Background
Abschatz was born at Würbitz (Wierzbnica) in Lower Silesia.
Abschatz was born at Würbitz (Wierzbnica) in Lower Silesia.
Even though his parents died early, Abschatz attended college in Liegnitz and then studied law at the universities of Strasbourg and Leyden.
This was followed by a three-year travel to Belgium, France, and Italy. His financial condition was favourable and his private life fortunate, only disturbed by the death of few close relatives. With the death of the last Silesian Piast (Duke George William) and the annexation of Silesia to Austria, the talent he showed in the administration of his manors led Abschatz to enter political life.
He was twice a representative to the imperial court at Vienna: the first time as a syndic for the Duchy of Liegnitz, the second time as a representative for all Silesian lands.
Emperor Leopold I made him a baron (Freiherr). In 1679, Abschatz was elected to be a permanent deputy of Legnica to the diet of the Silesian sovereigns (the so-called Fürstentage in Breslau).
Through his public service, he gained the respect of his fellow countrymen and acquired what he once claimed to be the highest tribute to a life"s work — an inscription on his tombstone saying he was an honest man in his fatherland.
Abschatz is considered to be a member of the school of poetry called second Silesian school (Zweite Schlesische Schule), together with writers such as Daniel Casper von Lohenstein, Andreas Gryphius, Gottfried Benjamin Hancke and Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau.