A humanist on the throne

In 1509 Johann I. was succeeded by his son Johann II. (* 20.03.1492, † 18.05.1557). As a seventeen-year-old he took over the administration of the dukedom. One year before, he had married Beatrix, daughter of margrave Christoph von Baden. It is indisputable that he was the most important prince of his house for the city of Simmern and the old chroniclers praise him as a virtuous man and a friend of science and scholars. He acquired an education that was unusual for his time at Philipp’s von der Pfalz court in Heidelberg. Phillip was one of his relatives. This is where he might have got in touch with the rising intellectual movement called humanism. History was his favourite subject. With admirable diligence he was working on a lot of historical documents and compiled an extensive handwritten volume on the genealogy of his Bavarian-Palatine family, which is kept in the archives of the house of Wittelsbach in Munich. In a side wing of the Simmern Palace the duke had a printing house established which produced many famous printing products, e.g. the “Büchlein von der Kunst des Messens” (Little Book of Measuring), the “Geschichte des spanischen Riesen Fierabas” (The Story of the Spanish Giant Fierabas), the “Rixnersches Turnierbuch” (Rixner’s Book of Tournament) and Hutten’s “Weltlich Klösterlein” (Worldly Monastery).

Johann was interested in art and supported the mausoleum art in the Stephanskirche. The “Master of Simmern” and Johann of Trarbach worked at his then famous art school, whose works are spread widely into Southern Germany. The prince himself carved a group of sculptures portraying Mary’s death and the twelve apostles. Johann II. is regarded as the founder of Simmern’s Latin School, which developed into today’s grammar school.

He was also actively involved in the great history of the Reich. He enjoyed the confidence of Emperor Karl V. and was appointed judge of the Supreme Court. In 1523 he became the Emperor’s governor and maintained the Reich’s regime. He ruled the country when the Emperor was absent. In 1555, a short time before he died, Johann abolished serfdom and gave the citizens freedom of movement and a new legal system.