Albrecht Giese facts for kids

Albrecht Giese (born February 10, 1524 – died August 1, 1580) was an important leader and diplomat in the city of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). He was part of the powerful Giese family, who were well-known merchants. They had businesses in major cities like London and Danzig. Albrecht Giese also became the Mayor of Danzig.

Who Was Albrecht Giese?

Albrecht Giese was born in Danzig, a city in the Kingdom of Poland. His family, the Gieses, were very rich and influential merchants. They had moved to Danzig around 1430 from a place near Cologne, Germany.

A Family of Merchants

The Giese family was part of the Hanseatic League. This was a powerful group of merchant cities that controlled much of Europe's trade in the 1300s and 1400s. The Giese family had offices in London, at a place called the Steelyard. This was a special area where merchants from the Hanseatic League and other countries met to trade. Albrecht's sons later helped manage the family business in London.

His Education and Travels

Albrecht Giese studied at several famous universities. He attended the University of Greifswald, the University of Wittenberg, and the University of Heidelberg.

After his studies, Albrecht traveled around Europe for several years. This was a common practice for Hanseatic merchants. It helped them learn different languages and understand various cultures. These skills were very important for someone involved in long-distance trade.

Starting a Family and Career

In 1564, Albrecht Giese returned to Danzig. He married Elisabeth Langenbeck. Her uncle, Johann Ferber, had been the Mayor of Danzig. The very next year, Giese became a councilman in the city government. For the next six years, he represented Danzig at several important Hanseatic meetings in Lübeck.

Standing Up for Danzig

A big conflict happened between the Polish king and Danzig's city council. The king wanted to change some of Danzig's special rights and freedoms. The city council disagreed, and some members were even arrested. This was because they opposed the terms of the Union of Lublin, which Danzig had not agreed to.

A Brave Diplomat

Negotiations between Danzig and the king took place in 1568 and 1569. Albrecht Giese was part of the group sent to talk with the king. This group was led by the Mayor of Danzig, Johann Brandes.

The king put a lot of pressure on the delegation. Giese and another councilor, Georg Kleefeld, were even held captive for a year in Kraków. But they bravely refused to agree to the king's demands. By doing this, they helped protect Danzig's independence. Giese and Kleefeld were finally released in 1570 after a large payment of 100,000 guilders (an old type of money) was made.

Becoming Mayor

Albrecht Giese eventually became the Mayor of Danzig. In 1579, the Polish king also named him the royal burgrave of Danzig. This important job meant he helped supervise the city's justice system.

Family Life

Albrecht and Elisabeth Giese had at least seven children. Two of their sons became very successful.

• One older son, Tiedemann Giese, became a high-ranking church leader. He was first the Bishop of Chełm and later the Prince-Bishop of Warmia.
• A younger son, Georg Giese, became a merchant like his father. He is famous because a well-known artist, Hans Holbein the younger, painted his portrait.

Albrecht Giese passed away in 1580 in Danzig.