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Letter #682

Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Wallendorf, 1531-09-11

English register:

De Schepper has accomplished the mission for which he had set out from Brussels for the Ardennes. He sends this letter through a messenger who is departing. He will leave for Brussels the same day and hopes to arrive there within 10 days. If there is urgent news, Dantiscus should send it through Johann Baptista von Taxis. De Schepper wrote to [Alfonso de] Valdés in order to recommend his case to [Nicolas Perrenot de] Granvelle. He also asks for the support of Dantiscus. He has no news from the deserted region where they are staying. Thanks to the Margrave of Baden [Bernhard III], who acts as the representative of the Emperor [Charles V], they have plenty of game to eat, but De Schepper prefers simple lamb or pork in the company of Dantiscus.

In the cities, the plague is spreading violently; in a few rural areas the air is so lethal that it can be compared to lake Avernus. Panic arose in Luxembourg because of the same omens as observed in Brussels. De Schepper prays that Christ protect them both from imminent danger. He sends greetings to the Margrave [Johann Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach] and other friends. Dantiscus should urge the Prince-Bishop of Liège [Erard de la Marck] to support De Schepper's request in front of the Emperor.

In an ironical postscript the Viscount (vicecomes) who accompanies De Schepper sends his greetings to Dantiscus. He would like to trade part of their venison for Dantiscus' wine. He jokes about their huge stock of salt.


            received Brussels, [1531]-09-12

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 3, f. 52
2copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8242 (TK 4), a.1531, f. 80
3register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 31, No. 243

Prints:
1DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 159, p. 96-97 (English register)
2Españoles part II, No. 57, p. 226-227 (Spanish translation)
3CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 32) p. 154-156 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissimo [in Ch]risto Patri et Domino, domino 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⌊Ioann[i Da]ntiscoIoannes 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⌋ episcopo Culmensi, 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⌊[reg]iae maiestatis PoloniaeSigismund 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⌋ oratori, domino tamquam patri honorandissimo

Salutem plurimam.

Ex quo abii Brussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium⌊BruxellaBrussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium⌋ profectus per Ardennes (Arduenna silva), region covering the south of Belgium, Luxembourg and a part of northern France, wooded and hilly area⌊ArduennamArdennes (Arduenna silva), region covering the south of Belgium, Luxembourg and a part of northern France, wooded and hilly area⌋, ea transegi, quae commissa fuere. Verum cum Wallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌊hincWallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌋ abeat nuntius, ommitere non potui, quin ad te scriberem. Hodie Wallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌊hincWallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌋ proficiscimur redituri ad vos, ut spero, intra dies X. Interim si quid novi occurrat scriptu dignum, litteras da Johann Baptista von Taxis (*ca. 1470 – †1541), 1518-1541 general postmaster of Charles V (ADB, vol. 37, p. 496-499)⌊Ioanni Babtistae de TaxisJohann Baptista von Taxis (*ca. 1470 – †1541), 1518-1541 general postmaster of Charles V (ADB, vol. 37, p. 496-499)⌋. Scripsi ad Alfonso de Valdés (Alphonsus Valdesius) (*1500-1504 – †1532), Spanish humanist, friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam, brother of Juan and Diego; from 1520 in the service of the Imperial Chancellor Mercurino Gattinara; 1522 secretary of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg; 1526 Latin secretary (FERNÁNDEZ-SANTAMARÍA, p. 38-48; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 26)⌊ValdesiumAlfonso de Valdés (Alphonsus Valdesius) (*1500-1504 – †1532), Spanish humanist, friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam, brother of Juan and Diego; from 1520 in the service of the Imperial Chancellor Mercurino Gattinara; 1522 secretary of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg; 1526 Latin secretary (FERNÁNDEZ-SANTAMARÍA, p. 38-48; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 26)⌋ de rebus meis, ut eas commendatas haberet domino Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle (*1484 – †1550), doctor of both canon and civil law, one of the most trusted advisors of Emperor Charles V, in 1519 entered the service of Charles V, in 1521 took part in the Habsburg-French negotiations in Calais, in 1529 in peace negotiations with the Roman Curia and the Italian states, and later, in 1538, in the conference of Nice between Charles V and Francis I; prominent official and advisor of Charles V and of Margaret of Austria in the administration of the County of Burgundy and of the Habsburg Netherlands, collaborator of Chancellor Gattinara, 1530 secretary of State for German and Netherlandish affairs and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Sicily and Naples (he replaced Gattinara after his death in the position of Grand Chancellor, although not using the title); imperial envoy to France (several times up to 1528) (CE, vol. 3, p. 68-70; DURME 1964; ANTONY 2006)⌊a GrandtvellaNicolas Perrenot de Granvelle (*1484 – †1550), doctor of both canon and civil law, one of the most trusted advisors of Emperor Charles V, in 1519 entered the service of Charles V, in 1521 took part in the Habsburg-French negotiations in Calais, in 1529 in peace negotiations with the Roman Curia and the Italian states, and later, in 1538, in the conference of Nice between Charles V and Francis I; prominent official and advisor of Charles V and of Margaret of Austria in the administration of the County of Burgundy and of the Habsburg Netherlands, collaborator of Chancellor Gattinara, 1530 secretary of State for German and Netherlandish affairs and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Sicily and Naples (he replaced Gattinara after his death in the position of Grand Chancellor, although not using the title); imperial envoy to France (several times up to 1528) (CE, vol. 3, p. 68-70; DURME 1964; ANTONY 2006)⌋. Rogo, ut et tua commendatio interveniat.

Wallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌊HicWallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌋ in silva rerum novarum nihil habemus neque quicquam videmus praeter steriles campos. Ferina autem commode vescimur liberalitate illustris Bernhard III of Baden (*1474 – †1536), 1515-1536 Margrave of Baden-Baden; son of Christoph Margrave of Baden and Ottilie of Katzenelnbogen. In 1515, together with his two brothers, Ernst I and Philipp, he inherited the Margraviate of Baden; after the death of Philipp in 1533, he and his brother Ernst each took half of Philipp's part of the Margraviate. Contrary to his brother Ernst, Bernhard stayed a Catholic and gave rise to the Bernhardine line, which ruled Baden-Baden⌊marchionis BadensisBernhard III of Baden (*1474 – †1536), 1515-1536 Margrave of Baden-Baden; son of Christoph Margrave of Baden and Ottilie of Katzenelnbogen. In 1515, together with his two brothers, Ernst I and Philipp, he inherited the Margraviate of Baden; after the death of Philipp in 1533, he and his brother Ernst each took half of Philipp's part of the Margraviate. Contrary to his brother Ernst, Bernhard stayed a Catholic and gave rise to the Bernhardine line, which ruled Baden-Baden⌋, qui Wallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌊hicWallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌋ agit praefectum Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌊caesarisCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌋, sed malim apud vos ovilla aut suilla vesci. Pestis hic mirum in modum incrudescit, sed in urbibus tantum, in aliis enim locis non perinde saevit ea contagio, nisi in perquam paucis, ubi tam letalis est aer, ut aves de caelo tactae non secus atque Lago d'Averno (lacus Avernus) volcanic crater lake in southern Italy, near Pozzuoli, According to the legend, the birds flying over Lake Avernus would drop dead, due to the poisonous fumes exhaled by the volcanic lake (Verg. A. 6.239-242)⌊AvernumLago d'Averno (lacus Avernus) volcanic crater lake in southern Italy, near Pozzuoli, According to the legend, the birds flying over Lake Avernus would drop dead, due to the poisonous fumes exhaled by the volcanic lake (Verg. A. 6.239-242)⌋[2] supervolitantes in terram lapsae exstinguantur. Signa, quae istic visa sunt, Wallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌊hicWallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌋ quoque apparuere magno metu et haud dubio periculo, quod nobis imminens avertat Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌊ChristusJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌋, qui te servet incolumem.

Illustri Johann Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Johann Albrecht von Hohenzollern) (*1499 – †1550), son of Friedrich V, Margrave of Brandenburg and Sophia, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon, King of Poland; brother of Albrecht I von Hohenzollern Duke in Prussia; 1545-1550 archbishop of Magdeburg and bishop of Halberstadt ⌊domino marchioniJohann Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Johann Albrecht von Hohenzollern) (*1499 – †1550), son of Friedrich V, Margrave of Brandenburg and Sophia, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon, King of Poland; brother of Albrecht I von Hohenzollern Duke in Prussia; 1545-1550 archbishop of Magdeburg and bishop of Halberstadt ⌋ centum bezo las manos et dominis aliis, et amicis. Apud Erard de la Marck (d' Arenberg, Eberhard de la Marck) (*1472 – †1538), in 1507 accompanied Louis XII on his expedition against Genoa; 1506-1538 Prince-Bishop of Liège, 1507-1525 Bishop of Chartres, 1520 Archbishop of Valencia, 1521 elevated to cardinal, 1505 Louis XII of Valois' envoy at the court of Emperor Maximilian I (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 134)⌊reverendissimum LeodiensemErard de la Marck (d' Arenberg, Eberhard de la Marck) (*1472 – †1538), in 1507 accompanied Louis XII on his expedition against Genoa; 1506-1538 Prince-Bishop of Liège, 1507-1525 Bishop of Chartres, 1520 Archbishop of Valencia, 1521 elevated to cardinal, 1505 Louis XII of Valois' envoy at the court of Emperor Maximilian I (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 134)⌋ sis memor mei, nam ille scit, pro qua re instem apud Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌊caesaremCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌋, et video officiorum rationem non haberi, nisi adsit importunitas.

Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae ex animo inservitor Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite, diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊Cornelius Duplicius ScepperusCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite, diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋

Postscript:

Dominus vicecomes collega meus bezat vobis manus et pedes et cuperet, ut ferinae, quam Wallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌊hicWallendorf (Wallenvilla), village now situated on the German-Luxembourgian border, on the Sauer river⌋ copiose habemus, partem cum vino tuo nobis permutasses. Tam divites hic sumus, ut sale pro pulvere utamur.

[2 ] Avernum: allusion to the ancient legend based on the Greek etymology of Avernus: „without birds”. Birds flying over Lake Avernus would drop dead, due to the poisonous fumes exhaled by the volcanic lake. Cf. cf. Publius Vergilius Maro, Aeneis ⌊Verg. Acf. Publius Vergilius Maro, Aeneis ⌋ 6.239-242: quam super haud ullae poterant impune volantes / tendere iter pennis: talis sese halitus atris / faucibus effundens supera ad convexa ferebat. / Unde locum Grai dixerunt nomine Aornum