CIDT&C Corpus of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence

Letter #815

Alfonso de VALDÉS to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Regensburg, 1532-08-08

English register: Since Dantiscus left, Valdés has had no letter from him. He wishes him to have a good trip, and not to forget those who miss him. Since Dantiscus cannot visit, Valdés asks that he write as often as possible. The emperor recovered while staying in the country and intended to come to Augsburg, but as soon as he arrived in the city he got an attack of fever so he has no intention of going back there. Valdés is well. He is angry with Dantiscus for leaving without introducing him to the other Polish envoy, who only came to him for help after long and unsuccessfully attempts to arrange matters on his own. Valdés helped him at once, but the issue was not successfully resolved – but perhaps this delay will bring in a better solution.

Valdés informs Dantiscus of the results of the Imperial Diet: all the estates of the realm are to place themselves under the emperor’s command for war against Turkey, everyone is to supply the required number of soldiers. The Saxon prince has promised the most, the landgrave of Hesse will also be there. The emperor has promised to procure the calling of a General Council within six months, and if the pope doesn’t agree – another Imperial Diet will resolve the religious matters; no changes should be made before then.

The emperor is preparing for war with Turkey, part of the army has already left for Vienna. The free cities have provided more soldiers than expected, and equipment and war machines as well. The Swiss have told the French that they refuse to fight as their mercenaries unless it is against the Turks. 8,000 Spanish soldiers and two Italian legions have come to Germany, not counting volunteers. The pope has sent the nuncio a latere, Cardinal Medici, with 400 horsemen and pay for 10,000 Hungarians. The duke of Medina Coeli, the count of Sancti Stephani have arrived from Spain, the counts of Benavente, the duke of Bagiaris, the margrave of Asturia, the count of Monteregale, a cousin of the archbishop of Toledo and numerous other aristocrats and nobles are also coming. French nobles are also expected. The fleet has set sail under Andrea Doria’s command. It includes 42 triremes, 6 carracks and 30 smaller ships, not counting pirate vessels. Apart from a crew for sea battle, there are 10,000 soldiers aboard the ships, sailing to Epirus to drive back the Turkish forces.

The Turks got wind of these preparations, have bypassed the Danube and gone off to plunder Styria and neighboring provinces. This will cause a change in the emperor’s plans.

Valdés thinks that if other Christian rulers joined the expedition, Christianity would be saved from danger. However, the emperor will do his duty. After the death of Cardinal Colonna the emperor appointed the marquis de Villafranca [Pedro de Toledo] to the office of viceroy of Naples, and the marquis left for Naples at once.

Valdés sends Dantiscus gloves of the kind the empress wears so that he can win favor with some girl thanks to this Spanish gift. Valdés passes on a request from Granvella – he wants to buy a good riding horse in Poland.

received Cracow, 1532-08-20

Manuscript sources:

1	fair copy in Latin, autograph, in secretary's hand, author's signature, UUB, H. 154, f. 87-88
2	copy in Latin, 18th-century, LSB, BR 19, No. 12
3	copy in Latin, 18th-century, SUB, Sup. Ep. 4-o 41, No. 7, f. 5r-6r
4	copy in Latin, 18th-century, SBB, MS Lat. Quart. 101, No. 6, f. 15v-18r
5	copy in Latin, 18th-century, SLUB, C 110, f. 20r-23v
6	copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 1366, p. 72-76
7	copy in Latin, 18th-century, B. Ossol., 151/II, f. 7v-8v
8	copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 55 (TN), No. 35, p. 193-196
9	excerpt in Latin, 16th-century, GStA PK, XX. HA Hist. StA Königsberg, HBA, H, K. 760, No. IV.11.18
10	register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 30, No. 63
11	register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 32, No. 591

Prints:

1	AT 14 No. 379, p. 572-574 (in extenso; Polish register)
2	DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 232, p. 155 (English register; excerpt)
3	STARNAWSKI 1977 p. 192 (excerpt)
4	Españoles part II, No. 64, p. 234-236 (excerpt in Spanish translation)
5	VALDÉS 1996 Cartas y documentos, No. 104, p. 265-267 (in extenso)
6	CEID 2/3 (Letter No. 70) p. 280-286 (in extenso; English register; Polish register)

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

UUB, H. 154, f. 88v

UUB, H. 154, f. 87r

Reverendissime Domine ms 1 obser(vandissi)me,
ms 3 5 6 7 8 observandissime,
ms 2 4 observantissime⌈obser(vandissi)mems 1 obser(vandissi)me,
ms 3 5 6 7 8 observandissime,
ms 2 4 observantissime⌉.

