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Letter #5685

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Samuel MACIEJOWSKI]
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1539-06-24

English register:

Supporting the requests expressed in the [Royal Prussian] councillors’ open letter to the King [Sigismund I Jagiellon], Dantiscus asks the addressee for help in persuading the ruler to look more kindly than previously upon their wish regarding moving the Diet [of Royal Prussia] to St. Michael’s Day [September 29], and also to ensure that the opinion of the Prussian councillors is taken into consideration when dividing offices following the death of Ludwig von Mortangen (Mortęski), Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg).

He asks once again for help with achieving a positive resolution to the matter of Lake Drużno (Drausen), in which the Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig) [Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)] is interested.

Dantiscus asks the addressee to defend him before those who are making him solely responsible for decisions made collectively by the [Prussian] councillors. He warns that if they have to write jointly to the King on every matter, the resultant delays will be detrimental to the ruler’s affairs and thus also to the state.

Dantiscus makes his excuses to Maciejowski for having used the hand of a scribe in his letter to him and the King, the reason being his impaired sight. He indicates that soon he and [Tiedemann Giese] will recount the reprehensible conduct they both experienced as bishops of Kulm (Chełmno) from the King’s subjects living there.

Dantiscus also expects the addressee’s help in connection with the spreading of Lutheranism among the elite in [Royal Prussia].




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 68, f. 279v (t.p.)
2office copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 68, p. 279v, left margin
3copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1539, f. 32-33

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8249 (TK 11), f. 107

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 70, p. 252-254 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverende Domine, frater et amice carissime ac honorande.

Salutem et fraterni amoris commendationem.

Quemadmodum paenultima Maii Dominationi Vestrae Reverendae cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Samuel MACIEJOWSKI 1539-05-30, CIDTC IDL 6447, letter lost⌊scripsicf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Samuel MACIEJOWSKI 1539-05-30, CIDTC IDL 6447, letter lost⌋, evenit, quod domini 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)⌊consiliariiCouncil 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)⌋ harum terrarum a serenissima 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⌊maiestate regiaSigismund 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⌋ petunt cf. other letter Councillors of Royal Prussia Sigismund I Jagiellon Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14, CIDTC IDT 670;
other letter Councillors of Royal Prussia Sigismund I Jagiellon Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14, CIDTC IDT 671⌊litteriscf. other letter Councillors of Royal Prussia Sigismund I Jagiellon Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14, CIDTC IDT 670;
other letter Councillors of Royal Prussia Sigismund I Jagiellon Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14, CIDTC IDT 671⌋ suis, quas apertas ad me miserunt, ut Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventusProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ praeteritus in futurum pro 1539-09-29⌊sancti Michaelis festo proximo1539-09-29⌋ transponatur, quandoquidem nisi peracta messe commode hic conveniri potest. Ut igitur clementiores quam nuper aures serenissimae 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⌊maiestatis regiaeSigismund 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⌋ experiamur, non gravate Dominatio Vestra Reverenda operam suam impendat, quod quidem nostrum omnium nomine magnopere oro, in eo maxime, quae ad dignitatum distributionem post mortem generosi domini Ludwig von Mortangen (Ludwik Mortęski) (†1539), 1512-1516 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1516-1539 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg) (SBPN 3, p. 256-257; PSB 22 Morsztyn Zbigniew - Mytkowicz, p. 9-11)⌊Ludovici a MortangenLudwig von Mortangen (Ludwik Mortęski) (†1539), 1512-1516 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1516-1539 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg) (SBPN 3, p. 256-257; PSB 22 Morsztyn Zbigniew - Mytkowicz, p. 9-11)⌋ castellani Elbingensis pertinebunt. Qua in re sibi hic Dominatio Vestra Reverenda omnium ordinum animos non vulgariter devinciet.

