Johannes Ambundii

Johannes Ambundii de Swan, also written as Abundi, Ambundij, Habundi, Habendi, Habindi, Almanni and ~ von Schwan (first records 1384 - died 16 June 1424) was a German ecclesiastic.

Ambundii is probably born in the area of Stettin (Szczecin). He studied at the Juristical University of Prague and graduated in 1391. Later he made his doctor in theology and canonical law. From 1394-1399 he was general vicar of the bishop of Bamberg, until 1401 general vicar in Speyer, then until 1408 general vicar in Würzburg. In 1409 he became bishop of Naumburg.

In 1412, he is recorded as visiting the Scottish convent of St. Ägidius in Nuremberg, by order of the bishop of Bamberg. He is canon of the church of Eichstädt and provost of Herriden in 1414 or 1415 and as such takes part at the Council of Constance. On 27 November 1416, he was elected bishop of Chur and affirmed by the archbishop of Mainz, Johann II. Shortly afterwards, Ambundii returned to the council.

At this time, Italy, France and Spain demanded the immediate election of the pope, while the Holy Roman Empire preferred to first initiate the reform of the Church. Ambundii convinced Emperor Sigismund to give priority to the election. When Martin V was proclaimed pope, he dedicated Ambundii as his successor and archbishop of Riga, "by recommendation of the Emperor". Ambundii reached the distant country by travelling to Lübeck, then by ship. On 13 October 1418 already, Ambundii participated in the negotiations between the order of the Teutonic Knights and the country of Poland in Wileny.

Not only Ambundii was unhappy with his new office in the far north, also the German brothers from the order deemed him a bitter and scant man, "which is not a laudable trait for great men" as a chaplain said. It was seen with anxiety that Ambundii was a Council of the Emperor and considered his favourite. The order tried at the time to acquire Livonia as independent property from the Emperor and feared that Ambundii would act in opposite to these efforts. In fact, it was caused by him that the chapter of Riga asked the pope to revoke the "Bulle Bonifacii IX", which incorporated the Church of Riga to the order.

In 1421 he acted as papally delegated judge in a quarrel between the king of Sweden and the bishop of Uppsala.

In 1422 he organized a council of the Prussian bishops, which however did not take place.

ources

* "Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie" - [http://mdz2.bib-bvb.de/~adb/ online version]
* "Regesta Imperii", University of Giessen - [http://regesta-imperii.uni-giessen.de/index_lit.htm online version]