CIDT&C Corpus of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence

Letter #3900

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Bona Sforza
s.l., 1543-01-01

Manuscript sources:

1	rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, corrections in author's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 7, f. 21r-v

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus

Serenissima Reginalis Maiestas et Domina, domina clementissima.

Humillimam servitiorum meorum et orationum commendationem.

Non sine singulari consolatione Serenissimae Reginalis Maiestatis Vestrae benignissimas legi cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1542-11-30, CIDTC IDL 2604⌊litterascf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1542-11-30, CIDTC IDL 2604⌋, quibus se affectae meae valetudinis clementem commiserationem habere indicat. Pro qua propensa in me gratia Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae quantum possum demissius atque diligentius gratias habeo immortales, Dominum Deum intime orans, ut eandem Serenissimam Maiestatem quam diutissime ab omni aegrotatione doloreque incolumem conservet.

Ceterum, quod Serenissima Maiestas Vestra me clementer commonet, ut, si interim convaluero, felicibus nuptiis[1] serenissimae 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⌊maiestatis regiae iuniorisSigismund 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⌋, domini mei clementissimi, cum id tempus postulabit, inservire non detrectem, in quo quidem, si Deus salubrius corpus et ea, quae ad tam splendidas nuptias honestandas ex misericordia sua concesserit, dummodo temporius de mente 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⌊maiestatis 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⌋ edoctus fuero, quoad eius per valetudinem a me fieri poterit, obsequentem me praestabo. Atque utinam hoc clarissimum coniugium Deus fortunet, prosperet faustissimumque faciat, ne malorum hominum, qui de eo perperam praepostereque ominantur, malevolentia, quam contra hoc Dei institutum et voluntatem conceperunt, quae maxime in matrimoniis suam ostendit potentiam, succedat.

Huc ad nos in eo varia perferuntur, meque interdum afficiunt, suppliciter itaque rogo, si quid est, quod me scire liceat, Serenissima Maiestas Vestra pro iurata mea fide me latere non velit. Quod vero probably Joachim von Maltzan (*1492 – †1556), knight and diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; Grand Field Marshal during the Habsburg-Ottoman wars in 1526-1543 (ADB, vol. 20, pp. 155-157)

Maciej Łobocki (*after 1490 – †1553)⌊oratores Germaniprobably Joachim von Maltzan (*1492 – †1556), knight and diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; Grand Field Marshal during the Habsburg-Ottoman wars in 1526-1543 (ADB, vol. 20, pp. 155-157)

Maciej Łobocki (*after 1490 – †1553)⌋, qui ad serenissimam 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ mittuntur, adeo diligenter de me inquirunt, non nisi veteris societatis fortassis fit ratione, neque qui me penitius norunt, suspicari possunt, quod ob id in aula non sim, ut qui in ea Serenissimarum 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⌊Maiestatum VestrarumSigismund 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⌋ gratiam non habeam, cum me sciant illis tam longo tempore fideliter inservivisse.

Nova, quae ad praesens apud nos narrantur, licet non admodum sint certa, ut tamen iussis Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae satisfiat, sic habent: Rumor huc perl[a]tus est The Scots ⌊ScotosThe Scots ⌋ superiores fuisse The English (Angli) ⌊AnglisThe English (Angli) ⌋ magna caede edita. Quando ver[o] et quibus modis facta sit et quomodo cuncta successerint, nondum compertum habetur.

Ex Sweden (Suecia)⌊SueciaSweden (Suecia)⌋ fertur quod The Swedes ⌊incolae illiThe Swedes ⌋ strennue suum persequuntur Gustav I Vasa (Gustav Ericsson) (*1496 – †1560), 1523-1560 King of Sweden; son of Erik Johansson and Cecilia Månsdotter ⌊tyrannumGustav I Vasa (Gustav Ericsson) (*1496 – †1560), 1523-1560 King of Sweden; son of Erik Johansson and Cecilia Månsdotter ⌋, quem confoederati deseruisse omnes dicuntur, quorum unus Christian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌊Danorum rexChristian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534-1559 King of Denmark and Norway, 1523-1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌋, cum illi nuper quadringentos equites et pedites octingentos per speciem, ut aiunt, mittere statuisset, causabatur milites eo proficisci reluctatos esse . Quidam autumant, quod Johann II of Schleswig-Holstein-Hadersleben der Ältere (Hans den Ældre) (*1521 – †1580), 1544-1580 Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Haderslev (Schleswig & Holstein jointly with his brother Adolf and his half-brother King Christian III of Denmark); son of Frederick I of Denmark and Norway and Sophie of Pomerania⌊fratremJohann II of Schleswig-Holstein-Hadersleben der Ältere (Hans den Ældre) (*1521 – †1580), 1544-1580 Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Haderslev (Schleswig & Holstein jointly with his brother Adolf and his half-brother King Christian III of Denmark); son of Frederick I of Denmark and Norway and Sophie of Pomerania⌋ suum Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊hincPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋ a Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)⌊sororioAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)⌋ suo evocatum The Swedes ⌊SuecisThe Swedes ⌋ praeficere conetur. Citizens of Lübeck ⌊LubecensesCitizens of Lübeck ⌋ item et Citizens of Hamburg ⌊HamburgensesCitizens of Hamburg ⌋ Albrecht VII of Mecklenburg (*1486 – †1547), 1503-1520 Duke of Mecklenburg, 1520-1547 Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow; son of Duke Magnus II of Mecklenburg and Sophia (daughter of Erich II of Pomerania-Wolgast)⌊ducem Magnipolensem vulgo Mekelburgensem AlbertumAlbrecht VII of Mecklenburg (*1486 – †1547), 1503-1520 Duke of Mecklenburg, 1520-1547 Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow; son of Duke Magnus II of Mecklenburg and Sophia (daughter of Erich II of Pomerania-Wolgast)⌋, qui etiam superioribus annis ad Denmark (Dania)⌊Daniae regnumDenmark (Dania)⌋ aspiraverat, ipsis The Swedes ⌊SuecisThe Swedes ⌋ tumultuantibus, suppetiis missis, regem statuere intendunt, sicque lis est de paupere regno.

