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Letter #253

Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Cracow (Kraków), 1525-07-05
            received Toledo, [1525]-10-22

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, BCz, 3465, p. 149-154
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 37 (TN), No. 69, p. 349-353
3copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 262, p. 147-150

Prints:
1AT 7 a.1525, p. 297-298 (in extenso)
2POCIECHA 2 p. 545 (excerpt)
3Españoles part IIIB, No. 5, p. 323 (excerpt in Spanish translation)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

... et egregio Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland[Ioanni D]antiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland utriusque ... ac secretario ...cio regio et nostro ... sincere nobis dilecto

Curia 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 Castilecaesareae maiestatisCharles 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

Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of AragonBonaBona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon Dei gratia regina Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)PoloniaePoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), magna dux LithuaniaLythuaniaeLithuania, Rus (Russia)RussiaeRus (Russia) Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of AragonPrussiaeBona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragonque etc. domina

Magnifice et egregie, sincere nobis dilecte.

Prima huius habuimus litteras Strenuitatis Tuae de datis Toledo (Toletum), city in central Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, on the Tagus (Tajo) riverToletiToledo (Toletum), city in central Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, on the Tagus (Tajo) river 5 Maii, quae nobis valde placuerunt et non minus aliae, quas scripsit 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 Austriaserenissimo regiSigismund 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, domino et coniugi nostro carissimo, super omnibus abunde satis, quae apud illam caesaream curiam aguntur, et eadem nos libenter legimus. Litteras autem, quas scripsit reverendo patri domino Piotr Tomicki (*1464 – †1535), humanist, statesman, diplomat, one of the most trusted collaborators of King Sigismund I of Poland; 1500-1503 Chancellor of Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellon, 1502 Gniezno Cantor, Archdeacon of Cracow, 1503-1505 servant of Jan Lubrański, Bishop of Poznań, 1504-1510 Canon of Poznań, 1506 royal scribe, 1507-1519 Grand(?) Secretary, 1509 Canon of Włocławek, 1510-1514 - of Gniezno, 1511 Custos in Kielce and Sandomierz, 1514 Bishop of Przemyśl; 1515 Crown Vice-Chancellor, 1520 Bishop of Poznań, 1523 - of Cracow; from 1524 (at least) General Collector of świętopietrze (Peter's pence), 1509 royal envoy to the Dukes of Pomerania and to Mecklenburg, 1510 - to Wallachia, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513 - to Hungary (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 268)episcopo CracoviensiPiotr Tomicki (*1464 – †1535), humanist, statesman, diplomat, one of the most trusted collaborators of King Sigismund I of Poland; 1500-1503 Chancellor of Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellon, 1502 Gniezno Cantor, Archdeacon of Cracow, 1503-1505 servant of Jan Lubrański, Bishop of Poznań, 1504-1510 Canon of Poznań, 1506 royal scribe, 1507-1519 Grand(?) Secretary, 1509 Canon of Włocławek, 1510-1514 - of Gniezno, 1511 Custos in Kielce and Sandomierz, 1514 Bishop of Przemyśl; 1515 Crown Vice-Chancellor, 1520 Bishop of Poznań, 1523 - of Cracow; from 1524 (at least) General Collector of świętopietrze (Peter's pence), 1509 royal envoy to the Dukes of Pomerania and to Mecklenburg, 1510 - to Wallachia, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513 - to Hungary (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 268) et suo Stanisław Borek (*1474 – †1556), doctor of both laws; 1505 canon of Włocławek; 1508 - Poznań; 1520 - Gniezno; 1523 - Cracow; 1524 royal secretary; 1538 cantor at the Gniezno chapter; 1540 - at the Cracow chapter; 1542 dean at the Cracow chapter; 1523 royal envoy to Rome; 1524 - to emperor Charles V; 1526 - to Bari (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248; PSB 2, p. 320-322)Stanislao BorgkStanisław Borek (*1474 – †1556), doctor of both laws; 1505 canon of Włocławek; 1508 - Poznań; 1520 - Gniezno; 1523 - Cracow; 1524 royal secretary; 1538 cantor at the Gniezno chapter; 1540 - at the Cracow chapter; 1542 dean at the Cracow chapter; 1523 royal envoy to Rome; 1524 - to emperor Charles V; 1526 - to Bari (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248; PSB 2, p. 320-322) usque Piotrków (Petricovia), city in central Poland, in the 15th-16th century the location of the assemblies of the Diet (Sejm) of the Kingdom of Poland, today Piotrków TrybunalskiPyotrcouiamPiotrków (Petricovia), city in central Poland, in the 15th-16th century the location of the assemblies of the Diet (Sejm) of the Kingdom of Poland, today Piotrków Trybunalski, ubi synodum agunt, transmitti nostris introclusas fecimus et propter eorum absentiam nostrum quoque celerem nuntium non mirabitur nunc super illis responsum non habere.

