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Letter #3290

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1547-12-19

English register:

The addressee has previously shown favour towards Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński), the castellan of Elbing (Elbląg) and starost of Mewe (Gniew), and has interceded for him with his father [Sigismund I Jagiellon]. Envoys delegated by the Council of Royal Prussia [(Tiedemann Giese, Johann von Baysen, Johann von Werden, Achatius von Zehmen (Cema), Fabian von Zehmen (Cema)] are currently travelling to the elder king regarding the maintenance of the province’s privileges, and the castellan of Elbing is among them. Therefore, Dantiscus once again asks the addressee to intercede with his father to allow the castellan of Elbing to retain the estate of Mewe (Gniew), held already by his father [Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński)] and ancestors, and to protect him from attacks by persons from outside Royal Prussia.

Dantiscus is confident that the addressee will accede to this request, especially since he previously promised protection to all subjects in Royal Prussia and the preservation of their privileges. Had it not been for health problems, Dantiscus himself would have gladly taken part in the mission himself.

He commends himself and the castellan of Elbing to the addressee’s favour.




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 334r (t.p.)

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 509

 

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

 

Regi iuniori

Serenissime etc.

Cum Serenissima Maiestas Vestra antea ad meam intercessionem generoso domino Ioanni a Baisen, castellano Elbingensi et capitaneo Gnevensi, clementem suam gratiam non denegaverit, sed eum hucusque summa clementia, qua eum etiam serenissimo parenti suo commendare non est dedignata, prosecuta sit, nunc vero tempus instet, quo de consilio harum terrarum deputati ad serenissimam maiestatem regiam nuntii legationem in causa conservationis privilegiorum nostrorum deponere debent, quorum unus etiam, dictus dominus castellanus, ad aulam regiam in eodem negotio proficiscitur, eum denuo Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae commendandum esse duxi, ut per eiusdem clementem intercessionem apud serenissimum parentem eius, in possessione praefecturae Gnevensis, quam et proavi, et parens eius fidelissimis eorum servitiis, quae serenissimis Poloniae regibus exhibuerunt, promeruerunt , conservarentur, et tandem ab impetitionibus eorum, qui privilegio harum terrarum gaudere non possunt nec inclusi sunt, liberaretur.

Quod Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram benigne facturam esse non diffido, praesertim cum antea omnibus hic subditis suis clementem protectionem et privilegiorum conservationem promiserit. Quam ne nunc abicere velit, quibus possum, submissis meis precibus, quod libenter, si hoc ob adversam valetudinem et corporis imbecillitatem fieri potuisset, in hac legatione praesens fecissem, a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra his litteris oro. Futurum enim est, ut hoc clementi suo tutamento has terras et earum incolas non solum quietiores reddat, sed etiam in subiectionis et fidei officio eos promptiores erga Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram faciat.

Cui me una cum dicto domino castellano humillime commendo atque ut Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram Dominus Omnipotens diu nobis sospitet at incolumem conservet, precor ex animo.

Datae Heilsberg, XIX Decembris MDXLVII.