Johan Friis

Johan Friis (20 February 1494 – 5 December 1570) was a Danish statesman. He served as Chancellor under King Christian III of Denmark.

Biography He was born at Lundbygård manor as the son of Jesper Friis til Lundbygård and Anne Johansdatter Brockenhuus. He studied in Odense and in Copenhagen before completing his education in Cologne and Rome.

His generosity to poor students was well known. Under King Frederick II of Denmark (1559-1588), who understood but little of state affairs, Friis was well-nigh omnipotent. He was involved in the Scandinavian Seven Years' War (1563–70), which did so much to exacerbate the relations between Denmark and Sweden.

In 1553, possibly somewhat earlier, King Frederick II ceded Borreby Castle on Zealand to Johan Friis. After his death, Borreby was passed to his nephew, Christian Friis. Johan Friis was also the owner of Hesselagergård, a manor on the island Funen. From 1538 to 1550 it was rebuilt in Renaissance style. The estate remained in the Friis family until 1682.

Johan Friis died on 5 December 1570 at Køge, a few days before the peace of Stettin.