HEINRICH VON KÖNNERITZ (1483–1551)
Origin
Heinrich von Könneritz (Czech: Jindřich z Koneritz, also Könritz, Latin: Coneritius) was born around 1483 into a noble family originating from Thuringia and Meissen that had settled in Saxony. His father was Dietrich von Könneritz of Löbschütz and Großzössen.
Activity in Jáchymov
Together with the comital family Schlik, Heinrich von Könneritz was among the personalities who stood at the origins of the town of Jáchymov. He served there as the first mining governor and at the same time as mint master. He also owned shares in several mines in the Jáchymov mining district.
He was one of the co-authors of the Jáchymov mining code issued in 1518, which was based on the mining code of Annaberg from 1509. This regulation defined the organisation of mining, the extraction of ores and the legal position of miners in the newly established mining town.
Könneritz is also considered the author of an early chronicle of Jáchymov describing the first years of the town and the earlier settlement of Konradsgrünn. The original chronicle has not survived in full. Only fragments are known from a later transcription made by the mining councillor Meisl, who worked in Jáchymov between 1788 and 1798.
Conflict of the miners in 1525
In 1525 Könneritz played an important role in resolving a dispute between rebellious miners, the town authorities and the Schlik family. The conflict occurred during a period of tension in mining regions across Central Europe and could have led to violence. Thanks to his mediation the dispute was settled peacefully.
Cooperation with Agricola
From 1527 onward Heinrich von Könneritz cooperated with Georgius Agricola. His knowledge of the Jáchymov mining district helped Agricola prepare his well-known work Bermannus sive de re metallica dialogus, one of the earliest significant texts on mining and mineralogy.
Departure from the town
He remained mint master until 1528, when the Schlik family was forced to return the minting rights to the Bohemian ruler. In 1545, after the royal authority took control of the town and the mines, he also lost his office as mining governor and his shares in the mines.
He then left Jáchymov and entered the service of the Saxon Elector John Frederick. After the Schmalkaldic War he withdrew to his estates near Leipzig. Heinrich von Könneritz died on 15 March 1551 in Lobstädt.
Monuments
His memory is preserved through artistic works connected with his patronage. He donated the main altar to the Church of All Saints in Jáchymov. Another winged altar comes from the family burial chapel in Lobstädt.
Both altars originate from the workshop of the Cranach school in Wittenberg, one of the most important artistic centres of the Reformation period.
