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Letter #405

Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Bruges, 1528-05-06

English register:

It is decided that De Schepper will go to Poland. His other assignment [viz. a mission to Scotland] is no longer relevant since the English have changed their attitude. The only proponents of war are the King [Henry VIII] and Cardinal Wolsey, while the people support the Emperor [Charles V]. Hence an armed conflict would be in favour of the Habsburgs. De Schepper's departure was delayed as long as nothing was determined about the English. The commander in chief is still in Brabant, but will probably leave soon. De Schepper is currently staying in Bruges, where he has made good progress in a matter of great importance to him [viz. his marriage to Elisabeth Donche]. However he still intends to return to Spain after his mission to Poland.

Margrave Joachim of Brandenburg has decided that his wife [Elisabeth of Denmark], the sister of King Christian, should be executed or imprisoned, because of her conversion to Lutheranism. She has taken refuge with her uncle, the Prince-Elector of Saxony [Johann der Beständige]. A war is imminent between the Margrave of Brandenburg and his brother the Archbishop of Mayence [Albrecht von Hohenzollern] on one side, and the Prince-Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse [Philip I] on the other. De Schepper promises more news about this conflict, as soon as he has arrived in Germany. Moreover, he does not have his codebook at hand.

De Schepper wants to be recommended to their mutual friends. He asks Dantiscus to further his interests with the Chancellor [Mercurino Gattinara], and to recommend him in his letters to Poland. He sends greetings to Margrave Johann Albrecht of Brandenburg, Juan Antonio Marliano, Dantiscus' brother Bernhard [von Höfen], and the nuntius Mariae.


            received Madrid, [1528]-08-29

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, BCz, 243, p. 87-90
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 41 (TN), No. 150, p. 539-540
3copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 284, No. 10, p. 23-24
4register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 32, No. 564

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8246 (TK 8), f. 15

Prints:
1AT 10 No. 246, p. 233-234 (in extenso)
2DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 50, p. 33-34 (excerpt; English register)
3CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 15) p. 101-104 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

BCz, 243, p. 90

Magnifico et spectabili domino 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 ErmlandIoanni DantiscoIoannes 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, 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
regiae et reginalis maiestatis PoloniaeSigismund 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
oratori, domino et fratri honorando

In 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[1]

BCz, 243, p. 87

Salutem.

Iam destinata est profectio mea in Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)PoloniamPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia). Alia enim negotia orig. negocianegotianegotia orig. negocia non obibuntur,[2] propterea quod ab The English (Angli) AnglisThe English (Angli) nihil metuimus. Mutata est in totum The English (Angli) illorumThe English (Angli) sententia et qui prius bellum voluere, iam pacem desiderare orig. desyderaredesideraredesiderare orig. desyderare coguntur. Soli sunt Henry VIII Tudor (*1491 – †1547), 1509-1547 King of England; son of Henry VII Tudor and Elizabeth of YorkrexHenry VIII Tudor (*1491 – †1547), 1509-1547 King of England; son of Henry VII Tudor and Elizabeth of York Thomas Wolsey (*ca. 1471 – †1530), 1514-1530 Archbishop of York; 1515-1529 Lord Chancellor of England; 1515 elevated to cardinalcardinalisThomas Wolsey (*ca. 1471 – †1530), 1514-1530 Archbishop of York; 1515-1529 Lord Chancellor of England; 1515 elevated to cardinalque, populus miru written over eeuu written over em, quam 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 CastilecaesariCharles 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 favens. Si semel eo arma converteremus, protinus videre orig. videraeviderevidere orig. viderae esset omnia nostra. Magno bono suo abstinet uterque. Ibo ergo propediem, hoc est intra decem dies. Nam hactenus protracta res est consultationibus, cum determinandum esset, quid de The English (Angli) AnglisThe English (Angli) dicendum esset. Charles de Lannoy (*ca. 1487 – †1527), first Count of Lannoy (1526-1527), Lord of Sanzeilles, Erquelines and Mingoval, soldier and statesman in the service of the Habsburgs ; 1521 Governor of Tournai, 1522-1523, 1526-1527 Viceroy of Naples, 1523-1527 commander in chief of Imperial armies in ItalyCampiductorCharles de Lannoy (*ca. 1487 – †1527), first Count of Lannoy (1526-1527), Lord of Sanzeilles, Erquelines and Mingoval, soldier and statesman in the service of the Habsburgs ; 1521 Governor of Tournai, 1522-1523, 1526-1527 Viceroy of Naples, 1523-1527 commander in chief of Imperial armies in Italy noster magnus ille et insignis adhuc 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 Netherlandsapud BrabantosBrabant (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 versatur, nisi forsitan intra quattuor ab hinc dies abierit. Nam cum haec scribo, Bruges (Brugia, Brugge), city in the Low Countries, in the County of Flanders, in the 13th-15th centuries one of the most important commercial ports and trading centres in Europe, today in BelgiumBrugisBruges (Brugia, Brugge), city in the Low Countries, in the County of Flanders, in the 13th-15th centuries one of the most important commercial ports and trading centres in Europe, today in Belgium versor in eo negotio orig. negocionegotionegotio orig. negocio impeditus, quod mihi nosti cordi esse[3] et procedit belle, immo ad extrema fere perventum est. Cum ex Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)PoloniaPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia) rediero, tum finis erit huic catastrophae. Redibo tamen ad vos, nam id non impediet. Maior est enim utrobique virtutis honestique, quam aliarum rerum ratio. Sed haec hactenus.

