» 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 #5233

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1540-01-31

English register:

Dantiscus received two letters from the addressee. In his reply he refers to Duke Albrecht’s decrees/edicts/regulations concerning the export of goods from Ducal Prussia to the diocese of Ermland and other issues related to the local trade. He informs the Duke about his own ordinances on trading i.a. in hop and flax. He is concerned about the information from the Bishop of Sambia [Georg Polentz] on impediments/obstacles to trade experienced by local peasants and would also like to see the change of market day in Heiligenbeil (Święta Siekierka) and Zinten (Cynty).

The day before Achatius von Zehmen, Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig) left Dantiscus. Dantiscus discusses Castellan’s conflict with his adversary/opponent [Stanisław Kostka] and sends the addressee a letter by/from von Zehmen, asking for it to be returned after reading it.

He thanks Albrecht for the assurances of friendship. He also mentions the Danish case/matter/issue.

In the Latin postscript, Dantiscus notes that, after a two-year hiatus in their correspondence, Cornelis de Schepper has written to him from Brussels. However, De Schepper does not address the Danish matter. Instead, he mentions the riots in Flanders and notes that the King of the Romans, Ferdinand I of Habsburg, plans to meet Emperor Charles V to discuss matters of faith. De Schepper anticipates that the King of Poland, Sigismund I Jagiellon, will be asked to send an envoy to this meeting and encourages Dantiscus to accept if he is chosen for this mission. Nevertheless, Dantiscus hesitates to return to the hardships of serving as an envoy.


            received 1540-02-02

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, German, autograph, in secretary's hand, author's signature, GStA PK, XX. HA Hist. StA Königsberg, HBA, C 1, No. 628

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, GStA PK, XX. HA Hist. StA Königsberg, Ostpr. Fol., 14 320, f. 36v
2register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8249 (TK 11), f. 175

Prints:
1HARTMANN 1525-1550 No. 628, p. 343-344 (German register)
2CEID 4/1 No. 343, p. 56 (reference)

 

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

 

Dem durchlauchten, hochgebornen fursten unnd herrn, hern Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)⌊AlbrechtenAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)⌋, von Gots gnaden marggraff zu Brandenburg⌊BrandenburgBrandenburg⌋, in Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory 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), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊PreussenPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory 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), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋, zu Stettin⌊StetinStettin⌋, Pomerania⌊PomernPomerania⌋, der The Kashubians autochthon Slavic people that inhabite Kashubia – land in Gdańsk Pomerania and the eastern part of Western Pomerania⌊CassubenThe Kashubians autochthon Slavic people that inhabite Kashubia – land in Gdańsk Pomerania and the eastern part of Western Pomerania⌋ und The Wends ⌊WendenThe Wends ⌋ hertzog, burggraff zu Nuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, Bavaria⌊NormbergNuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, Bavaria⌋ unnd furst zu Rügen⌊RugennRügen⌋, unnserm hochgunstigen, liben hern und freunt /

In furstlicher ... ...t eigen hant /

Durchlaucher, hochgeborner furst, hochgunstiger, lieber herr unnd freundt. / Unnsern freuntlichen unnd fleyswyllige dienst zuvoran. /

Wir haben negst bey unnserm kamer jungen zwey briffe, / den cf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-20, CIDTC IDL 4976⌊erstencf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-20, CIDTC IDL 4976⌋ XX, / den cf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-21, CIDTC IDL 4977⌊andrencf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-21, CIDTC IDL 4977⌋ ein tag darnoch gegeben, / von Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht erhaltenn. / Uff die selbigen ( domit wir mit langen shreyben Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht nicht verdris machen ) wolle wir in dem, was von noten, / unnser antwurt / in die kurtze stellenn. /

