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Letter #3016

Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Brussels, 1546-11-28

English register:

In reply to Dantiscus’ letters of 15 June and 16 July about the student from Gdańsk kidnapped in Brabant, De Schepper reports that the deed was committed by people from Gdańsk, while the young man was not abducted in Brabant but deceitfully persuaded to travel to Sint-Truiden, a town in the estates of the Bishop of Liège [Georg of Austria] that border on Brabant. From there he was taken to Cologne but managed to get away in one piece. One of the perpetrators, the elder son of a bookseller, has already been punished. His brother, a Gdańsk forger, will also be punished if he comes to the Low Countries under his own name.

De Schepper mentions that there are many suspicious individuals among people claiming to be merchants from Poland, Pomerania and the east: apostates, fugitives, exiles and Anabaptists. Despite this, merchants are treated kindly by the people of the Low Countries, as they were before the war, although they opposed the Emperor [Charles V]. De Schepper trusts that despite the influence apostates have in German towns, the Emperor will fulfil his plans.

De Schepper assures Dantiscus that any traveller who mentions him will be witness to his respectful memory of his friend.

He reports that things are calm in the Low Countries, though the Emperor’s opponents would like to ignite destruction. He does not describe the Emperor’s affairs because an envoy from Poland [Achatius von Zehmen] was at his court recently. The Polish, French, English and Venetians favour peace negotiations while – in De Schepper’s view – today it is deeds that count and not diplomatic missions. No news of Dantiscus has reached De Schepper.

De Schepper informs Dantiscus of rumours that the Emperor’s opponents are inciting many rulers to oppose the Emperor, but the subduing of previous rebellions demonstrates that such behaviour is risky. He derides this kind of idea.

De Schepper encourages Dantiscus to work towards preserving and improving the old customs and form of Christian religion in the territories under his supervision [Royal Prussia]. He warns him against the ruinous influence of his neighbours [Ducal Prussia and the Duchy of Pomerania] in this regard.

De Schepper sends Dantiscus letters from his friends, including the Bishop of Liège. He explains the breaks in his correspondence by noting the duties he is burdened with in these turbulent times. He sends Dantiscus greetings also from his wife, children and friends.


            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1547-02-04

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, UUB, H. 155, f. 144-145
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, LSB, BR 19, No. 67
3register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a. 1546, f. 61
4register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 30, No. 166

Prints:
1DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 478, p. 399 (English register)
2CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 87) p. 587-591 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime et excellentissime Praesul, Domine et Pater ex animo honorande et observande.

Non possum ad litteras tuas de cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER 1546-06-15, CIDTC IDL 6680, letter lostXV-a Iuniicf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER 1546-06-15, CIDTC IDL 6680, letter lost deque cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER 1546-07-16, CIDTC IDL 6681, letter lostIulii decima sextacf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER 1546-07-16, CIDTC IDL 6681, letter lost, quae concernunt quendam studiosum Gedanensem, qui apud concives suos dicebatur ex Brabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the NetherlandsBrabantiaBrabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands raptus vi publica quorundam praedonum etc., pluribus respondere, nisi quod Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic Leaguevestrae istic civitatisGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League alumni has insidias bono iuveni struxere, sicut iam palam est. Dedit quidem praecipuus auctor, bibliopolae filius senior, poenas dementiae suae. Superest, ut et frater ipsius, qui Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic LeagueGedaniGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League imposturam movit, det similes, quod fiet, si quando contigerit eum cognitum ad nos divertere, nam longe plurimos, qui se Inhabitants of Poland PolonosInhabitants of Poland , inhabitants of Pomerania Pomeranosinhabitants of Pomerania , orientales, ceterisque nominibus appellant, nescimus, quales sint, et verisimile est non deesse in illorum numero apostatas, fugitivos, exules, anababtistas atque huiusmodi deploratae sortis homines, adversum quos non sumus oculati inquisitores, quia mercatorum numero habentur.

Quibus hactenus praestitum est a nobis, quicquid ante incoeptum istud bellum Germanicum fuit humanitatis, non aliter, quam si non stetissent contra partes Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of CastilecaesarisCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile. Cuius Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of CastilemaiestatemCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile divino auxilio munitam et iustissimae causae innitentem non dubitavimus assecuturam esse parem finem optimae ipsius intentioni, quantumvis illi resisterent, de quibus tamen optime merita fuit ipsius maiestas, aliquot Germany (Germania, Niemcy)GermaniaeGermany (Germania, Niemcy) civitates plus credulae (quod mirandum est) apostatis aliquot monachis quam veris. Quod vitium mirarer tam late serpsisse, nisi scirem hoc saeculo, si quando alias, plurimum posse vitia. Orandus Deus est, ut utrimque mentem sanam inspiret, aliis ut misereantur temporum praesentium, aliis ut suis superioribus oboediant.