Scripsimus nos 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 Austriaregia maiestasSigismund 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, reverendus quoque pater dominus Piotr Tomicki (*1464 – †1535), humanist, statesman, diplomat, one of the most trusted collaborators of King Sigismund I of Poland; 1500-1503 Chancellor of Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellon, 1502 Gniezno Cantor, Archdeacon of Cracow, 1503-1505 servant of Jan Lubrański, Bishop of Poznań, 1504-1510 Canon of Poznań, 1506 royal scribe, 1507-1519 Grand(?) Secretary, 1509 Canon of Włocławek, 1510-1514 - of Gniezno, 1511 Custos in Kielce and Sandomierz, 1514 Bishop of Przemyśl; 1515 Crown Vice-Chancellor, 1520 Bishop of Poznań, 1523 - of Cracow; from 1524 (at least) General Collector of świętopietrze (Peter's pence), 1509 royal envoy to the Dukes of Pomerania and to Mecklenburg, 1510 - to Wallachia, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513 - to Hungary (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 268)episcopus CracoviensisPiotr Tomicki (*1464 – †1535), humanist, statesman, diplomat, one of the most trusted collaborators of King Sigismund I of Poland; 1500-1503 Chancellor of Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellon, 1502 Gniezno Cantor, Archdeacon of Cracow, 1503-1505 servant of Jan Lubrański, Bishop of Poznań, 1504-1510 Canon of Poznań, 1506 royal scribe, 1507-1519 Grand(?) Secretary, 1509 Canon of Włocławek, 1510-1514 - of Gniezno, 1511 Custos in Kielce and Sandomierz, 1514 Bishop of Przemyśl; 1515 Crown Vice-Chancellor, 1520 Bishop of Poznań, 1523 - of Cracow; from 1524 (at least) General Collector of świętopietrze (Peter's pence), 1509 royal envoy to the Dukes of Pomerania and to Mecklenburg, 1510 - to Wallachia, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513 - to Hungary (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 268) Strenuitati Tuae plures litteras ante mensem praeteritum, quas per bancum The Welsers merchant and banking family from Augsburg with close ties to Emperor Charles VVelserorumThe Welsers merchant and banking family from Augsburg with close ties to Emperor Charles V et nonnullas alias per manus reverendissimi domini cardinalis Sanctorum 4-or, quas ille ex Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy SeeurbeRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy See ad curiam caesaream in manus reverendissimi domini Giovanni Salviati (*1490 – †1553), nephew of Pope Leo X, friend and correspondent ot Niccolò Machiavelli; 1517 cardinal, 1520-1550 bishop of Ferrara, 1543-1546 bishop of Albano, 1546–1553 bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina, protonotary apostolic, papal legate in Francecardinalis SalviatisGiovanni Salviati (*1490 – †1553), nephew of Pope Leo X, friend and correspondent ot Niccolò Machiavelli; 1517 cardinal, 1520-1550 bishop of Ferrara, 1543-1546 bishop of Albano, 1546–1553 bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina, protonotary apostolic, papal legate in France, oratoris apostolici, mittere debuit. Exspectavit, et libenter scire vellemus, an Tua Strenuitas omnes illas habuit litteras, nam in illis litteris descripseramus impedimentum in negotio nostro Barensi, nescimus, quo pacto illatum. Suspensus enim fuit effectus investiturae nostrae per totum mensem Maium dicente illustri domino vicerege Neapolitano se ultimo id habuisse in commissis a sacra caesarea maiestate et alias, quod ad exsecutionem illius investiturae nostrae non procederet, nisi vocato prius et audito duce Mediolani et propterea nos Strenuitati Tuae eas, quas dicimus, ultimas litteras nostras ad caesaream maiestatem subito ac di<li>genter expediveramus, quarum etiam exemplaria introcluseramus.

Nunc tamen habuimus novissimas litteras a magnifico Ludovico Aliphio secretario et oratore nostro, sub data Neapoli XVIII mensis Iunii, quibus nobis significavit relaxatam iam sibi fore omnium bonorum possessionem praeter castellum Barense, quod ipse castellanus declaravit se dimittere non debere, nisi trinis caesareis compellatur litteris, et propterea ipse Ludovicus scribit nobis expedivisse celerem postam ad Tuam Strenuitatem cum plenissimis informationibus super his et aliis multis, ad quae nos ibidem referimus illudque mirari non sufficimus, quod Strenuitas Tua in his ultimis nobis significavit litteris a mense Septembri nullas ab ipso Ludovico habuisse scripturas, cum ipse scribat se eidem plures misisse, et nos credimus ita fore, sed et nobis idem contigit, quod nunc a dominis Welseris litteris nostris requirimus.

