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Letter #2640

Gemma Frisius to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Leuven (Lovanium), 1543-04-07
            received Cracow, 1543-05-26

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, UUB, H. 155, f. 70-71
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, LSB, BR 19, No. 59
3register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 30, No. 142

Prints:
1HIPLER 1868 p. 525 (excerpt)
2CURTZE 1874 No. 5, p. 321-323 (in extenso)
3HIPLER 1891 No. 59, p. 566-568 (in extenso; German register)
4VAN ORTROY App. A, No. 5, p. 411-413 (in extenso)
5DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 444, p. 356-358 (in extenso)
6SIKORSKI 1968 No. 520, p. 136 (Polish register)
7Kopernik na Warmii No. 559, p. 517 (Polish register)
8RC No. 495, p. 210 (English register)
9NCG 6/1 No. 189, p. 351-353 (excerpt; excerpt in German translation)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

UUB, H. 154, f. 70r

Reverendissime Domine, salutem et officiorum meorum commendationem.

Vix tandem legi, Reverendissime Domine, summo desiderio longoque temporis tra[...] paper damaged[...][...] paper damagedctu expetitas Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae litteras plenas in me amoris et benevolentiae, pro quibus ne Croesus (†after 547 BC), the last king of Lydia, famous for his wealthCroesiCroesus (†after 547 BC), the last king of Lydia, famous for his wealth quidem divitias (ut ita loquar) in praesentiarum mihi concessas velim. Quamquam enim aliqua in parte argumentum satis triste tractant, ubi scilicet manum illam tot heroibus notissimam ac regibus quoque adamatam adeo languere narrant, ut iam sine vicario nihil agere possit, altera tamen parte maximum mihi eximerunt metum et insigni perfuderunt gaudio. Iam dudum enim apud nos increbuerat rumor et nonnullis quoque persuasit longum silentium, Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram simul et scribere et vivere desiisse. A qua suspicione liberati serio nunc exultamus, et ut eandem Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram longa et meliori valetudine donare velit is, in cuius manu sortes nostrae sunt, precamur ex animo.

Apud generosum et nobilem dominum oratorem 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 Austriaserenissimi regis vestriSigismund 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 cenavi nuper in aedibus magnifici domini 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)Cornelii ScepperiCornelis 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), forte 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 BelgiumBruxellamBrussels (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 vocatus ob malam valetudinem illustris domini a Prato; ac tum mea omnia, quae parum ipsi domino Christophoro usui esse possunt, in promptitudinis animi mei signum, ut debui, obtuli, cui sane nomine Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae obsequium aliquod praestare cuperem. Sed revertenti mihi post tres dies Leuven (Louvain, Lovanium), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, 25 km E of Brussels, University town from 1425, today in BelgiumLovaniumLeuven (Louvain, Lovanium), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, 25 km E of Brussels, University town from 1425, today in Belgium interea videre numquam ipsum contigit, itaque non potui pro animi voto meam erga Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram voluntatem declarare. Si tamen nepotes Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae contigerit huc ad nos pervenire, id quod summopere desidero, spero effecturum me, ne vana videri possit haec mea pollicitatio. De statu vero litterario nostrae academiae tantum Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae significandum statui. Doctores nos habere in quovis disciplinarum et artium genere excellentes. In iure civili dominum Ioannes Hazius Ioannem HaziumIoannes Hazius , dominum Amicum et dominum Gabrielem, viros omnes non minus facundos quam eruditos; in canonibus dominum Dominicum, dominum Michaelem Druysium et licentiatum Wilmarum Bernardum, quorum et vita doctrinae excellentiae respondet; theologorum vero (quos merito primo ordine recensere debueram) magnus est apud nos et numerus et splendor. Inter quos acutior videtur et senior m(agnificum) n(omen) Iacobus Latomus (Jacques Masson) (*ca. 1475 – †1544), distinguished Flemish theologian, adviser to the Inquisition and adversary of Erasmus of Rotterdam. In his works he defended the divine origin of the papal primacy in opposite to Luther and Reformation. He was also against the teaching of Greek and Hebrew, which he believed to be dangerous rather than useful; 1526-1535 canon of Cambrai; 1535 - professor of theology and canon of St Peter's in Louvain; 1537 rector of the Louvain University (CE, vol. 2, p. 304-306)Iacobus LatomiIacobus Latomus (Jacques Masson) (*ca. 1475 – †1544), distinguished Flemish theologian, adviser to the Inquisition and adversary of Erasmus of Rotterdam. In his works he defended the divine origin of the papal primacy in opposite to Luther and Reformation. He was also against the teaching of Greek and Hebrew, which he believed to be dangerous rather than useful; 1526-1535 canon of Cambrai; 1535 - professor of theology and canon of St Peter's in Louvain; 1537 rector of the Louvain University (CE, vol. 2, p. 304-306). Sed quid ego caecus de coloribus? Doctores tandem medici aliquando hic plures sunt quam aegroti, et fuerunt plures quam auditores. Sed in dies quoque nomen claritasque scholae medicae Leuven (Louvain, Lovanium), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, 25 km E of Brussels, University town from 1425, today in BelgiumLovaniiLeuven (Louvain, Lovanium), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, 25 km E of Brussels, University town from 1425, today in Belgium sese ad sidera tollit; accessit enim nuper per Leuven Town Council magistratum LovaniensemLeuven Town Council instituta nova medicinae lectio praeter consuetas, coepimus quoque anatomen celebrare, id quod hactenus plane neglectum fuit magno auditorum detrimento, nos quoque pro nostra tenuitate mathemata hac quadragesima coepimus declarare, ac in dies satis frequenti auditorio perficimus.

