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Letter #1233

Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Madrid, 1534-11-05

English register:

[...] The Welsers have sent a new fleet with 500 men to the Indies [viz. the Americas], led by Nicolaus Federmann. The former commander of the Welser colony, Ambrosius [Ehinger], was slain in an Indian ambush on his return from the newly discovered gold mines. Federmann was appointed to replace him, and he departed from Cádiz last month.

[Hernán] Cortés is still alive, but there are no messengers to or from him. Dantiscus' friends, the Grudii brothers and De Schepper himself, have read Dantiscus' elegy and epitaph with great pleasure. It reminded them of the dying Hercules who recalls his exploits in Ovid. He does not begrudge the Polish Monarchs [Sigismund I and Bona Sforza] their reign over Muscovy, but he thinks that their initiative came too late to succeed. Dantiscus can send his letters to Vienna or to Flanders. De Schepper reaffirms his friendship and promises to write a longer letter soon.


            received [1535]-02-16

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 3, f. 101
2register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 31, No. 284

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8247 (TK 9), f. 655

Prints:
1AT 16/2 No. 564, p. 333-334 (in extenso; Polish register)
2DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 296, p. 231 (English register; excerpt)
3Españoles part IIIB, No. 17, p. 326-327 (excerpt in Spanish translation)
4CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 60) p. 287-289 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, 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 DantiscoIoannes 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 episcopo Culmensi, administratori Pomesaniensi etc., domino tamquam patri ex animo honorando

In 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 PolandPrussiaPrussia, 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

...The Welsers merchant and banking family from Augsburg with close ties to Emperor Charles VWelzeriThe Welsers merchant and banking family from Augsburg with close ties to Emperor Charles V novam classem cum quingentis viris duce Nicolaus Federmann (*ca. 1505 – †1542), merchant from Ulm, agent of the Welsers; in 1530-1531 he acted as Governor of the Welser colony in Venezuela in place of Ambrosio Ehinger during his illness. In 1534 he was officially appointed the successor of Ehinger as Governor and Captain-General of Venezuela. In 1539 he came back to Europe (THOMAS 2010, p. 153, 376-390)Nicolao FedermanNicolaus Federmann (*ca. 1505 – †1542), merchant from Ulm, agent of the Welsers; in 1530-1531 he acted as Governor of the Welser colony in Venezuela in place of Ambrosio Ehinger during his illness. In 1534 he was officially appointed the successor of Ehinger as Governor and Captain-General of Venezuela. In 1539 he came back to Europe (THOMAS 2010, p. 153, 376-390) miserunt in America, the continentIndiamAmerica, the continent, nam Ambrosius Ehinger (Dalfinger) (*ca. 1500 – †1533), German conquistador and the first governor of the Welser concession in VenezuelaAmbrosius DelfinerAmbrosius Ehinger (Dalfinger) (*ca. 1500 – †1533), German conquistador and the first governor of the Welser concession in Venezuela inventis aurifodinis, cum auro onustus rediret ad coloniam, quam in litore construxerat,[1] insidiis The Indians IndorumThe Indians exceptus, telo guttur traiectus oppetiit. In demortui locum surrogatus Nicolaus Federmann (*ca. 1505 – †1542), merchant from Ulm, agent of the Welsers; in 1530-1531 he acted as Governor of the Welser colony in Venezuela in place of Ambrosio Ehinger during his illness. In 1534 he was officially appointed the successor of Ehinger as Governor and Captain-General of Venezuela. In 1539 he came back to Europe (THOMAS 2010, p. 153, 376-390)FedermanNicolaus Federmann (*ca. 1505 – †1542), merchant from Ulm, agent of the Welsers; in 1530-1531 he acted as Governor of the Welser colony in Venezuela in place of Ambrosio Ehinger during his illness. In 1534 he was officially appointed the successor of Ehinger as Governor and Captain-General of Venezuela. In 1539 he came back to Europe (THOMAS 2010, p. 153, 376-390) superiori mense solvit e Cádiz (Gades), city and harbour in southwestern Spain, AndalusiaGadibusCádiz (Gades), city and harbour in southwestern Spain, Andalusia. Det Nicolaus Federmann (*ca. 1505 – †1542), merchant from Ulm, agent of the Welsers; in 1530-1531 he acted as Governor of the Welser colony in Venezuela in place of Ambrosio Ehinger during his illness. In 1534 he was officially appointed the successor of Ehinger as Governor and Captain-General of Venezuela. In 1539 he came back to Europe (THOMAS 2010, p. 153, 376-390)illiNicolaus Federmann (*ca. 1505 – †1542), merchant from Ulm, agent of the Welsers; in 1530-1531 he acted as Governor of the Welser colony in Venezuela in place of Ambrosio Ehinger during his illness. In 1534 he was officially appointed the successor of Ehinger as Governor and Captain-General of Venezuela. In 1539 he came back to Europe (THOMAS 2010, p. 153, 376-390) et talibus omnibus Deus prosperos successus. Hernán Cortés de Monroy e Pizarro (*1485 – †1547), Spanish conquistador and Dantiscus' friendCortesiusHernán Cortés de Monroy e Pizarro (*1485 – †1547), Spanish conquistador and Dantiscus' friend noster adhuc vivit, sed nulli ad eum vel ab eo nuntii. cf. Vulg. Rm 14.7 nemo enim nostrum sibi vivit Sibi vivitcf. Vulg. Rm 14.7 nemo enim nostrum sibi vivit cf. Verg. A. 10.52-53 positis inglorius armis inexigat hic aevum; Sil. 3.579 volvens inglorius aevum transigitque inglorius aevumcf. Verg. A. 10.52-53 positis inglorius armis inexigat hic aevum; Sil. 3.579 volvens inglorius aevum .

