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Letter #4644

Gdańsk Town Council to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Gdańsk (Danzig), 1546-07-02
            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1546-07-04

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in German, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 97, f. 106-107

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 311

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Hochwirdiger in Gott Furst, / Gnediger Herrr.

Unnsere bereitwillige unnd unvordrossene dienste / seint Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade bsundern vleisses czuvorn entpholen. /

Gnediger Herrr. /

Es hott unns unser vilgeliebter burgermeister / der eddele und bestrenge her 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)Johann von WerdenJohann 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) / ufs Neuenburg (Nowe), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula river, 19 km N of GraudenzNewburckNeuenburg (Nowe), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, on the Vistula river, 19 km N of Graudenz und Preußisch Mark (Przezmark), village in northern Poland, Pomerania, 28 km S of Elbing (Elbląg), large castle formerly belonging to the Teutonic OrderPreuschenmarcktPreußisch Mark (Przezmark), village in northern Poland, Pomerania, 28 km S of Elbing (Elbląg), large castle formerly belonging to the Teutonic Order heuptman vormeldeth, / das Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade nicht vor guth und radtsam angesehn habe. / Dweil sich der czuck der verordenten batten des landes vorczeucht, / das sich die unsernn von den andern herren geschicktenn sundern / unnd also in unsern private 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 LeaguestadtGdańsk (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 geschefftenn / die wir 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)seine gnadeJohann 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) auf <e> rlegt / an die 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 Sforzajunge konigliche maiestetSigismund 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 begeben thette ... viewol wir solchs alles yn unnsern radtschlegen bey uns bewogen. Dweil wir aber aus den ursachen / wie gemelter unser lieben 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)burgermeisterJohann 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) uns anczeiget / Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade erczelet hab. / Auch weitter der erbar unnd namhaftige her 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)Jurgen SchevckeGeorg 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) / unser obligen / Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade berichtenn wirt / nicht sehn / wie wir ane ungelimpt und koniglicher ungnade / die 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 Sforzajunge konigliche maiestetSigismund 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 unser allergnediger herr czubeschicken nochlossenn mögenn. / Dweil wir eygentlichen berichtet seint, / das ihre 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 Sforzakonigliche maiestetSigismund 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 gereth ethwan nicht geringe arckwanickeit(!) jegenn unns / aus dem vorfasseth hott, / das solche bothschafft von uns vorm jare nicht vortgegangenn ist. / So wie wir dassmol vorgehabt / ihrer koniglichen maiestet bey kommenn ist. Dweil aber aus vilen ursachen unsers erachtenns / die wir unserm obgemeltenn lieben 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)burgermeisterJohann 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) czugeschrieben / auff weitter erwegen Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade czuvormelden / und unsers erachtens nicht unradtsam were / do yo der czuck noch Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of PolandCrakaCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland yn einen aufsthub gelangete, / das der yn LithuaniaLittawenLithuania yo czum wenigsten abgelegt were. / Derwegen ist unser dinstlich unnd fleissick bith, / es wolle Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade sich dissmol durch uns dohin bewegenn / unnd in der gnade finden lossenn / und dem 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)hernn vonn ColmenseheTiedemann 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) / sampt dem hern 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)marienburgischen woywoddennStanisław 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) gnedicklich schreibenn, / das sie sich dissmoll nuth dem landes befehlich / ann die 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 Sforzajunge konigliche maiestatSigismund 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 czuczihen bekemenn / und den selbigen bey seine jungen koniglichen maiestat ablegenn woltenn den so Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade in mitlerczeit von Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of PolandKrakeCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland bescheide uberkumpt / das die 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 Austriakonigliche maiestetSigismund 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 unns vor dem Diet of Poland reichstageDiet of Poland , / wie wir aus mennicherley bedencken achten nicht gescheen wirt / hoen wolte. / Als dann konnte Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade uns solchs jegen der wille durch einen reittenden botten vormeldenn, / das wir von do ab vortczögenn. / Do auch ihre 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 Austriakonigliche maiestetSigismund 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 unns in dem Diet of Poland reichstageDiet of Poland czuhörenn auffschube / so were yo der wegk geendt / und konnen mith mehrem fugk unnd bekennickeit. / Auch vorhuttunge unnuczer czerunge alhier von haus jen Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of PolandKrakeCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland / den von hin in LithuaniaLittawennLithuania, durch Littawenn jen Kraka geczogen wurden / welchs wir alles Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade ihrem vonn Gott / hern furstlichen verstannde noch / czuer wegenn / wollenn ann heim gesseczt habenn.

Die wir hiermit dem liebens Gott inn lange leibs gesu[ntheit] unnd glucksseliger regierunge thuenn entfehlenn.

Ewer Hochwirdigste Gnade dinstwillige Gdańsk Town Council burgermeistere und radtmanne der koniglichen stadt DanczickGdańsk Town Council