Si quisquam tuo nomine advenisset, dedissem operam, ut intellexisset tui memoriam apud me esse venerabilem. Qui casus accidit Gedanensi iuveni, posset aliis et prudentioribus contigisse. Evasit ille Dei gratia, adiuvante innocentia, neque in Brabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the NetherlandsBrabantiaBrabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands captus, sed seductus, ut ad ditionem Georg of Austria (*1504 – †1557), illegitimate son of Emperor Maximilian I; from 1526-04-09 untill 1539 Bishop of Brixen (Bressanone); from 1539-01-12 priest of Valencia, from 1539-04-08 Archbishop of Valencia, from 1544-08-16 Bishop of LiègeLeodiensis episcopiGeorg of Austria (*1504 – †1557), illegitimate son of Emperor Maximilian I; from 1526-04-09 untill 1539 Bishop of Brixen (Bressanone); from 1539-01-12 priest of Valencia, from 1539-04-08 Archbishop of Valencia, from 1544-08-16 Bishop of Liège se conferret, ad Sint-Truiden (Saint-Trond), city in the Low Countries, in the Prince-Bischopric of Liège, today in Belgium, province of LimburgSanctum, ut vocant, TrudonemSint-Truiden (Saint-Trond), city in the Low Countries, in the Prince-Bischopric of Liège, today in Belgium, province of Limburg in confinibus Brabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the NetherlandsBrabantiaeBrabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands, ubi currus per vestros Citizens of Gdańsk GedanensesCitizens of Gdańsk apparatus fuit, quo miser ille in agrum sive specum Coloniensem vectus fuit. Itaque vestris Citizens of Gdańsk GedanensibusCitizens of Gdańsk imputetur iste casus, quem non sunt impune laturi apud nos, qui huiusmodi moliuntur.

Malorum et scelestorum hominum, quibus hoc tempore plerisque invitantibus causis plena sunt omnia, numquam deest seminarium, sive ex vobis, sive aliunde proveniat, sed inter bona, quae iis provinciis asscribi possunt, si qua modo sunt, certe animadvertitur iure in praedones publicorum itinerum.

Reliqua adhuc salva sunt, quamquam adversarios Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of CastilecaesarisCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile intelligimus facem in iis nostris incendere velle, quae cf. Ov. Ep. 16.49-50 arsurum Paridis vates canit Ilion igni / pectoris, ut nunc est, fax fuit illa mei! Paridis erit faxcf. Ov. Ep. 16.49-50 arsurum Paridis vates canit Ilion igni / pectoris, ut nunc est, fax fuit illa mei! et adversum eos redundatura. Nam quod ad nos attinet, non adeo despecti sumus, quin ut cum Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) (*70 BC – †19 BC), ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period, author of the Aeneid and many other workspoetaVirgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) (*70 BC – †19 BC), ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period, author of the Aeneid and many other works loquatur, cf. Verg. A. 12.51 Spargimus et nostro sequitur de vulnere sanguis nostro sequitur de vulnere sanguiscf. Verg. A. 12.51 Spargimus et nostro sequitur de vulnere sanguis .

De statu rerum Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of CastilecaesarisCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, non dubito, quin per Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)oratorem vestrumAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326), quem apud ipsius maiestatem habuistis, redditi sitis certiores. cf. Suet. Jul. 33.1.1 Iacta alea est Iacta est aleacf. Suet. Jul. 33.1.1 Iacta alea est . Ea utcumque cadat, ferenda est. Interim vos cum The French FrancisThe French , The English (Angli) AnglisThe English (Angli) , Citizens of the Republic of Venice VenetisCitizens of the Republic of Venice opinionem adepti estis magno in negotio voluisse pacem procurare. Interea res manibus non legationibus aguntur. Quarum exitus ut reipublicae felix sit, exopto. De te nihil audio.

