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Letter #2354

Samuel MACIEJOWSKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Vilnius, 1540-11-15
            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1540-11-27

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, author's signature, BCz, 1597, p. 1143-1146

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

BCz, 1597, p. 1143

Reverendissime in Christo Pater, domine, domine observantissime.

De arca iam obtinueram a sacra 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 Austriamaiestate regiaSigismund 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, ut eam Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae una cum reverendissimo Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)domino CulmensiTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim) et Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)domino thesaurarioStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123) aperire liceret ac eas, quae sunt in illa, litteras inscpicere. Sed cum communicassem eam rem cum domino Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)castellano GedanensiAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326), non erat illi visum, ut adhiberetur dominus thesaurarius, ne saecularis homo cognosceret venerabilis capituli secreta, quae a prophanis ignorari satius est. Contendit itaque a me, ut ne mandatum hoc scribi facerem, nisi prius alias eadem de causa a Reverendissima Dominatione Vestra litteras accepissem, quibus suam mihi voluntatem explicaret. Quod ego, cum viderem eum legatum esse Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae et cum illa vivere coniunctissime, feci non invitus, utcumque multum habui negotii in mandato isto impetrando. Quare significabit mihi Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra, quid de mandato isto fieri velit et quem tertium adiungi cupiat. Mihi curae futurum est, ut voluntati Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae satisfiat.

De Rheden (Radzyn), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, 15 km SE of Graudenz (Grudziądz), today Radzyń Chełmińskicastro RhedensiRheden (Radzyn), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, 15 km SE of Graudenz (Grudziądz), today Radzyń Chełmiński deque domino Ioannes Stutte (*1494 – †1554), relative to Tiedemamnn Giese (husband of Anna Giese); 1522-1525, 1526 Gdańsk alderman; 1531 - senior; 1531 - town councillor; 1535 - judge; 1541, 1548, 1552 - burgrave; 1550 mayor (ZDRENKA 2, p. 337-338)Ioanne StuttIoannes Stutte (*1494 – †1554), relative to Tiedemamnn Giese (husband of Anna Giese); 1522-1525, 1526 Gdańsk alderman; 1531 - senior; 1531 - town councillor; 1535 - judge; 1541, 1548, 1552 - burgrave; 1550 mayor (ZDRENKA 2, p. 337-338), tum de Abbots of Royal Prussia abbatibusAbbots of Royal Prussia , quae sit sacrae 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 Austriamaiestatis regiaeSigismund 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 sententia, ex domino Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)castellano GedanensiAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326) Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra cognoscet. Cuius ego causam, cum propterea, quod litteris BCz, 1597, p. 1144 Vestrae Reverendissimae Dominationis erat commendatus, tum propter animi erga illum mei propensionem, libenter adiuvissem, sed plus proficere non potui, quam quod, ut in ea, qua proxime habebuntur in Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)regnoPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia) Diet of Poland comitiaDiet of Poland , reicieretur, obtinui.

Ex Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy SeeurbeRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy See nihil adhuc habemus. In Hungary (Kingdom of Hungary)HungariaHungary (Kingdom of Hungary) quae agantur, narrabit Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae dominus Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)castell hidden by binding[ll]ll hidden by bindinganus GedanensisAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326). Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)IdemAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326) etiam dicet de iis, quae nunc vacant, dignitatibus, ita ut vice litterarum mihi prope sit futurus. Quod scribit Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra ex Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)regnoPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia) studiorum causa nonnullos Wittenberg (Vittemberga), city in east-central Germany, Saxony, on the Elbe river, 70 km NE of LeipzigVittenbergamWittenberg (Vittemberga), city in east-central Germany, Saxony, on the Elbe river, 70 km NE of Leipzig proficisci, id ego, ut credam, adduci non possum, nihil enim huc eiusmodi perfertur.

De Gulielmus Gnapheus (Willem de Volder, Gulielmus Hagensis, Willem van de Voldersgraft) (*1493 – †1568), Dutch humanist, playwright; Catholic priest, then adherent to the Reformation; rector of the Gymnasium in the Hague; imprisoned twice, in 1531 emigrated to Prussia; 1535-1541 first rector of the Gymnasium in Elbing; 1541-1547 lived and taught in Königsberg; from 1547 to death stayed in East Frisia (i.al. as secretary to Countess Anna of Oldenburg and educator of her sons) (ORACKI 1984, p. 69; PAWLAK 1987)GnapheoGulielmus Gnapheus (Willem de Volder, Gulielmus Hagensis, Willem van de Voldersgraft) (*1493 – †1568), Dutch humanist, playwright; Catholic priest, then adherent to the Reformation; rector of the Gymnasium in the Hague; imprisoned twice, in 1531 emigrated to Prussia; 1535-1541 first rector of the Gymnasium in Elbing; 1541-1547 lived and taught in Königsberg; from 1547 to death stayed in East Frisia (i.al. as secretary to Countess Anna of Oldenburg and educator of her sons) (ORACKI 1984, p. 69; PAWLAK 1987) scripsi iam antea Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae, a qua maiorem in modum peto, providere velit pro officio suo, ne lues ista serpat longius, neve crescat contagio. Non parum est in mora periculi.

De concilio rumor raucus iam factus est. Omnes, quae sua sunt, quaerunt, non quae Jesu Christi. Mitto, quas Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra litteras postulavit ad venerabile Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)capitulum VarmienseErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia), in quibus tamen sunt nonnulla immutata. Quod me domini 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)consiliarii terrarum PrussiaeCouncil 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) sacrae 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 Austriamaiestati regiaeSigismund 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 commendarunt atque ab ea petierunt, ut in hac dignitatum vacatione BCz, 1597, p. 1145 rationem mei habere dignaretur, id non dubito, quin auctore Reverendissima Dominatione Vestra factum sit. Cui hoc nomine ago magnas gratias, etsi litterae istae clausae adhuc sunt et obsignatae, quod eas sacrae 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 Austriamaiestati regiaeSigismund 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 nondum legi, quod verebar, ne plus incommodarent, quam prodessent, propter quorundam invidiam, qui me tam gratiosum esse apud dominos 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)consiliarios terrarum PrussiaeCouncil 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) ferre non possent ac tanto maiore studio rationes meas impedirent. Posteaquam, Deo iuvante, voti mei compos ero factus, tum primum eas legam sacrae 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 Austriamaiestati regiaeSigismund 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, ut quanta habeam dominorum 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)isthic 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) studia, cognoscat.

De organo habeo Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae ingentes gratias. Quod quoties concrepet, toties mihi illius memoriam refricabit.

Cuius me amori et benevolentiae commendo et felicissimam esse atque recte sanam ex animo opto.

Eiusdem Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae servitor Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)Samuel episcopus Chelmensis et vicecancellariusSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)