CIDT&C Corpus of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence

Letter #1579

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mauritius FERBER]
Cracow, 1537-02-11

English register: Dantiscus recounts further events from the Diet in Cracow. He cannot write to Ferber more extensively, as he promised in his previous letter, because he is busy packing before his departure. Last Sunday the young king (Sigismund II Augustus) took the oath before the estates. Most of the Crown deputies left ostentatiously on the Saturday before the swearing-in. The king (Sigismund I) has promised the Prussian Council’s delegates that he will pledge on behalf of his son, in a special memorandum, that the existing privileges enjoyed by Royal Prussia will be maintained. If Sigismund Augustus should fail to comply after his father’s death, the Prussians will be able to consider themselves freed of the obligation of loyalty towards him. A document containing the appropriate provisions (the “Confirmation of rights and privileges”) has been delivered to the Crown estates. The Prussian councilors are worried that they have not received it yet, and will spare no effort to obtain it. The king has rejected the objections against the Prussian Council submitted by the Prussian gentry and has given the gentry’s envoys a sharp response (cf. IDL 1594). The sentence passed by Dantiscus in Elbląg on the matter of the widow Vagslagerinn (Woszczkowa) has been upheld by the king. The dispute between the residents of Płock and Toruń, concerning the right to transport herring up the Vistula, has been resolved. Two members of the Royal Council: the Poznań voivode (Łukasz Górka) or his son the Poznań castellan (Andrzej Górka,) and the Inowrocław voivode (Janusz Latalski), have been appointed to help the Prussian Council (at the next assembly) in mitigating the disputes between the gentry and the Prussian cities. The posts of Grand Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor are to be given to the bishop of Przemyśl (Piotr Gamrat) and the nephew of the deceased Cracow castellan Szydłowiecki (Paweł Wolski). The bishop of Płock (Jan Chojeński) is departing for his diocese. The Warmia provost (Paweł Płotowski) is trying to justify his conduct to Dantiscus. Since Płotowski has not managed to harm him, Dantiscus finds it easy to accept his remorse. Dantiscus plans to leave Cracow the next day. He fears that now the weather has changed, the Vistula could thaw, so he has abandoned his plan to travel across Mazowsze straight to Warmia. He will travel to Lubawa first, and from there go on to meet Ferber. That’s when they will discuss all relevant matters in detail.

Manuscript sources:

1	office copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 67, f. 52r-v
2	register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1537, f. 10

Auxiliary sources:

1	register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8248 (TK 10), f. 384-385

Prints:

1	CEID 1/1 No. 4, p. 141-144 (in extenso; English register)

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus

AAWO, AB, D. 67, f. 52r

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, Domine mi observandissime. Salutem et mei commendationem plurimam.

Causa Anna Wachsschlagerin (Anna Woszczkowa) (†before 1547-03)⌊viduae VagslagerinAnna Wachsschlagerin (Anna Woszczkowa) (†before 1547-03)⌋[3] determinata est iuxta nostram Elbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities (beside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń)) which had representatives in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌊ElbingiElbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities (beside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń)) which had representatives in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌋ latam sententiam[4]. Dissidium inter Citizens of Thorn ⌊ThoronensesCitizens of Thorn ⌋ et Citizens of Płock ⌊PlocensesCitizens of Płock ⌋ compositum ea est lege, quod quibuslibet annis Citizens of Płock ⌊PlocensibusCitizens of Płock ⌋ licebit centum lastas duntaxat alecum adverso Vistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌊VistulaVistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌋ ad suos educere, aliis regnicolis, hoc est spiritualibus et nobilibus, decebit non amplius quam pro usu domus in scaphis suis ultra Thorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊ThoroniamThorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ ascendendo habere etc.

