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Letter #2774

Marco de la TORRE to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Cracow (Kraków), 1544-12-06

English register:

Marco de la Torre rejoices at the letter he has received from Dantiscus, the good news about his health, and promises that he and his fellow friars will pray for him.

His own health is unchanged, he is afflicted with weaknesses linked to old age, but accepts this calmly as being the path to heaven.

He laments the widespread indifference and tardiness in fighting against sects, he predicts an approaching decline of the clergy.

Poland’s rulers, and especially the queen [Bona], are absolutely not leaning towards sects. Marco de la Torre trusts that the King jr. [Sigismund II Augustus] will adopt a similar attitude to that of his parents. He intends to encourage him to do so in a letter.

He thanks Dantiscus for the nutmeg medicine (confectiones muscati), which is the only effective remedy for his stomach problems. He asks Dantiscus to tell him who sells it in Gdańsk, because when the queen comes next week to visit him in his chamber (which he is not allowed to leave due to the cold weather), Marco de la Torre intends to suggest that this medicine be purchased for the King [Sigismund I]. The medicines sent for the King from Italy are not as effective.


            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1544-12-17

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 233-234

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 173

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

AAWO, AB, D.70, f. 233r

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, domine fautor et benefactor observandissime.

Post sacrae manus osculum et perpetuam felicitatem.

Supra id, quod vix dici potest, gratissimae mihi Paternitatis Vestrae Reverendissimae fuerunt cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Marco de la TORRE before 1544-12-06, CIDTC IDL 7081, letter lostlitteraecf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Marco de la TORRE before 1544-12-06, CIDTC IDL 7081, letter lost, quandoquidem ex eis licuit intelligere Paternitatem Vestram Reverendissimam prospera frui valetudine, quae mihi maxime est cordi et quam illi aeque ac mihi ipsi summopere desidero, prosperum denique suarum rerum successum, quem paribus auspiciis dominus Deus sua infinita pietate diuturno tempore et in aevum usque prospicere dignetur. Quod ut efficacius fiat, assiduis precibus a Domino Iesu Christo unacum The Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) fratribusThe Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) meis id impetrare contendemus.

Quantum vero attinet meam valetudinem, nihil in me immutatum est, cf. Arist. De gener. 336a.27-28; AURELIANENSIS 2.10 title Utrum idem manens semper idem et similiter se habens natum est facere idem quia idem manens, idem semper natum est facere idemcf. Arist. De gener. 336a.27-28; AURELIANENSIS 2.10 title Utrum idem manens semper idem et similiter se habens natum est facere idem . Cum enim semper langueam, de languore ad languorem devenio, et quanto ulterius, tanto deterius ob senectam meam iam prorsus viribus effetam. Quae tamen certe non est mihi gravis nec admodum molesta, cum ipsa sit propinquior gradus ad superos ascendendi, quandoquidem malum cf. S. Gregorii Nysseni in funere Pulcheriae oratio: finis vitae carnalis initium augustioris vitae hoc, quod vulgo mortem vocant, initium est immortalitatis vitae futuraecf. S. Gregorii Nysseni in funere Pulcheriae oratio: finis vitae carnalis initium augustioris vitae , pereuntibus sua lege et tempore corporibus, animis vero in caelestem patriam migrantibus. Verum facessere philosophica haec sinam, ne cf. Adagia 3725 Solem adiuvare facibus facula solem illustrarecf. Adagia 3725 Solem adiuvare facibus velle videar.

De impia autem et perfidorum secta, cum videam omnes quaerere, quae sua sunt et non quae Ihesu Christi, et ea, quae ad animarum salutem pertinerent, negligere, quid aliud afferam, et non quidem sine magno stomacho, nisi quod nunc verificari video cf. Vulg. Ps (G) 68:24; Vulg. Rm 11:10 obscurentur oculi eorum, ne videantcf. Vulg. Ps (G) 68:24; Vulg. Rm 11:10 etc. Si enim naturali lumine dumtaxat, et non divino, afflati duceremur, clarius adhuc luce meridiana interitum et ultimum excidium ecclesiastici status istis praeludiis et hac nostrorum conniventia exploratum habere deberemus. Sed vereor, ne id nobis accidat, quod Paul of Tarsus, Saint (*5-10 AD – †64-67 AD), the most important missionary and theologian of early Christianity, known as the Apostle of Nations, author of Letters, the main figure of the Acts of the ApostlesSanctus PaulusPaul of Tarsus, Saint (*5-10 AD – †64-67 AD), the most important missionary and theologian of early Christianity, known as the Apostle of Nations, author of Letters, the main figure of the Acts of the Apostles in epistula ad Romanos cf. Vulg. Rm 1:28-31 et sicut non probaverunt Deum habere in notitia, tradidit eos Deus in reprobum sensum, ut faciant, quae non conveniunt, repletos omni iniquitate: malitia, fornicatione, avaritia, nequitia, plenos invidia, homicidio, contentione, dolo, malignitate, susurrones, detractores Deo odibiles, contumeliosos, superbos, elatos, inventores malorum, parentibus non oboedientes, insipientes, inconpositos, sine affectione absque foedere, sine misericordia gentilibus accidisse ait ex desertione Dei in exsecrabilia facinora prolapsoscf. Vulg. Rm 1:28-31 et sicut non probaverunt Deum habere in notitia, tradidit eos Deus in reprobum sensum, ut faciant, quae non conveniunt, repletos omni iniquitate: malitia, fornicatione, avaritia, nequitia, plenos invidia, homicidio, contentione, dolo, malignitate, susurrones, detractores Deo odibiles, contumeliosos, superbos, elatos, inventores malorum, parentibus non oboedientes, insipientes, inconpositos, sine affectione absque foedere, sine misericordia . Etenim et ii, qui sunt ex nostris, sua oscitantia et dissimulatione huic pestiferae et mortiferae sectae favere videntur inquientes: „Dummodo nostro tempore AAWO, AB, D.70, f. 233v proventibus et bonis nostris frui possimus, viderint posteri, quid facto opus erit, et adhibeant remedia pro eorum subsistentia, nos interim laetos dies transigamus”. Sed hic dicendi finem faciam, latissimus enim scribendi campus hic mihi se offert, ad cuius metam absque taedio et magna animi perturbatione (cum fontes et scaturigines, ex quibus morbus hic processit, adducendi essent) pervenire non possem.

