Johann Albrecht Adelgrief was a German prophet, son of a Protestant minister, born in late 1500CE. He was well schooled and showed a gift for ancient languages.

In his twenties he claimed to be in contact with seven heavenly angels who asked him to banish evil from the world; primarily by scourging the then reigning monarchs with "rods of iron".

He was arrested for heresy (being a "heathen") in Koenigsberg, accused of witchcraft, and condemned to death. He was executed on October 11, 1636.

All his writings were suppressed by the Church.