Background
He was a member of a prominent Riga burgher family and son of Johann Schöning.
He was a member of a prominent Riga burgher family and son of Johann Schöning.
He studied at the University of Rostock between 1499 and 1500.
Schöning was notable for the dating of coins. During his reign from 1528 to 1539, mark, shilling, and pfenning coins from Riga bore the family shield of Thomas Schöning. With the growing strength of the Reformation centered in Livonia, his position was difficult.
Schöning moved his residency to the archbishop"s palace at Kokenhusen in 1528 because of the conflict with the city of Riga and the Order of Livonia.
Duke Albrecht recommended Schöning appoint the duke"s brother, Wilhelm von Brandenburg, as his coadjutor (assistant) and eventual successor. His body was buried in the parish church of Kukenhusen.