In Germany (Germania, Niemcy)GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy) mire tumultuatur. Nam cum statuisset Joachim I of Brandenburg Nestor (Joachim I von Hohenzollern) (*1484 – †1535), 1499-1535 Prince-Elector of Brandenburg; son of Johann Cicero, Elector of Brandenburg, and Margarete of ThuringiaIoachimus marchio BrandeburgiJoachim I of Brandenburg Nestor (Joachim I von Hohenzollern) (*1484 – †1535), 1499-1535 Prince-Elector of Brandenburg; son of Johann Cicero, Elector of Brandenburg, and Margarete of Thuringia Elisabeth of Denmark (*1485 – †1555), wife of Joachim I, Elector of Brandenburg, daughter of King John of Denmark and Christina of Saxony, sister of King Christian II of DenmarkconiugemElisabeth of Denmark (*1485 – †1555), wife of Joachim I, Elector of Brandenburg, daughter of King John of Denmark and Christina of Saxony, sister of King Christian II of Denmark suam, sororem Christian II of Oldenburg (Christian II of Denmark) (*1481 – †1559), 1513-1523 King of Denmark and Norway, 1520-1521 King of Sweden; son of John of Oldenburg, King of Denmark and Norway, and Christina of SaxonyChristierni regisChristian II of Oldenburg (Christian II of Denmark) (*1481 – †1559), 1513-1523 King of Denmark and Norway, 1520-1521 King of Sweden; son of John of Oldenburg, King of Denmark and Norway, and Christina of Saxony, aut igni tradere aut intra quattuor parietes inclusam fame enecare ob susceptum, ut ille ait, Lutheranum dogma,[4] neque iam clam essent minae, illa sese nocte intempesta subduxit fugitque in Saxony, duchy in central Germany, state of the Holy Roman EmpireSaxoniamSaxony, duchy in central Germany, state of the Holy Roman Empire ad Johann der Beständige (Johann von Wettin) (*1468 – †1532), 1525-1532 Prince-Elector of Saxony; son of Ernst, Elector of Saxony, and Elisabeth of BavariaavunculumJohann der Beständige (Johann von Wettin) (*1468 – †1532), 1525-1532 Prince-Elector of Saxony; son of Ernst, Elector of Saxony, and Elisabeth of Bavaria. Hinc bellum Troianum: repetitur coniunx, negatur. Genus belli par, causa impar. Nam illa aut superinscribedautaut superinscribed sponte aut rapto Paris one of the characters of the "Iliad", the son of PriamParidisParis one of the characters of the "Iliad", the son of Priam sane forma capta fugit, haec metu mortis et instantis periculi coacta est sibi consulere. Hinc ergo Joachim I of Brandenburg Nestor (Joachim I von Hohenzollern) (*1484 – †1535), 1499-1535 Prince-Elector of Brandenburg; son of Johann Cicero, Elector of Brandenburg, and Margarete of ThuringiamaritusJoachim I of Brandenburg Nestor (Joachim I von Hohenzollern) (*1484 – †1535), 1499-1535 Prince-Elector of Brandenburg; son of Johann Cicero, Elector of Brandenburg, and Margarete of Thuringia cum Albrecht of Brandenburg (Albrecht von Hohenzollern) (*1490 – †1545), 1499-1545 co-Margrave of Brandenburg (together with his brother Joachim I Nestor), 1513-1545 Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1514-1545 Elector and Archbishop of Mayence, 1518 elevated to cardinal; son of Johann Cicero, Prince-Elector of Brandenburg, and Margarete of Saxony (daughter of Wilhelm III von Sachsen)fratre MoguntinoAlbrecht of Brandenburg (Albrecht von Hohenzollern) (*1490 – †1545), 1499-1545 co-Margrave of Brandenburg (together with his brother Joachim I Nestor), 1513-1545 Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1514-1545 Elector and Archbishop of Mayence, 1518 elevated to cardinal; son of Johann Cicero, Prince-Elector of Brandenburg, and Margarete of Saxony (daughter of Wilhelm III von Sachsen), illinc Johann der Beständige (Johann von Wettin) (*1468 – †1532), 1525-1532 Prince-Elector of Saxony; son of Ernst, Elector of Saxony, and Elisabeth of BavariaSaxo avunculusJohann der Beständige (Johann von Wettin) (*1468 – †1532), 1525-1532 Prince-Elector of Saxony; son of Ernst, Elector of Saxony, and Elisabeth of Bavaria cum Philip I of Hesse der Großmütige (*1504 – †1567), 1509-1567 Landgrave of Hesse, actually in power from 1518; son of Wilhelm II of Hesse and Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, married to Christine of Saxony (daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxony), protector of the Protestant Reformation and one of the most important of the early Protestant rulers in Germany, one of the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League (taken prisoner by emperor Charles V of Habsburg after the defeat at Mühlberg in 1547, but released in 1552) (ADB, 25, p. 765-783)lantgravio HassiaePhilip I of Hesse der Großmütige (*1504 – †1567), 1509-1567 Landgrave of Hesse, actually in power from 1518; son of Wilhelm II of Hesse and Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, married to Christine of Saxony (daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxony), protector of the Protestant Reformation and one of the most important of the early Protestant rulers in Germany, one of the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League (taken prisoner by emperor Charles V of Habsburg after the defeat at Mühlberg in 1547, but released in 1552) (ADB, 25, p. 765-783). Iam collecta sunt hinc inde aliquot milia equitum. Nescio, quis finis futurus est. Scribam ad te copiose cum in Germany (Germania, Niemcy)GermaniamGermany (Germania, Niemcy) pervenero. Nam hic ad manum non sunt characteres nostri,[5] mansere enim Mechelen (Malines, Mechlinia), city in the Low Countries, 23 km S of Antwerp, today in BelgiumMachliniaeMechelen (Malines, Mechlinia), city in the Low Countries, 23 km S of Antwerp, today in Belgium, quo ego iam iam festino.

