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Letter #2414

Georg WITZEL (VICELIUS) to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Fulda, 1541-04-18
            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1541-09-23

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, UUB, H. 155, f. 42-46
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, LSB, BR 19, No. 54
3copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1541, f. 34r-35v
4register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1541, f. 36r-v

Auxiliary sources:
1register in English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 30, No. 130
2register in English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 30, No. 131

Prints:
1VICELIUS 1913 p. 176-179 (in extenso)
2DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 422, 423, p. 337 (English register; excerpt)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

UUB, H. 154, f. 46v

Reverendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, domino Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of ErmlandIohanni DantiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland, episcopo Varmiensi et consiliario regio etc., domino et maecenati suo semper colendissimo

Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of ErmlandHeilsbergaeHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland

UUB, H. 154, f. 42r

Salutem plurimam, Reverendissime in Christo Pater et clarissime Magnas.

Annus ferme est, quod Tuae Celsitudinis litteras exspecto, nec litteras tantum. Quae immodica dilatio, nolim enim dicere mei oblivio, fecit, ut ne quid humanum Tuae Celsitudini accidisset, subveritus sim. Miro enim fato hisce tristibus on the margintristibustristibus on the margin annis e vita sustolluntur antistites. Quo circumspectius vivendum esse arbitror. Mathias e Tuae Celsitudinis famulitio Prague (Praha, Praga), city in central Bohemia, on the Vltava river, from the 9th century capital of Bohemia, archepiscopal seePragaePrague (Praha, Praga), city in central Bohemia, on the Vltava river, from the 9th century capital of Bohemia, archepiscopal see vitam clauserat, dum illum ego rediturum in marchiam cotidianus on the margincotidianuscotidianus on the margin praestolarer. Paulo post relicto Berlin (Berolinum), city in Germany, capital of BrandenburgBerlinoBerlin (Berolinum), city in Germany, capital of Brandenburg Eastern Franconia (Ostfranken, Francia Orientalis)Orientalis FranciaeEastern Franconia (Ostfranken, Francia Orientalis) metropolim WürzburgVuirceburgumWürzburg adii, nec id mea sponte, verum reflante illic quoque vento, praeter voluntatem delatus sum in Buchenland (Buchonia, Buchenwald, Fagonia), region in Hesse, Germany; former name of the forests in the Fulda river valleyBuchoniamBuchenland (Buchonia, Buchenwald, Fagonia), region in Hesse, Germany; former name of the forests in the Fulda river valley, ubi nimirum Fuldensi, hoc est vetustissima simul et preciosissima bibliotheca Sancti Bonifacii non sine voluptate fruor.

