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Letter #4990

Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Königsberg (Królewiec), 1540-04-10
            received Schmolainen (Smolajny), 1540-04-13

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in German, in secretary's hand, author's signature, BCz, 1606, p. 407-410
2office copy in German, in secretary's hand, signed by A. Brachman, GStA PK, XX. HA Hist. StA Königsberg, Ostpr. Fol., 67, p. 217-220

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8249 (TK 11), f. 210

Prints:
1HARTMANN 1525-1550 No. 657, p. 357-358 (German register)
2BENNINGHOVEN No. 140, p. 72 (German register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Unnser freuntlich dinst zuvor. /

Erwirdiger in Gott, besonder lieber freundt und nachpar. /

Aus zuvorsichtigem vertrawen / fuegen wir Euer Lieb wissendt, / das uns 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 Brandenburgkonigliche wirt zu DemarckenChristian 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 etc., unser freuntlicher lieber herr ohem und schwager, / dieser tag bey unserm diener Frantz Rautter (fl. 1540), servant of Duke Albrecht von HohenzollernFrantzen RautternFrantz Rautter (fl. 1540), servant of Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern fur wharhafftigk unnd warnungsweÿss zugeschrieben, / das der Gustav I Vasa (Gustav Ericsson) (*1496 – †1560), 1523-1560 King of Sweden; son of Erik Johansson and Cecilia Månsdotter konnig zu SchwedenGustav I Vasa (Gustav Ericsson) (*1496 – †1560), 1523-1560 King of Sweden; son of Erik Johansson and Cecilia Månsdotter ÿtzo uf einem seiner heuser gnandt Älvsborg (Old Älvsborg), fortress in Sweden, Västra Götaland province, built ca. 1360, ruined in 1658ElssburgkÄlvsborg (Old Älvsborg), fortress in Sweden, Västra Götaland province, built ca. 1360, ruined in 1658 vier meil von dem schlos Varberg (Wardbergh), fortress in Sweden, Halland provinceWarnbergkVarberg (Wardbergh), fortress in Sweden, Halland province uf Skåne (Scania), province of SwedenSchonenSkåne (Scania), province of Sweden eigener person liegen, / solle auch alle sein kriegsvolgk des orts zu sich bescheiden, / dartzu etlich gross geschuetz uf zwu meil wegs nach solchem haus Elssburgk in ein kirch brengen und deselbst stehen und vorschlissen haben lassen. /

Dagegen und nichts weniger auf ein fursorg, / so hab 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 Brandenburgkoniglicher wirt zu DenmarckenChristian 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 ein anczal fuessknecht in die vestesten stedt, / welche dieselb an den schwedischen grenitzen hat, / vorseczt / etc. Hirneben ist uns fur gewiss angetzeigt, / das bemelte Gustav I Vasa (Gustav Ericsson) (*1496 – †1560), 1523-1560 King of Sweden; son of Erik Johansson and Cecilia Månsdotter konnigliche wirt zu SchwedenGustav I Vasa (Gustav Ericsson) (*1496 – †1560), 1523-1560 King of Sweden; son of Erik Johansson and Cecilia Månsdotter / etc. unnd Livonia (Livland, Inflanty), estate of Livonian Order, today part of Latvia and EstoniaLeifflantLivonia (Livland, Inflanty), estate of Livonian Order, today part of Latvia and Estonia in voreÿnigung stehen unnd ire gewiese anschlege auch angriff / (das der liebe Got mit gnaden abwenden wolle) auf Denmark (Dania)DenmarckenDenmark (Dania) und diese landt gericht haben sollenn etc.

Dieweil aber die hendel also und dermassen, wie berurth, / sorglichen stehen / und alle ding in guether acht und aufmercklung zu haben hoch von notten, / auch an diesem krigischem vornhemen 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 Austriakoniglicher maiestet zu PolanSigismund 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 etc., unserm gnedigen hern und freuntlichen lieben ohemen, / vil gelegen, / derhalben allenthalben unsers ermessens beiderseÿts getrewer zuammenseczung ganncz notwendig. / So wollen wir Euer Lieb als eÿnenn christlichen prelaten und ansehenlichen gliedt disser landt 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 PolandPreussenPrussia, 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, / freuntlich erinnert unnd gebetten habenn, / dieselb wolle / in anmerck... der unvorbeÿgehenlichen ehafft / durch ir vleissig sollicitiren beÿ hochgemelter / 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 Austriakoniglicher maiesteten zu PolanSigismund 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, vermöge unsers vhesten wolmeÿnenden und offtbescheenem gutduncken den handel dohin richte[n], das von irer maiesteten inns erst allen stenden disse... landt 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 PolandPreussenPrussia, 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 in guether rethschafft zu sitzenn bevolhen, / und dartzu getracht, / das die befestigung der hewser und stedte / mit nodturfftiger provision unnd anderer zubehorungen vorsehen werden mochte[n].

