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Letter #2746

Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI
Brest-Litovsk, 1544-08-16


Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 228-229, 1 f. missed in numbering after f. 229
2office copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, AIARFCN, Cancellaria Polonica 1538-1599, p. 279-280
3copy in Latin, 16th-century, BCz, 1601, p. 499-502
4copy in Latin, 16th-century, BCz, 283, No. 83, p. 238-241
5copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 61 (TN), No. 74, p. 317-322
6excerpt in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1544, f. 26r-27r

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 146

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Sigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of AustriaSigismundusSigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria Dei gratia rex Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)PoloniaePoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), magnus dux LithuaniaLituaniaeLithuania, Rus (Russia)RussiaeRus (Russia), Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of PolandPrussiaePrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland, Mazowsze (Masovia) historic region in Central Poland, before 1526 an autonomous duchy and feud of the Kingdom of Poland, from 1526 included in the KingdomMazoviaeMazowsze (Masovia) historic region in Central Poland, before 1526 an autonomous duchy and feud of the Kingdom of Poland, from 1526 included in the Kingdom etc. dominus et heres

Reverendo in Christo Patri, domino Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of ErmlandIoanni episcopo VarmiensiIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland, et Generosis ac Venerabili Jan Sokołowski (Jan of Wrząca) (†1546), in 1533 accused by Ioannes Dantiscus (as Bishop of Kulm) of favouring heresy; 1539-1544 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1544-1545 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1545-1546 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 40/1, p. 131-133)Ioanni SokolowskiJan Sokołowski (Jan of Wrząca) (†1546), in 1533 accused by Ioannes Dantiscus (as Bishop of Kulm) of favouring heresy; 1539-1544 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1544-1545 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1545-1546 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 40/1, p. 131-133) castellano Culmensi, Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) (†1548), 1532-1546 Chamberlain of Marienburg; in 1546 Castellan of Gdańsk; 1546-1547 - of Elbing; 1546 Starost of Mewe, Schoneck, and Sobbowitz (PSB 1, p. 377; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 195)Ioanni a BaisenJohann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) (†1548), 1532-1546 Chamberlain of Marienburg; in 1546 Castellan of Gdańsk; 1546-1547 - of Elbing; 1546 Starost of Mewe, Schoneck, and Sobbowitz (PSB 1, p. 377; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 195) succamerario Marienburgensi et Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)Paulo PlothowskiPaweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250) praeposito ac canonico Varmiensi, secretario nostro, sincere fidelibus ac devote nobis dilectis gratiam nostram regiam.

Reverende in Christo Pater et Domine, Generosi et Venerabilis, sincere et fideles ac devote, nobis dilecti.

Quae ad nos transsumpta iurium et privilegiorum 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 Leaguecivitatis nostrae GedanensisGdańsk (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 super bona nostra Pucensia Sinceritas et Fidelitates, ac Devotio Vestrae miserunt, ea legi diligenter fecimus. Neque aliud in eis reperiri potuit, nisi quod inscripta eis et obligata bona haec fuerint in summa quinque milium florenorum Hungaricalium anno millesimo quadringentesimo nonagesimo primo per divum parentem nostrum et iterum in mille per serenissimum fratrem Alexander Jagiellon (Aleksander Jagiellończyk) (*1461 – †1506), 1492-1506 Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1501-1506 King of Poland; son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of AustriaAlexandrumAlexander Jagiellon (Aleksander Jagiellończyk) (*1461 – †1506), 1492-1506 Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1501-1506 King of Poland; son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria anno millesimo quingentesimo secundo. Quam summam, hoc est, sex milia florenorum Hungaricalium illis deberi, si modo litteris originalibus idem comprobaverint, negari non potest. Nullas praeterea summas alias in bonis istis nostris inscriptas videmus. Nam quas producunt litteras C littera signatas, eae videntur eiusmodi, ut non modo bona Pucensia, sed et omne id, quod ordinis tempore commendator Gedanensis possedit, nempe molendina, exactio telonei Pfundczoll dicti ac civitates villaeque omnes, quas eum habuisse constat, pleno iure iam ad nos redisse videatur, nulla etiam pecuniarum summa per nos persoluta.

Cum enim diserte scriptum in iis litteris habeatur, quod ipsi commendatoriam Gedanensem et officium magistri piscatoris quondam ad PuckPuczkPuck pertinens ac villam Leibe cum omnibus ipsorum civitatibus, villis, censibus, fructibus teneant usque ad summae pecuniarum, quas stipendiariis in StargardStargarthStargard, in Neuenburg (Nowe), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula river, 19 km N of GraudenzNoweNeuenburg (Nowe), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula river, 19 km N of Graudenz et aliis locis impenderunt, perceptionem et extenuationem, qua habita et summa extenuata dicta commendatoria et officium magistri piscatoris ad nos revertetur pleno iure, facile coniecturam ex eo facere licet, quandoquidem isti proventus commendatoriae et magistri piscatoris uberes sunt, et eos nonaginta prope iam annis perceperunt, etiamsi, quod asserere dicuntur, ducenta milia florenorum eis debita fuissent, quod tamen non credimus non percepisse modo eos iam summam istam intra tempus tam longum, sed etiam in pari et maiori summa debitores nobis remansisse.

