Letter #3285
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Jakob von BARTHENHeilsberg (Lidzbark), 1547-12-12
English register:
Through the intercession of the addressee, Dantiscus agreed to draft a letter to the city council of Gdańsk (Danzig) regarding Gregorius Ludicke. He has handed it to his father, Fabianus Ludicke, who will ensure its delivery to the addressee by a suitable messenger. Thanks to this document, Dantiscus hopes that the addressee’s friend, Gregorius Ludicke, will be able to achieve a great deal. Based on the description of the situation provided by the addressee, Dantiscus believes that the heirs of Jacob Kampe(n) acted unlawfully toward Gregorius Ludicke. Namely, they had evicted his mother and Kampe(n)’s daughter [Ursula], now his wife, and also took their female furnishings. They also refuse to recognize Ludicke’s rights to the portion of the estate which is due to his wife under the terms of the will.
They have no right to do so, as they are acting against the father’s last will as well as a testament confirmed by the court. In Dantiscus’ opinion, the city council of Gdańsk will show greater favour to Gregorius and ensure that the case is not drawn out excessively or incurs undue costs. This is precisely what he requested in his letter to the council. He also assures the addressee that he is ready to provide support to him and his friends whenever they seek it.
Manuscript sources:
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Iacobo a Barthen
Spectate Domine, amice in Christo nobis dilecte.
Litteras ad spectabilem magistratum Gedanensem in causa Gregorii Ludicken subditi nostri ad intercessionem tuam non gravate illius parenti, Fabiano Ludike, concessimus, qui eas etiam oportuno nuntio ad te deferri curabit. Utinam multum illis amicus tuus, Gregorius Ludicke, obtineat. Nos certe, quantum animadvertere possumus et, si causa ita se habet, quemadmodum a te describitur, illi iniurios esse heredes olim Iacobi Kampe iudicamus, eo quod e domo matrem et filiam , nunc uxorem eius, exegerint, et illis mundum muliebrem omnem abstulerint eumque sibi reservarunt, nec hoc, quod ad eam ex testamento spectat, illi concedere nolunt.
Quo iure illud faciant et defendere poterunt, o(!) cum totum hoc contra ultimam voluntatem patris et testamentum a iudicio tamquam legitime conditum iam confirmatum et acceptum fiat, non videmus? Ob idque putamus magistratum Gedanensem aequiorem futurum dicto Gregorio et curaturum, ne negotium hoc longius protrahatur, sed absque multis expensis componatur. In eo ne desint Gregorii partibus, diligenter ab illis litteris nostris petivimus, nec tibi et amicis tuis benevolentia nostra in posterum, quando requisiti fuerimus, sumus defuturi.
Bene vale.
Datae ex arce nostra Heilsberg, XII Decembris MDXLVII.