Heilsberg as the bishop of Ermland, until his death, on February 11, 1424.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
religious and political leader of the Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
. Abezier was provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
of Frauenburg
Frombork
Frombork is a town in northern Poland, on the Vistula Lagoon, in Braniewo County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. It had a population of 2,528 as of 2005....
in Warmia
Warmia
Warmia or Ermland is a region between Pomerelia and Masuria in northeastern Poland. Together with Masuria, it forms the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship....
(1411), and afterward the Prince-Bishop
Prince-Bishop
A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office...
of Warmia (1418).
Life
Abezier was born in Thorn, (now ToruńTorun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
) within the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights
Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights
The State of the Teutonic Order, , also Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights or Ordensstaat , was formed in 1224 during the Northern Crusades, the Teutonic Knights' conquest of the pagan West-Baltic Old Prussians in the 13th century....
. Abezier studied Canon Law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
in the University of Prague
Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
since 1394. In the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
he attained his magister, becoming Doctor Decretorum (1405). He then continued his studies at the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
. In 1408 he participated in the preparations of the Council of Pisa
Council of Pisa
The Council of Pisa was an unrecognized ecumenical council of the Catholic Church held in 1409 that attempted to end the Western Schism by deposing Benedict XIII and Gregory XII...
. Ever, Johannes Abezier was consulted for legal advise, by the successive Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights.
In 1411, Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen appointed Johannes Abezier as their Procurator General. In that same year, Abezier became provost in the cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of Frauenburg
Frombork
Frombork is a town in northern Poland, on the Vistula Lagoon, in Braniewo County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. It had a population of 2,528 as of 2005....
(Frombork). In 1414, he participated in a mission to Ofen (now Buda
Buda
For detailed information see: History of Buda CastleBuda is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the west bank of the Danube. The name Buda takes its name from the name of Bleda the Hun ruler, whose name is also Buda in Hungarian.Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's...
) where King Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
was trying to settle the disputes between the state of the Teutonic Knights, and the kingdom of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and the grand duchy of Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, after the decisive Battle of Grunwald
Battle of Grunwald
The Battle of Grunwald or 1st Battle of Tannenberg was fought on 15 July 1410, during the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. The alliance of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, led respectively by King Jogaila and Grand Duke Vytautas , decisively defeated the Teutonic Knights, led...
(1410). By then, Abezier occasionally acted as Auditor Rotae of the Teutonic Knights too. Also in 1414, Johannes Abezier was appointed by the new Grand Master Michael Küchmeister
Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg
Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg was the 28th Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, serving from 1414 to 1422.- Biography :...
, to travel to the Council of Constance
Council of Constance
The Council of Constance is the 15th ecumenical council recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, held from 1414 to 1418. The council ended the Three-Popes Controversy, by deposing or accepting the resignation of the remaining Papal claimants and electing Pope Martin V.The Council also condemned and...
beside the archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, Johann von Wallenrodt, who also was superordinate over Warmia
Warmia
Warmia or Ermland is a region between Pomerelia and Masuria in northeastern Poland. Together with Masuria, it forms the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship....
(Ermland). On 13 October 1415, Abezier participated once more in a mission to settle conflicts between the order and Poland, this time in Wileny. He also participated in other diplomatic negotiations, even from Heilsberg years later.
After finishing his duties at Constance, in the summer
Summer
Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice...
of 1418 Abezier was formally enthroned as the see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of the Prince-Bishopric of Warmia - whose seat was at Heilsberg
Heilsberg
Heilsberg:* German name of Lidzbark Warmiński* Battle of Heilsberg* Transmitter Heilsberg- See also :* Lidzbark* Lidzbark * Lidzbarski...
-, as Prince-Bishop
Prince-Bishop
A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office...
over this territory. His election of 1415 had been unanimous. By then, the territory had been left much destroyed, by the war between both nations. Abezier remained at Heilsberg as the bishop of Ermland, until his death, on February 11, 1424.