Hans Povelsson Paus

Sir Hans Povelsson Paus the Elder (1587 – 1648) was a Norwegian priest.

Early life and education

He grew up in Oslo together with his brother, fellow priest Peder Povelsson Paus (b. 1590); the brothers have long been known as the earliest certain ancestors of the Paus family. The fact that both brothers received the best and most costly education available in Denmark-Norway and their apparent social connections to powerful men in Oslo/Eastern Norway show that they clearly belonged to the elite of 16th century Oslo. According to S. H. Finne-Grønn, the brothers were almost certainly the sons of burgher of Oslo Povel Hansson (born ca. 1545–50), a son of canon at St Mary's Church Hans Olufsson (died 1570), who held personal noble rank.