Letter #105
Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESEHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 15[40]-08-23
English register:
Dantiscus informs Giese that he had anticipated Alexander’s [Sculteti] negative reaction to the articuli [proposing an agreement] that were sent to him. Without expecting an agreement, Dantiscus expresses the view that the King [Sigismund I Jagiellon] should not be advised to prolong Alexander’s security. However, to avoid accusations of acting out of anger or bitterness, Dantiscus intends to send the articuli to the [Ermland] Chapter and notify the addressee of any joint arrangements they make.
Dantiscus declares that he will not oppose Alexander’s departure to Wrocław (Breslau). He would even consent to his traveling to Rome or as far as the Antipodes. However, Alexander has sent Gregorius Krendnerus to Rome to obtain permission to use income from the diocese of Ermland, despite the clear provisions of the Chapter’s statutes.
The matter of the [agreement] seems lost to Dantiscus; however, he believes that if Alexander were to come to his senses, he would win everyone's admiration.
Dantiscus recalls a previous request from Giese to send him a copy of the royal letter addressed to the abbots. The matter is being handled by Achatius von Zehmen, who visited Dantiscus in Heilsberg on August 18.
The King of Hungary [John I Zápolya] has been stricken with apoplexy and is not expected to recover, which may explain why King Sigismund I Jagiellon is reportedly suffering from severe shoulder pain. Queen Bona is also said to be unwell. Dantiscus encloses a letter from the Bishop of Włocławek [Łukasz Górka] containing additional news.
| received [1540]-08-25 Manuscript sources:
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Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus
Reverendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, domino Tidemanno Dei gratia episcopo Culmensi, fratri et amico carissimo et honorando
Reverendissime in Christo Pater, domine frater et amice carissime et honorande.
Salutem et fraternam commendationem.
Gravem tolerationem domino Alexandro articulorum a me missorum futuram iam ante perspexi, in iis potissimum punctis, quae superiori die Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae descripsi. Quod vero super illis tractandis serenissimae maiestati regiae consuli deberet, ut longius securitatis tempus extendat, maxime cum adhuc nulla certa appareat spes concordiae, non integrum est. Nihilominus, ne asperitate et quadam in illum amarulentia, quam mihi impingit, agere videar, mittam eos articulos ad venerabile capitulum, ad quod et ad me illi communiter pertinent hocque, quod inter nos ea in re constituemus, paulopost Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae perscribam.
Porro quod Vratislaviam ex conficto Lawenburgo ire contendit, permissu meo fiet, etiam si vel ad Urbem, seu Antipodas. Aliud ex articulis meis, quam concordiam, expiscari in animo habuit. Neque frustra nuper vir bonus virum bonum Gregorium Krendner Romam misit, et interim hoc agit, ut proventibus ecclesiae nostrae frui posset. Viderit venerabile capitulum, quod quas habeat constitutiones, Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae ignotum non est. Vertat se in quascumque velit Vertu<m>nus ille formas, cum iam in hanc harenam descenderit, Deus vindex aderit etc. Quo teste et ductore, nulla certe, ut ille putat, amarulentia ea, quae in hac ab ecclesia nostra turpitudine abigenda ago, fiunt. Utinam res non esset deplorata et vere resipisceret, quis non amaret hominem? etc.
Ceterum memini, quod superioribus litteris Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima a me postulavit, ut exemplum regiarum litterarum ad abbates mitterem. Hoc tum mihi exciderat. Fuit hic mecum XVIII-a huius generosus dominus castellanus Gdanensis, cui hoc negotium fuit commissum. Is dixit patres illos bonam spem polliceri.
Nova, quae iis diebus accepi, mitto. Quae remitti peto. Existimo iam notum esse Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae serenissimum Ioannem Hungariae regem apoplexia sine salutis spe laborare, quodque maiesta[s] regia ex eo fortassis in humeris magnos patiatur d[olo]res. Reginalemque maiestatem male habere scribunt. Alia ex [reverendissimi] domini Vladislaviensis litteris accipiet. Si quid vicissim ... caelet, rerum novarum Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima habuerit. Q[uam...] diutissime sospitem valere et me commendatum habere c[upidissime] cupio.
Datae Heilsberg, XXIII Augusti MD[XXXX].
Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae frater integerrimus Ioannes episcopus Varmi[ensis etc.] scripsi