Krantz, Albert

Krantz, Albert a German theologian and eminent historian, was born at Hamburg towards the middle of the 15th century. He studied at Hamburg, Cologne, etc., and became doctor in theology and canon law. After traveling through most of Europe, he was, on his return, appointed professor at Rostock, and rector of that university in 1482. In 1492 he settled at Hamburg, after having been employed in important diplomatic missions. In 1499 he was sent as envoy to England and France, and was often chosen to decide difficulties: thus he acted as arbiter between king John of Denmark and duke Frederick of Holstein in 1500, etc. In 1508 he was appointed dean of Hamburg, and died there December 7,1517. Though not an ultramontane, he did not show himself practically much in favor of reformation in the church, yet as a historian he exhibits great impartiality and much sound criticism. Krantz wrote Vandalia (1519; Frank:f 1575, 1588, 1601; German by St. Macropus, Ltib. 1600): — Saxonia (1520; Frankfort, 1575, 1580, 1621; Cologne, 1574, 1595; German by Faber, Leipzig, 1593 and 1582; continued by Chytraus, Wittenb. 1585): -Chronicon regnorum aquilonarium, Danice, Suecice et Norwagice (1545; Lat. 1546; Frankf. 1574, 1595; German by Eppendorf, Strasb. 1545): — Metropolis s. [list. eccles. i Saxonia (1548; Basel, 1.568; Cologne, 1574,1596; Wittenb. 1576: Frankf. 1576, 1590, 1627): — Institutiones logicce (Lpz. 1517) : —

Densoriumu eccl.; Spirantissimumn opusculum iz officium mnisse (1506, etc.). Under Clement VIII the writings of Krantz were, on account of some damaging confessions for Romanism therein contained, put in the Index. See Pierer, Universal Lexikon, vol. 8:s.v.; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. vol. 9:s.v.