Commenda me amicis omnibus et Mercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80)seniMercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80) subinde per occasionem v written over ...... illegible...... illegiblevv written over ...eterem consuetudinem obtru{n}des . Nam ego ad Mercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80)illumMercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80) scripsi ex te intellecturum esse alia quaedam de rebus meis, quae tu pro tempore et oportunitate facile poteris recensere. Si quid interim vacat, quod in rem meam sit, poteris BCz, 243, p. 88 amici munere fungi. Si quid etiam sit, quod ad tuos scribas, fac, me illis commendes. Illustrissimo domino marchioni(!) instead of Illustrissimum dominum marchionemIllustrissimo probably Johann Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Johann Albrecht von Hohenzollern) (*1499 – †1550), son of Friedrich V, Margrave of Brandenburg and Sophia, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon, King of Poland; brother of Albrecht I von Hohenzollern Duke in Prussia; 1545-1550 archbishop of Magdeburg and bishop of Halberstadt domino marchioniprobably Johann Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Johann Albrecht von Hohenzollern) (*1499 – †1550), son of Friedrich V, Margrave of Brandenburg and Sophia, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon, King of Poland; brother of Albrecht I von Hohenzollern Duke in Prussia; 1545-1550 archbishop of Magdeburg and bishop of Halberstadt (!)Illustrissimo domino marchioni(!) instead of Illustrissimum dominum marchionem meo plurimum nomine saluta adiunctis triginta milibus bezolas manus. Quarum decem milia altera Juan Antonio Marliano (Jean Antoine de Marlian), born in a Milanese family in the service of the Sforzas and Habsburgs, member of Charles V's court in the Netherlands (at least in 1517 and 1521), son of Luigi Marliano, member of the privy council of Charles of Habsburg (as Spanish King), and Erasmus' friend (CE, vol. 2, p. 392-393; Españoles, p. 119)Ioannes Anthonius MarlianusJuan Antonio Marliano (Jean Antoine de Marlian), born in a Milanese family in the service of the Sforzas and Habsburgs, member of Charles V's court in the Netherlands (at least in 1517 and 1521), son of Luigi Marliano, member of the privy council of Charles of Habsburg (as Spanish King), and Erasmus' friend (CE, vol. 2, p. 392-393; Españoles, p. 119) sibi habeat, totidem Isabel Delgada (†after 1546-06-15), Dantiscus' paramour during his stay in Spain, mother of his two children, Juana and Juan (Juan died in childhood)tuaIsabel Delgada (†after 1546-06-15), Dantiscus' paramour during his stay in Spain, mother of his two children, Juana and Juan (Juan died in childhood) et frater tuus Bernhard von Höfen (Bernhard Flachsbinder) (†after 1548), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother, stayed with Dantiscus in Spain, as a member of his mission's retinue, and was used as a trusted courier to Poland at least from 1526; after 1530 Starost of LöbauBernardusBernhard von Höfen (Bernhard Flachsbinder) (†after 1548), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother, stayed with Dantiscus in Spain, as a member of his mission's retinue, and was used as a trusted courier to Poland at least from 1526; after 1530 Starost of Löbau. Nuntius orig. NunciusNuntiusNuntius orig. Nuncius Mariae[6] d written over ccdd written over cuplum harum sibi retineat. Itaque omnibus has ex aequo impartire. Et vale frater amantissime.

