Letter #1773
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Johan WEZE]Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16
English register: Dantiscus is replying to Weze’s letter. He confirms receipt of the mail from Spain enclosed with Weze’s letter, from which he learned of the betrothal of his daughter (Juana Dantisca). He states that he is not happy about the marriage arranged without him, but will not oppose accomplished facts. He asks Weze to make sure that the enclosed replies to the above-mentioned letters are sent on to Spain. He assures Weze that he attaches importance to his recommendation of the couple, as they will learn at the proper time once their marriage is consummated. Dantiscus thanks Weze for the news. He is shocked at the transformation of the king of England (Henry VIII) from an educated ruler and humanist into a bloodthirsty tyrant who imprisons and murders noblemen opposing the robbing of monasteries and churches, and makes the duration of his marriages dependent on the gender of his progeny. Henry VIII’s licentiousness and cruelty brings up associations with the ancient tyrants Phalaris and Caracalla. Dantiscus informs Weze that in Royal Prussia, despite the religious differences between it and its neighbors, there is peace. He asks for news of the approaching General Council, the emperor, the Roman king and particularly of Cornelis De Schepper. Although already elected Warmia bishop, Dantiscus is still in the Chełmno diocese, waiting for the arrival of the papal provision, which is expected soon. He also wishes Weze advancement worthy of his achievements.
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Reverendissime Domine, domine et amice carissime ac observandissime. Salutem fraternique amoris commendationem.
Respondi nuper hinc XXVIII Septembris litteris Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae II Maii Pragae datis. Paulopost accepi eas, quas II Septembris ex Cremnicia Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima ad me dedit, non solum amicas, verum et veteris benevolentiae solita ubertate redundantes. Quibus adiunctae erant in fasciculo ex Hispania ad me a Iacobo Graciano et Isipe ac aliis amicis datae, atqui Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae longe mihi erant gratiores. Quae et reliquas non admodum ingratas reddiderunt, tametsi ea mihi significarent, quae voluntati meae ad integrum non omnifariam responderent. Cum autem facta nequeant esse infecta, non gravate admitto, quod mutare non licet. Rescripsi itaque in adiuncto fasciculo, quod ut in Hispaniam perferri curet Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima, oro plurimum. Postquam contractum matrimonium consumatum fuerit, sic me geram, quod commendatitiae Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae magni momenti et ponderis fuisse apud me cognoscentur. Pro novis, quae ad me Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima scripsit, gratiam habeo et referrem libenter, si quippiam hinc se scientia Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae dignum offerret. Ex Anglia nuper ad nos allatum est regem olim illum laudatissimum, bonis tum litteris tum et vere regiis dotibus exornatum ac perpolitum in crudelissimum omnium tyrannorum Phalaridem mira metamorphosi commutatum, neque pauloante tot caedibus in sanctos et clarissimos viros commissis suorum posse saciari sanguine. De quibus primae quosdam nobilitatis ante paucos dies eo, quod monasteriorum sacrarumque aedium direpciones non approbarent, produci atque adeo mactari atrociter iussit. In diesque illum magis saevientem et furentem fieri dicunt, reginaeque gravidae magno desiderio expectare partum, qui, si masculus non fuerit , miseram illam et a coniugio, et ex vita fortassis excessuram. Hoccine foedus conubii est nullis ante saeculis auditum: “Si marem peperis, sis uxor, sin minus – concubina fuisti”. Verissimum est illud Caracallae: “ Cui plus licet, quam oportet, plus vult quam licet”. Quis tamen huius tragoediae futurus sit exitus? Si ex praeteritis instantia et subsequentia metienda sunt – non potest esse, nisi – pro Dei aequitate, qua dispensat omnia – miserabilis, et omnibus in exemplum formidabile posteris. Apud nos hic sunt adhuc pacata omnia, cum vicinis nostris in religione utcumque, pro temporum ratione, dissimulamus et illorum insanias commiserando toleramus. Ceterum, si Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima de concilio certi quid deque sacratissimae maiestatis caesareae et regiae Romanorum rebus habuerit, maxime autem, quemadmodum et in novissimis scripsi, de Cornelio nostro Sceppero – quibus modis vivat, an vescitur aura aetherea, vel ubi gentium agat – ut me certiorem reddat, impense oro. Ego me etiam nunc in hoc meo episcopatu contineo, quousque ex urbe, ad ecclesiam Varmiensem postulatus, confirmationem habuero, quam paulopost spero affuturam. Utinam et Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae brevi audiam ad sedem se et meritis suis dignam translationem, quam illi precor ex animo, et me fraterno amori et benevolentiae commendo.
Ex castro meo Lubaviensi, XVI Novembris MDXXXVII.