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Letter #4735

Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Frauenburg (Frombork), 1537-10-01
            received [1537]-10-03

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 2, f. 69 + f. 1 missed in numbering

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8248 (TK 10), f. 601

 

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus Excerpts concerning Dantiscus' travels

 

AAWO, AB, D. 2, f. 69r

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, domine colendissime observandissimeque.

Servitiorum meorum commendationem cum imprecatione omnis felicitatis faventisque numinis.

Scripseram ad Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram datis litteris cuidam, qui eas Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the right bank of the Vistula, alternating with Marienburg (Malbork), it was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊GrudentiumGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the right bank of the Vistula, alternating with Marienburg (Malbork), it was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ ex Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Baltic Sea, at the mouth of the Vistula on the Bay of Gdańsk, the largest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Thorn (Toruń) and Elbing (Elbląg); represented in the Council of Royal Prussia and a member of the Hanseatic League⌊GedanoGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Baltic Sea, at the mouth of the Vistula on the Bay of Gdańsk, the largest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Thorn (Toruń) and Elbing (Elbląg); represented in the Council of Royal Prussia and a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ mitti curaret. Is ex itinere renuntiavit eas litteras lapsa carpenti sibi forte excidisse ac periisse, quod me incaute pleraque scribentem vehementer afflixit, ac ad repetendae cantilenae dispendium cogit. Venerat in mentem Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram in transmittendo auro Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌊RomamRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌋ posse hoc compendio uti, ut dominus Iustus Ludovicus Decius (Justus Ludwik Decjusz, Jost Ludwig Dietz, Iodocus Decius) (*ca. 1485 – †1545), merchant, historian, reformer of the Polish monetary system; ennobled in 1519; 1520-1524 royal secretary; 1528 Cracow town councillor; 1528 alderman in Piotrków; 1526-1535 administrator of the royal mint in Königsberg; 1528-1535 administrator of the royal mint in Thorn; 1530-1540 administrator of the royal mint in Cracow; 1519, 1520, 1522, 1523-1524 - royal envoy to Italy (PSB 5, p. 42-45; WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 250-251; NOGA, p. 304)⌊Iostus DeciusIustus Ludovicus Decius (Justus Ludwik Decjusz, Jost Ludwig Dietz, Iodocus Decius) (*ca. 1485 – †1545), merchant, historian, reformer of the Polish monetary system; ennobled in 1519; 1520-1524 royal secretary; 1528 Cracow town councillor; 1528 alderman in Piotrków; 1526-1535 administrator of the royal mint in Königsberg; 1528-1535 administrator of the royal mint in Thorn; 1530-1540 administrator of the royal mint in Cracow; 1519, 1520, 1522, 1523-1524 - royal envoy to Italy (PSB 5, p. 42-45; WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 250-251; NOGA, p. 304)⌋ numeratam factoribus suis hic in Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania, and Livonia. From 1466 it was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici), comprising the remnants of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525 the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), thereafter known as Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). By the Treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊PrussiaPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania, and Livonia. From 1466 it was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici), comprising the remnants of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525 the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), thereafter known as Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). By the Treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋ pecuniam (quod arbitrabar ei etiam usui fore) illic Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviaeCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ aut Wrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in Silesia, on the Oder river, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs, today in southwestern Poland⌊VratislaviaeWrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in Silesia, on the Oder river, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs, today in southwestern Poland⌋ The Fuggers a prominent Augsburg merchant-banking family active in international trade and finance in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries⌊FucharorumThe Fuggers a prominent Augsburg merchant-banking family active in international trade and finance in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries⌋ factoribus in auro reponeret, quod cum putarem ab amico facile impetrari posse on the margin⌈posseposse on the margin⌉, admonere eius consilii Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra placuit, si forte et ipsi accideret, sed postea succurrit audisse me a 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 and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌊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 and banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon in 1540; imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome in 1541; after his release in 1544, he remained in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509–1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519–1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1529–1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536–1540 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, now Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220; BORAWSKA 2023, p. 537-538)⌋ Cracoviae aureum Ungarum XLVI grossis commutari et Georg Hegel (†1547), the Thurzons' and later the Fuggers' factor in Cracow (worked for the Fuggers at least from 1521); supplier to the royal court in Cracow (PSB 9, p. 336)⌊Georgium HegelGeorg Hegel (†1547), the Thurzons' and later the Fuggers' factor in Cracow (worked for the Fuggers at least from 1521); supplier to the royal court in Cracow (PSB 9, p. 336)⌋ nolle hunc apud se minori redimi. Erit igitur Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae haec ex suo commodo expendere ac, quod optimum est, prosequi.

