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Letter #56

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Samuel MACIEJOWSKI]
s.l., [shortly after 1544-09-25]

English register:

He has recently outlined his position in a letter from Marienburg (Malbork) together with the Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), Stanisław Kostka, following the conclusion of his work on the royal commission concerning [the recovery of] the town of Putzig (Puck) [by Sigismund I]. He has no idea what better counsel he might offer. He did not raise this matter in his letter to the king as he was aware that the current primate bishop [Piotr Gamrat] will be present at its reading, a man entirely devoted to Constellatus [Johann von Werden]. If the said disobedience goes unpunished, which in his view it will, he will be freed of many thoughts that occur to him regarding the king’s matter. Other thoughts will occur to him if he sees any respect for the king, let alone for the Crown Council, entirely extinguished among our people [the inhabitants of Royal Prussia], a state of affairs which the addressee has himself had occasion to observe in recent times. Should a more lenient penalty be determined, Ioannes Dantiscus favours a fine of ten thousand florins. Should possession [of the town] be maintained by force, however, it will be necessary likewise to recover it by force. He considers that those appointed to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland ought to be summoned together with Constellatus [Werden], as he has previously written to the Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg) [Stanisław Kostka]. Should they fail to appear, appropriate measures will need to be taken.

Dantiscus awaits the arrival of [Peter Papuschka]. He requests that the addressee inform him and Papuschka of any news which the imperial envoy [Alfonso d'Aragona] has brought concerning his fellow countrymen [the inhabitants of Gdańsk (Danzig)]. By this means one may learn many things that might prove useful in time.

Dantiscus asks for instructions as to what the king wishes he should do with the document pertaining to the town of Gdańsk and concerning the six thousand florins left in his keeping by the commissioners [appointed for the recovery of the estate of Puck by Sigismund I, namely Jan Sokołowski, Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) and Paweł Płotowski]. The document has been seized in the king's name by the Castellan of Elbing. In Gdańsk, complaints are being made against Dantiscus to the effect that he seized the document by force. This view has been disseminated among the common people, who heap curses upon him.




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 22r
2copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8249 (TK 11), f. 281-282

 

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

 

Postscript No. 1:

AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 22r

Reverendissime mi Domine.

