» 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 #4728

Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Frauenburg (Frombork), 1537-09-09
            received [1537]-09-11

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 2, f. 59-60

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8248 (TK 10), f. 569

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, domine colendissime.

Obsequiorum meorum sedulitatem et officiosam commendationem.

Re ipsa comperio non inscite dictum esse a comico: cf. Pl. Truc. 885 “Ubi amici, ibidem et opes”cf. Pl. Truc. 885 . Ego in curatione commodorum meorum ac in amoliendis istis vulturibus numquam potuissem esse tam perspicax, quam fuit Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra, id quod ex prioribus Vestrae Reverendissimae Dominationis litteris per meum puerum allatis intellexi. Quamquam quis est, qui satis possit cavere istas Harpies ('snatchers') in Greek mythology the spirits of sudden gusts of wind, represented as winged women, dispatched by Zeus to snatch away people and things; the symbol of avarice and rapacityHarpiasHarpies ('snatchers') in Greek mythology the spirits of sudden gusts of wind, represented as winged women, dispatched by Zeus to snatch away people and things; the symbol of avarice and rapacity, quarum studium perpetuum est foedare alienas dapes, si non possunt rapere? In quo instructissimum est par illud hiantium cornicum, praesertim illud Gorgoneum caput, cuius horrendis obtutibus perimerer, si possem terreri. Audio ipsum plurimum ringi, cum palam debachari non audet in Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia), quod proximis ad 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 Austriaregiam maiestatemSigismund 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 litteris spem dederit de tuenda fide sua erga Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram, quod facit Graeca, ut aiunt, fide. Verum satis adversus illorum sycophantias nos confirmant litterae, quas nunc ad me Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra mittere dignata est, Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragonreginalis maiestatisBona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon et aliorum regni primatum, quibus non obscure ostenditur illos ludere operam et nos extra teli iactum esse. Itaque perspicio, quantum debeam Vestrae Reverendissimae Dominationis in me amori et tam accuratae diligentiae in stabilienda dignitatem ea, quae certe, si umquam exsurget, efficiam, ut non plus mihi quam Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae sit usui. Ego hanc navim et ipsum clavum iamdudum Divinae Providentiae commendo.

Iam ut de his, quae in manibus sunt, curetur, tempus monet, imprimis quandoquidem appetit electionis dies. Cum multa mecum confero, optimum mihi tandem visum est, vel saltem, ...cus fiat minime, utile aut necessarium ac rebus nostris magis conducere, ut Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima ad electionem non veniat, sed absens Dei vocationem opperiatur, de qua non video, quid haesitandum sit, modo principem salvum habeamus. Existimo tamen non ab re fore ad cavendas fraudes, si forte in votis, quod non spero, variatio fiat, ut Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra patentibus litteris sub suo sigillo mandatum huc mittat in meam vel domini Felix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201)FelicisFelix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201) personam ad comparendum nomine Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae in actu electionis et de rebus opportunis consultandum ac etiam super persona eligendi vel postulandi votum et sententiam dandum ac alia de iure vel consuetudine necessaria faciendum. Quod in hunc tantum casum iuvabit, ut si res Dominationis Vestrae postulet, liceat nobis adversus insidiatores saltem numero eligentium vincer[e] adversarios, ne conficiant maiorem partem Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)capituliErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia) ac temonem dirig[ant], uti expedierit. Et puto procuratorem posse etiam ipsum eligere vel postulare mandatorem, quod si non licebit, declaret mihi Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra, in quem velit potissimum dirigi votum suum, quamquam non opinor fore, ut ad ea sit confugiendum consilia. Cautionis tantum gratia haec cogitavi, quandoquidem in iure est, absentem posse per procuratorem eligere. Inter causas, cur vellem Dominationem Vestram Reverendissima absentem esse, haec una est, ne sit quibusdam curiosulis opportunum Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram aliorum articulorum accumulatione et novis sacrametis divexare. Mihi, si ad id deposcar, mandati cancellos egredi fas non erit ac iam effeci, puto, ne quid novetur.

Post postulationem (quam, precor, faustam Deus efficiat) mittentur, opinor, ad Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam, antequam ad Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia conventumProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia proficiscatur, nuntii capitulares, quorum si ego unus fuero, licebit ibi in reliquis nobis consilium inire, quemadmodum gerenda sint, sed ad conventum illum me comitem non habebit Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra, nequaquam enim id foret mihi decorum, immo neque in facultate, ob multas causas.

