Niels Kaas
| Niels Kaas | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chancellor of Denmark | |
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In office 1573–1594 |
|
| Monarch |
Frederick II Christian IV |
| Preceded by | Johan Friis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1535 Stårupgård, Viborg Municipality, Denmark |
| Died | 29 June 1594 (aged 59–60) Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Residence | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Alma mater | Viborg School |
Niels Kaas (1535 – 29 June 1594) was a Danish politician who served as Chancellor of Denmark from 1573 until his death. He was influential in the negotiation of the Peace of Stettin and in the upbringing of Christian IV. Kaas also played an important role in the emancipation of Schleswig-Holstein.
Kaas belonged to a noble family. His parents were Niels, who died seven months before he was born, and Anne Bjørn, who died when he was five. As a result, Kaas was raised by his uncle Mogens Kaas, the dean of the district of Jelling, and later cantor of Ribe Chapel. He was educated at the Viborg school, where he studied for nine years, concentrating on theology and classical studies. In 1549, Kaas moved to Copenhagen, where he was taken in by theologian Niels Hemmingsen under the direction of his brother Bjørn. Under Hemmingsen, he completed his theological, Latin, and historical training. In 1554, Kaas began studying under Philipp Melanchthon in Wittenberg. He also studied in Frankfurt and Leuven, and saw the Battle of St. Quentin in 1557.
He returned to Copenhagen in 1557, entering the Danish Chancery three years later. His knowledge of history and Latin became invaluable in negotiations with other countries. During the Northern Seven Years' War, Kaas remained in Copenhagen and helped negotiate with Sweden in Roskilde. In 1570, he helped complete the Peace of Stettin.
After the death of Chancellor Johan Friis in December 1570, Kaas was appointed Chancellor by the Herredag (lords of the realm) in May 1573. In 1575, he became the second-most powerful person in the country on the death of the Steward of the Realm, Peder Oxe. Frederick II greatly relied on Kaas's negotiating skills. As chancellor, Kaas helped solve the question of succession for John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Haderslev and John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg in 1582.
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