Ex quo a nobis discessisti, nihil litterarum abs te accepi. Iter tuum tibi feliciter successisse vehementer cupio, sed ita, ut ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 isthaec,
ms 7 ist haec⌈isthaecms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 isthaec,
ms 7 ist haec⌉ felicitas te in oblivionem ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 nostri,
ms 5 omitted⌈nostrims 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 nostri,
ms 5 omitted⌉ non inducat. Vix credas, quanto tui desiderio ms 1 2 3 4 5 tui,
ms 6 7 8 omitted⌈tuims 1 2 3 4 5 tui,
ms 6 7 8 omitted⌉ omnes teneamur. A quo, si non expedit, ut tua nos praesentia ms 1 2 3 4 liberes,
ms 5 6 7 8 hilares⌈liberesms 1 2 3 4 liberes,
ms 5 6 7 8 hilares⌉, praesta saltem, quod minimo incommodo praestare ms 1 2 3 poteris,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 potes⌈poterisms 1 2 3 poteris,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 potes⌉, ut frequenter ad nos de rebus tuis scribas. Nullae enim litterae excipientur hic alacrius, nullae legentur avidius, quam tuae. 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⌊CaesarCharles 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⌋ in sua illa villa a molestissima aegritudine omnino convaluit voluitque ad nos venire, sed vixdum hanc urbem ingressus, febris eum invasit, a qua in praesentia liber est ms 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 nothing written ,
ms 2 est⌈ms 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 nothing written ,
ms 2 est⌉, modo redire nolit. Ego, diis gratiae, rectissime valeo, sed est, cur tibi succenseam. Reliquisti apud nos alterum ex nobilibus, quos serenissimus 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⌊rexSigismund 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⌋ ad nos, cum tu hic adesses, miserat, et nihil mihi dixisti nec is ad me ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 umquam,
ms 5 priusquam⌈umquamms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 umquam,
ms 5 priusquam⌉ venit, quousque vidit omnibus ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 (opinor),
ms 5 , opinor,⌈(opinor)ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 (opinor),
ms 5 , opinor,⌉ tentatis ms 1 2 3 4 a nobis,
ms 5 6 7 8 rem a nostris⌈a nobisms 1 2 3 4 a nobis,
ms 5 6 7 8 rem a nostris⌉ absolvi non posse, ms 1 2 3 4 dumque,
ms 5 6 7 8 dum⌈dumquems 1 2 3 4 dumque,
ms 5 6 7 8 dum⌉ meam ad id opem imploraret. Postridie rem totam ms 1 2 3 4 8 (ita, ut vides),
ms 5 6 7 (ita, ut vides)⌈(ita, ut vides)ms 1 2 3 4 8 (ita, ut vides),
ms 5 6 7 (ita, ut vides)⌉ ms 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 confeci,
ms 3 confecit⌈confecims 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 confeci,
ms 3 confecit⌉. Quae, licet non sit ex sententia, tamen ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 haec mora,
ms 5 omitted⌈haec morams 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 haec mora,
ms 5 omitted⌉ meliorem aliquam condicionem afferre poterit.