Consilium meum cum generoso domino Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌊Stanislao KostkaStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌋ Elbingensi castellano ex Marienburg (Malbork), town and castle in northern Poland, Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Nogat river, a branch of the Vistula at its delta, the capital of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1309-1457), a voivodeship capital in Royal Prussia, which belonged to the Kingdom of Poland (1466-1772). Marienburg (taking turns with Graudenz (Grudziądz)) was the venue for the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊MarienburgoMarienburg (Malbork), town and castle in northern Poland, Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Nogat river, a branch of the Vistula at its delta, the capital of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1309-1457), a voivodeship capital in Royal Prussia, which belonged to the Kingdom of Poland (1466-1772). Marienburg (taking turns with Graudenz (Grudziądz)) was the venue for the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ nuper cf. , CIDTC IDL 7495⌊scripsicf. , CIDTC IDL 7495⌋, postquam regiam cf. Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI Bielsk Podlaski, 1544-06-13, CIDTC IDL 2734⌊commissionemcf. Sigismund I Jagiellon to Jan SOKOŁOWSKI, Ioannes DANTISCUS, Johann von BAYSEN (BAŻYŃSKI) & Paweł PŁOTOWSKI Bielsk Podlaski, 1544-06-13, CIDTC IDL 2734⌋ in negotio Pucensi absolveram. Quid aliud consulere debeam commodius, non habeo. De eo in cf. , CIDTC IDL 7510⌊litteriscf. , CIDTC IDL 7510⌋ ad serenissimam 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ nihil attigi, scio enim Piotr Gamrat (*1487 – †1545), 1509-1518 parish priest in Wyszków; 1519 scholastic of Płock; 1526 Gniezno canon; 1528 dean of Płock; 1529 Warsaw scholastic; 1532-1538 general commissioner and admistrator of Crown lands in Masovia; provost at the chapter of St. Florian in the Kleparz district in Cracow, and later of St. Michael in Płock; 1531 bishop of Kamieniec; 1532 Dean of Warsaw; 1535 bishop of Przemyśl; 1538 - of Płock; 1538 - of Cracow; 1541 archbishop of Gniezno and primate (with the approval of the Holy See he retained the bishopric of Cracow) (PSB 7, 264-266)⌊primatemPiotr Gamrat (*1487 – †1545), 1509-1518 parish priest in Wyszków; 1519 scholastic of Płock; 1526 Gniezno canon; 1528 dean of Płock; 1529 Warsaw scholastic; 1532-1538 general commissioner and admistrator of Crown lands in Masovia; provost at the chapter of St. Florian in the Kleparz district in Cracow, and later of St. Michael in Płock; 1531 bishop of Kamieniec; 1532 Dean of Warsaw; 1535 bishop of Przemyśl; 1538 - of Płock; 1538 - of Cracow; 1541 archbishop of Gniezno and primate (with the approval of the Holy See he retained the bishopric of Cracow) (PSB 7, 264-266)⌋ adfuturum, quando legentur, qui Johann von Werden (Constellatus, cf. HE, No. 148, p. 150, footnote No. 12) (*1495 – †1554), 1526 Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig), from 1527 Starost of Neuenburg (Nowe), 1532-1535, 1538, 1539, 1546, 1551 Burgrave of Gdańsk, from 1535 Starost of Preußisch Mark (Przezmark) (1535-1540 together with Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)), 1536/1537 envoy of the Council of Royal Prussia to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland held in Cracow (SBPN 4, p. 433-435; ZDRENKA 2, p. 368-369; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 93, 161)⌊ConstellatoJohann von Werden (Constellatus, cf. HE, No. 148, p. 150, footnote No. 12) (*1495 – †1554), 1526 Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig), from 1527 Starost of Neuenburg (Nowe), 1532-1535, 1538, 1539, 1546, 1551 Burgrave of Gdańsk, from 1535 Starost of Preußisch Mark (Przezmark) (1535-1540 together with Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)), 1536/1537 envoy of the Council of Royal Prussia to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland held in Cracow (SBPN 4, p. 433-435; ZDRENKA 2, p. 368-369; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 93, 161)⌋ totus est addictus. Quodsi ea temeritas et rebellio impune transibit, quemadmodum fore existimo, liberabor a multis cogitationibus, quae in rem regiam mihi incidere solent. Et longe aliae mihi incident, videns auctoritatem regiam prorsus apud nostrates elevatam, et multo magis Royal Council of Poland ⌊senatus RegniRoyal Council of Poland ⌋, quae qualem modo hic habeat, experta est Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima existimationem. Si tamen indulgentior aliqua animadversio statui debebit, non inconvenientem esse puto, ut multa decem milium florenorum exigatur et retineatur ob crimen laesae maiestatis on the margin⌈ob crimen laesae maiestatisob crimen laesae maiestatis on the margin⌉, pro redemptione pecunia deposita. Quodsi vi occupata manserit possessio, quid aliud restat, quam ut vi recuperetur, sed in iis non est meum consulere. Non incommodum esse puto, quod prius cum domino Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌊castellano ElbingensiStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌋ scripsi, ut designati ad Diet of Poland ⌊regni comitiaDiet of Poland ⌋ cum Johann von Werden (Constellatus, cf. HE, No. 148, p. 150, footnote No. 12) (*1495 – †1554), 1526 Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig), from 1527 Starost of Neuenburg (Nowe), 1532-1535, 1538, 1539, 1546, 1551 Burgrave of Gdańsk, from 1535 Starost of Preußisch Mark (Przezmark) (1535-1540 together with Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)), 1536/1537 envoy of the Council of Royal Prussia to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland held in Cracow (SBPN 4, p. 433-435; ZDRENKA 2, p. 368-369; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 93, 161)⌊ConstellatoJohann von Werden (Constellatus, cf. HE, No. 148, p. 150, footnote No. 12) (*1495 – †1554), 1526 Mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig), from 1527 Starost of Neuenburg (Nowe), 1532-1535, 1538, 1539, 1546, 1551 Burgrave of Gdańsk, from 1535 Starost of Preußisch Mark (Przezmark) (1535-1540 together with Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)), 1536/1537 envoy of the Council of Royal Prussia to the Diet of the Kingdom of Poland held in Cracow (SBPN 4, p. 433-435; ZDRENKA 2, p. 368-369; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 93, 161)⌋ vocarentur, qui si, ut priores, se non sisterent, cf. Ov. Am. 1.4.54 consilium nobis resque locusque dabunt ⌊ex re capiendum consiliumcf. Ov. Am. 1.4.54 consilium nobis resque locusque dabunt ⌋ etc.

