Letter #3451
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Tiedemann GIESE]Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1548-10-18
English register:
Dantiscus has learned about the outcome of the recent diet of Royal Prussia in Graudenz (Grudziądz) from his envoys to the proceedings, namely, that the fundamental matters ought to be settled between the king and the Prussian councillors at the diet in Piotrków. This pleases Dantiscus and accords with his own view of the matter. He has nothing to add, especially since the addressee has already personally presented to both the late king and to his successor the compiled and written list of issues concerning the preservation of Prussian privileges and laws, thereby initiating the process of their ratification. There is still a considerable amount of time available before St Catherine’s Day [25 November], so Dantiscus will let the addressee know if anything new comes to mind, even if his current state of health does not permit much reflection on public Prussian affairs.
Dantiscus wishes a prospicious journey to the addressee and the other members of the council of Royal Prussia. Should any needs arise in connection with the mission, he will not hold back his support. If a fire has indeed afflicted Piotrków and the local manors of the councillors, this raises suspicions. It is to be feared that some undesirable events might occur, or attempts might be made to conduct the proceedings in an open field after the Hungarian fashion. It would perhaps be better to move the diet to a different time and place. The matter will soon be cleared up. On the ninth day of the current month, Dantiscus dispatched a messenger to Radom, who will bring more reliable information. Once he receives it, he will pass it on to the addressee.
Dantiscus has no other news to share except for the information that the king’s new spouse [Barbara Radziwiłłówna] must be escorted from Radom to Nowe Miasto Korczyn, situated 10 miles from Cracow, in the company of a large retinue of courtiers. He leaves it to the addressee’s own judgment to conclude where this situation is heading.
He thanks the addressee for the concern shown for his health. He places his hope for an improvement in God’s mercy.
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Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus Excerpts concerning Dantiscus' travels
Reverendissime etc.
Ea, quae nuper in Graudentz acta et tractata sunt, a meis, quos eo misi, satis abunde accepi: potiorem videlicet earum rerum partem ad comitia Petricoviensia per dominos consiliarios cum maiestate regia esse transigendam. Quod quidem mihi non parum placuit atque satisfecit. Cum maiestate enim regia multa, quae hic agi nequeunt, concludi et ab ea resciri possunt. Ubi postquam Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima cum aliis suis collegis sospes feliciter constituetur, nihil praetermittet, quae ad tuendas harum terrarum libertates et privilegia pertinebunt, neque est, quod ad eam instruendam a me addi possit, cum Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima prius illa omnia et coram superstite, et divo defuncto rege a se congesta et conscripta facunde et commode pro his terris peroraverit et iam his negotiis bonum ingressum et exordium dederit. Si tamen mihi in ea valetudine, quae non permittit de rebus nostris publicis multa praemeditari, in mentem venerit, tempore satis largo adhuc usque ad festum Sanctae Catharinae existente Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam non celabo.
Ad eam porro profectionem illi et aliis dominis consiliariis, qui cum Dominatione Vestra Reverendissima ituri sunt, faustos precor eventus et reditus. Quae a me ad eam necessaria postulabit, non negabuntur. Verum, si sic res habet de incensis dominorum curiis et oppido Petricoviensi, non potest carere haec conflagratio suspicione verendumque est, ne quid deterius subsequatur et quod more Hungarorum in stativis agere conentur suas deliberationes, vel potius oportebit prorogari in aliud tempus et alium locum transponi comitia. Quicquid erit, brevi audiemus. Misi IX huius nuntium Radomiam. Ille adferet certiora. Quicquid per illum accepero, ut Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima sciat, cumprimis curabo.
De rebus novis nihil ad praesens apud me est, quam quod nova nupta nostra ex Radomia ad Corczin Novam Civitatem decem miliaria a Cracovia distantem sub magna aulicorum et copiosa custodia deduci debet. Quorsum ista tendunt, facile Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima intelligit.
Cui me amantissime atque studiosissime commendo gratiasque habeo, quod adeo dolenter meam fert invalentiam, quam Dominus Deus, ut in eius misericordiam confido, aliquando reddet firmiorem. Eumque precor, ut Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam diutissime servet incolumem et ex hac in ea aetate profectione sanam et salvam reducat.
Ex Heilsberg, XVIII Octobris 1548.