Nostri 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

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 Aragon

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
principes serenissimiSigismund 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

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 Aragon

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
et praesertim serenissima 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 AragonreginaBona 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, domina nostra clementissima, tantum abest, ut faveat his pestilentissimis hominibus, verum ita est infensa eorum sectae, ut ne verbum quidem de ipsorum exsecrandis dogmatibus pertingere sinat ad aures suas. Nec diffido serenissimum 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 Sforzaregem iunioremSigismund 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 paternam et maternam, quam puero imbiberat religionem sectari, et in futurum sectaturum, nec enim diversum conicitur vel levissimo argumento. Ad 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 SforzaquemSigismund 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 crastina luce Deo auspice litteras daturus sum, quibus cf. Adagia 47 Calcar addere currenti equo currenti calcaria addamcf. Adagia 47 Calcar addere currenti .

Magnas gratias habeo Vestrae Reverendissimae Paternitati tamquam domino meo colendissimo, quod dignata fuerit mihi mittere confectiones muscati, quae certe gratiores longe apud me exstiterunt, quam si mihi tantumdem auri transmisisset. Quo licet non abundem, tamen non ita egeo, sicut hac confortatione stomachi, qui quando deicitur, hoc uno tamquam praesentaneo remedio resumit vires et refocillatur. Utinam scirem, quomodo et apud quem Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic LeagueGedaniGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League reperiri possit, quia serenissima 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 Aragonreginalis maiestasBona 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 adduci faceret non tantum pro me, sed etiam pro usu serenissimi 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 AustriaregisSigismund 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. Pro 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 AustriaquoSigismund 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 ex Italy (Italia)ItaliaItaly (Italia) multae confectiones advehuntur, quas scio non esse ita aptas ad relevandas tam sensibiliter vires et fovendas written over mmss written over m, sicut hoc muscatum, quod non superinscribednonnon superinscribed existimo reperiri conditum apud 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

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 Aragon
suas serenissimas maiestatesSigismund 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

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 Aragon
, et super hac re cum serenissima 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 Aragonreginali maiestateBona 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 loquar, quando ad me invisendum futura hebdomada descenderit, cum cubiculum meum ob acerbitatem frigoris et aeris intemperiem egredi non licet.

Quod reliquum est, Paternitati Vestrae Reverendissimae omnem felicitatem cupio. Quam rogo, ne eius solito amore et gratia me prosequi desistat. Ego semper profitebor me sui nominis observantissimum futurum.

Quam Dominus AAWO, AB, D.70, f. 234r Deus sua in paper damaged[n]n paper damagedfinita bonitate quam diutissime conservare dignetur.

Eiusdem Paternitatis Vestrae Reverendissimae obsequentissimus frater Marco de la Torre (Marcus Venetus) (†1545), doctor of theology, professor at the Cracow University (1519), confessor of Queen Bona Sforza (since ca. 1521); since 1517 or 1518 till 1538 Provincial of the Franciscan Order in Poland; since 1517 or 1518 till 1545 - Commissar-General; probably since 1537 also in Silesia, Bohemia, Austria and Prussia (POCIECHA 2, p. 67-76; KANTAK 2016, p. 27-53)Marcus a TurriMarco de la Torre (Marcus Venetus) (†1545), doctor of theology, professor at the Cracow University (1519), confessor of Queen Bona Sforza (since ca. 1521); since 1517 or 1518 till 1538 Provincial of the Franciscan Order in Poland; since 1517 or 1518 till 1545 - Commissar-General; probably since 1537 also in Silesia, Bohemia, Austria and Prussia (POCIECHA 2, p. 67-76; KANTAK 2016, p. 27-53) Venetus, totius The Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ordinis fratrum minorum conventualiumThe Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) commissarius generalis, serenissimae 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 Aragonreginalis maiestatisBona 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 confessor etc.