He was born into one of the most prominent Brandenburg families as the son of Landeshauptmann Thomas von dem Knesebeck (the Elder), who introduced Calvinism to Brandenburg and affected the conversion of the Elector of Brandenburg, John Sigismund.[1] At the encouragement of his father, who believed in an extensive education, he spent almost ten years studying law and the humanities at the Universities of Helmstedt, Frankfurt (Oder), Wittenberg, Marburg and Heidelberg, under the tutelage of some of the leading German thinkers such as Henning Arnisaeus and Leonhard Hutter. These studies were followed by the almost obligatory grand tour of Europe, including Geneva, Italy, France, the Netherlands and England.
Upon his return he was appointed a judge on the Higher Regional Court (Kammergericht), in expectation that he would inherit the position of Landeshauptmann of the Altmark from his father, which he did in 1626. Supported by his brother Hempo, who was by then the war commissary of Brandenburg, the early years in this role were largely spent mitigating the impact of the 30 Years War on the region. Knesebeck’s own estates were laid waste by imperial troops in 1631. At the insistence of Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, having declined once before, he was admitted into the Privy Council in 1646. He was further appointed director of the Kammergericht in 1651, in order to push through long-needed reform of that institution.[2]
One of the major incidents under his administration was the 1653 Landtag, a meeting of the Estates necessitated by the burdensome post-war financial demands made on them by Frederick William in part due to his drive to fund a standing army. Though Knesebeck was broadly opposed to this policy, the eventual outcome was a five-year payment plan, in exchange for increased absolutist power for the Elector, as well as greater privileges for the nobility versus the peasantry.
Knesebeck died on 1 February 1658. He remained unmarried and was succeeded as Landeshauptmann by his brother Hempo.
ReferencesEdit
^Isaacsohn, Siegfried, "Knesebeck, Thomas von dem" in: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 16 (1882), p.285
^L. Noack & Jürgen Splett. Bio-Bibliographien: Brandenburgische Gelehrte der Frühen Neuzeit - Mark Brandenburg mit Berlin-Cölln 1506–1640. pp.205-07
August 27, 2023
thomas, knesebeck, younger, thomas, knesebeck, march, 1594, february, 1658, privy, councillor, landeshauptmann, governor, altmark, during, most, years, well, earliest, members, fruitbearing, society, life, edithe, born, into, most, prominent, brandenburg, fami. Thomas von dem Knesebeck 27 March 1594 1 February 1658 was a Privy Councillor and Landeshauptmann Governor of the Altmark during most of the 30 Years War as well as one of the earliest members of the Fruitbearing Society Life EditHe was born into one of the most prominent Brandenburg families as the son of Landeshauptmann Thomas von dem Knesebeck the Elder who introduced Calvinism to Brandenburg and affected the conversion of the Elector of Brandenburg John Sigismund 1 At the encouragement of his father who believed in an extensive education he spent almost ten years studying law and the humanities at the Universities of Helmstedt Frankfurt Oder Wittenberg Marburg and Heidelberg under the tutelage of some of the leading German thinkers such as Henning Arnisaeus and Leonhard Hutter These studies were followed by the almost obligatory grand tour of Europe including Geneva Italy France the Netherlands and England Upon his return he was appointed a judge on the Higher Regional Court Kammergericht in expectation that he would inherit the position of Landeshauptmann of the Altmark from his father which he did in 1626 Supported by his brother Hempo who was by then the war commissary of Brandenburg the early years in this role were largely spent mitigating the impact of the 30 Years War on the region Knesebeck s own estates were laid waste by imperial troops in 1631 At the insistence of Frederick William Elector of Brandenburg having declined once before he was admitted into the Privy Council in 1646 He was further appointed director of the Kammergericht in 1651 in order to push through long needed reform of that institution 2 One of the major incidents under his administration was the 1653 Landtag a meeting of the Estates necessitated by the burdensome post war financial demands made on them by Frederick William in part due to his drive to fund a standing army Though Knesebeck was broadly opposed to this policy the eventual outcome was a five year payment plan in exchange for increased absolutist power for the Elector as well as greater privileges for the nobility versus the peasantry Knesebeck died on 1 February 1658 He remained unmarried and was succeeded as Landeshauptmann by his brother Hempo References Edit Isaacsohn Siegfried Knesebeck Thomas von dem in Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 16 1882 p 285 L Noack amp Jurgen Splett Bio Bibliographien Brandenburgische Gelehrte der Fruhen Neuzeit Mark Brandenburg mit Berlin Colln 1506 1640 pp 205 07 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Thomas von dem Knesebeck the Younger amp oldid 1071776784, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
