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Letter #1591

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Jan LATALSKI]
Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-03-16

English register: Dantiscus thanks Latalski for the magnanimity he displayed at the Diet in Cracow and earlier. He asks for help in getting the Polish king to intercede with the Danish king, and with the Prussian prince (Albrecht), on behalf of the bishops imprisoned by the Danish monarch. He expresses his fear that the Polish king, to whom the Danish ruler owes his crown to a certain extent, will be perceived as the indirect instigator of the persecution of the Catholic clergy. Dantiscus is also appealing to the Polish episcopate and to the king for financial support for the three bishops living in exile in Gdańsk (Ioannes Magnus, Hans Brask and Magnus Haraldsson). Once again he recommends to Latalski’s care Georg Hegel, factor of the Fuggers in Cracow, asking Latalski to oppose the slander aimed at Hegel.


Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, autograph, BCz, 244, p. 204 (t.p.)

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8248 (TK 10), f. 413

Prints:
1CEID 1/1 No. 19, p. 188-190 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

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

Non potui committere 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)⌊hucLöbau (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)⌋ ad meos sospes rediens pro ea humanitate et benevolentia, qua me et prius semper, et novissime Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviaeCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima est prosecuta, quin iis Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae cum prosperam valetudinem, tum etiam sta[tum], quem in dies feliciorem Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae precor, inviserem, o[f]ferens me, si qua in re gratificari [seu] inservire possem, Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae propensissimum atque obsequentissimum.

De rebus novis hoc tempore apud nos nihi[l] habetur. In Denmark (Dania)⌊DaniaDenmark (Dania)⌋ omnia sunt pacata. Denmark (Dania)⌊Quod regnumDenmark (Dania)⌋ Christian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌊dux HolsaciaeChristian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌋ non sine adminiculo 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⌊serenissimi regis nostriSigismund 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⌋ obtinuit. Fertur tamen, quod episcopis in eo male velit, quorum aliquot detinet captivos. Videretur mihi non abs re esse, cum 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⌊serenissimus dominus nosterSigismund 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⌋ in ea est amicitia et coniunctione cum eodem Christian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌊duce electo Daniae regeChristian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌋, ut 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⌊maiestas eius 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⌋ amice pro captivis episcopis Christian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌊illiChristian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌋ scriberet, itidem et Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)⌊illustrissimo duci 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 Poland⌊PrussiaPrussia, 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⌋Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)⌋[4], ne passim dicatur 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ illi favisse, ut regnum assequeretur, quo res eccl<es>iasticas ex suo ordine et episcopos ex bonis suis deturbaret. Sunt et alii tres Sweden (Suecia)⌊SueciaeSweden (Suecia)⌋ episcopi 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 League⌊GdaniGdańsk (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⌋ exules – isti in magna vivunt paupertate. Subvenirem eis libenter, verum ego ipse egeo, duobus annis sese subsequentibus non parum in curia nostra extenuatus. Pro bonis igitur iis viris, qui quemadmodum et nos episcopi sunt, ad Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam intercedo, utque ad 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ et ad alios episcopos et praelatos nostr[os] Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima intercedat, plurimum oro, quo aliquid subsidii illis subministrari possit. Quod quidem et mutuae dignitatis cum eis officium, et ipsamet pietas Christiana deposcit ac postulat.

Ceterum, Reverendissime mi Domine, cum vale Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae dicerem, impense rogavi Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam, ut honesto viro Georg Hegel (†1547), the Thurzons' and later the Fuggers' factor in Cracow (worked for the Fuggers at least from 1521); supplier to the royal court in Cracow (PSB 9, p. 336)⌊Georgio HegelGeorg Hegel (†1547), the Thurzons' and later the Fuggers' factor in Cracow (worked for the Fuggers at least from 1521); supplier to the royal court in Cracow (PSB 9, p. 336)⌋, The Fuggers German family of merchants and bankers that dominated European business during the 15th and 16th centuries⌊dominorum FuggarorumThe Fuggers German family of merchants and bankers that dominated European business during the 15th and 16th centuries⌋ Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviaeCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ factori, qui etiam Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae omnibusque praelatis Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌊RegniPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌋ libenter, ubi potest, inservit, ad meam commendationem favere gratiamque suam non gravate contra iniquos delatores et osores eius impartiri velit, quod hic iterum repeto, meque cum Georg Hegel (†1547), the Thurzons' and later the Fuggers' factor in Cracow (worked for the Fuggers at least from 1521); supplier to the royal court in Cracow (PSB 9, p. 336)⌊illoGeorg Hegel (†1547), the Thurzons' and later the Fuggers' factor in Cracow (worked for the Fuggers at least from 1521); supplier to the royal court in Cracow (PSB 9, p. 336)⌋ in benevolentiam et favorem Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae summopere commendo, quam Deus Omnipotens quam diutissime sospitet ac prosperet in omnibus.

