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Letter #1592

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER]
Friedeck (Wąbrzeźno), 1537, shortly before March [16]

English register:

Dantiscus is replying to De Schepper’s letter of September 13 (1536), but cannot offer an opinion concerning the details of the talks with Albrecht, Duke in Prussia and Margrave of Brandenburg, as De Schepper encouraged him to, because he does not have the letter with him. He informs De Schepper about his time at the Diet in Cracow. During the Diet, the King of Poland offered Count Ottheinrich [von Wittelsbach], who was also in Cracow, his services as mediator in dowry negotiations between Count Friedrich and the King of Denmark [Christian III].

Dantiscus hopes he will see De Schepper someday, maybe at the General Council, if it comes about, but he also does not preclude a diplomatic mission or simply a visit to his friend. He assures him that he always remembers him. He believes that their friendship will survive even the greatest political conflicts. Dantiscus informs De Schepper that he has obtained the Ermland coadjutorship. He describes the Ermland bishopric as being four times wealthier than that of Kulm. He sends greetings to De Schepper’s wife and son and his household.




Manuscript sources:
1office copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, place and date of sending in Dantiscus' own hand, BCz, 244, p. 199-200
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, BK, 232, p. 208-210
3copy in Latin, 18th-century, B. Ossol., 151/II, f. 155r-v
4copy, 18th-century, BCz, 55 (TN), No. 19, p. 75-78
5register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a. 1537, f. 21r-v
6register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 32, No. 578

Prints:
1DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 347, p. 288 (English register)
2CEID 1/1 No. 12, p. 171-174 (in extenso; English register)
3CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 68) p. 386-389 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Magnifice Domine et mihi carissime Frater Corneli.

Salutem tibi et omnia precor felicissima.

Post cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER] Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-02-24, CIDTC IDL 1421⌊litterascf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER] Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-02-24, CIDTC IDL 1421⌋ vel potius volumen, quod anno praeterito XXIIII Februarii ad te dederam, accepi quidem copiosas a te cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1536-09-13, CIDTC IDL 1537⌊litterascf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1536-09-13, CIDTC IDL 1537⌋ Brussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium⌊BruxellisBrussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium⌋ XIII Septembris ad me datas, verum cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER] Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-02-24, CIDTC IDL 1421⌊meiscf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER] Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-02-24, CIDTC IDL 1421⌋ in paucis respondentes, causabaris enim te eas Bruges (Brugia, Brugge), city in the Low Countries, in the County of Flanders, in the 13th-15th centuries one of the most important commercial ports and trading centres in Europe, today in Belgium⌊BrugisBruges (Brugia, Brugge), city in the Low Countries, in the County of Flanders, in the 13th-15th centuries one of the most important commercial ports and trading centres in Europe, today in Belgium⌋ reliquisse. Quod idem ad praesens mihi accidit, cum cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1536-09-13, CIDTC IDL 1537⌊tuascf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1536-09-13, CIDTC IDL 1537⌋ etiam ad manum non habeam. Hanc ob rem de negotiis inter nos scribi inceptis parum me occupabo, ad quae hic tractanda cum duce 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⌋ illustrissimo domino 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)⌊Alberto marchione BrandenburgensiAlbrecht 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)⌋ tu me induxeras. Hoc tamen obiter addendum censui, quod, cum nuper 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⌊serenissimo domino meoSigismund 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⌋ ad Diet of Poland ⌊comitia RegniDiet of Poland ⌋ Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviamCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ vocatus essem, venit eo et illustrissimus dominus Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg (Ottheinrich von der Pfalz) (*1502 – †1559), son of Ruprecht von Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Georg von Bayern-Landshut; nephew of Ludwig V von Wittelsbach, Elector of the Rhine Palatinate; 1556 elector of Palatinate⌊Otto HenricusOttheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg (Ottheinrich von der Pfalz) (*1502 – †1559), son of Ruprecht von Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Georg von Bayern-Landshut; nephew of Ludwig V von Wittelsbach, Elector of the Rhine Palatinate; 1556 elector of Palatinate⌋ comes palatinus Rhine (Rhein, Rhenus), river in central Europe, flowing through Switzerland, Germany (partially as a border with France) and the Netherlands, into the North Sea⌊RheniRhine (Rhein, Rhenus), river in central Europe, flowing through Switzerland, Germany (partially as a border with France) and the Netherlands, into the North Sea⌋, qui humanissime exceptus et habitus pro votis etiam absolutus hanc oblationem 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⌊serenissimo rege meoSigismund 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⌋ accepit, quod si illustrissimus Friedrich II of Wittelsbach der Weise (*1482 – †1556), Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of Pfalz (1544-1556); in 1529 and 1532 the Commander in Chief of the imperial army; son of Philipp der Aufrichtige, Elector Palatine of the Rhine (NDB, Bd. 5, p. 528-530)⌊comes palatinus FredericusFriedrich II of Wittelsbach der Weise (*1482 – †1556), Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of Pfalz (1544-1556); in 1529 and 1532 the Commander in Chief of the imperial army; son of Philipp der Aufrichtige, Elector Palatine of the Rhine (NDB, Bd. 5, p. 528-530)⌋ vellet, ut serenissimus rex meus ratione dotis inter eum et ducem Holstein, duchy in the Holy Roman Empire⌊HolsaciaeHolstein, duchy in the Holy Roman Empire⌋ 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⌊electum Daniae regemChristian 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⌋ amicis modis tractaret, idipsum 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⌊serenissimum dominum meumSigismund 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⌋ pro ea propensione, qua inclute domui comitum palatinorum afficitur, non gravate suscepturum. Quod dux Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg (Ottheinrich von der Pfalz) (*1502 – †1559), son of Ruprecht von Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Georg von Bayern-Landshut; nephew of Ludwig V von Wittelsbach, Elector of the Rhine Palatinate; 1556 elector of Palatinate⌊Otto HenricusOttheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg (Ottheinrich von der Pfalz) (*1502 – †1559), son of Ruprecht von Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Elisabeth, daughter of Duke Georg von Bayern-Landshut; nephew of Ludwig V von Wittelsbach, Elector of the Rhine Palatinate; 1556 elector of Palatinate⌋ ad deferendum Friedrich II of Wittelsbach der Weise (*1482 – †1556), Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of Pfalz (1544-1556); in 1529 and 1532 the Commander in Chief of the imperial army; son of Philipp der Aufrichtige, Elector Palatine of the Rhine (NDB, Bd. 5, p. 528-530)⌊fratri suo FredericoFriedrich II of Wittelsbach der Weise (*1482 – †1556), Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of Pfalz (1544-1556); in 1529 and 1532 the Commander in Chief of the imperial army; son of Philipp der Aufrichtige, Elector Palatine of the Rhine (NDB, Bd. 5, p. 528-530)⌋[1] recepit. Sed de iis hactenus.

