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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 (Kraków), 1532-08-20

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

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

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

UUB, H. 154, f. 88v

ms 1 Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario, etc.,
ms 2 4 Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario.,
ms 3 Eidem Valdesius,
ms 5 Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi Poloniae regis consiliario Valdesius.,
ms 6 7 Reverendissimo Domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario.,
ms 8 Valdesius Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi⌈Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario, etc.ms 1 Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario, etc.,
ms 2 4 Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario.,
ms 3 Eidem Valdesius,
ms 5 Reverendissimo Domino, domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi Poloniae regis consiliario Valdesius.,
ms 6 7 Reverendissimo Domino Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi, serenissimi regis Poloniae consiliario.,
ms 8 Valdesius Ioanni Dantisco, episcopo Culmensi⌉

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. Caesar 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 rex 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⌉. Conventus hic Germaniae 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 Romanum imperium attinet, omnes ordines se caesaris arbitrio submittunt adversus ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 Turcas,
ms 7 Turcus⌈Turcasms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 Turcas,
ms 7 Turcus⌉, omnes nemine excepto imperatum militum numerum suppeditabunt, quin, quod dux Saxoniae et suae factionis omnes longe magis, quam ceteri, praestare volunt et lantgravius Hassiae 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 caesari gratam se facturum sciat.