De Drużno (Drausen), lake in northern Poland, Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane), near Elbing (Elbląg)⌊lacu DrausenDrużno (Drausen), lake in northern Poland, Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane), near Elbing (Elbląg)⌋, quae iam rogavi [ali]quoties pro domino Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌊castellano GdanensiAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌋, ut ea, quae possit, Dominatio [Vestra] Reverenda praestet, iterum atque iterum rogo, meque cum hoc cf. Georg HEGEL to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1539-07-06, CIDTC IDL 2174⌊meo Mauritius (Moritz), at least in 1537-1547 servant of Ioannes Dantiscus, often sent with letters and packages to the royal court (CIDTC, e.g. IDL 1630, IDL 4476, IDL 3266, IDL 3279)⌊nuntioMauritius (Moritz), at least in 1537-1547 servant of Ioannes Dantiscus, often sent with letters and packages to the royal court (CIDTC, e.g. IDL 1630, IDL 4476, IDL 3266, IDL 3279)⌋cf. Georg HEGEL to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1539-07-06, CIDTC IDL 2174⌋ sub mutua inter nos fiducia certiorem reddat, quibus modis scheda mea et res haec sit tractata qualemque se illa praestiterit.

Praeterea quid in novis et in aula agatur meque benevolentia sua prosequi non desinat. Qua me, rogo, contra eos tueatur, qui asserunt per me hic omnia fieri, quae ex communi fiunt consilio, quod quomodo habeat, in praesenti 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)⌊domini consiliariiCouncil 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)⌋ sunt testati. Si semper ad eum modum de singulis, quae serenissimam 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⌋ scire oportebit, scribendum erit, possit aliquando moris ex communi scriptione, quae per deliberationes tardius conficitur, intervenientibus rebus serenissimae 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⌊maiestatis regiaeSigismund 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⌋, et Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌊huic reipublicaeRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ non parum, immo et cum periculo, incommodare. Quod non ob id scribo, quo mihi soli cum aliquando meo aliorumque nomine scribo, credatur, hoc enim labore libenter carere velim, verum fide mea me urgente, quam Deo bene favente, quantumvis amarulenti mei malevoli insaniant, incorruptam sepulcro mecum ingeram. Quod pro me ingenue Dominatio Vestra Reverenda, quam , ne illi fraudi sit, certo tutam reddo, spondere poterit.

Eandemque felicissime in diuturnitate vel Pylia[1] vivere et valere opto ex animo.

Postscript:

Quod manu mea serenissimae cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon ca. 1539-06-24, CIDTC IDL 7230, letter lost⌊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⌊maiestati regiaeSigismund 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⌋cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon ca. 1539-06-24, CIDTC IDL 7230, letter lost⌋ neque Dominationi Vestrae Reverendae scripserim, ut mihi veniam impetret et indulgeat, quaeso. Scripsi quidem verum sic, quod notas meas amanuensis facilius, quam ego, legeret.

Scribet fortassis Dominationi Vestrae Reverendae reverendissimus 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)⌊dominus CulmensisTiedemann 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)⌋ et ego paulo post cum illo, quibus modis a vicinis suis serenissimae 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⌊regiae maiestatiSigismund 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⌋ subiectis magna cum iniuria tractatur, quod quidem et in me, cum inibi agerem, tentarunt. Rogo itaque, quantum potest, communi fratri apud 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⌋ opituletur.

Quosdam de nostris, et qui de primis sunt, cepit inficere Luteranismus. Ii nisi reprimantur temporius, facile reliquiae satis ad hoc virus pronae subsequentur. Adiuvet Dominatio Vestra Reverenda, quantum potest.

Cuius fraterno a[mo]ri me iterum commendo etc.

[1 ] I. e. as that of Nestor mythical king of Pylos and the eldest of the Greek commanders at Troy; his wisdom and longevity were proverbial⌊NestorNestor mythical king of Pylos and the eldest of the Greek commanders at Troy; his wisdom and longevity were proverbial⌋, the mythical king of Pylos