Memini, quod scripseras in cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1536-09-13, CIDTC IDL 1537⌊litteriscf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1536-09-13, CIDTC IDL 1537⌋ tuis te fortassis me numquam amplius in hac vita visurum. Ego tamen in eo non despero, cf. Pl. Mos. 197 insperata accidunt magi’ saepe quam quae speres ⌊insperata enim, ut Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (*ca. 250 – †184), ancient Roman playwright⌊illePlautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (*ca. 250 – †184), ancient Roman playwright⌋ ait, saepius, quam quae speramus, eveniuntcf. Pl. Mos. 197 insperata accidunt magi’ saepe quam quae speres ⌋. Quod si concilium successisset, te et me inibi futurum forsan per occasionem se obtulisset. Posset et alias hoc fieri neque diffido, quin, antequam ex hac vita decedamus, nos mutuo visuri simus. Solent se offerre multae causae, quibus de oratores hinc inde mitti solent: offerunt se tractandae concordiae, matrimonia et id genus non pauca, interdum et graviora, immo et leviora. Quid, si ego aliquando animi causa vos convenirem? Quicquid tamen eveniat, si te non iis, quibus scribo, cf. Cic. Orat. 101 nullis nisi mentis oculis videre ⌊animi tamen oculis te mihi praesentem videocf. Cic. Orat. 101 nullis nisi mentis oculis videre ⌋ crebrius, quam tu fortassis opinaris. Itaque tibi de me, mi carissime frater Corneli, persuade, cf. Cic. Orat. 101 nullis nisi mentis oculis videre ⌊sive te oculis, sive mente viderocf. Cic. Orat. 101 nullis nisi mentis oculis videre ⌋, eundem me tibi esse, qui fui semper, amicum, neque ulla negotia nationum vel principum, vel causae quantumvis arduae passionesve aut affectus eo me sunt perducturi, ut in amicitia tecum a tot annis multa iocundissima consuetudine mutuoque amore firmata vacillare vel velim, vel possim. Tenacior sum, quam ut id, quod semel, maxime autem per mutuam benevolentiam, animo meo impressi, remittere valeam. Quod quidem et de te mihi candorem integritatemque tuam cognitam habens certo, inquam, mihi polliceor. Non sint igitur tanti cf. Hor. Epod. 1. 2. 6-8 fabula qua Paridis propter narratur amorem / Graecia barbariae lento conlisa duello, / stultorum regum et populorum continet aestus ⌊stultorum regum et populorumcf. Hor. Epod. 1. 2. 6-8 fabula qua Paridis propter narratur amorem / Graecia barbariae lento conlisa duello, / stultorum regum et populorum continet aestus ⌋ contentiones, ut cf. Cic. Off. 1.(9)28 de quibus inter se digladiari soleant ⌊inter nos de iis digladiari debeamuscf. Cic. Off. 1.(9)28 de quibus inter se digladiari soleant ⌋. Quin potius, quantum per nos fieri potest, ad hoc spectemus, ut istiusmodi diffidentes amicitia nostra salva manente ad concordiam, quae publicae tranquillitatis mater est, revocare possimus etc.