cf. Vita Ioannis Dantisci 1534, CIDTC IDP 92Elegiam tuam cum epitaphiocf. Vita Ioannis Dantisci 1534, CIDTC IDP 92 legimus hic amici tui, Ioannes Secundus (Janus Everardi) (*1511 – †1536), Dutch humanist, neo-Latin poet, doctor of both canon and civil laws, eminent carver of medals; 1534-1535 secretary of Cardinal Juan Pardo de Tavera, Archbishop of Toledo, 1535-1536 secretary of George van Egmond, Bishop of Utrecht (POCIECHA 4, p. 260)

Nicolaus Grudius (*1503/1504 – †1570/1571), neo-Latin poet, one of the Tres Fratres Belgae; 1532 imperial secretary (he replaced Alfonso de Valdés), 1535 councillor in the council of Holland in The Hague, 1538-1548 secretary to the Privy Council and the Council of State of the habsbur Netherlands, in 1533, as receiver-general of Brabant, suspected of embezzlement and arrested by order of Mary of Hungary. In 1555 he went abroad and died in Venice (DeV, s. 122; CE, vol. 2, p. 139-140)
Grudii fratresIoannes Secundus (Janus Everardi) (*1511 – †1536), Dutch humanist, neo-Latin poet, doctor of both canon and civil laws, eminent carver of medals; 1534-1535 secretary of Cardinal Juan Pardo de Tavera, Archbishop of Toledo, 1535-1536 secretary of George van Egmond, Bishop of Utrecht (POCIECHA 4, p. 260)

Nicolaus Grudius (*1503/1504 – †1570/1571), neo-Latin poet, one of the Tres Fratres Belgae; 1532 imperial secretary (he replaced Alfonso de Valdés), 1535 councillor in the council of Holland in The Hague, 1538-1548 secretary to the Privy Council and the Council of State of the habsbur Netherlands, in 1533, as receiver-general of Brabant, suspected of embezzlement and arrested by order of Mary of Hungary. In 1555 he went abroad and died in Venice (DeV, s. 122; CE, vol. 2, p. 139-140)
[2] et ego, magna cum voluptate, venitque nobis in mentem cf. Ov. Met. 9. 182-204 ergo ego foedantem peregrino templa cruore / Busirin domui? saevoque alimenta parentis / Antaeo eripui? nec me pastoris Hiberi / forma triplex, nec forma triplex tua, Cerbere, movit? / vosne, manus, validi pressistis cornua tauri? / vestrum opus Elis habet, vestrum Stymphalides undae, / Partheniumque nemus? vestra virtute relatus / Thermodontiaco caelatus balteus auro, / pomaque ab insomni concustodita dracone? / nec mihi centauri potuere resistere, nec mi / Arcadiae vastator aper? nec profuit hydrae / crescere per damnum geminasque resumere vires? / quid, cum Thracis equos humano sanguine pingues / plenaque corporibus laceris praesepia vidi, / visaque deieci, dominumque ipsosque peremi? / his elisa iacet moles Nemeaea lacertis: / hac caelum cervice tuli. defessa iubendo est / saeva Iovis coniunx: ego sum indefessus agendo. / sed nova pestis adest, cui nec virtute resisti / nec telis armisque potest. pulmonibus errat / ignis edax imis, perque omnes pascitur artus. / at valet Eurystheus! et sunt, qui credere possint / esse deos? Heracles (Hercules), Greek mythic hero, famous for his extraordinary strength, son of Zeus and the mortal AlcmeneHerculisHeracles (Hercules), Greek mythic hero, famous for his extraordinary strength, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, qui moriens apud Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (*43 BC – †17 or 18 AD), ancient Roman poetOvidiumOvid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (*43 BC – †17 or 18 AD), ancient Roman poet res a se praeclare gestas recensetcf. Ov. Met. 9. 182-204 ergo ego foedantem peregrino templa cruore / Busirin domui? saevoque alimenta parentis / Antaeo eripui? nec me pastoris Hiberi / forma triplex, nec forma triplex tua, Cerbere, movit? / vosne, manus, validi pressistis cornua tauri? / vestrum opus Elis habet, vestrum Stymphalides undae, / Partheniumque nemus? vestra virtute relatus / Thermodontiaco caelatus balteus auro, / pomaque ab insomni concustodita dracone? / nec mihi centauri potuere resistere, nec mi / Arcadiae vastator aper? nec profuit hydrae / crescere per damnum geminasque resumere vires? / quid, cum Thracis equos humano sanguine pingues / plenaque corporibus laceris praesepia vidi, / visaque deieci, dominumque ipsosque peremi? / his elisa iacet moles Nemeaea lacertis: / hac caelum cervice tuli. defessa iubendo est / saeva Iovis coniunx: ego sum indefessus agendo. / sed nova pestis adest, cui nec virtute resisti / nec telis armisque potest. pulmonibus errat / ignis edax imis, perque omnes pascitur artus. / at valet Eurystheus! et sunt, qui credere possint / esse deos? . Nolimus tamen semel tantum eas, sed crebro ut recenseas. Non inviderem 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

