Some sources speculate that he was born Peder Esbern Plade or Plad, having adopted the name Palladius as a latinized version of his surname.

[2] Other sources suggest that Plad was a nickname he received as schoolboy, in reference to his father's supposed work as a shoemaker.

Palladius described his own conversion to Lutheranism in a 1550 letter to the Catholic bishop of Holar in Iceland, wherein he illustrated his realisation that the teachings of papism were inconsistent with those of Jesus Christ.

Having forcefully removed the existing Catholic bishops from Denmark, Christian III needed to establish his own church and clergy.

[1][2] After earning his doctorate in 1537, Palladius was invited to the synod which established the Church of Denmark along with fellow Wittenburg graduates Jørgen Sadolin, Hans Tausen, and Frans Vormordsen.

Following the church’s formation, Palladius was appointed as the “superintendent” of the Diocese of Zealand on 2 September 1537, a position which replaced the former archbishop.

Among these were images of saints, altars, relics, and texts for mass services which he considered remnants of the papist era.

A 1551 letter from the king mentions that many of the clergy remained steadfast in their beliefs, much to his frustration, and were to be instructed directly by Palladius on his behalf.

Prior to the reformation, the majority of bishops were from powerful families which could afford to educate their children to a high level.

During this period he produced a large number of theological works, many of which gained him international renown and were translated into Polish, German, and English.

[1] During Peder’s illness, his brother Niels took over many of his duties, including crowning King Frederik II on 20 August 1559.

[1] He published a number of short writings during his time as bishop in an effort to promote a new style of worship and theological practice.