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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.


Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, autograph, BCz, 244, p. 295
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, BK, 232, p. 232-233
3copy in Latin, 18th-century, B. Ossol., 151/II, f. 169v-170r
4copy, 18th-century, BCz, 55 (TN), No. 69, p. 451-453
5register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1537, f. 62

Prints:
1DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 371, p. 300 (English register; excerpt)
2CEID 1/1 No. 69, p. 315-318 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime Domine, domine et amice carissime ac observandissime. Salutem fraternique amoris commendationem.

cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Johan WEZE] Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-09-28, CIDTC IDL 1729⌊Respondi nuper 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)⌊hincLöbau (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)⌋ 1537-09-28⌊XXVIII Septembris1537-09-28⌋cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Johan WEZE] Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-09-28, CIDTC IDL 1729⌋ cf. Johan WEZE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Prague, 1537-05-02, CIDTC IDL 6501, letter lost⌊litteris Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae 1537-05-02⌊II Maii1537-05-02⌋ Prague (Praha, Praga), city in central Bohemia, on the Vltava river, from the 9th century capital of Bohemia, archepiscopal see⌊PragaePrague (Praha, Praga), city in central Bohemia, on the Vltava river, from the 9th century capital of Bohemia, archepiscopal see⌋ datiscf. Johan WEZE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Prague, 1537-05-02, CIDTC IDL 6501, letter lost⌋. Paulopost accepi cf. Johan WEZE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Kremnitz (Körmöcbánya), 1537-09-02, CIDTC IDL 1696⌊eas, quas II Septembris ex Kremnica (Cremnicia, Körmöcbánya, Kremnitz), city in Upper Hungary, centre of gold and silver mining and minting; today in central Slovakia⌊CremniciaKremnica (Cremnicia, Körmöcbánya, Kremnitz), city in Upper Hungary, centre of gold and silver mining and minting; today in central Slovakia⌋ Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima ad me deditcf. Johan WEZE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Kremnitz (Körmöcbánya), 1537-09-02, CIDTC IDL 1696⌋, non solum amicas, verum et veteris benevolentiae solita ubertate redundantes. Quibus adiunctae erant in fasciculo ex Spain (Hispania)⌊HispaniaSpain (Hispania)⌋ cf. Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-06, CIDTC IDL 1656;
Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-06, CIDTC IDL 1657;
Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-06, CIDTC IDL 1658;
Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-03-15, CIDTC IDL 1712⌊ad me a Diego Gracián de Alderete (*ca. 1494 – †1586), humanist, translator from Greek and Latin into Castilian, became engaged to Dantiscus' daughter Juana on 1537-06-30, and married her in 1538; scribe and secretary to Emperor Charles V, later secretary to King Philip II of Spain (SKOLIMOWSKA 2000; CE, vol. 2, p. 122)⌊Iacobo GracianoDiego Gracián de Alderete (*ca. 1494 – †1586), humanist, translator from Greek and Latin into Castilian, became engaged to Dantiscus' daughter Juana on 1537-06-30, and married her in 1538; scribe and secretary to Emperor Charles V, later secretary to King Philip II of Spain (SKOLIMOWSKA 2000; CE, vol. 2, p. 122)⌋cf. Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-06, CIDTC IDL 1656;
Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-06, CIDTC IDL 1657;
Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-06, CIDTC IDL 1658;
Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-03-15, CIDTC IDL 1712⌋ et cf. Isabel DELGADA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, [1537]-05-22, CIDTC IDL 953;
Isabel DELGADA & Juana DANTISCA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-03-15, CIDTC IDL 1590⌊Isabel Delgada (†after 1546-06-15), Dantiscus' paramour during his stay in Spain, mother of his two children, Juana and Juan (Juan died in childhood)⌊IsipeIsabel Delgada (†after 1546-06-15), Dantiscus' paramour during his stay in Spain, mother of his two children, Juana and Juan (Juan died in childhood)⌋cf. Isabel DELGADA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, [1537]-05-22, CIDTC IDL 953;
Isabel DELGADA & Juana DANTISCA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-03-15, CIDTC IDL 1590⌋ ac aliis amicis[1] 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 cf. Adagia 1526 No. 1272 Quod factum est, infectum fieri non potest ⌊facta nequeant esse infectacf. Adagia 1526 No. 1272 Quod factum est, infectum fieri non potest ⌋, non gravate admitto, quod mutare non licet. cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1770;
Ioannes DANTISCUS to Fernando de GUEVARA Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1771;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Luis NÚÑEZ CABEZA DE VACA Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1774;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Alfonso POLO Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1782;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Reynaldus STROZZI] Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1789;
Ioannes [DANTISCUS] to Gonzalo PÉREZ Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1790⌊Rescripsicf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Diego GRACIÁN de Alderete Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1770;
Ioannes DANTISCUS to Fernando de GUEVARA Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1771;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Luis NÚÑEZ CABEZA DE VACA Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1774;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Alfonso POLO Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1782;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Reynaldus STROZZI] Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1789;
Ioannes [DANTISCUS] to Gonzalo PÉREZ Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-16, CIDTC IDL 1790⌋ itaque in adiuncto fasciculo, quod ut in Spain (Hispania)⌊HispaniamSpain (Hispania)⌋ 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 England⌊AngliaEngland⌋ nuper ad nos allatum est regem[2] olim illum laudatissimum, bonis tum litteris tum et vere regiis dotibus exornatum ac perpolitum cf. Adagia 1526 No. 986 Phalaridis imperium ⌊in crudelissimum omnium tyrannorum Phalaris (Falaris), tyrant in Agrigentum in the years 570-554 BC, had the reputation of an extremely cruel ruler⌊PhalaridemPhalaris (Falaris), tyrant in Agrigentum in the years 570-554 BC, had the reputation of an extremely cruel ruler⌋cf. Adagia 1526 No. 986 Phalaridis imperium ⌋ 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, Jane Seymour (*1508 – †1537), Queen consort of England, the third wife of Henry VIII Tudor (married in 1536), and mother of Edward VI⌊reginaeque gravidaeJane Seymour (*1508 – †1537), Queen consort of England, the third wife of Henry VIII Tudor (married in 1536), and mother of Edward VI⌋ 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 Caracalla (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Bassianus) (*188 – †217), Roman emperor (211-217)⌊CaracallaeCaracalla (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Bassianus) (*188 – †217), Roman emperor (211-217)⌋: “ cf. Pub. com. in: Gel. 17.14 Cui plus licet, quam par est, plus vult, quam licet; Pub. com. in: Macr. 2.7.11 Cui plus licet quam par est, plus vult quam licet; SHA Ael. Spart. Ant. Car. 10.2 vellem, si liceret – – si libet, licet ⌊Cui plus licet, quam oportet, plus vult quam licetcf. Pub. com. in: Gel. 17.14 Cui plus licet, quam par est, plus vult, quam licet; Pub. com. in: Macr. 2.7.11 Cui plus licet quam par est, plus vult quam licet; SHA Ael. Spart. Ant. Car. 10.2 vellem, si liceret – – si libet, 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 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 Castile⌊sacratissimae maiestatis caesareaeCharles 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⌋ et Ferdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria, from 1526 King of Bohemia and Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia as Ferdinand I, 1531-1558 King of the Romans, 1558-1564 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, a younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌊regiae RomanorumFerdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria, from 1526 King of Bohemia and Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia as Ferdinand I, 1531-1558 King of the Romans, 1558-1564 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, a younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌋ rebus habuerit, maxime autem, quemadmodum et in novissimis scripsi, de 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)⌊Cornelio nostro ScepperoCornelis 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)⌋ – quibus modis vivat, an cf. Verg. A. 1.546-547 quem si fata virum servant, si vescitur aura / aetheria neque adhuc crudelibus occubat umbris ⌊vescitur aura aethereacf. Verg. A. 1.546-547 quem si fata virum servant, si vescitur aura / aetheria neque adhuc crudelibus occubat umbris ⌋, vel cf. Cic. Catil. 1.(4)9 ubinam gentium sumus? ⌊ubi gentium agatcf. Cic. Catil. 1.(4)9 ubinam gentium sumus? ⌋ – ut me certiorem reddat, impense oro. Ego me etiam nunc in hoc meo Kulm diocese (Chełmno diocese)⌊episcopatuKulm diocese (Chełmno diocese)⌋ contineo, quousque ex Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy See⌊urbeRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy See⌋, ad Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊ecclesiam VarmiensemErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋ 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.

