CIDT&C Corpus of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence

Letter #451

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-09-05

English register: Dantiscus informs Giese that the awaited messenger with letters from Cracow arrived the previous night. Dantiscus mentions the topics of these letters and encloses them for Giese’s perusal. Dantiscus does not think that his enemies plotting against him at the queen’s court will be able to achieve much. On the other hand, he is deeply worried about the bad start, for the king, of the war campaign (the “hen war” of 1537) due to rioting, of which he was informed by the Gniezno archbishop (Jan Latalski) and the Płock bishop (Grand Chancellor Jan Chojeński). Stressing that the matter requires absolute discretion, Dantiscus calls upon the Warmia diocese to pray for the king’s intention, and also for the intention of the emperor, whom he points to as the only support of Christianity in the face of the French-Turkish alliance. Because the king has already left Lvov, going towards Kamieniec, Dantiscus expects that the Warmia Chapter will be forced to slightly delay the bishop’s election, to give the royal chamberlain (Marcin Wolski) time to return with the necessary documents. Dantiscus promises to keep Giese up to date on all the news.

Manuscript sources:

1	fair copy in Latin, autograph, address in secretary's hand, BCz, 244, p. 221-224
2	copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1537, f. 41-43

Prints:

1	Starożytności p. 70 (Polish register)
2	CEID 1/1 No. 30, p. 216-219 (in extenso; English register)

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

Eximio et Venerabili Domino 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)⌊Tidemanno GiseTiedemann 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)⌋, custodi et canonico Varmiensi, Fratri et Amico carissimo et honorando.

Eximie et Venerabilis Domine, Frater et Amice carissime et honorande. Salutem et omnem felicitatem.

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⌋ processisse iam ex Lviv (Lwów, Leopolis), city in Red Ruthenia, in the 14th-18th centuries in the Kingdom of Poland; today in western Ukraine⌊LeopoliLviv (Lwów, Leopolis), city in Red Ruthenia, in the 14th-18th centuries in the Kingdom of Poland; today in western Ukraine⌋ versus Kamieniec Podolski, fortress and town in south-eastern Kingdom of Poland, Podolya, 110 km SE of Lviv, today in Ukraine⌊CamyeneczKamieniec Podolski, fortress and town in south-eastern Kingdom of Poland, Podolya, 110 km SE of Lviv, today in Ukraine⌋ [Dominatio] Vestra ex iis in fasciculo leget. Unde non obscure coniecturam cap[io], quod Marcin Wolski, coat-of-arms Półkozic (†1548), 1519-1542 Cracow burgrave; 1525-1547 court treasurer; 1528-1538 Crown standard-bearer; 1531 starosta of Błonie and Zakroczym; 1537-1548 royal chamberlain (Urzędnicy 10, p. 214)⌊cubiculariusMarcin Wolski, coat-of-arms Półkozic (†1548), 1519-1542 Cracow burgrave; 1525-1547 court treasurer; 1528-1538 Crown standard-bearer; 1531 starosta of Błonie and Zakroczym; 1537-1548 royal chamberlain (Urzędnicy 10, p. 214)⌋, qui hinc novissime abiit, in itinere alicubi 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⌊s[erenissimam maiestatem] eiusSigismund 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⌋ sit assecutus. Ideoque reor, quod vix ante praescriptum electioni di[em] redire poterit. Quod si haec mora intervenerit, necesse erit, qu[emad]modum per Kulm Chapter ⌊venerabile capitulumKulm Chapter ⌋ constitutum est, ut dies iste in aliquot al[ios] extendatur. Quam primum ad me appulerit, non diu hic tardabo, [sed], quicquid ille ad me attulerit, Dominatio Vestra habebit, ut alia omnia, mecum commune. Quam felicissime valere animo minime fucato cupio.

Ex Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊castro meo LubaviensiLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋, V Septembris MDXXX[VII].

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⌊Ioannes etc. episcopus CulmensisIoannes 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⌋ etc. scripsit

[1 ] This whole fragment and the next one concern Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌊Paweł PłotowskiPaweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌋ (cf. Jan Chojeński (*1486 – †1538), 1523 royal secretary, 1526-1537 Grand Secretary; 1531-1535 Bishop of Przemyśl, 1535-1537 Bishop of Płock, 1537-1538 Bishop of Cracow, 1537-1538 Grand Chancellor of the Crown (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248-249; PSB 3, p. 396-399)⌊ChojeńskiJan Chojeński (*1486 – †1538), 1523 royal secretary, 1526-1537 Grand Secretary; 1531-1535 Bishop of Przemyśl, 1535-1537 Bishop of Płock, 1537-1538 Bishop of Cracow, 1537-1538 Grand Chancellor of the Crown (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248-249; PSB 3, p. 396-399)⌋’s letter to Dantiscus, Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracowCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋, August 20, 1537, received on September 4, orig. BK, 230, p. 1-4: apud 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⌊maiestatem reginalemBona 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⌋ quidam instarent pro sublimando domino Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌊PlotowskiPaweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌋ ad episcopatum Culmensem)