Quod reliquum est, cum te de rebus meis sciam esse so[ll]icitum omniaque mihi fausta favere, latere te nolui, quod, Deo gratia, iis, qui mihi sine causa hostes fuerant, superatis coadiutor reverendissimi domini Mauritius Ferber (*1471 – †1537), doctor of both canon and civil law; from 1507 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Lübeck; from 1514 Canon of Trier; 1512-1515 parish priest of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Gdańsk (Danzig); from 1516 Custos of Ermland and parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gdańsk; from 1519 Canon of Dorpat; from 1523 Canon of Revel; 1523-1537 Bishop of Ermland (KOPICZKO 2, p. 71-72; SBKW, p. 59-60)⌊episcopi VarmiensisMauritius Ferber (*1471 – †1537), doctor of both canon and civil law; from 1507 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Lübeck; from 1514 Canon of Trier; 1512-1515 parish priest of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Gdańsk (Danzig); from 1516 Custos of Ermland and parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gdańsk; from 1519 Canon of Dorpat; from 1523 Canon of Revel; 1523-1537 Bishop of Ermland (KOPICZKO 2, p. 71-72; SBKW, p. 59-60)⌋, qui in quadruplo pinguiorem meo habet episcopatum, factus sum. Mauritius Ferber (*1471 – †1537), doctor of both canon and civil law; from 1507 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Lübeck; from 1514 Canon of Trier; 1512-1515 parish priest of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Gdańsk (Danzig); from 1516 Custos of Ermland and parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gdańsk; from 1519 Canon of Dorpat; from 1523 Canon of Revel; 1523-1537 Bishop of Ermland (KOPICZKO 2, p. 71-72; SBKW, p. 59-60)⌊PaterMauritius Ferber (*1471 – †1537), doctor of both canon and civil law; from 1507 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Lübeck; from 1514 Canon of Trier; 1512-1515 parish priest of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Gdańsk (Danzig); from 1516 Custos of Ermland and parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gdańsk; from 1519 Canon of Dorpat; from 1523 Canon of Revel; 1523-1537 Bishop of Ermland (KOPICZKO 2, p. 71-72; SBKW, p. 59-60)⌋ est et bonus, et pius aetateque et valetudine continua confectus. Quem de nobis duobus Deus prius vocare voluerit, in divina eius est potestate. Ille te cum honestissima Elisabeth Donche (Anna Isabella Donche, Isabeau) (†1549), from 1528 wife of Cornelis De Schepper, mother of Cornelis Jr and Anne, sister of Joanna Donche (AT 16/1, p. 215)⌊tua coniugeElisabeth Donche (Anna Isabella Donche, Isabeau) (†1549), from 1528 wife of Cornelis De Schepper, mother of Cornelis Jr and Anne, sister of Joanna Donche (AT 16/1, p. 215)⌋ Cornelis De Schepper Jr (*1532 – †1582 or 1583), son of Cornelis De Schepper (DE VOCHT 1961, 316, 403-404; DONCHE, p. 310, 346-349)⌊filioCornelis De Schepper Jr (*1532 – †1582 or 1583), son of Cornelis De Schepper (DE VOCHT 1961, 316, 403-404; DONCHE, p. 310, 346-349)⌋que atque tuis omnibus, quos omnes salvere iubeo, quam diutissime sospitem et felicem conservet.

[1 ] Friedrich von Wittelsbach was not, as Dantiscus writes, the brother of Ottheinrich, but his uncle. It is known from other sources (cf. BCz, TN 55, No. 1, 2) that during the Diet in Cracow, Ottheinrich, on behalf of his brother Philipp and himself concluded negotiations with Sigismund I concerning the payment of the dowry of his grandmother Jadwiga Jagiellon (1457-1502), sister of the Polish king