Venerabili domino Alexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy, in 1540 banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon; in 1541 imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome; after release from prison in 1544 he stayed in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509-1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519-1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia), 1530-1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536-1538 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, today Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220)AlexandroAlexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy, in 1540 banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon; in 1541 imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome; after release from prison in 1544 he stayed in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509-1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519-1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia), 1530-1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536-1538 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, today Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220) legi, quae mihi Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima de profectione Romana scripsit, et videtur res haec urere hominem ad hoc iter admodum (quod tamen videri non vult) proclivem. Conici[t] rem natam ex suspicione, in quam venerit ob negotium canonicatus etc. Quam eius coniecturam ego non dilui, sinens eum opinari vera. Quapropter videtur ...... etiam de hoc amoliendo obice iam cogitare iamque mihi sententiam suam exposuit per ipsum ratam fore translationem canonicatus in dominum Fabian Wojanowski (Fabian of Dąbrówka, Fabian Damerau) (†1540), courtier of King Sigismund I Jagiellon and Queen Bona Sforza, German tutor to their son Sigismund II Augustus. In 1531 he went back to his family name Damerau; Dantiscus' companion on his mission to Emperor Charles V and his successor as a royal envoy at the Imperial court; 1539-1540 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (from 1538 coadiutor of Henryk von Snellenberg by Dantiscus' patronage) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 49; SBKW, p. 37)FabianumFabian Wojanowski (Fabian of Dąbrówka, Fabian Damerau) (†1540), courtier of King Sigismund I Jagiellon and Queen Bona Sforza, German tutor to their son Sigismund II Augustus. In 1531 he went back to his family name Damerau; Dantiscus' companion on his mission to Emperor Charles V and his successor as a royal envoy at the Imperial court; 1539-1540 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (from 1538 coadiutor of Henryk von Snellenberg by Dantiscus' patronage) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 49; SBKW, p. 37) citra pensionis reservationem. Puto etiam citra regressum, nam certum habeo, si nihil aliud, saltem metus indignationis Vestrae coget eum decedere ab hoc mercimoniorum genere et universo proposito, quod iam illi affirmavi non successurum.

Confugit igitur ad hoc tandem remedium, ut Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima effici[at] apud dominum Henrich Snellenberg (†1539), son of a Thorn (Toruń) merchant; studied in Cracow, Cologne, Ingolstadt, and Frankfurt an der Oder; from 1499 to his death Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (took the canonry in 1501) (SBKW, p. 226-227; ZINS 1959, p. 431-432)Hinricum SnellenbergHenrich Snellenberg (†1539), son of a Thorn (Toruń) merchant; studied in Cracow, Cologne, Ingolstadt, and Frankfurt an der Oder; from 1499 to his death Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (took the canonry in 1501) (SBKW, p. 226-227; ZINS 1959, p. 431-432), ut in coadiutorem assumat nepotem illum su[um], filium Georgii Suchten, cui ius suum destinaverat, hoc solo contentus, ut tota actio cum domino Hinrico transigendi in Dominatinem Vestram Reverendissimam coniciatur, nam de Romanae expeditionis onere ipse curabit, quo ut se ipsum etiam levare possit, subolfacio illum apud Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam hac usurum licitatione, ut polliceatur se apud Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia) effecturum, ut decedente Henrich Snellenberg (†1539), son of a Thorn (Toruń) merchant; studied in Cracow, Cologne, Ingolstadt, and Frankfurt an der Oder; from 1499 to his death Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (took the canonry in 1501) (SBKW, p. 226-227; ZINS 1959, p. 431-432)HinricoHenrich Snellenberg (†1539), son of a Thorn (Toruń) merchant; studied in Cracow, Cologne, Ingolstadt, and Frankfurt an der Oder; from 1499 to his death Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (took the canonry in 1501) (SBKW, p. 226-227; ZINS 1959, p. 431-432) capitulum vel eligat illum vel possessionem ei canoni[catus] tradat. Quod si fecerit Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima, an etiam praestare poterit, admodum dubi[to] existentibus causis, cur Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia) potius aversetur illum, quam recipiat, praesertim pu[erum] et ignotum. Et certe auctionibus rem hanc submittere per se est turpe, fortasse praestabit rem suo Marti committere et simpliciter ad providendum domino Fabian Wojanowski (Fabian of Dąbrówka, Fabian Damerau) (†1540), courtier of King Sigismund I Jagiellon and Queen Bona Sforza, German tutor to their son Sigismund II Augustus. In 1531 he went back to his family name Damerau; Dantiscus' companion on his mission to Emperor Charles V and his successor as a royal envoy at the Imperial court; 1539-1540 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (from 1538 coadiutor of Henryk von Snellenberg by Dantiscus' patronage) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 49; SBKW, p. 37)FabianoFabian Wojanowski (Fabian of Dąbrówka, Fabian Damerau) (†1540), courtier of King Sigismund I Jagiellon and Queen Bona Sforza, German tutor to their son Sigismund II Augustus. In 1531 he went back to his family name Damerau; Dantiscus' companion on his mission to Emperor Charles V and his successor as a royal envoy at the Imperial court; 1539-1540 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) (from 1538 coadiutor of Henryk von Snellenberg by Dantiscus' patronage) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 49; SBKW, p. 37) contendere ac exspectare, quid ille sit temptaturus. Non dubito expendet plurima, prius quam serio rem aggrediatur, et ut maxime ad triarios res redierit, paratum semper et pronum erit ad illas condiciones confugium. Admonuit iam sepe me, ut hanc apud dominum Hinricum ordirer telam, verum negavi id mihi iniussu Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae integrum esse, facturum autem me quaecumque Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima imperasset. Opinor illum hac de re etiam scripturum Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae, quae quid a me fieri velit, ubi significaverit, effectum accipiet.