Utcumque nunc tria a Tua Strenuitate diligenter curanda sunt. Primum ut et castellum Barense in toto relaxetur et castellano illi triplicatae vel geminatae caesareae subito mittantur litterae, prout nos hoc idem ultimis nostris litteris Tuae Strenuitati significavimus.

Secundum, ut illa capitula matrimonii nostri totaliter confirmentur cum opportuna declaratione, quod illa confirmatio perinde valeat, ac si tempore contracti matrimonii confirmata fuissent, attento, quod res sortita est effectum et, quod istius intentionis et desiderii semper fuit olim defuncta caesarea maiestas, prout constat ex litteris suis, et nos ac regia maiestas dominus noster illo effectu defraudari non debuimus et tunc inhibitione illa, quo ad burgensatica prout et Tua Strenuitas sensit non multum opus esse crederemus, quia secundum confirmationem et interpretationem caesaream in articulis matrimonii descriptam iam iudicaretur, quod iterum atque iterum curet Strenuitas Tua cum summa diligentia.

Tertium, ut haec omnia et quibus opus esse viderit, exsequatur, quam primum poterit, antequam ibi venerit ad caesaream maiestatem illustris dominus vicerex Neapolitanus, quem audimus conducere navigio Christianissimum regem ad caesaream maiestatem, et propterea cogitet Strenuitas Tua, si haec impedimenta eo absente habuimus, suspicamur maiora cum praesens fuerit. Nam pro certo accepimus illustrem dominum ducem Mediolani non propria intentione nec voluntate nobiscum concurrere, sed aliunde motum et provocatum fore, quandoquidem ipse scit et intelligit nos de iure et aequitate impedire non posse, nisi de facto pro aliorum arbitrio sapienti patet, et propterea Strenuitas Tua curet haec omnia cum summa diligentia et observet ac caveat, quem non ignorat, et si aliquid contra aequitatem nostram attemptatum fuerit, habeat Strenuitas Tua summum refugium ad reverendissimum dominum cardinalem Salviatensem, oratorem apostolicum, tamquam consanguineum et protectorem nostrum singularissimum, cui scimus recommendata fore negotia haec nostra per Summum Pontificem et alios reverendissimos dominos cardinales. Habeat insuper intelligentiam cum reverendo domino praeposito , oratore serenissimi domini regis Hungariae ac Bohemiae, et cum aliis, quos noverit partis nostrae fore. Habeat insuper Strenuitas Tua in curia aliquos suos subarratos, qui possent et scirent eandem informare de his, quae ab adversariis molirentur in nostrum praeiudicium vel detrimentum.

Et licet nos multis documentis experiamur, illustrem dominum viceregem Neapolitanum esse contrarium rebus nostris Barensibus, verum tum dissimulando haec omnia, si iam istuc venit, vel quando veniet, accedat ad eum Strenuitas Tua et ipsum nomine nostro salutet, dicens se id a nobis habere in commissis et mandatis, et quod congratulamur in fortunis suis et id genus et quod nos illum credimus amicum et fautorem rebus nostris. Verum tum nil ei pandat maxime in negotio horum testamentariorum, quia eum scimus sentire cum illis, et si vel quando ipse vicerex deberet redire Neapolim, tunc Strenuitas Tua dissimulans omnia rogabit caesaream maiestatem, ut negotium ducatus nostri et omnium nostrorum eidem ita commendaretur, tamquam nos illum vellemus habere fautorem <et> protectorem nostrum. Similiter et alios dominos rogabit nostro nomine et quomodo ibi non permitteretur nos gravari aut nobis et nostris iniuriari. Si vero non redibit Neapolim, caesaream maiestatem accedere super hoc nec alios oportebit. Tua tamen Strenuitas faciet suum officium ita, ut supra, ne ipse intelligeret nos illum cavere vel observare aut suspectum habere. Et quando rediret Neapolim stante recommendatione caesarea et aliorum dominorum, abstinuerit se ab his, quae essent contraria nobis. Bene valeat Strenuitas <Tua>.

Postscript:

Iterum obtestamur diligentius Strenuitatem Tuam, impendat omnem suam curam et operam in his rebus nostris sciens nos sui tantam apud nos habere rationem, ut pro bono ac fideli oporteat servitore nec sit eidem fastidio tam diu ibidem immorari, quandoquidem Deo propitio succedunt iam melius multo res nostrae et illis finitis, quando revocabimus illam, redibit cum omni suo honore et nostra ingenti gratitudine. Passi iam graviora dabit Deus his quoque finem. Durate et qua opus sit vobis provisione, significate domino Ludovico. Nos ei commisimus, ut nil ibi desit Strenuitati Tuae et quod omnia habeat pro nostro honore et sua commoditate et necessitate, prout disposuimus ultimis litteris nostris, quas Strenuitatem Tuam iam accepisse credimus.