Daneben das mit konniglichen gnaden etlichen pre[us]sischen stenden bevelch auferlegt wurde, / die do ma... hetten, / wan sich ethwas geferlichs / in des andern theils Preussen ereugen thet, / in namen seiner 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 Austriakoniglichen 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 die landtschafft zuvorpotten, / dem andern zu helffenn, / desgleichen, / das die vhesten heupt und amptleuth in der Mazowsze (Masovia) historic region in Central Poland, before 1526 an autonomous duchy and feud of the Kingdom of Poland, from 1526 included in the KingdomMasawMazowsze (Masovia) historic region in Central Poland, before 1526 an autonomous duchy and feud of the Kingdom of Poland, from 1526 included in the Kingdom und Kuyavia (Cuiavia, Kujawy)CoÿenKuyavia (Cuiavia, Kujawy) von seiner koniglichen m[aiestet] bevelch hetten, / im falh der noch und auf ansuchen auch entsetzen hulffen, / bis uf verner hilff, / dan dem veind ist unsers vorsehens am besten, / wan er sich noch nicht in befestigung eingewurckt, / zu widderstehen. / So besorgen wir uns, das sich niemants der beipflichtung / und solchs hoh[en] ampts ane seine 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 Austriakoniglichee 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 bevelch understehen mocht. / Zu dem ob nicht guth, / woe wir, / wie die ÿtzigen anschlege geben aus Livonia (Livland, Inflanty), estate of Livonian Order, today part of Latvia and EstoniaLeifflandtLivonia (Livland, Inflanty), estate of Livonian Order, today part of Latvia and Estonia, (do Got vor seÿ) durch eÿgene odder zugeschigkte macht ubertzogen, / das von seiner koniglichen maiesteten neben der gegenwher verardent wurde, / aus dem LithuaniaGrosfurstenthumb LittauenLithuania widderumb in Livonia (Livland, Inflanty), estate of Livonian Order, today part of Latvia and EstoniaEÿfflandtLivonia (Livland, Inflanty), estate of Livonian Order, today part of Latvia and Estonia zufallenn, / dardurch die Citizens of Livonia LeifflenderCitizens of Livonia geursacht / 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 PolandPreussenPrussia, 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 zuverlassen, / und ir eigen landt zu retten. / Letzlichen solchs alles wie wir dan an Euer Lieb und der hohen nodturfft nach gar nicht zweiffeln beÿ den 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)hern koniglichen rethenCouncil 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) und Royal Prussian Estates stendenRoyal Prussian Estates Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of ThornPreussisch theilsRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn, / damit es umb sovil dester ehr seinen vortgang erreichen mocht underpawen verfurdern unnd fortstellen helffenn. /

Das sein wir umb Euer Lieb mit allem freuntlichen nachbarlichen willen zuvordienen geneÿgtt, / und thun Euer Lieb hiemit dem almechtigen Got in landwiriger gesuntheit und fridlichem regiment zuerhalten bevelhenn.

Von Gots gnaden 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)Albrecht marggraf zu Brandenburg (Pokarmin, Ushakovo), village in Ducal Prussia, 21km SW of KönigsbergBrandenburgkBrandenburg (Pokarmin, Ushakovo), village in Ducal Prussia, 21km SW of Königsberg, in Ducal PrussiaPreussenDucal Prussia, zu StettinStettinStettin, PomeraniaPomernPomerania, der Kashubia (Kaszuby, Cassubia, Cassubae), region in Gdańsk Pomerania and eastern part of Western Pomerania, inhabited by an autochthon Slavic people – the KashubiansCassubenKashubia (Kaszuby, Cassubia, Cassubae), region in Gdańsk Pomerania and eastern part of Western Pomerania, inhabited by an autochthon Slavic people – the Kashubians und WendenWendenWenden hertzogAlbrecht 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), burggraf zu Nuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, BavariaNurmbergkNuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, Bavaria unnd furst zw RügenRugenRügen manu propria subscripsit