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Letter #1851

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-05-01

English register:

Dantiscus criticises the avaricious demands of the Cantor [Johannes Tymmermann] regarding his pay of 100 marks. He points out that such free distribution, not practised before, will clean out the treasury in the future. He emphasises that it is his privilege to grant pay according to his own discretion.

Giese has already learned from Achatius [Trenck] and from Dantiscus’ brother how things have been for Dantiscus. He is not concerned about alliances with the Cantor, for he is not lacking in supporters at the royal court. He is favourably disposed towards the [Ermland (Warmia)] Chapter, as he declared in his letter [of the previous day] to the King Sigismund I Jagiellon], a copy of which he encloses. Therefore the Chapter should behave in a way that will not make him ashamed of these declarations. He recommends that Giese show the Chapter the enclosed copy [of the letter to the King].

Dantiscus is surprised Giese did not know that the Chapter had advised him through Felix [Reich] to come to Frauenburg (Frombork) after the [Royal Prussian] Diet already equipped with his bulls, to have his installation and then accept the oath from his subjects. He expects instructions on the matter, since all his plans have changed in connection with the diplomatic mission [to Ferdinand I of Habsburg] he has been given. Dantiscus has asked to be released from it, but will accept whatever God brings.

Dantiscus declares that he will support Giese during the Diet with letters on current issues.




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, address in secretary's hand, BCz, 245, p. 33-36
2excerpt in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1538, f. 8-9

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 12, p. 88-90 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime Domine, frater et amice carissime et honorande.

Salutem et fraterni amoris commendationem.

Quod venerabilis dominus Johann Tymmermann (Johann Zimmermann) (*1492 – †1564), nephew of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland; studied in Cracow (1505) and in Rome (1517); 1519-1564 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1525-1528 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and in 1538 in Frauenburg (Frombork); 1527-1539 Cantor of Ermland; 1537 General Administrator of the bishopric of Ermland (after Mauritius Ferber's death); 1539-1552 Custos of Ermland; 1547-1552 General Vicar of the diocese of Ermland (SBKW, p. 261; KOPICZKO 2, p. 336)⌊cantorJohann Tymmermann (Johann Zimmermann) (*1492 – †1564), nephew of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland; studied in Cracow (1505) and in Rome (1517); 1519-1564 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1525-1528 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and in 1538 in Frauenburg (Frombork); 1527-1539 Cantor of Ermland; 1537 General Administrator of the bishopric of Ermland (after Mauritius Ferber's death); 1539-1552 Custos of Ermland; 1547-1552 General Vicar of the diocese of Ermland (SBKW, p. 261; KOPICZKO 2, p. 336)⌋ inconsiderate impegerit, certum est. Solet quidem avaritia magna cum sollicitudine esse circumspecta, quae hic revera caecutiebat. Nihilosecius tamen non me durum aut implacabilem praebebo, immo si salvo iuramento in animam meam per Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam praestito conscientiaque non remordente potero. Tanti apud me non sunt centum aurei, quin illis carere possim, verum hoc pensandum esse censerem, si venerabili Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capituloErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ ducentae et domino Johann Tymmermann (Johann Zimmermann) (*1492 – †1564), nephew of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland; studied in Cracow (1505) and in Rome (1517); 1519-1564 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1525-1528 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and in 1538 in Frauenburg (Frombork); 1527-1539 Cantor of Ermland; 1537 General Administrator of the bishopric of Ermland (after Mauritius Ferber's death); 1539-1552 Custos of Ermland; 1547-1552 General Vicar of the diocese of Ermland (SBKW, p. 261; KOPICZKO 2, p. 336)⌊cantoriJohann Tymmermann (Johann Zimmermann) (*1492 – †1564), nephew of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland; studied in Cracow (1505) and in Rome (1517); 1519-1564 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1525-1528 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and in 1538 in Frauenburg (Frombork); 1527-1539 Cantor of Ermland; 1537 General Administrator of the bishopric of Ermland (after Mauritius Ferber's death); 1539-1552 Custos of Ermland; 1547-1552 General Vicar of the diocese of Ermland (SBKW, p. 261; KOPICZKO 2, p. 336)⌋ CCXV marcae quotannis mihi sunt numerandae, cum tali onere nullus umquam episcopus Varmiensis fuerit gravatus, in thesauro successori parum vel nihil erit reliquum manebuntque multa, quae reparanda et denuo in episcopatu construenda sunt, infecta. Quandoquidem et mihi libertas dabitur meis, quibus bene volo, assignandi pensiones. Sed de iis hactenus.

