Letter #2372
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Samuel MACIEJOWSKI]Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1541-07-17
English register:
Dantiscus reports to Maciejowski the latest developments in the legal proceedings involving [Anna] Wachsschlagerin (Woszczkowa). Numerous prior rulings notwithstanding, the woman continues to present her complaints to the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon] and members of his court. She accused Dantiscus of partiality, whereupon he recused himself from actions undertaken by the members of the [Royal Prussian] Council, who postponed considering the dispute until the most recent Diet [of Royal Prussia] in Marienburg (Malbork) [in May 1541]. Throughout the duration of the Diet, however, Woszczkowa failed to appear before the [Royal Prussian] Council, whereas the opposing party insisted that the proceedings continue.
During this time, she was staying at the castle in Marienburg, where she slandered both Dantiscus and Maciejowski before certain councillors and many others, accusing them of corruption. She also claimed that Maciejowski had fallen into serious disfavour with the queen [Bona Sforza] because he refused to grant her access to his correspondence with Dantiscus concerning the case.
At the close of the Diet, Wachsschlagerin submitted to the [Royal Prussian] Council an explanation for her absence, citing a supposed illness. Her opponents petitioned that, given her continued evasion of the settlement mandated by the king, the royal judgment obtained by Dantiscus on his return journey from Wrocław (Breslau ) [i.e. in the summer of 1538] should be enforced.
In the absence of Dantiscus, who had recused himself from the proceedings, the [Royal Prussian] Council decided to proceed with the enforcement of the royal judgment. Wachsschlagerin failed to appear in Thorn (Toruń) and submit to the enforcement of the judgment, and instead lodged an appeal to the king. However, the appeal was not admitted, as it was contrary to the law.
In this situation, the aggrieved party turns to Maciejowski, asking him to intercede with the king. Dantiscus strongly supports this appeal, invoking the relevant laws that have been in force [in Prussia] for the past three hundred years. He warns of the disorder that will arise if these statutes are no longer upheld.
Manuscript sources:
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Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus
Reverendissime in Christo Pater et D[omine], ... honorande.
Salutem et fraternorum [obsequiorum meorum commendationem].
...rat superiori anno serenissima
Quod
Scribitur igitur a parte laesa Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae, quae eiusdem patrocinium implorat ..., ut illi strenue impartiat et nos ab ea