UUB, H. 154, f. 70v

Quod ad impensas annuas attinet, non est respondere facile. Sunt enim variae apud nos classes, varii ordines. Quisque pro sua et dignitate et pretio diverso accipitur. Sunt qui in paedagogiis victitant 36 aureis Carolis, hoc est 18 ducatis; sunt in eisdem paedagogiis alterius classis convictores, qui 24, sunt qui 25 ducatos annue pendunt. Simili quoque ratione apud doctores aut alios viros doctos vivitur. Maxima vero ex parte et passim hac tempestate 25 ducatis victus emitur. Novi quoque alios, qui in doctorum aedibus 30 ducatos pro victu numerant. Victus vero nomine cibum, potum, cubicula et lectum tantum numeramus; ligna, candelas ms. candelae(!) candelascandelas ms. candelae(!) , vestitus aliaque huiusmodi propriis quisque sumptibus sibi comparare debet. Sed tanta est apud nos bellorum tumultuatio, ut non videam, qua via nepotes Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae ad nos perrumpere possint. Anno elapso inhabitants of the Duchy of Guelders Geldrensesinhabitants of the Duchy of Guelders et Clivenses Francis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoyregis GalliFrancis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy instinctu et nomine totam ms. tatam(!) totamtotam ms. tatam(!) Brabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the NetherlandsBrabantiamBrabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands fere devastarunt, ac Leuven (Louvain, Lovanium), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, 25 km E of Brussels, University town from 1425, today in BelgiumLovaniumLeuven (Louvain, Lovanium), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, 25 km E of Brussels, University town from 1425, today in Belgium omni praesidio destitutum fere per insidias occuparunt. Quo tempore et ego pro moenibus quatriduum adstiti iam factus miles non admodum voluntarius, vidique hostes bombardarum nostrarum globis disiectos et strenue repulsos. Unde tunc cecini: „Vicimus auxilio Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old TestamentChristiJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament post vincula Cephae!” Sed haec iam apud Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram notissima esse arbitror, potuissem alioqui ingens volumen harum rerum narratione implere, neque adhuc finis aliquis apparet, sed tantum progymnasmata quaedam videntur, prout ms. praeut(!) proutprout ms. praeut(!) nunc omnia furorem Martium referunt, omnia sursum deorsumque volutantur. Sed dabit Deus his quoque finem spero!

Opus ille mathematicum summi viri domini Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124)Nicolai CoperniciiNicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124) summo desiderio exspecto, quod impressum iri dominus Eustachius mihi narravit, sed et sub prelo esse iam nunc referunt nonnullorum monimenta virorum ex Germany (Germania, Niemcy)GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy) prodeuntia. Et commodum sane nunc hoc opus exoritur, ut occasum tanti viri perpetua luce illustret, quamquam optem viro illi nestoreis annis digno vitam opere suo durabiliorem. Quam ut Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae et illi concedat Deus Optimus Maximus, cotidianis precibus oro. Barbara, wife of Gemma Frisius (Iacobina), wife of Regnier Gemma from 1534 (REICH 2005, p. 324)UxorBarbara, wife of Gemma Frisius (Iacobina), wife of Regnier Gemma from 1534 (REICH 2005, p. 324) mihi carissima, Barbara nomine, neque re Latina vel Graeca, sed humanissima, ut amplexibus meis gaudet, ita amplexum amicitiae Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae summopere desiderat; veteres quoque Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae clientuli quam commendatissimi Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae esse cupiunt.

Reverendissimae D(ominationi) Vestrae obsequentissimus Gemma Frisius (Jemme Reinerszoon) (*1508 – †1555), Netherlandish leading theoretical mathematician and practicing physician in Louvain, scholar, and tutor of Gerardus Mercator, studied medicine, mathematics and astronomy at the University in Louvain (1526), where he became a professor of medicine and mathematics, he applied his mathematical expertise to geography, astronomy and map making (HALLYN; VAN ORTROY)Gemma FrisiusGemma Frisius (Jemme Reinerszoon) (*1508 – †1555), Netherlandish leading theoretical mathematician and practicing physician in Louvain, scholar, and tutor of Gerardus Mercator, studied medicine, mathematics and astronomy at the University in Louvain (1526), where he became a professor of medicine and mathematics, he applied his mathematical expertise to geography, astronomy and map making (HALLYN; VAN ORTROY)