Iam Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima a venerabili domino Achatius Trenck (†1551), in the thirties Trenck was one of Dantiscus’ friends and supported his efforts to obtain the Ermland bishopric after the death of Mauritius Ferber; from 1523 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1544-1545 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; from 1545 its Dean; 1533-1546 administrator of the Chapter’s estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn); in 1548 and 1550 General Administrator of the Ermland bishopric (after the deaths of Ioannes Dantiscus and Tiedemann Giese) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 332; SBKW, p. 255-256)⌊AchacioAchatius Trenck (†1551), in the thirties Trenck was one of Dantiscus’ friends and supported his efforts to obtain the Ermland bishopric after the death of Mauritius Ferber; from 1523 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1544-1545 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; from 1545 its Dean; 1533-1546 administrator of the Chapter’s estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn); in 1548 and 1550 General Administrator of the Ermland bishopric (after the deaths of Ioannes Dantiscus and Tiedemann Giese) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 332; SBKW, p. 255-256)⌋ et fratre meo[1] accepit, quomodo omnia, quae me contingunt, habeant. Ferendum est, quod nequit vitari. Neque mihi, cum ad aulam et 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⌊principem 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⌋ venero, deerunt foedera et consilia, nihil itaque moror foedera cum domino Johann Tymmermann (Johann Zimmermann) (*1492 – †1564), nephew of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland; studied in Cracow (1505) and in Rome (1517); 1519-1564 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1525-1528 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and in 1538 in Frauenburg (Frombork); 1527-1539 Cantor of Ermland; 1537 General Administrator of the bishopric of Ermland (after Mauritius Ferber's death); 1539-1552 Custos of Ermland; 1547-1552 General Vicar of the diocese of Ermland (SBKW, p. 261; KOPICZKO 2, p. 336)⌊cantoreJohann Tymmermann (Johann Zimmermann) (*1492 – †1564), nephew of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland; studied in Cracow (1505) and in Rome (1517); 1519-1564 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1525-1528 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn) and in 1538 in Frauenburg (Frombork); 1527-1539 Cantor of Ermland; 1537 General Administrator of the bishopric of Ermland (after Mauritius Ferber's death); 1539-1552 Custos of Ermland; 1547-1552 General Vicar of the diocese of Ermland (SBKW, p. 261; KOPICZKO 2, p. 336)⌋ et in gratiam reditus, si hoc modo inter nos et apud ecclesiam agi debet, et cf. AESOPUS p. 5v-6r De ranis et earum rege ⌊me certe non sentient stipitem, quem, ut fabella fert, pro rege contempserunt ranae, sed ciconiamcf. AESOPUS p. 5v-6r De ranis et earum rege ⌋. Quicquid illi, qui honestatis rationem non habentes, astu dolisque clandestinis sciunt et exercent, neque me honestatis cultorem latet, invenienturque obiices etc.

Ego certe venerabile Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ sincero animo et benevolentia prosequor, quemadmodum ex professione mea, quam de eo cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon 1538-04-30, CIDTC IDL 6496, letter lost⌊litteriscf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon 1538-04-30, CIDTC IDL 6496, letter lost⌋ meis heri serenissimae 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⌊maiestati regiaeSigismund 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⌋ feci, cognoscet, quarum hic est copia. Modo sic se gerat, ne aliquando professionis meae pudere me oporteat. Copiam cum nostris integris, ne mihi fraudi sit, Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima communicare poterit.