UUB, H. 154, f. 42v

E Berlin (Berolinum), city in Germany, capital of BrandenburgBerlinoBerlin (Berolinum), city in Germany, capital of Brandenburg non discessissem, ni usque adeo in invaluisset Luterana pestis, cui publicitum obviam ire per vaesaniam populi non licuit. Discessi vero illuc et honoratus et deductus a principe Brandeburgensi, posteaquam in ea civitate tot adversa per patientiam superavissem. Iam quod WürzburgVuirciburgiWürzburg commorandi copia non dabatur, in culpa fuit maliciosorum quorundam Sophistarum invidia, qua isti statim effecerunt, ut praesul, a quo fueram allectus, locum mihi negaret. Quos meos casus, quae exilia, malim iudici Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old TestamentChristoJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament committere, quam in praesentia describere. Hic interea, dum in comitiis imperialibus de religionis negotio denuo dispicitur, demoror hospes a publicis videlicet tam sacrarum quam prophanarum administrationibus alienus. Reverendissimus Mayence (Mainz, Moguntia), city in western Germany, seat of the Prince-Elector Archbishops of Mayence, primates of GermanyMoguntiaeMayence (Mainz, Moguntia), city in western Germany, seat of the Prince-Elector Archbishops of Mayence, primates of Germany episcopus ad aliquam fortasse functioUUB, H. 154, f. 43rnem evocabit a comitiis passim opus erat Chistiano populo ecclesiastis et gymasiarchis idoneis conquiri non possunt. Tanta est utilium hominum inopia. Interim multum deperit Christianismo. Mali huius maximi culpa nos vacamus, qui nihil non eramus facturi, si iuberemur. Alioqui sciscitantibus de import intempestivi on the marginimport intempestiviimport intempestivi on the margin otii ratione respondere soleo: Nemo nos conduxit. Attamen non ocior privatus, nisi ociari est, lucubrare. Immo fit prope modum, ut dum nulli civitati privatim servio, omnibus simul seruiam. Porro de comitiis, quid futurum diuinem, nihil attinet dicere. Cum alia plurima, tum infandus Martin Luther (Martinus Lutherus) (*1483 – †1546), theologian, leader and originator of the German ReformationLuteriMartin Luther (Martinus Lutherus) (*1483 – †1546), theologian, leader and originator of the German Reformation furor, quem ex abundanti nuper in Forciminalibus suis ostendit neque concordiam ecclesiae neque pacem Germany (Germania, Niemcy)GermaniaeGermany (Germania, Niemcy) promittunt. Est immane dictu, quam saeviat, quam fremat nunc, si umquam alias, in contrarium Satan. Heu, quos ego agones UUB, H. 154, f. 43v frustra Haguenau (Hagenau), town in Alsace, north of Strasbourg (today in northeastern France, Bas-Rhin département)HagenoaeHaguenau (Hagenau), town in Alsace, north of Strasbourg (today in northeastern France, Bas-Rhin département), quos frustra Worms (Vormatia), city in western Germany, on the Rhine riverVormatiaeWorms (Vormatia), city in western Germany, on the Rhine river atque hoc ipsum gemituosis precibus et vigilantissimis exhortationibus. Dura sectae cervix et frons meretricea nihil sanum. Nec est, quod polliceri nobis multa ossimus de nostrae partis antesignanis, qui scilicet assuetis qualibuscumque se cessuros fortiter negant. Utinam saltem vel mediocre iudicium admitteret ira dissidentium. Suam quisque partem defendere. Regensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria, on the Danube riverRatisbonamRegensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria, on the Danube river venit idque non ratione, sed ... illegible...... illegible appetitu, quamquam audio, nisi vanum est rixosos theolo{n}gos illinc dimissos esse, negotio in principes ipsos transmoto. Poterat 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 CastilecaesarCharles 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 exoptatissimae on the marginexoptatissimaeexoptatissimae on the margin pacis gratia nonnihil largiri The Germans GermanorumThe Germans ardoribus, nisi praecessisset atrox illud edictum in Brabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the NetherlandsBrabantiaBrabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands. Catholicis communem UUB, H. 154, f. 44r persecutionem auguror, si ecclesiae lite non composita, domum properabit Carolus Magnus. Video, quo feratur impetu suo Lutrae rabies. Non vivit nec vixit umquam isto portento facundior rabula. Ad convitiandum atque vituperandum natus est. Virga Dei sane sit, sed quales extiterunt id genus multae. Commeruerant publici mores longe deteriora, at propterea non toleranda erat haeresis, cuius erroris efficacia totus imperii status colliditur.

Bene valeat Tua Celsitudo, laudatissime Praesul, de quo vere dixero: cf. Ov. Ep. 15.94 O nec adhuc iuvenis, nec iam puer, utilis aetas, / o decus atque aevi gloria magna tui, / huc ades inque sinus, formose, relabere nostros! O, decus atque aevi gloria magna tuicf. Ov. Ep. 15.94 O nec adhuc iuvenis, nec iam puer, utilis aetas, / o decus atque aevi gloria magna tui, / huc ades inque sinus, formose, relabere nostros! . Tuam precor Celsitudinem, me sibi habeat commendatissimum.

Tuae Reverendissimae C(elsitudini) or C(elsitudinis)C(elsitudini)C(elsitudini) or C(elsitudinis) deditissimus Georg Witzel (Georg Wetzel, Vicelius, Wicelius) (*1501 – †1573), Catholic theologian. After his studies at the University of Erfurt and in Wittenberg, he was ordained priest. Under the influence of Luther's teaching he converted to Lutheranism and married in 1524. In 1525 was appointed to the pastorate of Wenigenlupnitz and later to the pastorate of Niemeck. In 1527 he converted back to Catholicism. (ADB, Bd. 43, s. 657-662)Georgius VuiceliusGeorg Witzel (Georg Wetzel, Vicelius, Wicelius) (*1501 – †1573), Catholic theologian. After his studies at the University of Erfurt and in Wittenberg, he was ordained priest. Under the influence of Luther's teaching he converted to Lutheranism and married in 1524. In 1525 was appointed to the pastorate of Wenigenlupnitz and later to the pastorate of Niemeck. In 1527 he converted back to Catholicism. (ADB, Bd. 43, s. 657-662) Th(eologus)