In quibus tamen litteris illud animadvertimus, si modo earum in data erratum non est, quod sunt posteriores iis litteris, quibus cives, quibus ea bona primum inscripta fuerunt, cesserunt eis praeter consensum nostrum 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 Leaguecivitati GedanensiGdańsk (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 pecunia, in qua impignorata bona fuerunt, ab ea accepta. Quattuor enim mensibus post id factum est, quam sunt illae Latinae litterae datae. Quae quo tempore datae sunt, certi illi cives in possessione bonorum Puczko fuerunt, non civitas universa, cui cessio nondum facta erat. Sed quicquid hic residet scrupuli, facile dissolvent litterae originales, aut saltem litterae, quas habent super commendatoriam, quas et ipsas produci ab eis volumus. Quibus exhibitis omnis erit procul dubio dubitatio sublata.

Committimus itaque Sinceritati et Fidelitatibus ac Devotioni Vestris, ut, quo loco et tempore visum illis fuerit, vocent iterum ad se consules Gedanenses, et eis auctoritate nostra regia mandent, ut cum originalibus litteris suis, non modo super bona nostra Pucensia, sed etiam super commendatoriae proventus, quos possident, coram vobis compareant. Quibus vos, si originales litteras produxerint, et idem in illis, quod in transsumptis, continebitur, de fisco nostro numerari per generosum Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)Stanislaum Costka de StenbergkStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123) castellanum Elbingensem, et capitaneum Golubensem ac Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thornterrarum nostrarum PrussiaeRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn thesaurarium, sex milia florenorum Hungaricalium decernetis, ac eidem nostro nomine possessionem bonorum Pucensium semota quavis cunctatione assignabitis.

Nam quod volunt Citizens of Gdańsk GedanensesCitizens of Gdańsk uno anno ante se certiores de redemptione fieri debere, quod, cum tribus illis civibus primum oppignorata fuissent, haec in litteris eorum clausula est praescripta, non videmus, quo iure praerogativa solis tribus illis concessa gaudere possint, cum nullas ipsi suas producant litteras, in quibus haec eadem clausula sit perscripta, atque adeo ne id quidem doceant nos in cessionem a tribus illis civibus civitati faciendum aliquando consensisse.

Si vero, quod non putamus, originales litteras non produxerint, nihilominus nostro nomine eidem generoso Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)Stanislao CostkaStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123) castellano Elbingensi bonorum Puczko possessionem assignabitis, ita tamen, ut prius nostro nomine idonee civitati Gedanensi caveatur de solutione sex milium praedictorum, cum ea deberi litteris originalibus probaverint, protestatione tamen facta, si doceri quandoque per nos possit summam istam sex milium esse persolutam, ut eam restituere nobis teneantur, florenos autem Hungaricales, quando non est adiectum „in auro”, usuales volumus intellegi per triginta grossos iuxta regni statutum, mille vero florenos Hungaricales iusti et boni ponderis cum scribitur in aliis litteris, etsi nec ibi additum est „in auro”, tamen, quoniam pondus adiectum est, in auro volumus numerari.

Quae omnia ante comitia proxima Graudentina ita per Sinceritatem et Fidelitates ac Devotionem Vestras confici volumus, unius vestrum absentia non obstante, non attentis quibusvis eorum diffugiis et frivolis exceptionibus aut appellationibus, quibus non obstantibus possessionem bonorum nostrorum Pucensium capiant aut capi faciant per eos, per quos de more possessio capi consuevit. Quod nisi statim eorum possessione cesserint, tum auctoritate nostra regia poenam decem milium florenorum contra eos decernent irremissibiliter ab eis exigendorum. Si qua vero in re se gravatos putaverint, nos de eo cognoscemus ac ne quam sibi iniuriam esse factam iure queri possint, providebimus, dummodo ne quid morae afferatur adeundae nostro nomine possessioni.

Datae in Brest-Litovsk (Brześć nad Bugiem, Brześć Litewski), town in western part of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, today southwestern BelarusBrzesczie LituanicoBrest-Litovsk (Brześć nad Bugiem, Brześć Litewski), town in western part of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, today southwestern Belarus, Sabbato in crastino festi Assumptionis Gloriosissimae Virginis Mariae, anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo quarto, regni nostri anno tricesimo octavo.

Commissio sacrae regiae maiestatis propria