Andrea, Lorenz

ANDREÄ, LORENZ (LARS ANDERSON): The great ecclesiastico-political Swedish reformer; b. probably at Strengnäs (40 m. e. of Stockholm) about 1480; d. there Apr. 29, 1552. He was archdeacon of Strengnäs when through Olaus Petri he was converted to the Lutheran views. In 1523 the newly chosen king Gustavus Vasa chose him to be his chancellor. As such he aided Olaus and Laurentius Petri in their reformatory activity and contributed largely to bring about the religious liberty granted at the Diet of Vesterås in 1527, and the full introduction of the Reformation at the Council of Oerebo in 1529. In 1540 he and Olaus Petri opposed the effort of Vasa to transform the Swedish Church in the direction of presbyterianism and thus roused the king’s anger. On trumped up charges of high treason Andreä was sentenced to death. The king pardoned him but deprived him of his offices and he lived the rest of his life in retirement. He wrote Tro och Gerningar (“Faith and Good-Works”), reprinted Stockholm, 1857. See Sweden.