[1 ] On October 7 Dantiscus received letters informing him of the betrothal on June 30 of Juana Dantisca and Diego Gracián de Alderete, dated in early July and sent by: Juana Dantisca (Spanish cf. Juana DANTISCA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Pozaldez, 1537-07-07, CIDTC IDL 1659⌊orig. AAWO, D.68, f. 162, print Españoles, I.20cf. Juana DANTISCA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Pozaldez, 1537-07-07, CIDTC IDL 1659⌋), Luis Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, (orig. cf. Luis NÚÑEZ CABEZA DE VACA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-22, CIDTC IDL 1676⌊AAWO, D.68, f. 141, print Españoles, I.24cf. Luis NÚÑEZ CABEZA DE VACA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-22, CIDTC IDL 1676⌋), Gonzalo Pérez (orig. cf. Gonzalo PÉREZ to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-10, CIDTC IDL 1663⌊AAWO, D.131, f. 13-14; print Españoles, I.21cf. Gonzalo PÉREZ to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-10, CIDTC IDL 1663⌋), Ulrich(?) Ehinger (German orig. cf. Ulrich EHINGER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1671⌊AAWO, D.94, f. 84-85cf. Ulrich EHINGER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1671⌋), Alfonso Polo (orig. cf. Alfonso POLO to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1672⌊AAWO, D.131, f. 23-24; print Españoles, I.23cf. Alfonso POLO to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1672⌋), Guevara (orig. cf. Fernando de GUEVARA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1673⌊AAWO, D.131, f. 15-16, print Españoles, I.22cf. Fernando de GUEVARA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1673⌋), Reinaldo Strozzi (Spanish orig. cf. Reynaldus STROZZI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-[07]-05, CIDTC IDL 1860⌊BK, 230, p. 263-264; AAWO, D.131, f. 31; print Españoles, I.18cf. Reynaldus STROZZI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Valladolid, 1537-[07]-05, CIDTC IDL 1860⌋)

[2 ] Dantiscus met Henry VIII in person during his diplomatic mission to England in 1522 (cf. ⌊Świderska ⌋; cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon London, 1522-10-12, CIDTC IDL 5806⌊Dantiscus’ letter to Sigismund I from London, October 12, 1522, 16th-century copy BJ, 6557, (manuscript Acta Tomiciana XIII, f. 33-39cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon London, 1522-10-12, CIDTC IDL 5806⌋). Henry VIII’s personality and education made a great impression on Dantiscus, which explains why he couldn’t believe for a long time in the news coming from England that this monarch was using tyrannical methods in his domestic policy