Postscript:

UUB, H. 154, f. 45r

Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of ErmlandEidemIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland

Mi Pater, mi Princeps, ah, noli in longitudinem dierum oblivisci mei, qui Tuam Celsitudinem scio, non esse curae non potest. Nicolaus Wolrab Nicolaus VuolrabNicolaus Wolrab scripsit ad me perlaeta quaedam, nempe Tuam Celsitudinem ... illegible...... illegible promisisse mihi beneficentiam petitam. Eam, ut primo quoque tempore praestet tua caritas, per Deum, qui est ipsa caritas, oro ac obsecro. Misit Tua Benignitas Helius Eobanus Hessus (Eobanus Koch, Helius Coccius) (*1488 – †1540), neo Latin poet, humanist and writer, since 1509 secretary of bishop of Pomesania Hiob Dobeneck, lecturer of law at the University of Erfurt, 1526-1533 lecturer in the Nuremberg Gymnasium, 1530 visited Augsburg during the Imperial Diet, since 1536 professor of history at the University of Marburg; in 1512 attended the wedding of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Barbara Zápolya at Cracow (NDB, Bd. 4, s. 543-545; CE, vol. 1, p. 434-436)Eobano MarpurgensiHelius Eobanus Hessus (Eobanus Koch, Helius Coccius) (*1488 – †1540), neo Latin poet, humanist and writer, since 1509 secretary of bishop of Pomesania Hiob Dobeneck, lecturer of law at the University of Erfurt, 1526-1533 lecturer in the Nuremberg Gymnasium, 1530 visited Augsburg during the Imperial Diet, since 1536 professor of history at the University of Marburg; in 1512 attended the wedding of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Barbara Zápolya at Cracow (NDB, Bd. 4, s. 543-545; CE, vol. 1, p. 434-436), pauperi et catholico Vuicelio nihilne missura? Communibus studiis mittetur, si quid mihi mittetur, et publicis laboribus, a quibus dum vixero non, nullus resiliam. Existimo enim eo conditum me in UUB, H. 154, f. 45v mundum venisse, tametsi votis meis progressus non respondet. Nondum circulum scribendorum absolvi. Restat ingens volumen de sanctis et nonnullae in horum ferias contiones. Item versio Novi Testamenti Germanica eademque orthodoxa, praeterea Psalterii non sine castigatione Luteranae perfidiae, quam ostendit in transferendo, deinde Germanica quoque versio egregie dictorum e Patrum voluminibus et confutatio haereticorum dogmatum. Luterani Arctolyci demonstratorum e libris potissimum suis. Postremo succincta beneque probabilis ac firma responsio adversus omnes omnium adversariorum meorum calumniosissimos lib codicillos, eaque verbis neque odiosis neque otiosis.

UUB, H. 154, f. 46r

Quid? Ne tum quidem, ut reor, quies erit calamo, quo in Dominica vinea sarculi vice utor. Utinam tam bene scriberem, quam non pessime. Forsan exorietur, qui auctoritate pontificia cantui Romano limam admoveat. Nam turpe dictu, quot ille scateat mendis, quot exuberet nugis. Conduceret id laboris tam on the margintamtam on the margin ad obturanda sectarum ora, quam ad decorem Domus Dei. Ut cathedram in ecclesia, ita chorum correctum mirifice cupio. Tua Benignitas, iterum oro, donet egentem aliqua benedictione, ingratum numquam experietur.

Exspecto Tuae Celsitudinis subsidium per manus fidelis nuntii. Iterum valeat Tua Celsitudo, Maecenas a me praedicande.

Fulda, city in central Germany, Hesse, 100 km NE of Frankfurt am MainFuldaeFulda, city in central Germany, Hesse, 100 km NE of Frankfurt am Main in Buchenland (Buchonia, Buchenwald, Fagonia), region in Hesse, Germany; former name of the forests in the Fulda river valleyBuchoniaBuchenland (Buchonia, Buchenwald, Fagonia), region in Hesse, Germany; former name of the forests in the Fulda river valley.