Paul Knibbe facts for kids
Paul Knibbe, also known as Paulus Knibius, was a smart lawyer and diplomat from a region called Flanders (which is now part of Belgium). He worked for the Danish king and traveled to countries like England and Scotland. He passed away in 1592.
Early Life and Work
Paul Knibbe was born in a town called Tielt in West Flanders. He was very well-educated, earning a special degree called a doctorate, and even taught at Heidelberg University.
Knibbe worked with important people like the English diplomat Robert Beale. They traveled together to a big meeting in Frankfurt in 1577. Later, in 1578, a famous leader named William of Orange sent Knibbe to represent him in Ghent. By 1581, Knibbe joined William of Orange's special council in Flanders.
Knibbe was also interested in old books and history. He owned a very old handwritten book that included works by Geoffrey of Monmouth and William of Malmesbury. He gave this book to his friend Jerome Commelin to be published in 1587. Knibbe also studied ancient Roman writings carved into stone, called inscriptions. He even wrote letters about them to a French historian named Jean-Jacques Boissard. Another person who loved Roman inscriptions was the Scottish ambassador George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal. He even placed stones from the old Antonine Wall at his castle, Dunnottar. Marischal later traveled to Denmark in 1589 to help arrange the marriage of Anne of Denmark and James VI.
In 1587, Knibbe wrote a letter from Vlissingen to an English diplomat named Daniel Rogers. He mentioned that he had already seen a Dutch translation of a book about why Mary, Queen of Scots was executed. He also talked about plans for peace with Spain and the departure of the Earl of Leicester from the Netherlands. Soon after this, Knibbe began working for the Danish royal family.
Working for Denmark
In September 1589, Anne of Denmark set sail for Scotland to marry James VI. Paul Knibbe was part of her important group, which also included the Danish Admiral Peder Munk. However, bad weather and strong winds forced their ships to stop near Oslo. Knibbe then returned to Copenhagen.
When King James VI traveled to Oslo in November 1589 to finally meet his bride, Anne, the Danish royal council and Anne's mother, Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, sent Knibbe, along with Corfitz Tønnesen Viffert and Georg Brahe, to welcome the King and invite him to Copenhagen.
In July 1590, a group of Scottish ambassadors, including John Skene and Colonel William Stewart, arrived at Koldinghus in Denmark. They were greeted by "Dr Paul Knibius." When they left, he gave them letters for King James VI.
Knibbe kept in touch with English diplomats like Francis Walsingham and Daniel Rogers. In October 1590, he wrote to Daniel Rogers in London, describing some ongoing witch trials. He mentioned that Admiral Peder Munk's fleet had faced threats from witches in November 1589, and one woman was burned as a witch.
Knibbe arrived in Scotland in July 1591 and met King James VI and Anne of Denmark at Falkland Palace. He discussed important matters, including ideas for a peace treaty involving Spain. He also brought letters from the Duke of Brunswick written in German, though King James preferred Latin. Knibbe was also asked to check if Queen Anne had received all her promised properties. He brought a letter to the Chancellor of Scotland, John Maitland of Thirlestane, asking for his help with this, as Maitland owned some of the lands in question. Knibbe also had a conversation with Robert Bowes, the English diplomat in Edinburgh.
Some Danish gentlemen traveled with Knibbe. They escorted a Danish gentlewoman, likely Margaret Vinstarr, to join Queen Anne's household. They were also meant to bring two other gentlewomen, probably Anne or Sophia Kaas and Katheren Skinkel, back home to Denmark.
In 1592, Knibbe was sent as an ambassador to England. He planned to meet Queen Elizabeth in Oxford, but she was away traveling. When a meeting was finally arranged, Knibbe fainted while being helped into a carriage.
He sadly passed away in London on October 5, 1592. The next year, in June 1593, the Danish King Christian IV wrote to Queen Elizabeth asking her to send Knibbe's belongings to his wife.
Family Life
Paul Knibbe's wife was named Anne. Her father was Adolf van Meetkercke, who was an important leader in Flanders. The historian Emanuel van Meteren mentioned Knibbe's death in a letter and noted that he left behind five children.