ms 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Quae,
ms 6 Qua⌈Quaems 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Quae,
ms 6 Qua⌉ hic ms 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 agamus,
ms 3 agantur⌈agamusms 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 agamus,
ms 3 agantur⌉, paucis ms 1 2 4 praescribam,
ms 3 5 6 7 8 perscribam⌈praescribamms 1 2 4 praescribam,
ms 3 5 6 7 8 perscribam⌉. Imperial Diet (Reichstag) ⌊ConventusImperial Diet (Reichstag) ⌋ hic Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaeGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋ his legibus ms 1 2 3 4 5 8 dimissus,
ms 6 7 demissus⌈dimissusms 1 2 3 4 5 8 dimissus,
ms 6 7 demissus⌉ est: Quod ad Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (Empire, Reich, Imperium)⌊Romanum imperiumHoly Roman Empire of the German Nation (Empire, Reich, Imperium)⌋ attinet, omnes The Imperial Estates ⌊ordinesThe Imperial Estates ⌋ se 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⌋ arbitrio submittunt adversus The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌊ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 Turcas,
ms 7 Turcus⌈Turcasms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 Turcas,
ms 7 Turcus⌉The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌋, omnes nemine excepto imperatum militum numerum suppeditabunt, quin, quod Georg of Saxony der Bärtige (Georg von Wettin) (*1471 – †1539), 1500-1539 Duke of Saxony; 1496-1534 brother-in-law of King Sigismund I Jagiellon, from 1523 father-in-law of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse, Catholic and protector of the Roman faith in Saxony (NDB, Bd. 6, p. 224-227)⌊dux SaxoniaeGeorg of Saxony der Bärtige (Georg von Wettin) (*1471 – †1539), 1500-1539 Duke of Saxony; 1496-1534 brother-in-law of King Sigismund I Jagiellon, from 1523 father-in-law of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse, Catholic and protector of the Roman faith in Saxony (NDB, Bd. 6, p. 224-227)⌋ et suae factionis omnes longe magis, quam ceteri, praestare volunt et Philip I of Hesse der Großmütige (*1504 – †1567), 1509-1567 Landgrave of Hesse, actually in power from 1518; son of Wilhelm II of Hesse and Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, married to Christine of Saxony (daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxony), protector of the Protestant Reformation and one of the most important of the early Protestant rulers in Germany, one of the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League (taken prisoner by emperor Charles V of Habsburg after the defeat at Mühlberg in 1547, but released in 1552) (ADB, 25, p. 765-783)⌊lantgravius HassiaePhilip I of Hesse der Großmütige (*1504 – †1567), 1509-1567 Landgrave of Hesse, actually in power from 1518; son of Wilhelm II of Hesse and Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, married to Christine of Saxony (daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxony), protector of the Protestant Reformation and one of the most important of the early Protestant rulers in Germany, one of the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League (taken prisoner by emperor Charles V of Habsburg after the defeat at Mühlberg in 1547, but released in 1552) (ADB, 25, p. 765-783)⌋ ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 obtulit se,
ms 8 se obtulit⌈obtulit sems 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 obtulit se,
ms 8 se obtulit⌉ venturum, modo rem 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⌊caesariCharles 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⌋ gratam se facturum sciat.

Chirothecas ex his, quas Isabella of Portugal (*1503 – †1539), Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Aragon and Castile; wife of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg, daughter of Manuel I of Portugal and Maria of Aragon⌊imperatrixIsabella of Portugal (*1503 – †1539), Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Aragon and Castile; wife of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg, daughter of Manuel I of Portugal and Maria of Aragon⌋ nostra ferre solet, cum his ad te mitto, ut si forte in aula puellam ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 (ut soles),
ms 5 , ut soles,⌈(ut soles)ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 (ut soles),
ms 5 , ut soles,⌉ ambire coepisti, Hispanico munere eam allicias.

Vale.

Regensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria, on the Danube river⌊ms 1 2 3 Ratisponae,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 Ratisbonae⌈Ratisponaems 1 2 3 Ratisponae,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 Ratisbonae⌉Regensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria, on the Danube river⌋, ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 VIII,
ms 8 octava⌈VIIIms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 VIII,
ms 8 octava⌉ Augusti ms 1 2 3 4 5 1532,
ms 6 7 1537,
ms 8 anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo trigesimo septimo⌈1532ms 1 2 3 4 5 1532,
ms 6 7 1537,
ms 8 anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo trigesimo septimo⌉.

Postscript:

Dominus 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)⌊GranuellaNicolas 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)⌋ voluit, ut ad te scriberem, ms 1 2 4 se,
ms 3 5 6 7 8 si⌈sems 1 2 4 se,
ms 3 5 6 7 8 si⌉ equum ms 1 2 3 gradarium,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 gradareum⌈gradariumms 1 2 3 gradarium,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 gradareum⌉ ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 (ut vocant),
ms 5 8 , ut vocant,⌈(ut vocant)ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 (ut vocant),
ms 5 8 , ut vocant,⌉ ex vestris habere ms 4 velle,
ms 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 omitted⌈vellems 4 velle,
ms 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 omitted⌉, qui blande incedat ac firmiter. Rogat, ut cum primum erit opportunum, ad eum mittas simulque moneas, ms 1 2 3 4 cuinam,
ms 5 6 7 8 quantam⌈cuinamms 1 2 3 4 cuinam,
ms 5 6 7 8 quantam⌉ pecuniam dare debeat. Haec scripsi non ex animo, sed ut homini amicissimo fidem servarem.

ms 1 Iterum,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bene⌈Iterumms 1 Iterum,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bene⌉ vale.

Tuus, quantus est, 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)⌊ValdesiusAlfonso 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)⌋

[1] In fair copy over Viden superfluous abbreviation mark added