The Dansk Kancelli () was an administrative and partially governmental body in Denmark from the 12th century to 1848.
History Before the Reformation From the 12th century to the Reformation in 1536 its name was simply the Chancellery (). The chancellor was appointed by the king from among bishops. It had the responsibility of the expedition of letters and orders from the king. Later it also gained the responsibility of copying and archiving the king's regulations.
From the Reformation to the introduction of absolute monarchy After the Reformation the Chancellery was renamed Danish Chancellery () to distinguish it from the German Chancellery (). The Danish Chancellery was responsible for all correspondence in Danish and the civil administration of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The German Chancellery had similar responsibility for the German and Latin correspondence and the civil administration of duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Before, 1770, when it was separated into its own ministry, the German Chancellery was also responsible for foreign policy towards all but the Nordic countries.
The chancellor was now a noble and not a clergyman.
Over the years the chancellery gained a strong governmental power in additional to its administrative responsibilities.
First mentioned in 1550s Rentekammeret (lit. Rent Chamber) was a part of the Danish Chancellery. It had the responsibility of the state financial administration. Under and after Christian IV the central administration grew rapidly. Bureaus such as a postal service and customs where created.
Under absolute monarchy
At the introduction of absolute monarchy in Denmark, a number of equivalent administration and governing bodies was introduced including the War Chancellery (), and Kommercekollegiet. Rentekammeret was elevated and renamed to Skatkammerkollegiet.
Chancellors Kongens Kansler Years Kongens Kansler Notes 1190-1201 Anders Sunesen 1201-1214 Peder Sunesen 1214-1232 Niels 1232-1245 Niels Stigsen Galen 1245-1252 Peder Ranesen Prælat 1252-1267 Niels, Bishop of Viborg 1267-1282 Niels Jyde 1296-1304 Martin of Dacia 1313-1320 Guido of Halland 1328-29 Peder Jensen Galen 1376 Niels Jacobsen Ulfeldt 1396-1398 Peder Jensen Lodehat 1400-1413 Jacob Prælat 1413-1416 Jens Andersen Lodehat 1418 Jens Jacobsen Prælat 1419-34 Johannes Petri 1435-39 Laurencius Brand 1439-46 Oluf Mortensen Baden 1448-50 Oluf Jensen 1452 Oluf Mortensen Baden 1452-53 Jens Clausen Prælat 1454-55 Oluf Mortensen Baden 1455-57 Tetz Rosengaard 1458 Mogens Krafse 1459-60 Daniel Kepken 1460 Jens Brostrup 1460-64 Daniel Kepken 1465 Johannes Theoderi 1469-72 Jens Brostrup 1473 Johannes "Nicholas" Prælat 1473-80 Jens Pedersen 1482 Lage Johannis Mester 1483-85 Niels Skave 1486-93 Johan Jepsen Ravensberg 1493-1496 Hans Clausen 1502-1510 Hartvig 1511-12 Lage Urne 1509-20 Ove Bille, Bishop Århus 1520-22 Jesper Brochmand (acting) 1522-23 Claus Pedersen 1523-26 Gotskalk Eriksen Rosenkrantz
Danske Kansler Years Danske Kansler Notes 1523-1532 Claus Gjordsen 1533-1570 Johan Friis til Borreby 1570(73)-1594 Niels Kaas til Tårupgård 1594-1616 Christian Friis til Borreby 1190-1201 Christian Friis til Kragerup 1640-1657 Christian Thomesen Sehested til Bækmark
See also Rentekammeret
References
External links Biographies of Kansler office holders Rtske Kancelli