Wilhelm V Der Reiche (Wilhelm of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, William I of Cleves, William V of Jülich-Berg) (*1516 – †1592), 1538-1543 Duke of Guelders and Zutphen, 1539-1592 Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. During the 3rd Guelderian War that followed, France he was an ally to Guelders against Charles V. His predecessor, Duke Charles of Guelders, also concluded an alliance with France (MÜLLER)⌊Dux IuliacensisWilhelm V Der Reiche (Wilhelm of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, William I of Cleves, William V of Jülich-Berg) (*1516 – †1592), 1538-1543 Duke of Guelders and Zutphen, 1539-1592 Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. During the 3rd Guelderian War that followed, France he was an ally to Guelders against Charles V. His predecessor, Duke Charles of Guelders, also concluded an alliance with France (MÜLLER)⌋ cum adhaerentibus, Iuliaco amisso, quod oppidum caesareani adhuc occupant contra domum Burgundian Netherlands (Bourgogne, Burgundia), duchy, the name of the former Duchy of Burgundy is used here to denote its historical northern part – known as the Burgundy Netherlands (today’s Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), taken over by the Habsburgs in 1477, and in 1530-1556 ruled on behalf of Charles V by his sister, the dowager queen, Mary of Hungary⌊BurgundiaeBurgundian Netherlands (Bourgogne, Burgundia), duchy, the name of the former Duchy of Burgundy is used here to denote its historical northern part – known as the Burgundy Netherlands (today’s Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), taken over by the Habsburgs in 1477, and in 1530-1556 ruled on behalf of Charles V by his sister, the dowager queen, Mary of Hungary⌋ et René de Châlon (Renatus of Châlon) (*1518 – †1544), 1536-1544 prince of Orange; count of Nassau, stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and Guelders; son of Hendrik III of Nassau-Breda (CE, vol. 1, p. 291)⌊principem Arangiae de Nassaw comitemRené de Châlon (Renatus of Châlon) (*1518 – †1544), 1536-1544 prince of Orange; count of Nassau, stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and Guelders; son of Hendrik III of Nassau-Breda (CE, vol. 1, p. 291)⌋ exercitum ducere perhibetur. De 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 Castile⌊caesareCharles 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⌋ et Francis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌊GalloFrancis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌋ scribitur quod uterque suis sub capitali poena interdixerit, ne quis ex eorum ditionibus de his, quae in illis aguntur, quicquam scribere audeat. Quo fortassis fit, quod ex illis regionibus nihil ad nos perfertur.

Si quid postea se offeret, perscribam non gravate, modo Serenissima Maiestas Vestra ea in eiusmodi aestimatione a me suscipiat, qua ad me perveniunt, raro enim aliud, quam quae a mercatoribus narrantur, a quibus vani rumores saepe prodeunt , scribere soleo.

Quod garriendo per alienum calamum prolixior et Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae molestior sum, veniam mihi dari oro, qu[a]ndoquidem manu mea uti adhuc nequeo, quae a scapulis usque, utroque humero dolore ex humoribus praepedito, impotentiam contraxit, qua et totum fere corpus est aggravatum. Dominus Deus faciat mecum secundum magnam misericordiam suam.

Qui ut Sacram Maiestatem Vestram in porrectissima tempora florentem, sospitem atque felicissimam conservet, intime precor, meque eiusdem Serenissimae Maiestatis clementiae suppliciter commendo.

Datae etc., prima Ianuarii 1543.

Postscript:

Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae litteras ... Domino 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)⌊thesaurarioStanisław 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)⌋ Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊harum terrarumPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋ e vestigio [tra]nsmisi. Pro benigna benevolaque intercessione, quam Serenissima Maiestas Vestra ... burgrabiatus spectato domino Georg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 - town councillor; 1528 - judge; 1531 - mayor; 1536-1537, 1540, 1542-1545 - burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to convention in Lüneburg in affairs of seafaring and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊Georgio ScheffkeGeorg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 - town councillor; 1528 - judge; 1531 - mayor; 1536-1537, 1540, 1542-1545 - burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to convention in Lüneburg in affairs of seafaring and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ ad meam [commendatio]nem pollicetur, gratias quas possum habeo. Interim ... Cathedrae Sancti Petri adveniat Serenissima Maiestas Vestra ...s negotii oblivisci, ego item non intermittam ... [Serenissimam Maiestatem] Vestram suo tempore humiliter commonefacere etc.

[1 ] The marriage of Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria took place on May, 6 1543 in Wawel