John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Haderslev
Johann (Hans) the Elder ( born June 29, 1521 Haderslev, † October 1, 1580 in Haderslev ) was the only Duke of Schleswig -Holstein - Haderslev. The name of the Older it leads to distinguish him from his nephew Johann the Younger, who ruled as Duke of divided in Sonderborg from 1564.
Family
Johann was the son of King Frederick I of Denmark and his second wife Sophia of Pomerania. As a possible heir to the throne, he enjoyed an attentive education and spent several years at the court of his brother Albert of Brandenburg at Königsberg. This had modernized the state of the Teutonic Order, which was under suzerainty of the Polish crown to a secular duchy. This successful policy should set the tone of the policy and understanding of the state as Johanns also never fully sovereign prince.
Reign as Duke (1544-1580)
From 1544 he shared with his brother Adolf and his half-brother King Christian III. of Denmark the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. He ruled from the castle Haderslevhus and erected in his hometown of Hans later the castle, a magnificent Renaissance castle east of the city.
For dominion of John the Elder were among the offices Hadersleben including Törninglehn, Tønder and Løgumkloster and island scenery north beach and Fehmarn in Schleswig, Holstein Rendsburg the Office and some small communities.
During his reign, John was involved in the Reformation and founded several social and educational institutions, including the Haderslebener Hospital. Even in the legal system he fought for many reforms and was regarded as a dedicated judge. As one of the first rulers between the seas he has been actively supporting reclamation and coastal protection one, he was ruler over the most at risk from the sea coast route in Schleswig. With Christian's successor on the Danish throne, Frederick II, Adolf and occupied it in 1559 in the last feud, the independent peasant republic Dithmar and divided them among themselves. After his death - he died childless - its territories fell to Adolf and Friedrich.
Aftermath
In contrast to most of the dukes of Schleswig and Holstein Johann has left a very positive view of history in the posterity of the elder. This is especially true for his residence town of Haderslev which was home only to his time and lasting benefited from this status. Even today it is popular as a kind of patron saint. The biggest annual summer festival in Haderslev is called after him Hertug -Hans- hard, and the local brewery Fuglsang has named a beer after him ( Hertug Hans Pils ). Also the reformation temporal Hospital carries his name. His judgments were fully published in book form ( De Hansborgske Domme ). Also nordfriesische chroniclers praised Duke Hans for his efforts both to the Church and to the security of the country as " vader vader of the country ."