Quod ad religionem ms 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 autem,
ms 3 a.⌈autemms 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 autem,
ms 3 a.⌉ spectat, caesar pollicitus est se curaturum, ut intra sex menses generalis synodus ms 1 indicatur,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 indicetur,
ms 7 8 indiceretur⌈indicaturms 1 indicatur,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 indicetur,
ms 7 8 indiceretur⌉ et intra annum deinde celebretur. Quod, si forte a pontifice ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 impetrare,
ms 5 impetrari⌈impetrarems 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 impetrare,
ms 5 impetrari⌉ non possit, ms 1 2 3 4 aliud,
ms 5 6 7 8 alium⌈aliudms 1 2 3 4 aliud,
ms 5 6 7 8 alium⌉ conventum imperii se indicturum, ut quid ms 1 ea in re,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 in ea re⌈ea in rems 1 ea in re,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 in ea re⌉ faciendum sit, communi consilio decernatur et statuatur, et interea nihil hinc inde de facto innovari debeat. His ms 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 itaque,
ms 3 q.⌈itaquems 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 itaque,
ms 3 q.⌉ legibus conventus dissolutus est. Nunc autem caesar se ad ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 bellum,
ms 7 bella⌈bellumms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 bellum,
ms 7 bella⌉ in Turcas parat. Bona Germanorum pars Viennam usque processit. Civitates liberae, a quibus vix decretum ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 militum numerum,
ms 8 numerum militum⌈militum numerumms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 militum numerum,
ms 8 numerum militum⌉ sperabamus, aliquot milia ultra imperatum militem ad propugnandam Viennam contulere, praeter machinas bellicas aliaque ad bellum necessaria. Helvetii aperte Gallis responderunt se eorum stipendio militare nolle, nisi adversus Turcas. Milites Hispani numero UUB, H. 154, f. 87v octo milia Germaniam intrarunt, quos sequuntur Italorum ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 duae,
ms 1 duo⌈duaems 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 duae,
ms 1 duo⌉ integrae legiones, praeter eos, qui nullo stipendio conducti ms 1 2 3 currunt,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 concurrunt⌈curruntms 1 2 3 currunt,
ms 4 5 6 7 8 concurrunt⌉ ad bellum tanto animo, ut nullus sit, qui domi se continere vel{l}it. Pontifex misit ad nos ms 1 2 3 4 8 cardinalem,
ms 5 Carolum,
ms 6 7 Carlem⌈cardinalemms 1 2 3 4 8 cardinalem,
ms 5 Carolum,
ms 6 7 Carlem⌉ Medicem legatum a latere cum ms 1 2 4 quadringentis,
ms 3 CCCC,
ms 5 quadragintis,
ms 6 7 8 quadraginta⌈quadringentisms 1 2 4 quadringentis,
ms 3 CCCC,
ms 5 quadragintis,
ms 6 7 8 quadraginta⌉ equitibus et stipendio pro decem milibus Ungaris. Venit ex Hispania usque dux ms 1 2 4 Metinae,
ms 3 6 7 8 Medinae,
ms 5 Medina⌈Metinaems 1 2 4 Metinae,
ms 3 6 7 8 Medinae,
ms 5 Medina⌉ Celi, comes Sancti Stephani, veniunt comites Beneventi, dux Bagiaris, marchio Astoricae, comes Montis Regalis nepos archiepiscopi ms 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Toletani,
ms 6 Teletani⌈Toletanims 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Toletani,
ms 6 Teletani⌉ et alii quamplures proceres ac nobiles totius Hispaniae, et ex ipsa quoque Gallia non dubitant huius belli fama ad nos venire. Praeterea classis nostra sub duce Andrea ms 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 Doria,
ms 4 Deria⌈Doriams 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 Doria,
ms 4 Deria⌉ exivit: sunt triremes ms 1 2 3 4 5 XLII,
ms 6 7 8 naves⌈XLIIms 1 2 3 4 5 XLII,
ms 6 7 8 naves⌉, naves onerariae, quas ms 1 2 3 4 5 carracas,
ms 6 7 8 cattacas⌈carracasms 1 2 3 4 5 carracas,
ms 6 7 8 cattacas⌉ vocant, sex, aliae minores ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 XXX,
ms 8 triginta⌈XXXms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 XXX,
ms 8 triginta⌉ praeter piratarum navigia, in quibus navibus praeter milites ad proelium navale necessarios decem milia militum imponuntur, ut in Epirum traiciant, quo Turcarum vires divertant. Turcae autem, dum vident, quae a nobis praesidia parantur, quae vires et arma disponuntur, ms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 omisso,
ms 7 omiso⌈omissoms 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 omisso,
ms 7 omiso⌉ Danubio ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 (veluti hodie ad nos allatum est),
ms 5 , veluti hodie ad nos allatum est,⌈(veluti hodie ad nos allatum est)ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 (veluti hodie ad nos allatum est),
ms 5 , veluti hodie ad nos allatum est,⌉ Stiriam et finitimas provincias depopulaturi properarunt. Ita et nobis ms 1 mutandum consilium,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 consilium mutandum⌈mutandum consiliumms 1 mutandum consilium,
ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 consilium mutandum⌉ erit. Quod, si nunc ceteri Christiani principes suas ms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 vires,
ms 1 viris⌈viresms 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 vires,
ms 1 viris⌉ ms 1 2 3 8 caesarianis,
ms 4 5 6 7 caesariariis⌈caesarianisms 1 2 3 8 caesarianis,
ms 4 5 6 7 caesariariis⌉ adiungere vellent, facile rempublicam ab hoc metu liberare possemus, sed non propterea omittet caesar, quin suum officium faciat. ms 1 2 3 4 5 8 Viden,
ms 6 7 Videns⌈Videnms 1 2 3 4 5 8 Viden,
ms 6 7 Videns⌉[1], quam maximam tibi historiam ms 4 5 8 narravi,
ms 1 2 navarri,
ms 3 narrarem,
ms 6 7 narrari⌈narravims 4 5 8 narravi,
ms 1 2 navarri,
ms 3 narrarem,
ms 6 7 narrari⌉, non dubitans haec tibi gratissima ms 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 futura,
ms 5 fore⌈futurams 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 futura,
ms 5 fore⌉. Defuncto ms 1 2 3 4 cardinale,
ms 5 6 7 8 Carolo⌈cardinalems 1 2 3 4 cardinale,
ms 5 6 7 8 Carolo⌉ Colonna caesar instituit viceregem Neapolitanum marchionem Villaefranchae, qui recta Neapolim profectus est.

Chirothecas ex his, quas imperatrix 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.

Postscript:

Dominus Granuella 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, Valdesius

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