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Letter #2165

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Schmolainen (Smolajny), 1539-06-16

English register:

On the previous day, Dantiscus sent the addressee three salmon and a letter received from the Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) [Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński)]. As for the division of offices [after Ludwig von Mortangen’s (Mortęski’s) death], the Voivode’s advice is the same as Giese’s, wishing Dantiscus to write to the King [Sigismund I Jagiellon] on the matter on behalf of all [the members of the Royal Prussian Council]. However, Dantiscus promises to do so only after [the councillors] mention this to the King in an open letter, so that it is clear this is not his personal initiative but the position of all [the Prussian lords]. He also warns that a delay could be to the advantage of the one [Jan Sokołowski?] who is trying to become a member of the Prussian Council.

The administrator of the Allenstein (Olsztyn) estates [Achatius Trenck], who is on his way to Frauenburg (Frombork), has just arrived. He says he sent a letter to Giese the day before.




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, address in secretary's hand, BCz, 245, p. 191-194

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8249 (TK 11), f. 98

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 68, p. 248-249 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

p. 194

Reverendissimo in Christo Patri, domino Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌊Tydemanno Dei gratia episcopo CulmensiTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌋, fratri et amico carissimo ac honoran(do) or honoran(dissimo)⌈honoran(do)honoran(do) or honoran(dissimo)⌉

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, frater et amice carissime ac honoran(de) or honoran(dissime)⌈honoran(de)honoran(de) or honoran(dissime)⌉.

Salutem et fraternam commendationem.

Heri sub ipsa meridie tres captos pisces, quos usu salmones vocant, et litteras[1] magnifici domini Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊palatini MarienburgensisGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ misi, quibus ea fortassis, de quibus prius Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima significationem cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1539-06-11, CIDTC IDL 4777⌊deditcf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1539-06-11, CIDTC IDL 4777⌋, scribit, optans, ut a me omnium nomine hanc dignitatum distinctionem a 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 Austria⌊maiestate regiaSigismund 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⌋ peterem. Quod quidem mihi, cum in odium et nescio quam suspicionem apud quosdam ms. quasdam(!) ⌈quosdamquosdam ms. quasdam(!) ⌉ homines praeter culpam inciderim, expedire non visum est, verum si temporius haec cf. other letter Councillors of Royal Prussia Sigismund I Jagiellon Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14, CIDTC IDT 671⌊litteris patentibuscf. other letter Councillors of Royal Prussia Sigismund I Jagiellon Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14, CIDTC IDT 671⌋ inscripta fidemque mihi facientia ad me mittentur, non deerit opera mea evestigioque veredarium cum meis copiosis ad aulam allegabo. Esset itaque intendendum, cf. Liv. 34.34.3 quae mora si laborem tantum ac periculum haberet ⌊ne mora pariat periculumcf. Liv. 34.34.3 quae mora si laborem tantum ac periculum haberet ⌋ vereorque, ne iam in aula, illa[2] cogente, res sit acta, ambitiosulus enim probably 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)⌊isteprobably 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)⌋,[3] qui miris technis intrudi ad nos contendit, non dormit etc.

Aliud in praesenti non restat avocorque ab hac scriptione adventu venerabilis domini Achatius Trenck (†1551), in the thirties Trenck was one of Dantiscus’ friends and supported his efforts to obtain the Ermland bishopric after the death of Mauritius Ferber; from 1523 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1544-1545 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; from 1545 its Dean; 1533-1546 administrator of the Chapter’s estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn); in 1548 and 1550 General Administrator of the Ermland bishopric (after the deaths of Ioannes Dantiscus and Tiedemann Giese) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 332; SBKW, p. 255-256)⌊administratoris AllensteinensisAchatius Trenck (†1551), in the thirties Trenck was one of Dantiscus’ friends and supported his efforts to obtain the Ermland bishopric after the death of Mauritius Ferber; from 1523 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1544-1545 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; from 1545 its Dean; 1533-1546 administrator of the Chapter’s estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn); in 1548 and 1550 General Administrator of the Ermland bishopric (after the deaths of Ioannes Dantiscus and Tiedemann Giese) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 332; SBKW, p. 255-256)⌋, qui se dicit heri ad Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam dedisse litteras, iturus hinc Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia, Warmia), town in Ermland, on the Vistula Lagoon, Ermland bishopric see⌊WarmiamFrauenburg (Frombork, Varmia, Warmia), town in Ermland, on the Vistula Lagoon, Ermland bishopric see⌋.

Eandem Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam diutissime prosperrime valere cupio summopere.

[1] A letter from Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊Georg von BaysenGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ to Tiedemann Giese unknown to the editors, mentioned in cf. Georg von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Schoneck (Skarszewy), 1539-06-12, CIDTC IDL 5677⌊IDL 5677cf. Georg von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Schoneck (Skarszewy), 1539-06-12, CIDTC IDL 5677⌋.

[2] illa most likely refers to Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon⌊Bona SforzaBona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon⌋.

[3] On June 20, 1539, the Starost of Graudenz, 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)⌊Jan SokołowskiJan 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)⌋ was nominated for the office of Castellan of Elbing (cf. cf. Krzysztof Mikulski, Urzędnicy Prus Królewskich XV-XVII wieku. Spisy. Pomorze - Prusy Królewskie., Wrocław-Warszawa-Kraków, ZNIO PAN, 1990, series: Urzędnicy dawnej Rzeczypospolitej XII-XVIII wieku. Spisy. 5, 2, series ed.(s): Antoni Gąsiorowski ⌊Urzędnicy 5/2cf. Krzysztof Mikulski, Urzędnicy Prus Królewskich XV-XVII wieku. Spisy. Pomorze - Prusy Królewskie., Wrocław-Warszawa-Kraków, ZNIO PAN, 1990, series: Urzędnicy dawnej Rzeczypospolitej XII-XVIII wieku. Spisy. 5, 2, series ed.(s): Antoni Gąsiorowski ⌋, s. 86). However, it is not impossible that Dantiscus meant the Prussian treasurer 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)⌊Stanisław KostkaStanisław 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)⌋, another prominent representative of the so-called nobles' party in Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌊Royal PrussiaRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋.