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Letter #2668

Gdańsk Town Council to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Gdańsk (Danzig), 1543-10-20
            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-10-24

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in German, in secretary's hand, BCz, 1624, p. 199-202
2office copy in German, APG, 300, 27, 18, f. 101v-102r

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Hochwirdigster inn Gott Furst, gennediger herr.

Unnser bereidtwillige unnd unvordrossene dinste seindt Ewern Hochwirdigen Gnaden mith besunderen vleis zcuvorann entpholenn. /

Gennediger herr.

Wier seindt alles czweiffels anigk es werden sich Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade leichtlich unnd woll erinneren kommen was reyffsennigk unnd trostlichs bedenck zcwusschenn Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade unnd den andern Council of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)konig dieser lande Preussen rethennCouncil of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18) von wegen der beshwerlichen newerigen ladung und denn zcwen geladenen unseren vielgeliebtenn burgermeisteren / am jungsten zcu Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)GrawdentzGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia) der sachenn zcu gutte gefallenn ist. / Nemlich das die conwarirung der herren geladenn antwerirt unnd ihnen fur dem gemeinen hirstkunfftig Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia reichstageProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia zcugelehstende nochgegeben werden muchtege, / so als das auch nicht allem bekwemlich, szunder auch nothlich und gerathen geachtet wurden.

Wie das auch Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade sambt dem herrenn Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)bisschoff vonn der LobeTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim) in sunderheit vor das beste angesehen, als das man sich des beÿ der 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 Austriaaltenn koniglicher maiestettSigismund 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, wie auch dem herrenn Piotr Gamrat (*1487 – †1545), 1509-1518 parish priest in Wyszków; 1519 scholastic of Płock; 1526 Gniezno canon; 1528 dean of Płock; 1529 Warsaw scholastic; 1532-1538 general commissioner and admistrator of Crown lands in Masovia; provost at the chapter of St. Florian in the Kleparz district in Cracow, and later of St. Michael in Płock; 1531 bishop of Kamieniec; 1532 Dean of Warsaw; 1535 bishop of Przemyśl; 1538 - of Płock; 1538 - of Cracow; 1541 archbishop of Gniezno and primate (with the approval of the Holy See he retained the bishopric of Cracow) (PSB 7, 264-266)ertzbisschoffPiotr Gamrat (*1487 – †1545), 1509-1518 parish priest in Wyszków; 1519 scholastic of Płock; 1526 Gniezno canon; 1528 dean of Płock; 1529 Warsaw scholastic; 1532-1538 general commissioner and admistrator of Crown lands in Masovia; provost at the chapter of St. Florian in the Kleparz district in Cracow, and later of St. Michael in Płock; 1531 bishop of Kamieniec; 1532 Dean of Warsaw; 1535 bishop of Przemyśl; 1538 - of Płock; 1538 - of Cracow; 1541 archbishop of Gniezno and primate (with the approval of the Holy See he retained the bishopric of Cracow) (PSB 7, 264-266) unnd herren Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)untercantzlerSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69), unnser gnedig herren, ummbe desselbige zcuerhaltenn bearbeÿthen thedt. Wortzu auch Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade dergleichenn der Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)herre von der LöbeTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim) das ihre aufs furderlichste durch furshriffte antzuwenden erbuttig gewesenn. / Welchs sunderlichs zcugethanes gemuthe unnd gnedigen willens wier uns groslich unnd dienstlich bedanncken. / Solchs auch herwidderummbe jegenn Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade unnsers bestenn vleisses zcuvordienen stets unvordrossen wollenn befunden werdenn. / Derhalbenn unnd dieweill nhu die zceitt faste vorbeÿ laufft, damith dennoch immers dem selbigen guttenn unnd zcutreglichen rathe in der thadt nachgeseczt wurde. /

So ist ann Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade unnser dienstlich unnd fleissigk bytt wolle inn gnaden geruchen solche furdershrifft ann hochgedochte 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 Austriakonigliche maiestett die altheSigismund 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, / wie auch an den grosgenanten herren Piotr Gamrat (*1487 – †1545), 1509-1518 parish priest in Wyszków; 1519 scholastic of Płock; 1526 Gniezno canon; 1528 dean of Płock; 1529 Warsaw scholastic; 1532-1538 general commissioner and admistrator of Crown lands in Masovia; provost at the chapter of St. Florian in the Kleparz district in Cracow, and later of St. Michael in Płock; 1531 bishop of Kamieniec; 1532 Dean of Warsaw; 1535 bishop of Przemyśl; 1538 - of Płock; 1538 - of Cracow; 1541 archbishop of Gniezno and primate (with the approval of the Holy See he retained the bishopric of Cracow) (PSB 7, 264-266)ertzbisschoffPiotr Gamrat (*1487 – †1545), 1509-1518 parish priest in Wyszków; 1519 scholastic of Płock; 1526 Gniezno canon; 1528 dean of Płock; 1529 Warsaw scholastic; 1532-1538 general commissioner and admistrator of Crown lands in Masovia; provost at the chapter of St. Florian in the Kleparz district in Cracow, and later of St. Michael in Płock; 1531 bishop of Kamieniec; 1532 Dean of Warsaw; 1535 bishop of Przemyśl; 1538 - of Płock; 1538 - of Cracow; 1541 archbishop of Gniezno and primate (with the approval of the Holy See he retained the bishopric of Cracow) (PSB 7, 264-266) unnd Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)bisschoff von Płock, town in central Poland, Masovia, on the Vistula River, since 1075 episcopal seePlotzkePłock, town in central Poland, Masovia, on the Vistula River, since 1075 episcopal seeSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69) zcustellen geruchenn. / Damit sie neben Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade shrifften ihre intercession unnd vorbith bey hochgedochter 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 Austriakoniglicher maiestetSigismund 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 alles zcu obberurter meÿnunge, grunde unnd offerte einczulegen geruchenn wolten. / Als das sich die gemelten geladenn herren / vor dem kunfftigen reichstage gestellen unnd mith genaden auffgenommen, auch mith denn ersten viel geltspildung / vorseumnnis unnd unkoste zcuvormeyden gnediglich abgefertiget werdenn muchten, wie solchs alles am jungsten czu Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)GraudentzGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia) breiter beredt wordenn. /

Welche obgedochte brieffe wolle Ewer Hochwirdigen Gnaden beÿ zceiger dieses, unserm diener, an uns mith dem ersten neben der abshrifften derselbigenn gelangen lossen. / Damith wir dieselbigen ungesewmet vortstellenn muchten, dan wier Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade nicht vergen wollen, / das wier Jakob Fürstenberger (Iacobus Archimontanus), in 1545 and 1546 was receiving a salary from the Prussian treasure; secretary in Danzig, envoy of the city to the Polish court (DERESIEWICZ, p. 190; AT 8, No. 70, p. 96-97; SIMSON, passim; PSGPK 2)unsernn secretariumJakob Fürstenberger (Iacobus Archimontanus), in 1545 and 1546 was receiving a salary from the Prussian treasure; secretary in Danzig, envoy of the city to the Polish court (DERESIEWICZ, p. 190; AT 8, No. 70, p. 96-97; SIMSON, passim; PSGPK 2) mith den ersten auffzcuschickenn der ursichenn bedocht, / das nochdem am jungsten zcu Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of PolandCrakawCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland durch Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade und die andere konigliche rethe fast anregung der Vistula (Wisła), river in PolandWeisselVistula (Wisła), river in Poland temme halben etc. gethann. Wortzu auch die 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 Austriakoniglicher maiestetSigismund 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 wiewoll nicht ungeneigt vormerckt, / so hatt sie doch durch dasselbige biss ann den herren Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)schatzmeisterStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123) vorsheben. Welcher dann diese kunfftige woche (wie wier berichtet) auffczihenn wirth. Derwegen wir denne demselbigen gemeinen obligen zcu gutte ungeseumet den unsern auch abezcufertigen gesynnet unnd was also Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade zcu furderung des gedochtenn obligens thun unnd anwenden wirth.

Wollenn wier herwidderummbe jegenn Ewer Hochwirdige Gnade in allem wolgefallenn / zcuvordienen unvorgessenn sein, / mit der hulffe Gots, der die selbige lange gesundt unnd in vorhoffter gluckszeligkeit enthaltenn wolle. /

Ewer Hochwirdige Gnaden bereidtwillige Gdańsk Town Council burgermeister unnd rathmanne der stadt DanntzigkGdańsk Town Council