[2 ] Heracles (Hercules), Greek mythic hero, famous for his extraordinary strength, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene⌊Herculi LyndioHeracles (Hercules), Greek mythic hero, famous for his extraordinary strength, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene⌋ sacrificare - here: to abuse , to curse (Erasmus of Rotterdam (Gerrit Gerritszoon, Geert Geerts, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus) (*1466/1469 – †1536), Dutch humanist and theologian, distinguished philologist, the most famous and influential humanist of the Northern Renaissance; his works had a profound impact upon Christian theology during the first half of the sixteenth century⌊ErasmusErasmus of Rotterdam (Gerrit Gerritszoon, Geert Geerts, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus) (*1466/1469 – †1536), Dutch humanist and theologian, distinguished philologist, the most famous and influential humanist of the Northern Renaissance; his works had a profound impact upon Christian theology during the first half of the sixteenth century⌋ cites after Lactantius (Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius) (*ca. 240 – †ca. 320), early Christian writer called the "Christian Cicero" ⌊LactantiusLactantius (Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius) (*ca. 240 – †ca. 320), early Christian writer called the "Christian Cicero" ⌋ that the city of Lindos, town on the island of Rhodes⌊LindosLindos, town on the island of Rhodes⌋ on the island of Rhodes (Rodos), island in the Aegean Sea, 1522-12 - 1912 belonged to the Ottoman Empire⌊RodosRhodes (Rodos), island in the Aegean Sea, 1522-12 - 1912 belonged to the Ottoman Empire⌋ was allegedly home to a temple of Heracles (Hercules), Greek mythic hero, famous for his extraordinary strength, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene⌊HeraclesHeracles (Hercules), Greek mythic hero, famous for his extraordinary strength, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene⌋ where the religious formulas spoken during rituals honoring the god could only consist of abuse and curses, because even just one good word made the prayers ineffectual

[3 ] Cf. also Paweł Dunin-Wolski (Paweł Wolski) (†1546), 1533-1543 Starost of Gostynin; 1532-1537 Castellan of Sochaczew; 1537-1539 Vice-Chancellor of the Crown; 1537-1546 Burgrave of Cracow; 1539-1544 Grand Chancellor of the Crown; 1539-1544 Castellan of Radom; 1544-1546 Bishop of Poznań (after the death of his wife) (Urzędnicy 10, p. 214)⌊Paweł Wolski’sPaweł Dunin-Wolski (Paweł Wolski) (†1546), 1533-1543 Starost of Gostynin; 1532-1537 Castellan of Sochaczew; 1537-1539 Vice-Chancellor of the Crown; 1537-1546 Burgrave of Cracow; 1539-1544 Grand Chancellor of the Crown; 1539-1544 Castellan of Radom; 1544-1546 Bishop of Poznań (after the death of his wife) (Urzędnicy 10, p. 214)⌋ letter to Dantiscus, Lviv (Lwów, Leopolis), city in Red Ruthenia, in the 14th-18th centuries in the Kingdom of Poland; today in western Ukraine⌊LvovLviv (Lwów, Leopolis), city in Red Ruthenia, in the 14th-18th centuries in the Kingdom of Poland; today in western Ukraine⌋, September 4, 1537 (orig. BK, 230, p. 33- 34, 36)

[4 ] ardeliones – about Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊WarmiaErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋ canons Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌊Paweł PłotowskiPaweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌋ (see CEID 1.1 letter No. 2 footnote 3) and Leonard Niederhoff (*ca. 1485 – †1545), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Nicolaus Copernicus and executor of his will; studied in Cracow, Leipzig and Rome, where he obtained a doctoral degree; from 1511 parish priest of St. Bartholomew's Church in Gdańsk (Danzig); from 1515 Canon of Ermland (Warmia), and from 1519 Canon of Dorpat; from 1532 Dean of the Ermland Chapter; he also had a canonry in Kulm from which he resigned in 1533. In 1530, after Dantiscus' resignation, became a parish priest of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Gdańsk (KOPICZKO 2, p. 231; SBKW, p. 175)⌊Leonard NiederhoffLeonard Niederhoff (*ca. 1485 – †1545), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Nicolaus Copernicus and executor of his will; studied in Cracow, Leipzig and Rome, where he obtained a doctoral degree; from 1511 parish priest of St. Bartholomew's Church in Gdańsk (Danzig); from 1515 Canon of Ermland (Warmia), and from 1519 Canon of Dorpat; from 1532 Dean of the Ermland Chapter; he also had a canonry in Kulm from which he resigned in 1533. In 1530, after Dantiscus' resignation, became a parish priest of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Gdańsk (KOPICZKO 2, p. 231; SBKW, p. 175)⌋ (see CEID 1.1 letter No. 28 footnote 12); cf. also CEID 1.1 letters No. 28, 31, 41

[6 ] nisi vere gallus Cybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌊CybellesCybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌋ fiat, quod brevi futurum existimo – writing that king of France (Gallia, Francia), the kingdom⌊FranceFrance (Gallia, Francia), the kingdom⌋ Francis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌊Francis IFrancis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌋ will soon be castrated (Latin noun gallus means, among other things, a priest of the Phrygian goddess Cybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌊CybeleCybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌋, eunuch), Dantiscus probably means that he will be defeated by the emperor; the expression gallus Cybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌊CybellesCybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌋ is probably a double allusion - to both Francis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌊Francis IFrancis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌋’s nationality, usually described by Dantiscus as Gallus, and to the castrates - courtiers of the Turkish sultan; this whole fragment seems to be a reference to some joke or lampoon well-known at the time and linking the Francis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌊French king’sFrancis I of Valois (*1494 – †1547), 1515-1547 King of France; son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy⌋ nationality with the Latin term for the castrated servant of Cybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌊a pagan goddessCybele (Kybele), mythological figure, Phrygian deification of the Earth Mother⌋