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Letter #4139

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Elbing Town Council & Gdańsk Town Council
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1539-09-01


Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in German, in secretary's hand, APG, 300, 29, 251a, p. 80-83
2rough draft in German, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 7, f. 87r-v

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Denn ersamen, namhaftigen herrn Johann von Werden (Constellatus, cf. HE, No. 148, p. 150, footnote No. 12) (*1495 – †1554), 1526 Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig), from 1527 Starost of Neuenburg (Nowe), 1532-1535, 1538, 1539, 1546, 1551 Burgrave of Gdańsk, from 1535 Starost of Preußisch Mark (Przezmark) (1535-1540 together with Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)), 1536/1537 envoy of the Council of Royal Prussia to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland held in Cracow (SBPN 4, p. 433-435; ZDRENKA 2, p. 368-369; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 93, 161)

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)

Peter Behme (*ca. 1480 – †1539), 1526-1535 Gdańsk councillor; 1536-1539 Mayor of Gdańsk (ZDRENKA 1, p. 77-80)

unknown_temp ⌊burgemeysternJohann von Werden (Constellatus, cf. HE, No. 148, p. 150, footnote No. 12) (*1495 – †1554), 1526 Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig), from 1527 Starost of Neuenburg (Nowe), 1532-1535, 1538, 1539, 1546, 1551 Burgrave of Gdańsk, from 1535 Starost of Preußisch Mark (Przezmark) (1535-1540 together with Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)), 1536/1537 envoy of the Council of Royal Prussia to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland held in Cracow (SBPN 4, p. 433-435; ZDRENKA 2, p. 368-369; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 93, 161)

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)

Peter Behme (*ca. 1480 – †1539), 1526-1535 Gdańsk councillor; 1536-1539 Mayor of Gdańsk (ZDRENKA 1, p. 77-80)

unknown_temp ⌋ und Elbing Town Council

Gdańsk Town Council ⌊rathmanenElbing Town Council

Gdańsk Town Council ⌋ der konniglichenn steten Elbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities (beside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń)) which had representatives in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌊ElbingElbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities (beside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń)) which had representatives in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌋ und 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 League⌊DantzkeGdańsk (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⌋, unsern gunstigen freunden.

Unsern freuntlichen grus und alles guts wunschung zuvoran. / Ersame, nhamhafftige hern, gunstige freunde. /

Dyweil sandt Michael one of the archangels, the head of the armies of heaven⌊MichelsMichael one of the archangels, the head of the armies of heaven⌋ thag theglich nahender anghet, / hab wir bedacht uns mit Ewer Erbarkeitschryfftlich zu bereden, / was unser zusamne kommens halben zu thun sey. / Es ÿst leÿder genug offenbar, / mit wass gÿfftiger lufft und anhangenden kranckheÿthen in vÿl örthern / dÿ geswindheÿt der pestilentz uberhandt hat genomen, / und nicht ein kleÿnne zeÿt in dÿsen landen geweret, / derwegenn auch dÿ vergangene Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊thagfartProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ nachgeblÿben. / So wÿl wol vorgesehen sein, wÿ wir uns mit der Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊zukunfftigenProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ sollen halthen, / zu welcher uns / dÿ itzige böse czeÿt und vorgÿfftung, / domit etliche stett und dorffer vorhafft, / nicht ein unbÿlliche schew und forchte geben, / und vÿleicht dar von abtzÿhen / furderlich aus der ursachen, / so wir ein gesunde stelle (: wÿ gesagt wirdt 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)⌋ ÿst :) eÿn nhemen, / so mugen dennoch dÿ zufurenden / und dÿ gescheffte und rechts zu warthen haben / nicht abgehalthen werden, / dy welche so vÿl zu flÿhenn sein, / wÿ dÿ stellen, do solche sterblicheÿtt ir wesen treÿbt. /

Wollen auch Ewer Erbarkeit nicht bergen, das in unser herschafft zur Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto), town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn)⌊GutstadtGuttstadt (Dobre Miasto), town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn)⌋ das sterben fast anghet, / zu Wormditt (Orneta), town in Ermland (Warmia), 30 km W of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński)⌊WornitWormditt (Orneta), town in Ermland (Warmia), 30 km W of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński)⌋ dergleichen, / und hie beÿ uns in der Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌊stadtHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌋ / etliche am blutgange, / der gemeÿniglich solcher gÿfft vorghet, / noch eÿnander mit thode sein abgangen, / dabeÿ nicht wÿssen, / wÿ es Got weÿther mit uns und den unsern wÿl machen. /

Hierumb wir vors beste finden, / so weÿt es Ewer Erbarkeit gefellig, / das wir samptlich, / ader aber durch uns, 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⌊koniglicher majestetSigismund 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⌋, unserem allergnedigsten hern, schrÿben / und solche nottliche ursachennn antzeÿgten / bÿttende, ir majestet dÿsen sant Michels thag nach zu lassen / und uns samptlich volkomene macht zu geben / ein andren / mit bekwemeren stelle, / wan dÿse erschreckliche lufft vorgangen, / antzusetzen und zu halthen. / Den bothen, / dem lande und gemeÿnnemm nutz zu gut, / wolle wir gern uff unser unkost an hoff schicken. /

Was hirÿnne Ewre Erbarkeit vor das fueglichste und beste werden ansehen, / wolthen uns mit den ersten ÿre gutduncken wyllen und rath zu schreÿben, / dÿ wir goth in sein gnad befelhen. /

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 Ermland⌊IoannesIoannes 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⌋, von gots gnadenn bÿschoff zu Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊ErmelandtErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋.

Postscript:

Dÿse meÿnung hab wir auch dem hochwirdigenn, unserm freuntlichem, lÿben mitbruder, dem hern 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)⌊colmischen bischoveTiedemann 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)⌋ geschrÿben, / andren hern koniglichen 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)⌊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)⌋ mit czutheÿlen, / dÿ seiner lieb in negsten gelegenn. /

Woldt auch dÿsenn beÿgelegten brÿff an den gnedigen hernn marienburgischen Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊woÿewodenGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ mit den ersten / und dÿsen an dÿ aldermen of Gdańsk ⌊ersamealdermen of Gdańsk ⌋ von 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 League⌊DantzkeGdańsk (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⌋ lassen gelangen, / und uns antwurt zu schickenn. /

Es wirdt uns von hove geschrÿben, / das etliche brive an uns / etlichen Ewer Erbarkeit mitburgern zu Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊KrakoCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ sein gebenn. / Was disse clausel der bryffe belanget seint dieselbtigen durch die unsern zwgeschicketBÿtten sÿch wolden erkunden /, wer dÿ sein, / dass wir solche brive mochten habennn, / daran uns von Ewer Erbarkeit geschicht nicht kleÿnner wolgefallenn etc.