| John Adolf | |
| Succession: | Duke of Holstein-Gottorp |
| Reign: | 18 October 1590 – 31 March 1616 |
| Predecessor: | Philip |
| Successor: | Frederick III |
| House: | Holstein-Gottorp, Oldenburg |
| Father: | Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp |
| Mother: | Christine of Hesse |
| Spouse: | Augusta of Denmark |
| Issue: | Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp Elisabeth Sofie Adolf Dorothea Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp Hedwig Anna John X of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp Christian |
| Birth Date: | 27 February 1575 |
| Birth Place: | Gottorf Castle |
| Death Place: | Schleswig |
| Burial Place: | Schleswig Cathedral |
Johann Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp (27 February 1575 – 31 March 1616) was a Duke of Holstein-Gottorp.
He was a third son of Duke Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp and his wife Christine of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel). He became the first Lutheran Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck (1586–1607) and the Administrator of the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen (1589–1596). He became the Duke after the deaths of his two elder brothers; as Duke of a sovereign state in the early 17th century, he became involved with the religious wars of the time.[1]
After succeeding in 1590 his father as ruling Duke, the Bremian Chapter enforced his resignation in favour of his younger brother John Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince-Bishop.
John Adolf entered into a secret treaty with his cousin, King Christian IV, to suppress the nobility,[2] in 1608.[3] He wrote at least one diplomatic letter to Queen Elizabeth I.[4]
He donated to the Hamburg Confraternity of Saint Anne of the Iceland Merchants, which indicated that he was involved in trade with Iceland.[5] He was also a patron of touring English theatre troupes.[6]
He was married on 30 August 1596 to Princess Augusta of Denmark, daughter of King Frederick II of Denmark. They had the following children:
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