Pro mea expeditione aurum mihi est ad manum, sed in transcribendo illo res non ita prompta, qua in re utar consilio Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae. Quod per hunc servitorem Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra scribens iubet, ut ex Heilsberg (Lidzbark, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland, now Lidzbark Warmiński⌊HeilsbergoHeilsberg (Lidzbark, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland, now Lidzbark Warmiński⌋ pecunia ad se Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊LubaviamLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋ perferatur, efficiam, ut fiat, quamprimum accepero, quo tempore mihi sit veniendum. Male neglectum est rogari a nobis 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⌊s(acram) or s(erenissimam)⌈s(acram)s(acram) or s(erenissimam)⌉ regiam 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⌋, ut intercederet apud Paul III (Alessandro Farnese) (*1468 – †1549), 1493 elevated to cardinal; 1524 Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia; 1534-1549 Pope⌊summum pontificemPaul III (Alessandro Farnese) (*1468 – †1549), 1493 elevated to cardinal; 1524 Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia; 1534-1549 Pope⌋, quo gratia nobis fieret in taxa expeditionum nostrarum, nam audio id hoc tempore non esse difficile impetratu, praesertim addenti metum non bene cessurae repulsae. Revaliensis et Osiliensis electi non magno negotio papam ad falcidiam ex dimidio ferendam compulerunt. Nobis ad eam postulandam praerogativam causae adsunt non inferiores illis facultates superinscribed⌈facultatesfacultates superinscribed⌉, posessiones ecclesiarum bello attenuatae, circumstans The Lutherans ⌊LutheranorumThe Lutherans ⌋ metus, vulgaris indignatio de tanta ecclesiarum expilatione et, quod ad me peculiariter attinet, taxae modus rem veram excedens, et in quo fraudem passa est ecclesia. Erunt ad id non dubito 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⌊regiae maiestatiSigismund 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⌋ aliae quoque occasiones ex actionibus nuper his de rebus cum pontifice habitis, qui quoniam in his, ut audio, fuit obstinatior, nunc ad gratiam impertiendam, quam aliis fecit, facilius, spero, flectetur. In quo, quid in istis nuper expeditionibus ecclesiarum Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊regniPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ obtentum sit, esset nosse operepretium.

Haec et quaecumque alia in rem nostram erunt argumenta facile colliget reverendissimus dominus Jan Chojeński (*1486 – †1538), 1523 royal secretary, 1526-1537 Grand Secretary; 1531-1535 Bishop of Przemyśl, 1535-1537 Bishop of Płock, 1537-1538 Bishop of Cracow, 1537-1538 Grand Chancellor of the Crown (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248-249; PSB 3, p. 396-399)⌊episcopus CracoviensisJan Chojeński (*1486 – †1538), 1523 royal secretary, 1526-1537 Grand Secretary; 1531-1535 Bishop of Przemyśl, 1535-1537 Bishop of Płock, 1537-1538 Bishop of Cracow, 1537-1538 Grand Chancellor of the Crown (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 248-249; PSB 3, p. 396-399)⌋, quem ad impetrandas has intercessorias litteras Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima precibus pulsare velit quamprimum, ut illas saltem nuntius Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌊RomamRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌋ mittendus, si cum hoc primo decreto postulationis mitti non possunt, secum perferat. De quo etiam dominum Dietrich von Rheden (Teodoryk Reden) (*1492 – †1556), doctor of both canon and civil law. Rheden spent most of his life in Rome where he was dealing with, among other things, the affairs of the Ermland Chapter; 1532-1551 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); Canon of Mainz and Lübeck; in 1551 he was appointed Bishop of Lübeck, but he did not accept the dignity (KOPICZKO 2, p. 263; SBKW, p. 200)⌊TheodericumDietrich von Rheden (Teodoryk Reden) (*1492 – †1556), doctor of both canon and civil law. Rheden spent most of his life in Rome where he was dealing with, among other things, the affairs of the Ermland Chapter; 1532-1551 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); Canon of Mainz and Lübeck; in 1551 he was appointed Bishop of Lübeck, but he did not accept the dignity (KOPICZKO 2, p. 263; SBKW, p. 200)⌋ Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima litteris admoneat, necesse est.

