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Letter #102

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Sigismund I Jagiellon]
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1546-02-10

English register:

The king presumably recalls Dantiscus’ earlier petitions, both on behalf of the councillors [of Royal Prussia] and on his own behalf, concerning the council and inhabitants of Gdańsk (Danzig), asking the sovereign to graciously leave them in possession of the estate of Puck, the loss of which would cause them great harm. Dantiscus asks the king to take into account in this matter the long-standing meritorious service of the inhabitants of Gdańsk to the Kingdom, as well as to the king himself and his ancestors.

When the king resolved to increase his revenues by recovering the estate, he appointed a commission composed of Dantiscus and other councillors [of Royal Prussia: Jan Sokołowski, Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński), Paweł Płotowski], whose task was to examine the documents underpinning the town’s title to Puck, and to establish the amount of debt secured against these estates. The matter of redeeming that debt was then referred for resolution to the king himself and now depends entirely upon his decision.

Although Dantiscus was merely carrying out a task entrusted to him along with the others, he is now being held responsible for the way in which the matter was handled. He has therefore now assumed the role of advocate for the town’s interests before the king to disprove the suspicions and to serve his homeland.

Now that the matter has returned for consideration after a year’s suspension, he asks the king to show clemency towards his fellow countrymen, and to leave them in possession of the estate on reasonable terms. Doing otherwise will hurt maritime trade, which is of importance to the king and brings benefit and renown to the Kingdom and to all of the king’s dominions. Just as he was an obedient commissioner of the king, so is he now a humble advocate of his homeland’s cause, which is by its very nature dear to his heart.




Manuscript sources:
1copy in Latin, 16th-century, APG, 300, 53, 269, p. 91-92

 

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

 

Serenissime etc.

Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram clementer meminisse arbitror, quoties diligentissime et Council of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌊dominorum hic consiliariorumCouncil of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌋, et meo seorsum nomine pro conterraneis meis, Gdańsk Town Council ⌊magistratuGdańsk Town Council ⌋ et Citizens of Gdańsk ⌊incolisCitizens of Gdańsk ⌋ Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊civitatis Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae GedanensisGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ suppliciter adductis non vanis rationibus supplicaverim, ut eos in districtu Pucensi Baltic Sea⌊mariBaltic Sea⌋ adiacenti ob propinquam coniunctionem et usum, quo(?) illo sine gravi detrimento carere non possunt, pro bene meritis et fidelibus servitiis, quae superioribus annis Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊RegnoPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ et Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae maioribus multa auri et sanguinis profusione impenderunt, ne ex eo districtu redimerentur, per singularem suam regiam clementiam conservaret, quod quidem non parvo tempore successit.

Cum visum tandem esset Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae, ut pro suis augendis emolumentis eundem districtum ad se resumeret, constituit me tum cum Jan Sokołowski (Jan of Wrząca) (†1546), in 1533 accused by Ioannes Dantiscus (as Bishop of Kulm) of favouring heresy; 1539-1544 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1544-1545 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1545-1546 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 40/1, p. 131-133)

Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) (†1548), 1532-1546 Chamberlain of Marienburg; in 1546 Castellan of Gdańsk; 1546-1547 - of Elbing; 1546 Starost of Mewe, Schoneck, and Sobbowitz (PSB 1, p. 377; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 195)

Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌊aliis designatis consiliariisJan Sokołowski (Jan of Wrząca) (†1546), in 1533 accused by Ioannes Dantiscus (as Bishop of Kulm) of favouring heresy; 1539-1544 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1544-1545 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1545-1546 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 40/1, p. 131-133)

Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) (†1548), 1532-1546 Chamberlain of Marienburg; in 1546 Castellan of Gdańsk; 1546-1547 - of Elbing; 1546 Starost of Mewe, Schoneck, and Sobbowitz (PSB 1, p. 377; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 195)

Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌋ diserte cf. Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI Bielsk Podlaski, 1544-06-13, CIDTC IDL 2734;
Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI Brest-Litovsk, 1544-08-16, CIDTC IDL 2746⌊praescripta facultatecf. Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI Bielsk Podlaski, 1544-06-13, CIDTC IDL 2734;
Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI Brest-Litovsk, 1544-08-16, CIDTC IDL 2746⌋ cognitorem, ut quanta illis deberetur summa inscripta, perlectis diplomatis et litteris, quas super eo districtu ordines civitatis illius haberent, ex thesauro Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae persolveretur, unde demum tota haec exemptionis causa ad Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram devoluta apud eandem in sola gratia regia de adscribed⌈dede adscribed⌉pendet.

Defunctus itaque hoc officio a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra mihi eo tempore cum aliis iniuncto, in quo id, quod Serenissima Maiestas Vestra voluit, diligenter praestiti, licet non sine mala quorundam suspicione, quasi ego auctor fuerim, quo Serenissima Maiestas Vestra inducta hoc ipsum negotium ad eum modum transigi commiserit, deprecatoris iam ad Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram personam, et ut ea me suspicione exonerem, et ne Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊patriae meaeGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ defuisse videar, non gravate suscepi atque indui.

Demisse proinde rogo Serenissima Maiestas Vestra post decursum iam anni, quo huius rei tractatio suspensa iterum venit retractanda, dignetur se clementer Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊patriae meaeGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ eiusque Citizens of Gdańsk ⌊incolisCitizens of Gdańsk ⌋ exhibere ac pro innata sua benignitate districtum hunc modo et condicione aliqua tolerabili et quantum fieri posset relevante ipsis meis gentilibus relinquere, sine quo eorum res publica, quam semper Serenissima Maiestas Vestra singulari clementia est prosecuta, se commode sustinere nequit, sine quo etiam commercia maritima, ex quibus Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊RegnoPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ et dominiis Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae utilitatis plurimum accedit, cum profectu exerceri non possunt. Ex quibus, inquam, commerciis, quae in remotissimas se regiones extendunt, Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae et Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊RegniPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ apud exteras rationes, nomen atque existimatio redditur celeberrima. Cumque me usa est Serenissima Maiestas Vestra in hac Pucensi causa obsequentissimo commissario, ut me in praesens etiam supplicissimo deprecatore intercedente, probably Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌊patriaeprobably Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ meae, (quod omnibus commune est) vi quadam naturali mihi carae, clementem se APG, 300, 53, 269, p. 92 praestare velit, precibus quibus possum omnibus a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra summopere precor.

Cui me cum eadem Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊patria meaGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ supplicissime commendo a domino Deo intime orans, ut eandem Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram nobis diutissime incolumem felicissimamque conservet.