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
regibus vestrisSigismund 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

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
Muscovy (Grand Duchy of Muscovy, Moscovia)MoschouiaeMuscovy (Grand Duchy of Muscovy, Moscovia) imperium, sed, uti ego audio, tarde nimium ad id aspirastis. Diligentia et vigilantia opus est in acquirendis imperiis, industria in conservandis.

Cum ad me scribere voles, litteras mitte Vienna (Wien, Vienna), city in eastern Austria, on the Danube riverViennamVienna (Wien, Vienna), city in eastern Austria, on the Danube river, vel, si mavis, in Flanders (Flandria), county in the Low Countries, part of the Habsburg Netherlands from 1482, today corresponding to the Belgian provinces of Western Flanders and Eastern Flanders, the region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen in the Netherlands and part of the Département du Nord in FranceFlandriamFlanders (Flandria), county in the Low Countries, part of the Habsburg Netherlands from 1482, today corresponding to the Belgian provinces of Western Flanders and Eastern Flanders, the region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen in the Netherlands and part of the Département du Nord in France. Et commenda me omnibus tuis et meis amicis, nam tuus nemo est, qui meus non sit. Et brevi uberiores a me litteras exspecta, et rectissime vale, animo meo insitissime praesul.

Ex animo is, quem nosti, 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 Duplicius 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)

[1 ] From 1528 to 1545 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 CastileCharles VCharles 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 had given an area in present-day Venezuela, colony in South America, belonging to the Welser familyVenezuelaVenezuela, colony in South America, belonging to the Welser family to the Welsers, as pledge for the loans he was unable to refund. It was known as Klein-Venedig (Little Venice, also Welser-colony)

[2 ] Two of the three Grudii fratres were staying with the court of 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 CastileCharles VCharles 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 in Spain (Hispania)SpainSpain (Hispania): Nicolaus Grudius (*1503/1504 – †1570/1571), neo-Latin poet, one of the Tres Fratres Belgae; 1532 imperial secretary (he replaced Alfonso de Valdés), 1535 councillor in the council of Holland in The Hague, 1538-1548 secretary to the Privy Council and the Council of State of the habsbur Netherlands, in 1533, as receiver-general of Brabant, suspected of embezzlement and arrested by order of Mary of Hungary. In 1555 he went abroad and died in Venice (DeV, s. 122; CE, vol. 2, p. 139-140)Nicolaus GrudiusNicolaus Grudius (*1503/1504 – †1570/1571), neo-Latin poet, one of the Tres Fratres Belgae; 1532 imperial secretary (he replaced Alfonso de Valdés), 1535 councillor in the council of Holland in The Hague, 1538-1548 secretary to the Privy Council and the Council of State of the habsbur Netherlands, in 1533, as receiver-general of Brabant, suspected of embezzlement and arrested by order of Mary of Hungary. In 1555 he went abroad and died in Venice (DeV, s. 122; CE, vol. 2, p. 139-140)and Ioannes Secundus (Janus Everardi) (*1511 – †1536), Dutch humanist, neo-Latin poet, doctor of both canon and civil laws, eminent carver of medals; 1534-1535 secretary of Cardinal Juan Pardo de Tavera, Archbishop of Toledo, 1535-1536 secretary of George van Egmond, Bishop of Utrecht (POCIECHA 4, p. 260)Ianus SecundusIoannes Secundus (Janus Everardi) (*1511 – †1536), Dutch humanist, neo-Latin poet, doctor of both canon and civil laws, eminent carver of medals; 1534-1535 secretary of Cardinal Juan Pardo de Tavera, Archbishop of Toledo, 1535-1536 secretary of George van Egmond, Bishop of Utrecht (POCIECHA 4, p. 260)