AAWO, ABD2, f. 69v

Nobilis quidam Georg Sagk (Georg Sack) (†after 1547-08-22), subject of Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 230, 850, 904-906, 1096, 1098; RH-D 1/3, No. 20894, 20908, 21014, 22485, 24050, 24092, 24434, 24633, 24656, 26753)⌊Georgius SackGeorg Sagk (Georg Sack) (†after 1547-08-22), subject of Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 230, 850, 904-906, 1096, 1098; RH-D 1/3, No. 20894, 20908, 21014, 22485, 24050, 24092, 24434, 24633, 24656, 26753)⌋, Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capituli nostriErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ vasallus sub illustrissimo Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 until his death Duke in Prussia as a vassal of the Polish king; son of Frederick V of Brandenburg-Ansbach the Elder and Sophia Jagiellon, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon; nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the University of Königsberg, 1544⌊Prussiae duceAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 until his death Duke in Prussia as a vassal of the Polish king; son of Frederick V of Brandenburg-Ansbach the Elder and Sophia Jagiellon, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon; nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the University of Königsberg, 1544⌋ habitans, homo mire pertinax et, ut uno verbo dicam, Materniani olim sodalicii, admodum est capitulo nostro molestus, motis actionibus seu verius tricis vanissimis nec satis eum decentibus. In quibus quoniam illi nuper non successit, est opinio est illum ad 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)⌊dominorum consiliariorumCouncil 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)⌋ in hoc conventu congregatorum iudicium aut opem suffigiturum esse, habet enim inter hos (ne plus dicam), quibus confidit. Non est autem mihi opinabile dominos sibi sumpturos esse iudicium in Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ coram iudice suo ordinario, id est episcopo suo nondum conventum, qui saltus utique iure licitus non est. Quare rogat Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊venerabile capitulumErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋, si Georg Sagk (Georg Sack) (†after 1547-08-22), subject of Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 230, 850, 904-906, 1096, 1098; RH-D 1/3, No. 20894, 20908, 21014, 22485, 24050, 24092, 24434, 24633, 24656, 26753)⌊illeGeorg Sagk (Georg Sack) (†after 1547-08-22), subject of Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 230, 850, 904-906, 1096, 1098; RH-D 1/3, No. 20894, 20908, 21014, 22485, 24050, 24092, 24434, 24633, 24656, 26753)⌋ petitor aut accusator comparebit, Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima, cuius etiam iam interest, dignetur efficere, ut ad iudicem Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊capituliErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋ immediatum remittatur audiendus. Est vero etiam hoc, quod hactenus maxime est vitatum, diligenter cavendum, ne pronum sit cuique nos ecclesiasticos in hoc saeculare iudicium trahere, quod conantur plerique, et facile usuveniet admissis exemplis.

Mitto Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae formulam faciendae constitutionis procuratoriae, cuius instrumentum mittendum est in Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌊urbemRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌋ expeditioni necessarium, facio autem istud nunc, arbitratus Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram facilius Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the right bank of the Vistula, alternating with Marienburg (Malbork), it was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊isticGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the right bank of the Vistula, alternating with Marienburg (Malbork), it was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ inventuram quam Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊LubaviaeLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋ inventuram notarium, cuius manus Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌊RomaeRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the River Tiber, seat of the Holy See⌋ sit cognita, deinde ut mature curaret hoc instrumentum confici, nequid morae postea, cum convenerimus, sit impendendum accelerantibus.

Famulus hic ait, sibi imperatum a Reverendissima Dominatione Vestra superinscribed⌈Dominatione VestraDominatione Vestra superinscribed⌉, ut ad se Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the right bank of the Vistula, alternating with Marienburg (Malbork), it was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊GrudentiumGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the right bank of the Vistula, alternating with Marienburg (Malbork), it was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ recta pergeret, si quid a me afferret litterarum. Hanc occasionem nactus latius scripsi, rogans Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra indulgenter ferre velit interpellantem, vel potius obturbantem in istis publicis consultationibus, quae ut commodo salubrique ac cito eventu exeant, Deum precor. Qui et Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram servet incolumem mihique gratiosam ac hidden by binding⌈[ac]ac hidden by binding⌉ benevolentem.