Miror, quod ignoraverit Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima consilium, quod mihi venerabile Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ per dominum Felix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201)⌊FelicemFelix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201)⌋ cf. Felix REICH to Ioannes DANTISCUS Frauenburg (Frombork), 1538-03-31, CIDTC IDL 1843⌊adscribicf. Felix REICH to Ioannes DANTISCUS Frauenburg (Frombork), 1538-03-31, CIDTC IDL 1843⌋ commisit, ut me primum post Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventumProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋, sed habitis bullis, ad ecclesiam[2] conferrem, ubi cum caeremoniis exciperer, et tandem ad subditos pro fidelitatis iuramentis accipiendis diverterem. In iis iam quid fieri debeat, a venerabili Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capituloErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ exspecto, omnia enim per hanc legationem, quam Deus scit, quo animo suscepi, apud me mutata sunt.[3] Rogavi quidem ex ea dimitti, quae felicitas vix mihi dabitur, fiat divina voluntas, cui me subdidi totum. In Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventuProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ litteris de iis, quae se offerent, Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam prosequar.

Quam felicissime valere opto.

[1 ] fratre meo – Georg von Höfen (Georg Flachsbinder, Georgius de Curiis) (†after 1550-02-07), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother; Starosta of Rössel (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 584, 586, 588; AGAD, MK, 77, f. 385-386v)⌊GeorgGeorg von Höfen (Georg Flachsbinder, Georgius de Curiis) (†after 1550-02-07), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother; Starosta of Rössel (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 584, 586, 588; AGAD, MK, 77, f. 385-386v)⌋ or Bernhard von Höfen (Bernhard Flachsbinder) (†after 1548), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother, stayed with Dantiscus in Spain, as a member of his mission's retinue, and was used as a trusted courier to Poland at least from 1526; after 1530 Starost of Löbau⌊Bernhard von HöfenBernhard von Höfen (Bernhard Flachsbinder) (†after 1548), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother, stayed with Dantiscus in Spain, as a member of his mission's retinue, and was used as a trusted courier to Poland at least from 1526; after 1530 Starost of Löbau⌋

[2 ] ad ecclesiam - ecclesia means here the cathedral church in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia, Warmia), town in Ermland, on the Vistula Lagoon, Ermland bishopric see⌊FrauenburgFrauenburg (Frombork, Varmia, Warmia), town in Ermland, on the Vistula Lagoon, Ermland bishopric see⌋

[3 ] In his cf. Sigismund I Jagiellon to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-04-18, CIDTC IDL 1847⌊lettercf. Sigismund I Jagiellon to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-04-18, CIDTC IDL 1847⌋ to Dantiscus, 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⌊Sigismund ISigismund 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⌋ ordered him to go to Wrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in southwestern Poland, on the Oder river, historical capital of Silesia, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs⌊WrocławWrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in southwestern Poland, on the Oder river, historical capital of Silesia, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs⌋ to complete negotiations with 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⌊Ferdinand I von HabsburgFerdinand 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⌋ concerning the marriage of Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌊Sigismund AugustusSigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌋ and Ferdinand’s daughter Elizabeth of Austria (Elżbieta Rakuszanka, Elisabeth von Habsburg) (*1436 – †1505), queen of Poland (1454-1505); wife of Kazimierz IV Jagiellon king of Poland, daughter of Albrecht II von Habsburg and Elisabeth II of Bohemia⌊ElizabethElizabeth of Austria (Elżbieta Rakuszanka, Elisabeth von Habsburg) (*1436 – †1505), queen of Poland (1454-1505); wife of Kazimierz IV Jagiellon king of Poland, daughter of Albrecht II von Habsburg and Elisabeth II of Bohemia⌋. The legates, among whom besides Dantiscus was the Voivode of Poznań, 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)⌊Janusz LatalskiJanusz 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)⌋, departed for Wrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in southwestern Poland, on the Oder river, historical capital of Silesia, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs⌊WrocławWrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in southwestern Poland, on the Oder river, historical capital of Silesia, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs⌋ in May 1538. The premarital agreement was signed on June 16, 1538 (see cf. Zygmunt Wdowiszewski, Genealogia Jagiellonów i domu Wazów w Polsce, Kraków, 2005 ⌊WDOWISZEWSKIcf. Zygmunt Wdowiszewski, Genealogia Jagiellonów i domu Wazów w Polsce, Kraków, 2005 ⌋, p. 146)