Inn dem cf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-20, CIDTC IDL 4976⌊erstencf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-20, CIDTC IDL 4976⌋ hab wir gern gelesen, / das Ewer furstliche Durchlaucht die zufur von den iren in Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊unser bischtum und herschafftErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋ nicht haben verboten, / allein teurung zuverhutten, / den alten gebreuchen noch, / iren unnderthan in Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht Ducal Prussia⌊herczigthumDucal Prussia⌋ / in den negsten gelegen steten und flecken / marck zw halten befolen, / unnd was so nicht verkofft wurd / weytter zw furen zw gelossen, / daran wir kein misfallen tragen, dieweyl es under uns der gestalt auch wirt gehalten, / nemlich mit kawffmans warhe wie flachs, hoppen etc. Es ist aber im hollandischen und im balgischenn inn sunderheit, / des sich der Georg von Polentz (*1478 – †1550), the first Protestant bishop of Samland; private secretary of pope Julius II; 1516 Komtur in Königsberg; 1518 bishop of Samland (also after the secularization of bishopric in 1525); 1521-1523 administrator of Pomesania bishopric (ADB, Bd. 26, p. 382-385; ORACKI 1988, p. 85-86)⌊hochwirdig von SamelanndtGeorg von Polentz (*1478 – †1550), the first Protestant bishop of Samland; private secretary of pope Julius II; 1516 Komtur in Königsberg; 1518 bishop of Samland (also after the secularization of bishopric in 1525); 1521-1523 administrator of Pomesania bishopric (ADB, Bd. 26, p. 382-385; ORACKI 1988, p. 85-86)⌋ herre schreybt, / solch Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht geboth, / wie aus seiner lieb oben shreÿben / uns gleichmessig / an unnser Citizens of Braunsberg ⌊unnderthanCitizens of Braunsberg ⌋ von Braunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌊BransbergeBraunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ zuvernemen, / das wir unns bitten widerschicken, / vil annders ausganngen / unnd uber den alten gebrauch unnd wolgehaltene gewonheyt ( wie wir von denn unnsern bericht ) Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht dorffleuten bey schwerer straff unnd buss verboten, / das aus Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht hertzogthum keiner in unser lannd zw marckten sol faren, / ehr habe dan von der obrigheyt ein zeychen, / das zuvor nye gewesen. / Dobey auch disse newheyt uffgesetzt ( damit der wochen marckt in unser stat Braunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌊BraunsbergBraunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌋, der im sonabent wirt besucht, / abgelegt unnd verghe ) das im Heiligenbeil (Święta Siekierka, Świętomiejsce), town in Ducal Prussia, today Mamonovo in Russia, Kaliningrad Oblast⌊HilgenbeilHeiligenbeil (Święta Siekierka, Świętomiejsce), town in Ducal Prussia, today Mamonovo in Russia, Kaliningrad Oblast⌋ / unnd Zinten (Cynty), town in Ducal Prussia, Samland, ca. 25 km E of Heiligenbeil, today Korniewo⌊CintenZinten (Cynty), town in Ducal Prussia, Samland, ca. 25 km E of Heiligenbeil, today Korniewo⌋ auch uff den sonnobent, / der vor alweg war im freytage, / gehaltenn wurde, / des wir uns mit den unsernn vor Ewer furstliche Durchlaucht, / die in irem schreiben keine newheyt zw gestaten ahnzeigen, / nicht unbillich weys beschweren / unnd bitten abermols wie zuvor mit hochem fleis, Ewer furstliche Durchlaucht wolde aus sunder gunst, / die wir bey der zw habenn unns gentzlich versehenn, / solch bedrengm[is] aus dem balgischen uff Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht gemeinenn paursman unnd die unnsern ahngese... abzuthun befhelen. Das wir umb Ewer furstliche Durchlaucht freundtlich zuverdinen / unnd mit gutter nutzlicher zuneigung derselbten unnderthan allenthalbenn wollen lossenn genissenn. /

