CIDT&C Corpus of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence

Letter #6231

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona Sforza
Braunsberg (Braniewo), 1544-05-17

English register: The queen will learn about the activities of the royal envoys [Mikołaj Dzierzgowski, Samuel Maciejowski, Janusz Latalski, Piotr Służewski, Feliks Srzeński] at the [Royal Prussian] Diet from Dantiscus’ letter to the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon], enclosed with this letter, since the bishop of Płock [Maciejowski] is no longer present. It is fortunate that the bishop [of Płock, Maciejowski] came in person, as matters might have taken a worse turn otherwise. Here [in Royal Prussia] there are people, cities and towns that resist the imposition of the kind experienced in the Kingdom [of Poland], and who care deeply about preserving their freedoms and privileges. The queen acted wisely in interceding with the king for the dispatch of the bishop of Płock as he had recommended. When Maciejowski returns to her on 21 May, as planned, the queen will receive from him an account of the situation in Prussia and what course will be advantageous for the future.

Dantiscus has written to the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon] describing how certain Poles are making a laughingstock of him in Rome, including before the four cardinals [Gian Pietro Carafa, Juan Álvarez de Toledo, Pierpaolo Parisio, Bartolomeo Guidiccioni], who are examining the case of Alexander [Sculteti], rightly sentenced by the monarch to be banished from all his territories. The king is being accused of senility and losing his faculties in his advanced age. It is being claimed that he is entirely dependent in governing his Kingdom on the opinions of others, including the vice-chancellor [Maciejowski]. It would not be appropriate to put the other matters in writing, so these will be presented more fully by the bishop of Płock upon his return.

Regarding the banishment of Alexander Sculteti, Dantiscus urges the queen not to heed those advocating for the heretic at the royal court, but rather to exert every effort to ensure that the verdict is upheld and that the inhabitants of his diocese [Ermland (Warmia)] are not troubled by papal bulls from Rome.

The starost of Rogoźno (Roggenhausen) [Stanisław Sokołowski] has not replied to the queen’s letter because he has improved his conduct towards his wife [Hanna Czerna] who, like Dantiscus, is grateful to the queen [for her earlier intervention].

Manuscript sources:

1	copy in Latin, 16th-century, BJ, 6557, f. 398v-399v
2	copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 61 (TN), No. 42, p. 199-201
3	copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 274, No. 255, p. 504-505
4	register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1544, f. 16-17

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

BJ, 6657, f. 398v

Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Hans 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 Dantiscus Episcopus VarmiensisIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Hans 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⌋ 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⌊Bonae Reginae PoloniaeBona 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⌋

Serenissima Reginalis Maiestas et Domina, domina clementissima. Humillimam servitiorum et orationum mearum commendationem.

Scripsi etiam 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⌊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⌋, quibus modis eius maiestas traducta sit per quosdam Polonos in urbe Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌊RomaRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌋ passim et apud Gian Pietro Carafa (Ioannes Petrus Carafa, Paulus IV) (*1476 – †1559), 1506–1537 Bishop of Chieti; 1518–1524 Archbishop of Brindisi; 1536 elevated to cardinal; 1537–1549 Archbishop of Chieti; 1549 Archbishop of Naples; elected pope as Paul IV in 1555

Juan Álvarez y Alva de Toledo (*1488 – †1557), Dominican; 1523 Bishop of Córdoba; 1537 Bishop of Burgos; 1537 elevated to cardinal; 1550 Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela; 1553 Bishop of Albano; 1555 Bishop of Frascati (HE 1, p. 131, letter no. 122, note no. 3)

Pierpaolo Parisio (Pietro Paolo Parisi, Petrus Paulus Parisius) (*1473 – †1545), 1528–1538 Bishop of Anglona and Tursi; 1537 auditor of the Apostolic Chamber; 1538–1545 Bishop of Nusco; 1539 elevated to cardinal (HE 1, p. 131, letter no. 122, note no. 3)

Bartolomeo Guidiccioni (Bartholomeo Guidiccionus) (*1469 – †1549), 1539 elevated to cardinal; 1540–1543 Cardinal-Priest of S. Cesareo in Palatio; 1546 Bishop of Lucca (HE 1, p. 131, letter no. 122, note no. 3)⌊quattuor illos cardinalesGian Pietro Carafa (Ioannes Petrus Carafa, Paulus IV) (*1476 – †1559), 1506–1537 Bishop of Chieti; 1518–1524 Archbishop of Brindisi; 1536 elevated to cardinal; 1537–1549 Archbishop of Chieti; 1549 Archbishop of Naples; elected pope as Paul IV in 1555

Juan Álvarez y Alva de Toledo (*1488 – †1557), Dominican; 1523 Bishop of Córdoba; 1537 Bishop of Burgos; 1537 elevated to cardinal; 1550 Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela; 1553 Bishop of Albano; 1555 Bishop of Frascati (HE 1, p. 131, letter no. 122, note no. 3)

Pierpaolo Parisio (Pietro Paolo Parisi, Petrus Paulus Parisius) (*1473 – †1545), 1528–1538 Bishop of Anglona and Tursi; 1537 auditor of the Apostolic Chamber; 1538–1545 Bishop of Nusco; 1539 elevated to cardinal (HE 1, p. 131, letter no. 122, note no. 3)