Ex Bruges (Brugia, Brugge), city in the Low Countries, in the County of Flanders, in the 13th-15th centuries one of the most important commercial ports and trading centres in Europe, today in BelgiumBrugisBruges (Brugia, Brugge), city in the Low Countries, in the County of Flanders, in the 13th-15th centuries one of the most important commercial ports and trading centres in Europe, today in Belgium Flanders (Flandria), county in the Low Countries, part of the Habsburg Netherlands from 1482, today corresponding to the Belgian provinces of Western Flanders and Eastern Flanders, the region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen in the Netherlands and part of the Département du Nord in FranceFlandriaeFlanders (Flandria), county in the Low Countries, part of the Habsburg Netherlands from 1482, today corresponding to the Belgian provinces of Western Flanders and Eastern Flanders, the region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen in the Netherlands and part of the Département du Nord in France, VI-o die mensis Maii anno Domini MDXXVIII.

[1] No place is indicated in the address, as the Imperial court is travelling.

[2] Leaving the imperial court De Schepper got from Charles V four instructions as an envoy to the King of Poland Sigismund I, to the Duke of Braunschweig Heinrich II, to the Wendish-Saxon Drittel of the Hanseatic cities (ad Civitates Vandalicas), and to the King of Scotland James V, issued in Burgos, 1528-02-07 (ms orig. OS HHSA, Polen, fasc. 1, a. 1527-1528, f. 21-30. An instruction concerning the mission to Poland was published in: LANZ Staatspapiere, No. VI, p. 41-43).

[3] Reference to De Schepper’s negotiations for his marriage to Elisabeth Donche, widow of Pieter Laurijn. She was at that time living in the house of her brother-in-law, Mark Laurijn, Dean of St. Donatian’s cathedral in Bruges.

[4] After Elisabeth openly converted to Protestantism (1527) her husband, who was a convinced Roman-Catholic, had asked the clerical authorities of his territory if he should divorce, execute or isolate her if she refused to renounce her new conviction. Imprisonment was advised, and Elisabeth fled to her uncle, Johann der Beständige, Elector of Saxony.

[5] The cipher codes De Schepper and Dantiscus used for confidential matters.

[6] Cf. nuntius Virginis in cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355, De Schepper to Dantiscus, 1527-06-27, person to be identified.