» CORPUS of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence
Copyright © Laboratory for Source Editing and Digital Humanities AL UW

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Letter #3243

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Samuel MACIEJOWSKI
[Heilsberg (Lidzbark)], [1547-10-31]

English register:

Dantiscus is compelled to write this letter by the issue involving [Katarina Schewecke], the widow of Georg Schewecke, Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig). Several years ago, her husband ceded landed property to her, including a passage right on the Vistula in Güttland (Koźliny) and a manor near the village of Orha (Orunia). This endowment was confirmed by the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon] in a ruling signed by the addressee of this letter, having rejected all complaints from the heirs and forbidden them from being raised again. Until Schewecke’s death, that decision remained unchallenged.

Now the heirs, seeking to bring a case against the widow, have refused to accept the sum specified in the royal decree in exchange for the estates in question when she attempted to hand it over at the land court in Dirschau (Tczew). In defiance of the royal statutes and the laws of Royal Prussia, and instead of first approaching the councillors of Royal Prussia, they lodged an appeal to the king before a notary and witnesses, despite having been given the opportunity to appeal to the proper instance.

To make it possible for the addressee to gain a fuller understanding of the matter, Dantiscus has enclosed copies of the original royal ruling and the recent ruling of the land court in Dirschau (Tczew) with his letter to the king. Schewecke was always loyal to the king and to the magnates of the Kingdom [of Poland]. [The ending is missing; Dantiscus likely appealed to the addressee to uphold the endowment and to disallow appeals lodged outside the regular procedure; cf. the letter sent simultaneously to Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius), IDL 3241].




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 319v (b.p.)

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 481

 

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

 

Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisers of King Sigismund I and later of Sigismund II Augustus; canon of the collegiate chapters of Sandomierz from 1521 and Kielce from 1530; canon of Gniezno from 1531; royal secretary from 1532/1533 to 1537, previously a scribe in the royal chancery; 1537–1539 Grand Secretary; 1539–1547 Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; 1539–1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541–1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545–1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547–1550 Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; royal envoy to Rome in 1532 and to local diets in 1534 and 1538 (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌊Domino CracoviensiSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisers of King Sigismund I and later of Sigismund II Augustus; canon of the collegiate chapters of Sandomierz from 1521 and Kielce from 1530; canon of Gniezno from 1531; royal secretary from 1532/1533 to 1537, previously a scribe in the royal chancery; 1537–1539 Grand Secretary; 1539–1547 Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; 1539–1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541–1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545–1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547–1550 Chancellor of the Kingdom of Poland; royal envoy to Rome in 1532 and to local diets in 1534 and 1538 (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌋

Reverendissime etc.

Ut has ad Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram darem, compulit me necessitas, qua h[o]nesta Katarina Schewecken (Katarina Mandt), wife of Georg Schewecke, daughter of Gdańsk Mayor Georg Mandt (ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊feminaKatarina Schewecken (Katarina Mandt), wife of Georg Schewecke, daughter of Gdańsk Mayor Georg Mandt (ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋, relicta olim nobilis domini Georg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊Georgii SchevekeGeorg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ proc[on]sulis Gedanensis vidua, premitur. Nam cum inter Katarina Schewecken (Katarina Mandt), wife of Georg Schewecke, daughter of Gdańsk Mayor Georg Mandt (ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊eamKatarina Schewecken (Katarina Mandt), wife of Georg Schewecke, daughter of Gdańsk Mayor Georg Mandt (ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ et Georg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊maritumGeorg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ eius praefatum donatio quaedam, cessio et condescensio quorundam bono[ru]m [ter]restrium traiectus videlicet per Vistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌊IstulamVistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌋ Güttland (Gitlandt, Koźliny, Kösslin), village in northern Poland, Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane), on the Motława river, ca. 25 km SE of Gdańsk, before 16th century two separate villages: Güttland and Kösslin⌊GitlandtGüttland (Gitlandt, Koźliny, Kösslin), village in northern Poland, Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane), on the Motława river, ca. 25 km SE of Gdańsk, before 16th century two separate villages: Güttland and Kösslin⌋ et curiae apud villam Orha, village in northern Poland, Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane), today Orunia, a district of Gdańsk⌊Orh[a]Orha, village in northern Poland, Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane), today Orunia, a district of Gdańsk⌋ ante aliquot annos intercessisset, quam donationem etiam serenissima 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 Austria⌊maiestas 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⌋ ratam habuit, et sublatis omnibus exceptionibus, quas heredes ad hoc citati provehant, imposito illis perpetuo silentio, decreto 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 Austria⌊suae maiestatisSigismund 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⌋ manu Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae subscriptam confirm[a]vit, ita ut nulla usque ad mortem dicti domini Georg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊Georgii SchevekeGeorg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ interpellatione eam eius heredes impugnaverint.

Nunc vero, ut lites Katarina Schewecken (Katarina Mandt), wife of Georg Schewecke, daughter of Gdańsk Mayor Georg Mandt (ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊viduaeKatarina Schewecken (Katarina Mandt), wife of Georg Schewecke, daughter of Gdańsk Mayor Georg Mandt (ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ moveant, quae cum pecuniam in sententia regia expressam illis ratione praedictorum bonorum deponere nuper in land court of Dirschau ⌊iudicio terrestri Dirsoviensiland court of Dirschau ⌋ voluis[set], eam accipere recusarunt, et contra constitutiones regias, iura et consuetudines 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⌊hicRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ nostras ad serenissimam 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 Austria⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋, cum tamen prius hos ad dominos Council of Royal Prussia the principal local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops: of Ermland (Warmia), who served as president of the Council, 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 harum terrarumCouncil of Royal Prussia the principal local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops: of Ermland (Warmia), who served as president of the Council, 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)⌋ fieri debuit, coram notario et testibus, tamen ab ordinariis non prohibiti, appellarunt.

Quo autem melius Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra se in ha[c] causa informari possit, adiunxi cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon 1547-10-31 — 1547-11-01, CIDTC IDL 6661, letter lost⌊litteris meiscf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon 1547-10-31 — 1547-11-01, CIDTC IDL 6661, letter lost⌋ ad serenissimam 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 Austria⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ exempla sententiae r[egiae] et novissimi decreti land court of Dirschau ⌊iudicii terrestris Dirsoviensisland court of Dirschau ⌋, quae plane, [quod] in ea processum sit, ostendunt. Et cum sciam Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram semper d[icto] domino Georg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊Georgio SchevekeGeorg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋, ob singulares eius dotes et virtutes, quae in eo viro praefulgebant, quibus etiam omnibus bonis carus fuit, quo autem amore, integritate et fide serenissimam 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 Austria⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ et omnes Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊Regn[i]Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ proceres prosequebatur, non opus est, ut a me hic explicetur, c[um] hoc omnibus, et praesertim Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae notum sit, quae has potissimum ...