Bartolomeo Guidiccioni (Bartholomeo Guidiccionus) (*1469 – †1549), 1539 elevated to cardinal; 1540–1543 Cardinal-Priest of S. Cesareo in Palatio; 1546 Bishop of Lucca (HE 1, p. 131, letter no. 122, note no. 3)⌋, quibus cognitio causae fuit commissa sacramentarii illius Alexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌊AlexandriAlexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌋ a maiestate regia ex omnibus regiis ditionibus iustissime proscripti, quod eius maiestas regia repuerascens per grandem aetatem iam tota deliret ac desipiat; et quod licet aliquando litteras subscribat, tamen nullius rei in administratione Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊regniPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ curam gerat neque de litteris, quas subscribere solet, notitiam habeat, verum omnia agat ex arbitrio aliorum et Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisers of King Sigismund I and later of Sigismund II Augustus; canon of the collegiate chapters of Sandomierz from 1521 and Kielce from 1530; canon of Gniezno from 1531; royal secretary from 1532/1533 to 1537, previously a scribe in the royal chancery; 1537–1539 Grand Secretary; 1539–1547 Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; 1539–1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541–1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545–1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547–1550 Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; royal envoy to Rome in 1532 and to local diets in 1534 and 1538 (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌊procancellariiSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisers of King Sigismund I and later of Sigismund II Augustus; canon of the collegiate chapters of Sandomierz from 1521 and Kielce from 1530; canon of Gniezno from 1531; royal secretary from 1532/1533 to 1537, previously a scribe in the royal chancery; 1537–1539 Grand Secretary; 1539–1547 Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; 1539–1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541–1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545–1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547–1550 Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; royal envoy to Rome in 1532 and to local diets in 1534 and 1538 (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌋. Reliqua scriptu indigna sunt, sed de iis reverendissimus Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisers of King Sigismund I and later of Sigismund II Augustus; canon of the collegiate chapters of Sandomierz from 1521 and Kielce from 1530; canon of Gniezno from 1531; royal secretary from 1532/1533 to 1537, previously a scribe in the royal chancery; 1537–1539 Grand Secretary; 1539–1547 Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; 1539–1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541–1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545–1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547–1550 Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; royal envoy to Rome in 1532 and to local diets in 1534 and 1538 (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌊dominus PlocensisSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisers of King Sigismund I and later of Sigismund II Augustus; canon of the collegiate chapters of Sandomierz from 1521 and Kielce from 1530; canon of Gniezno from 1531; royal secretary from 1532/1533 to 1537, previously a scribe in the royal chancery; 1537–1539 Grand Secretary; 1539–1547 Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; 1539–1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541–1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545–1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547–1550 Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; royal envoy to Rome in 1532 and to local diets in 1534 and 1538 (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌋, cum sospes redierit, fusius referet.

Qua de re Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae humillime supplico, si qui pro Alexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌊AlexandroAlexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌋ in aula regia Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram interpellaverint, illis neque aures neque fidem adhibere velit. Sunt enim quidam, qui plurimum Alexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌊huicAlexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌋ manifesto corporis et sanguinis Iesu Christi hosti favent molientes, ut 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⌋ proscriptionis decretum rescindi possit, quod sine summa indignitate regia non fieret. Quapropter Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae, quantum demissius atque impensius possum, supplico pro ea in Deum pietate, qua praedita est, non velit se induci permittere, ut Alexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌊huicAlexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian, and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌋ tam nefario homini convicto exsecrandoque haeretico quovis modo apud 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⌋ BJ, 6657, f. 399v patrocinetur, quin potius ad hoc studiose intendere, ut decretum regium contra proscriptum integrum maneat et viri boni Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae servitores apud Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊ecclesiam meamErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋ per hominem hunc pestiferum ex Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌊UrbeRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌋ bullis non divexentur, a Domino Deo perpetuam pietatis suae perceptura mercedem.

Quod Stanisław Sokołowski of Warzymowo son of Jarosław Jan Sokołowski of Wrząca Wielka (d. 1517/1518); 1540-1557, perhaps until 1559, Starost of Rogoźno (Roggenhausen) (PSB 40/1, p. 146-147; CZAPLEWSKI 1921, p. 169-170)⌊praefectus RogosnensisStanisław Sokołowski of Warzymowo son of Jarosław Jan Sokołowski of Wrząca Wielka (d. 1517/1518); 1540-1557, perhaps until 1559, Starost of Rogoźno (Roggenhausen) (PSB 40/1, p. 146-147; CZAPLEWSKI 1921, p. 169-170)⌋ litteris Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae non responderit, causa est, quod illis emendatus iam Hanna Czerna (Hanna of Witowice, Hanna Schwarzenberg) (†after 1547), second wife of Lucas von Allen, Starost of Rogoźno; later wife of Stanisław Sokołowski of Wrząca Wielka, Starost of Rogoźno⌊uxoremHanna Czerna (Hanna of Witowice, Hanna Schwarzenberg) (†after 1547), second wife of Lucas von Allen, Starost of Rogoźno; later wife of Stanisław Sokołowski of Wrząca Wielka, Starost of Rogoźno⌋ suam humanius ac benevolentius quam prius, tractet; habemusque et ego, et illa Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae humillimas gratias atque una pro longaeva incolumitate omniumque prosperrimorum successuum augmento Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae Deum sedulo exorabimus nosque in gratiam eiusdem Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae suppliciter commendamus.

Ex Braunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌊Brau<n>sbergBraunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌋, XVI Maii MDXLIIII.