Exspecto cupidissime Peter Papuschka (Psit(t)acus, Papuske) ⌊ms. Psitatum reg. Psittacum⌈Psitatumms. Psitatum reg. Psittacum⌉Peter Papuschka (Psit(t)acus, Papuske) ⌋ meum. Si forte cum illo me certiorem fecerit Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima, quid Alfonso d' Aragona cousin of Queen Bona Sforza d'Aragona, godfather of Diego Gracián de Alderete; secretary and member of the council of Ferdinand I; 1544 envoy of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg to Poland and Lithuania, with the task of improving the martial relations of Sigismund II Augustus and Elisabeth of Habsburg, and persuading the Polish king to take part in an anti-Turkish crusade (CEID 2/1, p. 191; DEGGELLER, p. 38; WIJACZKA 1998, p. 167-170, 276-277)⌊oratorAlfonso d' Aragona cousin of Queen Bona Sforza d'Aragona, godfather of Diego Gracián de Alderete; secretary and member of the council of Ferdinand I; 1544 envoy of Emperor Charles V of Habsburg to Poland and Lithuania, with the task of improving the martial relations of Sigismund II Augustus and Elisabeth of Habsburg, and persuading the Polish king to take part in an anti-Turkish crusade (CEID 2/1, p. 191; DEGGELLER, p. 38; WIJACZKA 1998, p. 167-170, 276-277)⌋ 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⌊caesarisCharles 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⌋ de Citizens of Gdańsk ⌊gentilibus meisCitizens of Gdańsk ⌋ seorsum detulerit, eo habito, multa hic expiscari possint, quae aliquando usui sint futura etc. Me iterum atque iterum commendo.

Postscript No. 2:

Quid cum litteris Gdańsk Town Council ⌊GdanensiumGdańsk Town Council ⌋ super sex milia florenos agendum sit, quas domini Jan Sokołowski (Jan of Wrząca) (†1546), in 1533 accused by Ioannes Dantiscus (as Bishop of Kulm) of favouring heresy; 1539-1544 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1544-1545 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1545-1546 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 40/1, p. 131-133)

Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) (†1548), 1532-1546 Chamberlain of Marienburg; in 1546 Castellan of Gdańsk; 1546-1547 - of Elbing; 1546 Starost of Mewe, Schoneck, and Sobbowitz (PSB 1, p. 377; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 195)

Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌊commissariiJan Sokołowski (Jan of Wrząca) (†1546), in 1533 accused by Ioannes Dantiscus (as Bishop of Kulm) of favouring heresy; 1539-1544 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1544-1545 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1545-1546 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 40/1, p. 131-133)

Johann von Baysen (Jan Bażyński) (†1548), 1532-1546 Chamberlain of Marienburg; in 1546 Castellan of Gdańsk; 1546-1547 - of Elbing; 1546 Starost of Mewe, Schoneck, and Sobbowitz (PSB 1, p. 377; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 195)

Paweł Płotowski (*ca. 1485 – †1547), in 1523, after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Płotowski was one of the King's four candidates for the post of the bishop of Ermland; in 1530 and 1537, after the death of Jan Konopacki (Johann von Konopat) Sr and Dantiscus' transfer to the bishopric of Ermland, he made an effort to obtain the dignity of bishop of Kulm; from 1522 Provost of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter, and from 1523 Canon of Ermland; secretary to Crown Grand Chancellor Krzysztof Szydłowiecki, and from 1533 royal secretary and courtier; in the thirties and forties several times royal envoy to the Royal Prussian Estates (SBKW, p. 191; KOPICZKO 2, p. 249-250)⌋ apud me reliquerunt, de mente regia me edocere velit. Dominus Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌊castellanus ElbingensisStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), as a leader of the so-called nobles' party active in Royal Prussia since 1536, Kostka stood in opposition to most of the members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who wanted to maintain the autonomy of the province and a "balance of power" in terms of governance. The tension between the Prussian Subtreasurer and the Council had been increasing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Kostka, connected with the royal court since his youth, was sent to Graudenz as the King's deputy and, contrary to custom, decided to take part in the proceedings. In response to such a step, the Council members stopped the meeting. Kostka accused them of hostility towards the Poles and intervened on this matter at the court. In the absence of the then Bishop of Ermland (Mauritius Ferber) it was Dantiscus who chaired the Graudenz Diet. The incident badly harmed his future relationships with Kostka; 1531-1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and Treasurer of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544-1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg), 1545-1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546-1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546-1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551-1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌋ nomine regio eas arrestavit. Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊GdaniGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ contra me clamatur, quod vi eas ceperim. Ea opinio plebi est inducta, quae imprecatur etc.