Ad sopiendam controversiam gravaminum, quae nobilitas nostra cum magnis et parvis habet civitatibus, deputati sunt unanobiscum consiliarii Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌊RegniPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌋ duo[5]: Łukasz Górka (Łukasz of Górka) (*1482 – †1542), 1499-1507 Castellan of Spycimierz; 1507-1511 Castellan of Ląd; 1508-1535 General Starost of Wielkopolska; 1511-1535 Castellan of Poznań; 1535-1537 Voivode of Poznań; 1538 Bishop of Włocławek (PSB 8, p. 409-412)⌊dominus palatinus PosnaniensisŁukasz Górka (Łukasz of Górka) (*1482 – †1542), 1499-1507 Castellan of Spycimierz; 1507-1511 Castellan of Ląd; 1508-1535 General Starost of Wielkopolska; 1511-1535 Castellan of Poznań; 1535-1537 Voivode of Poznań; 1538 Bishop of Włocławek (PSB 8, p. 409-412)⌋ aut Andrzej Górka (Andrzej of Górka) (*ca. 1500 – †1551), 1533 castellan of Kalisz; 1535 - of Poznań; 1536 general-starosta of Wielkopolska; 1541 envoy of king Sigismund I Jagiellon to Vienna, to undertake mediation between Ferdinad I von Habsburg and Isabella Jagiellon, widow of János I Zápolya (PSB 8, p. 401-405)⌊filius eius castellanusAndrzej Górka (Andrzej of Górka) (*ca. 1500 – †1551), 1533 castellan of Kalisz; 1535 - of Poznań; 1536 general-starosta of Wielkopolska; 1541 envoy of king Sigismund I Jagiellon to Vienna, to undertake mediation between Ferdinad I von Habsburg and Isabella Jagiellon, widow of János I Zápolya (PSB 8, p. 401-405)⌋, et Janusz Latalski (†1557), brother of Jan Latalski, Archbishop of Gniezno; 1520-1529 Castellan of Ląd; 1529-1535 Castellan of Gniezno; 1535-1538 Voivode of Inowrocław; 1538-1557 Voivode of Poznań (PSB 16, p. 563; Urzędnicy 1/2, p. 211)⌊palatinus IuniwladislaviensisJanusz Latalski (†1557), brother of Jan Latalski, Archbishop of Gniezno; 1520-1529 Castellan of Ląd; 1529-1535 Castellan of Gniezno; 1535-1538 Voivode of Inowrocław; 1538-1557 Voivode of Poznań (PSB 16, p. 563; Urzędnicy 1/2, p. 211)⌋, de quibus cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mauritius FERBER] Cracow, 153[7]-02-02, CIDTC IDL 1577⌊novissime scripsicf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mauritius FERBER] Cracow, 153[7]-02-02, CIDTC IDL 1577⌋ etc.

Sigilla dabuntur domino Premisliensi(!)[6] et Paweł Dunin-Wolski (Paweł Wolski) (†1546), 1533-1543 Starost of Gostynin; 1532-1537 Castellan of Sochaczew; 1537-1539 Vice-Chancellor of the Crown; 1537-1546 Burgrave of Cracow; 1539-1544 Grand Chancellor of the Crown; 1539-1544 Castellan of Radom; 1544-1546 Bishop of Poznań (after the death of his wife) (Urzędnicy 10, p. 214)⌊nepotiPaweł Dunin-Wolski (Paweł Wolski) (†1546), 1533-1543 Starost of Gostynin; 1532-1537 Castellan of Sochaczew; 1537-1539 Vice-Chancellor of the Crown; 1537-1546 Burgrave of Cracow; 1539-1544 Grand Chancellor of the Crown; 1539-1544 Castellan of Radom; 1544-1546 Bishop of Poznań (after the death of his wife) (Urzędnicy 10, p. 214)⌋ ex sister of Krzysztof SZYDŁOWIECKI ⌊sororesister of Krzysztof SZYDŁOWIECKI ⌋ olim Krzysztof Szydłowiecki (*1466 – †1532), one of the most trusted advisors of the King Sigismund I Jagiellon; 1497-1507 Marshal of the court of prince Sigismund Jagiellon, Cracow master of pantry; 1507-1510 court treasurer; 1509 castellan of Sandomierz; 1511 Vice-Chancellor of the Crown; 1515 - grand chancellor; 1515-1527 Voivode of Cracow; 1515 - Starost; 1527-1532 - Castellan⌊castellani Cracoviensis ShidlowieczkiKrzysztof Szydłowiecki (*1466 – †1532), one of the most trusted advisors of the King Sigismund I Jagiellon; 1497-1507 Marshal of the court of prince Sigismund Jagiellon, Cracow master of pantry; 1507-1510 court treasurer; 1509 castellan of Sandomierz; 1511 Vice-Chancellor of the Crown; 1515 - grand chancellor; 1515-1527 Voivode of Cracow; 1515 - Starost; 1527-1532 - Castellan⌋. Jan Chojeński (*1486 – †1538), 1523 royal secretary, 1526-1537 Grand Secretary; 1531-1535 Bishop of Przemyśl, 1535-1537 Bishop of Płock, 1537-1538 Bishop of Cracow, 1537-1538 Grand Chancellor of the Crown (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248-249; PSB 3, p. 396-399)⌊Reverendissimus dominus PlocensisJan Chojeński (*1486 – †1538), 1523 royal secretary, 1526-1537 Grand Secretary; 1531-1535 Bishop of Przemyśl, 1535-1537 Bishop of Płock, 1537-1538 Bishop of Cracow, 1537-1538 Grand Chancellor of the Crown (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248-249; PSB 3, p. 396-399)⌋ se hinc ad ecclesiam suam confert etc.