Vulgo feruntur cursitare adversarii Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of CastilecaesarisCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile apud plerosque reges eosque animare, ut conatibus maiestatis ipsius caesareae dant obviam, quod exemplum domitorum rebellium, si quidem domari poterunt, periculosum sit futurum iis ipsis regibus. Ad has suggestiones, si verae sunt, rideo, nam si quando umquam, certe nunc cf. Liv. 2.32.8-12 Placuit igitur oratorem ad plebem mitti Menenium Agrippam, facundum virum et quod inde oriundus erat plebi carum. Is intromissus in castra prisco illo dicendi et horrido modo nihil aliud, quam hoc narrasse fertur: tempore, quo in homine non ut nunc omnia in unum consentiant, sed singulis membris suum cuique consilium, suus sermo fuerit, indignatas reliquas partes sua cura, suo labore ac ministerio ventri omnia quaeri, uentrem in medio quietum nihil aliud quam datis voluptatibus frui; conspirasse inde ne manus ad os cibum ferrent, nec os acciperet datum, nec dentes quae acciperent conficerent. Hac ira, dum ventrem fame domare vellent, ipsa una membra totumque corpus ad extremam tabem venisse. Inde apparuisse ventris quoque haud segne ministerium esse, nec magis ali quam alere eum, reddentem in omnes corporis partes hunc quo vivimus vigemusque, divisum pariter in venas maturum confecto cibo sanguinem. comparando hinc quam intestina corporis seditio similis esset irae plebis in patres, flexisse mentes hominum. expedit membra capiti esse subiecta et exitiosum exemplum futurum regibus omnibus, si praevaleant adversum caput membra, quod a Agrippa Menenius Lanatus (†493 BC), consul of the Roman Republic in 503 BCMenenio AgrippaAgrippa Menenius Lanatus (†493 BC), consul of the Roman Republic in 503 BC prudenter est animadversumcf. Liv. 2.32.8-12 Placuit igitur oratorem ad plebem mitti Menenium Agrippam, facundum virum et quod inde oriundus erat plebi carum. Is intromissus in castra prisco illo dicendi et horrido modo nihil aliud, quam hoc narrasse fertur: tempore, quo in homine non ut nunc omnia in unum consentiant, sed singulis membris suum cuique consilium, suus sermo fuerit, indignatas reliquas partes sua cura, suo labore ac ministerio ventri omnia quaeri, uentrem in medio quietum nihil aliud quam datis voluptatibus frui; conspirasse inde ne manus ad os cibum ferrent, nec os acciperet datum, nec dentes quae acciperent conficerent. Hac ira, dum ventrem fame domare vellent, ipsa una membra totumque corpus ad extremam tabem venisse. Inde apparuisse ventris quoque haud segne ministerium esse, nec magis ali quam alere eum, reddentem in omnes corporis partes hunc quo vivimus vigemusque, divisum pariter in venas maturum confecto cibo sanguinem. comparando hinc quam intestina corporis seditio similis esset irae plebis in patres, flexisse mentes hominum. .

Haec ad te pro mea libertate, optime et pientissime pater, futurorum ignarus perscribo. Si quid potes in regionibus tuis, quo res Christiana stet antiquo ritu modoque, enitere, nam nova haec etiam, si quaedam vetera, emendatione egeant. Periculosa sunt tam vicinis atque imminentibus malorum conatibus, atque ausis, ne quid de opinionibus dicam.

A Georg of Austria (*1504 – †1557), illegitimate son of Emperor Maximilian I; from 1526-04-09 untill 1539 Bishop of Brixen (Bressanone); from 1539-01-12 priest of Valencia, from 1539-04-08 Archbishop of Valencia, from 1544-08-16 Bishop of Liègereverendissimo LeodiensiGeorg of Austria (*1504 – †1557), illegitimate son of Emperor Maximilian I; from 1526-04-09 untill 1539 Bishop of Brixen (Bressanone); from 1539-01-12 priest of Valencia, from 1539-04-08 Archbishop of Valencia, from 1544-08-16 Bishop of Liège ceterisque amicis quas potui colligere cf. Maximiliaan van EGMOND-BUREN to Ioannes DANTISCUS Deventer, 1546-11-12, CIDTC IDL 5116;
Georg of Austria to Ioannes DANTISCUS Liège, 1546-11-26, CIDTC IDL 4206;
Lazarus TUCHER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Antwerp, 1546-12, CIDTC IDL 3017
litterascf. Maximiliaan van EGMOND-BUREN to Ioannes DANTISCUS Deventer, 1546-11-12, CIDTC IDL 5116;
Georg of Austria to Ioannes DANTISCUS Liège, 1546-11-26, CIDTC IDL 4206;
Lazarus TUCHER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Antwerp, 1546-12, CIDTC IDL 3017
,[1] ad te mitto hoc tantum praefatus, ne me de cetero negligentiae aut taciturnitatis accuses. Cuius si quod est vitium, non sane meo erga te studio, sed negotiis imputari debet, ut scis haec tempora quieta non esse.

Bene et recte vale, et si quid apud te habent ponderis apprecationes et commendationes amicorum, ne Elisabeth Donche (Anna Isabella Donche, Isabeau) (†1549), from 1528 wife of Cornelis De Schepper, mother of Cornelis Jr and Anne, sister of Joanna Donche (AT 16/1, p. 215)uxorisElisabeth Donche (Anna Isabella Donche, Isabeau) (†1549), from 1528 wife of Cornelis De Schepper, mother of Cornelis Jr and Anne, sister of Joanna Donche (AT 16/1, p. 215) meae Anne De Schepper (*1529-1532 – †1619), daughter of Cornelis De Schepper (DONCHE, p. 340-346)

Cornelis De Schepper Jr (*1532 – †1582 or 1583), son of Cornelis De Schepper (DE VOCHT 1961, 316, 403-404; DONCHE, p. 310, 346-349)
filiorumAnne De Schepper (*1529-1532 – †1619), daughter of Cornelis De Schepper (DONCHE, p. 340-346)

Cornelis De Schepper Jr (*1532 – †1582 or 1583), son of Cornelis De Schepper (DE VOCHT 1961, 316, 403-404; DONCHE, p. 310, 346-349)
que et amicorum aspernere.

Eiusdem Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae humilis inservitor et filius Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite, diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)Cornelius ScepperusCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite, diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)