Was denn edlen unnsern sonnderen freundt, herrn Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌊Achacium CzemenAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌋, dantzker castellan etc. der 1540-01-30⌊gestrig tags1540-01-30⌋ von unns gezogen, / mit seinem wyderteil zuvertragenn / unnd die copey, / die wir negst Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht zugeschickt, / ob sich der herr castellan darzw bekent, / anghet, / wissen wir seines widersachers halben, / wie der zw dem vertrag gesinth, / nichts zw schreibenn, / dieweil wir bisher kein antwurt uff koniglich befhel, / des wir im ein abshrifft zwgeschickt, / uberkomenn. / Wes sich aber der herr dantzker castellan erbeut, / auch was er sich uff die cf. Achatius von ZEHMEN (CEMA) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1540-01-28, CIDTC IDL 5373⌊copeycf. Achatius von ZEHMEN (CEMA) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1540-01-28, CIDTC IDL 5373⌋ erinnern kan, / wirt Ewer furstliche Durchlaucht aus seinem eigen hantshreyben, / das wir auch wider an uns zw komenn bitten, / haben zuvernemenn. /

Inn dem andren Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht cf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-21, CIDTC IDL 4977⌊briffecf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1540-01-21, CIDTC IDL 4977⌋, / wie auch im vorigen, / hab wir Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht ganntz gunnstig erbittenn gen unnser person / unnd die unnsern mit sonnderem trost verstanden. / Thun unns auch des hochlich gen Ewer furstliche Durchlaucht bedanncken, / die unns, / mit Gots hülff, / nummer sol annders spurenn unnd finden, / dan wie die von uns bisher erfarenn / unnd aus unserm munde in gegenwertigheit angehort. / Wer ouch vil danncksagung in der dennischen handlung, / die wir etwan uns allen zu guth vorgestelt, / unnotig. / Was wir aber weytter wusten unnd mochten Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht und all der verwanten / zu ehren, / nutz unnd gutter wolfhart / ausrichtenn / und wirglich zw thun, / erbitt wir uns ane boschwerde wyllig unnd mit begird geflissenn. /

Was sunst von noten uff Ewer furstlichen Durchlaucht letzst schreyben, / ist oben mit der kurtz beantwurt, / das wir bitten unns zw gutte halten / unnd derwegen sich ghen unns unnd die unnsern, / wie unnser hochgunstiger, lieber herr freundt und nachpar erzegenn unnd halten, / auch uns aus angefanngener gunst / unnd freundtschafft, / der wir unns befhelenn nicht zu lossenn. /

Postscript:

Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite, diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊Cornelius ScepperusCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite, diplomat in the Habsburgs' service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋, qui a duobus annis nullas ad me dedit, in fine Novembris novissimi ex Brussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium⌊BruxellisBrussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium⌋ Brabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands⌊BrabanciaeBrabant (Brabantia), duchy in the Low Countries, under Habsburg rule from 1482. Its territory corresponds to the Belgian provinces of Flemish Brabant, Walloon Brabant, Antwerp and the Brussels Capital Region, and the province of North-Brabant in the Netherlands⌋, cum Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌊caesareae maiestatiCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌋ in France (Gallia, Francia), the kingdom⌊GalliamFrance (Gallia, Francia), the kingdom⌋ iret obviam, mihi cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1539-11-15, CIDTC IDL 2240⌊scripsitcf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1539-11-15, CIDTC IDL 2240⌋, de re vero Danica ne verbo quidem fecit mentionem. Tumultus dumtaxat Flandrensis et illarum regionum, et quod ad Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌊maiestatem caesareamCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌋ serenissimus Ferdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria, from 1526 King of Bohemia and Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia as Ferdinand I, 1531-1558 King of the Romans, 1558-1564 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, a younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌊Romanorum rexFerdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria, from 1526 King of Bohemia and Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia as Ferdinand I, 1531-1558 King of the Romans, 1558-1564 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, a younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌋ cum aliis quibusdam ratione religionis se conferre deberet, meminit addens, quod et serenissimus 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⌊rex nosterSigismund 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 oratorem suum eo mittat, sit rogandus, cohortans me, si ad eam legationem delectus fuero, ne ad illam graver suscipiendam. Hinc conicio, quod forsan ex composito de me in aula nostra res tractabitur, hoc si fiet, cum in iis laboribus iam sim emeritus, quantum possum reluctabor. Quod pro mea in Illustrissimam Dominationem Vestram observantia, cui me iterum iterumque intime commendo, quin in eiusdem notitiam deducerem, continere non potui.