Decreveram, ut cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mauritius FERBER] Cracow, 153[7]-02-02, CIDTC IDL 1577⌊scripsicf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mauritius FERBER] Cracow, 153[7]-02-02, CIDTC IDL 1577⌋, hinc recta nuntium meum per Mazowsze (Masovia) historic region in Central Poland, before 1526 an autonomous duchy and feud of the Kingdom of Poland, from 1526 included in the Kingdom⌊MasoviamMazowsze (Masovia) historic region in Central Poland, before 1526 an autonomous duchy and feud of the Kingdom of Poland, from 1526 included in the Kingdom⌋ ad Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam mittere et ipsemet eodem itinere AAWO, AB, D. 67, f. 52v ad Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam subsequi, verum, cum tempora mutata sunt propter gla hidden by binding⌈[gla]gla hidden by binding⌉ciorum dissolutionem, veritus, ne liquefactus Vistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌊VistulaVistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌋ me impediret hidden by binding⌈[ret]ret hidden by binding⌉, coactus sum mutare sententiam, ex Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊LubaviaLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋ Deo bene favente hidden by binding⌈[nte]nte hidden by binding⌉ ad Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam me collaturus. 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)⌊Praepositus Dominationis Vestrae ReverendissimaePaweł 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)⌋ hac hora hidden by binding⌈[ra]ra hidden by binding⌉ prandet apud me. Conatur se excusare de omnibus, quod facile hidden by binding⌈[e]e hidden by binding⌉ admitto, cum cf. Cic. S. Rosc. (20) 57 Alii vestros anseres sunt qui tantum modo clamant, nocere non possunt. ⌊nocere non potuerit etc.cf. Cic. S. Rosc. (20) 57 Alii vestros anseres sunt qui tantum modo clamant, nocere non possunt. ⌋

Nova, quae habeo, ex adiunctis intelliget, coram omnia diffusius, ut spero, brevi hidden by binding⌈[revi]revi hidden by binding⌉ expositurus Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae, cuius paterno amori me commendo, Deumque precor, ut eandem quam diutissime sospitet prospe hidden by binding⌈[spe]spe hidden by binding⌉retque in omnibus. 1537-02-12⌊Cras1537-02-12⌋ Deo bene favente hinc sum iturus hidden by binding⌈[rus]rus hidden by binding⌉.

Ex Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviaCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋, XI Februarii anno 1537.

[1] The state of research on the issue of Sigismund II Augustus confirming Royal Prussia’s privileges is discussed by Anna Sucheni-Grabowska in the article “Jagiellonowie wobec Prus Królewskich i Książęcych 1525-48” (cf. SUCHENI-GRABOWSKA 1978 p. 413-416 ⌊Sucheni-Grabowska, p.413-416cf. SUCHENI-GRABOWSKA 1978 p. 413-416 ⌋).

[2] The Royal Prussian gentry’s legation to the 1536/37 Diet included: Chełmno district judge Jerzy Plemięcki (Georg von Plement, Georgius a Clementh) (*before 1490 – †after 1544), 1517-1528 Kulm alderman; 1531-1545 - district judge (MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 131; Urzędnicy 5/2, s. 227)⌊Jerzy PlemięckiJerzy Plemięcki (Georg von Plement, Georgius a Clementh) (*before 1490 – †after 1544), 1517-1528 Kulm alderman; 1531-1545 - district judge (MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 131; Urzędnicy 5/2, s. 227)⌋ and aldermen Fabian Wolski ⌊Fabian WolskiFabian Wolski ⌋ and Maciej Mgowski at least in 1536 Kulm alderman; 1536-1537 envoy of Prussian nobility to Cracow (MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 131)⌊Maciej MgowskiMaciej Mgowski at least in 1536 Kulm alderman; 1536-1537 envoy of Prussian nobility to Cracow (MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 131)⌋ (cf. e.g. cf. MAŁŁEK 1976 p. 131 ⌊Małłek, 1976, p. 131cf. MAŁŁEK 1976 p. 131 ⌋).

[3] Anna Woszczkowa (Waxschlagerinn) was in litigation with her late husband’s family (cf. e.g. cf. AT 17 No. 63, 164, 445 ⌊AT, vol. XVII, No. 63, 164, 445cf. AT 17 No. 63, 164, 445 ⌋, cf. AT 18 No. 252, 438 ⌊AT, vol. XVIII No. 252, 438cf. AT 18 No. 252, 438 ⌋).

[4] Dantiscus is doubtless writing about the sentence passed at the assembly in Elbląg in the autumn of 1536.

[6] Contrary to Dantiscus’ expectations, Gamrat did not receive the seal; on February 16, 1537 the then Płock bishop, Jan Chojeński, was nominated for the post of Grand Chancellor.

[] Acc. to printed lists of officials based on entries in the books of the Crown Register, Wolski was nominated for the post of Vice-Chancellor as early as January 3, 1537 (cf. cf. Urzędnicy 10 No. 635 ⌊UrzCentrPol No. 635cf. Urzędnicy 10 No. 635 ⌋).