Johannes Sering facts for kids
Johannes Sering (also known as Johannes Seringius) was an important religious advisor, called a chaplain, to Anne of Denmark. She was the wife of James VI of Scotland, who later became James I of England. Sering worked for her in both Scotland and England until he passed away in 1631.
Early Life and Education
Johannes Sering came from a region in Germany called Thuringia. He went to Rostock University and studied there in 1585. He was part of the Lutheran church, which was a major branch of Protestantism. When he became an English citizen in 1607, it was noted that he was born under the rule of the Prince of Weimar.
Serving Queen Anne in Scotland
When Anne of Denmark was going to marry James VI of Scotland, her family made a special request. They wanted her to be free to practice her own religion and have her own preacher. This preacher would be paid by the Scottish government. Johannes Sering became her court preacher.
Even though both Denmark and Scotland were Protestant countries, they had different forms of the faith. Denmark was Lutheran, while Scotland had become Calvinist.
After Anne's ships were delayed by bad weather, King James VI sailed to Norway to meet her. On November 25, 1589, he met Sering and promised him a yearly payment. This money was for Sering to teach Queen Anne about the "true religion" from his Lutheran point of view.
Sering, often called the "Danish minister," received a good salary from the Scottish government. He might have often written letters to Denmark, sharing news about Scotland and the queen.
In May 1595, Sering wrote to the Danish council. He asked if he could leave Scotland and become a church minister back in Denmark. He also mentioned that Queen Anne could now speak Scots very well, just like any Scottish noblewoman. However, he stayed with the queen and moved with her to England in 1603.
Sering married Anna Ellis (also known as Anna Ebbes) on April 28, 1598. Anna was a Danish servant of the queen. Queen Anne even paid for their wedding party at Holyrood Palace. The royal records called the couple "Hairy Hans" and "Little Anna."
Life in England
When Queen Anne moved to England in 1603, Johannes Sering and his wife Anna came with her.
Anna Ebbes, Sering's wife, passed away on February 26, 1608. She was buried at St Margaret's, Westminster. Sering had a special stone placed there with a Latin message in her memory.
In 1611, Sering asked to become the master of a hospital in Newport Pagnell. This hospital was part of the queen's special income. He also received a yearly payment of £50 from the king starting in 1621.
Later, in 1622, he asked for his payments to be made. He received a yearly pension of £80. In 1626, he wrote a Latin poem for the coronation of Charles I of England. He used this occasion to ask for any unpaid money from his pension.
Johannes Sering died in 1631 and was buried at St Margaret's, Westminster, just like his first wife. He left behind a widow named Grace.
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