[2 3 5 ] At the time, there were three Swedish bishops exiled by King Gustav Vasa staying in Gdańsk: Ioannes Magnus (Ioannes Store, Jöns Månsson, Ioannes Magni) (*1488 – †1544), doctor of theology, diplomat in the service of Pope Adrian VI and Gustav Vasa, King of Sweden. In the years 1526-1531 he was staying in Gdańsk as a royal envoy. After his banishment from Sweden by Protestants, he remained in this city until 1537; in this year he went to Italy, where he took part in the Council of Mantua; 1506 Canon of Linköping and Skara, 1523 Papal Nuncio to the new King of Sweden Gustav Vasa; in the same year Provost of the Strängnäs Chapter and Bishop of Västerås, 1523-1544 Archbishop of Uppsala (consecrated by the Pope in 1533) (MAGNUS 1992, p. 9-11; CE, vol. 2, p. 368)⌊Ioannes MagnusIoannes Magnus (Ioannes Store, Jöns Månsson, Ioannes Magni) (*1488 – †1544), doctor of theology, diplomat in the service of Pope Adrian VI and Gustav Vasa, King of Sweden. In the years 1526-1531 he was staying in Gdańsk as a royal envoy. After his banishment from Sweden by Protestants, he remained in this city until 1537; in this year he went to Italy, where he took part in the Council of Mantua; 1506 Canon of Linköping and Skara, 1523 Papal Nuncio to the new King of Sweden Gustav Vasa; in the same year Provost of the Strängnäs Chapter and Bishop of Västerås, 1523-1544 Archbishop of Uppsala (consecrated by the Pope in 1533) (MAGNUS 1992, p. 9-11; CE, vol. 2, p. 368)⌋, Magnus Haraldi (Magnus Haraldsson), In 1529 he left Sweden and went to Denmark and then to the Habsburg Netherlands; 1523-1529 Bishop of Skara (the election was not approved by the Pope. In 1529 Haraldi was deposed by the King) (NISBET BAIN, p. 112-113)⌊Magnus (Måns) HaraldssonMagnus Haraldi (Magnus Haraldsson), In 1529 he left Sweden and went to Denmark and then to the Habsburg Netherlands; 1523-1529 Bishop of Skara (the election was not approved by the Pope. In 1529 Haraldi was deposed by the King) (NISBET BAIN, p. 112-113)⌋, Hans Brask (Ioannes Brask) (*1464 – †1538), The last Catholic bishop of Linköping (1513-1527), doctor of canon law, follower of and advisor to King Gustav Vasa of Sweden. In 1527, after the Diet in Västerås had made the decision to introduce the Reformation in Sweden, Brask went into exile to Poland, where he spent the rest of his life (CHAMARCZUK, passim)⌊Hans BraskHans Brask (Ioannes Brask) (*1464 – †1538), The last Catholic bishop of Linköping (1513-1527), doctor of canon law, follower of and advisor to King Gustav Vasa of Sweden. In 1527, after the Diet in Västerås had made the decision to introduce the Reformation in Sweden, Brask went into exile to Poland, where he spent the rest of his life (CHAMARCZUK, passim)⌋ (cf. cf. Johannes Magnus, Johannes Magnus' Latin Letters. A Critical Edition with Introduction and Commentary, ed. by Brita Larsson, Lund, 1992, series: Studia Graeca et Latina Lundensia 3 ⌊Magnuscf. Johannes Magnus, Johannes Magnus' Latin Letters. A Critical Edition with Introduction and Commentary, ed. by Brita Larsson, Lund, 1992, series: Studia Graeca et Latina Lundensia 3 ⌋, p.9-10, 121-123, 181, 184) who asked Dantiscus to secure the Polish king’s intercession on behalf of the Danish and Norwegian bishops, imprisoned by king of Denmark Christian III, in their cf. Ioannes MAGNUS, Hans BRASK & Magnus HARALDI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Gdańsk (Danzig), 1536-11-02, CIDTC IDL 1550⌊lettercf. Ioannes MAGNUS, Hans BRASK & Magnus HARALDI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Gdańsk (Danzig), 1536-11-02, CIDTC IDL 1550⌋ of November 2, 1536

[4 ] First wife of Albrecht Hohenzollern von Ansbach, Dorothea von Oldenburg (*1504 – †1547), Duchess in Prussia (1526-1547); first wife of Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach, Duke in Prussia, daughter of Frederic I von Gottorp, King of Denmark, and Anna von Hohenzollern⌊princess DorotheaDorothea von Oldenburg (*1504 – †1547), Duchess in Prussia (1526-1547); first wife of Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach, Duke in Prussia, daughter of Frederic I von Gottorp, King of Denmark, and Anna von Hohenzollern⌋, was the sister of the king of Denmark and Norway, Christian III