Denique et de Romana profectione tempus monet, ut Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra certum quid statuat meque de voluntate sua reddat certiorem. Est hic apud me Eberhard Rogge (Roggius), secretary and nephew of Tiedemann Giese; friend of Philipp Melanchthon (BORAWSKA 1984, p. 320-322)Eberardus meus RoghiusEberhard Rogge (Roggius), secretary and nephew of Tiedemann Giese; friend of Philipp Melanchthon (BORAWSKA 1984, p. 320-322), qui non detractabit comitem esse ei, quem Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima missura est, et ipse non inutilis futurus ad dispensandum sumptum expeditionis iis, quibus negotium mandabitur, sed febriciens adhuc me tenet ancipitem. Hoc quoque mandandum puto officialibus in Heilsberg, ut operam dent, quo moneta commutetur auro ad expeditionem necessario, ac praestat in hac re praeproperos esse, quam postea temporis iacturam facere et dispendium pati.

Admonenda quoque videtur Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima, ut curaret efficere, ut Fabianus quamprimum clericus ordinetur, ne irrita sit et evanida eius provisio. Illustrissimum dominum ducem Prussiae intra paucos dies hic futurum coniicio, audio enim navigia adornata fuisse, quibus ex Dania Gedanum vehatur cum nostratibus legatis, et spes est iam non longe esse a portu. Ubi huc advenerit, si rogabitur, ut negotium nostrum ad curandam expeditionem domino Theoderico Reden ...s procuratori [s]uo commendat, facturus est id alacriter et serio, verum sunt causae, quae diversum videntur suadere, ut videlicet ab illius utenda opera abstineamus. Exspecto, quid ea in re mihi mandabit Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra, nam mihi in promptu est apud hospitem et benignissime mihi affectum conficere, quae Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima volet.

Mitto Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae nonnihil salsamentorum, quibus (quoniam melioribus non conceditur) oblectare utcumque possem Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram, non quod eximia sint, sed quod recentia et novo huc missa ex praeda Scandiana. Contulit ex his partem dominus Felix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201)FelixFelix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201) noster, qui se observantissime commendat Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae. Cui non minus ego ut domino et patrono colendissimo me commendatum esse cupio, optans illi vitam plurimorum saeculorum iucundam et felicem.

Postscript:

Remitto quaecumque ad me Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra et nunc, et nuper partiario noscenda misi<t>, agens gratias benevolentiae et consolationi eius. Nam quid iniucundum possit esse, videre adversario(!)s perire oleum et operam ac pudefactos referre fructumm se dignum?