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Letter #755

Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Brussels, 1532-02-21

English register:

As the rumour had circulated that Dantiscus had left, De Schepper is delighted to learn from his letter that Dantiscus is in good health, and is still staying in Antwerp. He refers to his previous letter in which he repeated the offer of the Prince-Bishop of Liège [Erard de la Marck] to Dantiscus.

He has not been able to obtain from the treasury-officials the payment of the amount owed to him. He wants to stay in Brussels and try to obtain a rapid settlement of the matter, as he fears that it will be postponed indefinitely when the Queen [Mary of Hungary] leaves for Antwerp or Flanders. His friends also advise him to handle this first, even before going home.

Hence, unless Dantiscus has to leave urgently, De Schepper will defer his visit to him a few days. The visit to Antwerp will also give him the opportunity to meet the Lord of Beveren [Adolf of Burgundy] to discuss this matter. Although De Schepper is very concerned about the poor health of his wife [Elisabeth Donche], this will not keep him from visiting Dantiscus before his departure. There is no reason why Dantiscus should hasten his departure for the sake of the Monteserico matter or the negotiations about Hungary. There is no evidence that this will be dealt with at court in the near future, and certainly not before ille [Emperor Charles V?] has made a break in his journey. Not even the King of the Romans [Ferdinand] or the Cardinal of Trent [Bernhard von Cles] know when that will happen. All De Schepper could find out at court is that the Emperor wants to go to Regensburg, which according to the Comendador of León [Francisco de los Cobos] will not happen soon. The King of the Romans will probably join the Emperor in Stuttgart, and they will see what the intentions of the German princes are. The Archbishop of Salzburg [Matthäus Lang] is trying to get the Bavarian princes back on the side of the Emperor.

Esslingen has chosen the side of the Protestants. De Schepper despairs of a good outcome to the Hungarian negotiations: in the assembly that is planned the Hungarians could as well agree on a third party. Regarding the meeting in Passau, De Schepper refers to his previous correspondence. The envoys of the Emperor have not yet left. Because of the departure of Hieronim Łaski, whose evil intentions are clear, and the lack of preparations at the imperial court, De Schepper is convinced that there will be no meeting at all.

The Venetians had spread the rumour of substantial Turkish war preparations. They were going to take significant measures in defense of their territory. In Italy, this seemed a confirmation of these rumours, but since they have now toned down their preparations, the situation appears to be less threatening. De Schepper gives an account of the recent itinerary of the Emperor, who was travelling from Mayence to Heidelberg, to spend Shrove Tuesday there. He had ordered his retinue to travel directly to Bruchsal via Speyer and expect him there. [Alfonso de] Valdés also took this route. De Schepper has met [Ulrich] Ehinger in Mayence. The Margrave [Johann Albrecht of Brandenburg] and the Archbishop of Mayence [Albrecht von Hohenzollern] have accompanied the Emperor on his departure from Mayence; the Margrave complained that he was unable to find out the intentions of the Emperor.

Andrea Doria was ordered to equip his ships; he received an annuity and the principality of Melfi. De Schepper thinks that the Pope [Clement VII] will meet the Emperor in Mantua. He fears the future: among other things, as it concerns the Lutherans.


            received Antwerp, 1532-02-22

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 3, f. 66 + f. [1] missed in numbering after f. 66

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8247 (TK 9), f. 34
2register in English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 31, No. 255

Prints:
1AT 14 No. 93, p. 154-156 (in extenso; Polish register)
2DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 196, p. 131 (English register)
3CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 41) p. 188-193 (in extenso; English register)
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