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Letter #6228

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona Sforza
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1544-01-04

English register:

Before receiving the most recent letter, Dantiscus had already received two others from the queen. In the first of these, the queen nominated Jan Wolski to a canonry in Ermland (Warmia). However, she had been misinformed in this matter: Canon Nicolaus Copernicus had not died recently, but rather while Dantiscus was still en route to Cracow. Copernicus had appointed a coadjutor [Jan Loitz], who was confirmed by the Holy See and lawfully assumed the canonry at the beginning of May. Therefore, Dantiscus was unable to fulfil the queen’s request as expressed in her letter of 8 November.

Wolski leads a social life typical of noble youth these days and has received his education only at the school in Elbing (Elbląg) under Gulielmus Gnapheus (whom Dantiscus has had expelled by royal mandate from his diocese for taking a wife). Therefore, it would be better, in Dantiscus’ opinion, if were to go to Italy to get several years’ study first. A journey to Germany for this purpose is forbidden given the spread of Lutheranism there. Dantiscus will ensure the queen’s future nominations are carried out provided they are lawful.

In her letters of 21 November and 10 December, the queen informs Dantiscus that she will pass on to him the reply [of the starost of Rogoźno (Roggenhausen), Stanisław Sokołowski] regarding the starost’s wife [Hanna Czerna]. Thanks to the queen’s efforts, the unhappily married woman will learn of her goodwill toward her.

Dantiscus is pleased to learn that the queen liked the little written piece he had sent her, as its contents had previously been destined for the fire.

There is no reliable news regarding the situation of the duke of Jülich [Wilhelm V der Reiche] and the emperor [Charles V of Habsburg] beyond what Dantiscus has already sent. He only receives unconfirmed rumours. As soon as he obtains more reliable information, he will pass it on to the queen.




Manuscript sources:
1copy in Latin, 16th-century, BJ, 6557, f. 396v-397r
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 61 (TN), No. 1, p. 1-3
3copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 274, No. 252, p. 501-502
4register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1544, f. 1r-v

Prints:
1SKOLIMOWSKA 2013 Mikołaj p. 351-353 (in extenso)

 

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

 

BJ, 6657, f. 396v

Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Hans Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊Ioannes DantiscusIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Hans Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ episcopus Varmiensis 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 Aragon⌊Bonae reginae PoloniaeBona 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⌋

Serenissima Reginalis Maiestas et Domina, domina clementissima.

Humillimam orationum et servitiorum meorum commendationem.

Redditae mihi sunt ante cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-12-10, CIDTC IDL 2692⌊novissimascf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-12-10, CIDTC IDL 2692⌋, quas a nuntio meo habui, his diebus binae Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae litterae. Quarum cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-11-08, CIDTC IDL 2677⌊primaecf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-11-08, CIDTC IDL 2677⌋ pro domino Jan Wolski ⌊Ioanne VolskiJan Wolski ⌋ scriptae, cui Serenissima Maiestas Vestra nominationem ad ecclesiam meam contulit, prae se ferebant non recte in ea causa Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae relationem fuisse factam, quandoquidem dominus olim doctor Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician, and astronomer; doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia); 1497–1543 Canon of Ermland; 1511–1513, 1520, 1524–1525, and 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 capitular administrator of the Ermland bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Łuzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124)⌊Nicolaus CoperniczNicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician, and astronomer; doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia); 1497–1543 Canon of Ermland; 1511–1513, 1520, 1524–1525, and 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 capitular administrator of the Ermland bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Łuzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124)⌋ Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊ecclesiae meaeErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋ canonicus non paulo ante, ut Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae expositum est, sed eo tempore obierat, quo nuper in profectione eram versus Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviamCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋. Is, vivus adhuc, Jan Loitz (Loisse, Lewsze) (*1531), cousin of Nicolaus Copernicus; 1543-1562 Ermland Canon (SBKW, p. 153)⌊coadiutoremJan Loitz (Loisse, Lewsze) (*1531), cousin of Nicolaus Copernicus; 1543-1562 Ermland Canon (SBKW, p. 153)⌋ a Holy See (Sedes Apostolica) ⌊Sede ApostolicaHoly See (Sedes Apostolica) ⌋ confirmatum sibi asciverat, qui post mortem eius accepta possessione sine cuiusvis contradictione illi legitime successit. Qua de re hoc, quod VIII Novembris Serenissima Maiestas Vestra mihi iniunxit, contra Jan Loitz (Loisse, Lewsze) (*1531), cousin of Nicolaus Copernicus; 1543-1562 Ermland Canon (SBKW, p. 153)⌊eumJan Loitz (Loisse, Lewsze) (*1531), cousin of Nicolaus Copernicus; 1543-1562 Ermland Canon (SBKW, p. 153)⌋, qui in principio Maii ad ecclesiam meam per diplomata apostolica admissus est, praestare neque potui neque licuit.

Satius esset, ut is adulescens Jan Wolski ⌊VolskiJan Wolski ⌋, qui domi iuventutem suam modis omnibus hoc nostro saeculo inter nobiles receptis BJ, 6657, f. 397r non indiligenter exercet, bonis litteris alicubi in Italy (Italia)⌊ItaliaItaly (Italia)⌋, cum in Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋ ob Luteranismum vetitum est, non paucis annis daret operam. Nusquam enim alibi quam Elbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, in Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń), represented in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌊ElbingiElbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, in Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń), represented in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌋ sub Gulielmus Gnapheus (Willem de Volder, Gulielmus Hagensis, Willem van de Voldersgraft) (*1493 – †1568), Dutch humanist and playwright; Catholic priest, later adherent of the Reformation; rector of the Gymnasium in The Hague; twice imprisoned, he emigrated to Prussia in 1531; 1535–1541 first rector of the Gymnasium in Elbing (Elbląg); 1541–1547 lived and taught in Königsberg; from 1547 until his death lived in East Frisia, among other things as secretary to Countess Anna of Oldenburg and tutor to her sons (ORACKI 1984, p. 69; PAWLAK 1987)⌊GnapheoGulielmus Gnapheus (Willem de Volder, Gulielmus Hagensis, Willem van de Voldersgraft) (*1493 – †1568), Dutch humanist and playwright; Catholic priest, later adherent of the Reformation; rector of the Gymnasium in The Hague; twice imprisoned, he emigrated to Prussia in 1531; 1535–1541 first rector of the Gymnasium in Elbing (Elbląg); 1541–1547 lived and taught in Königsberg; from 1547 until his death lived in East Frisia, among other things as secretary to Countess Anna of Oldenburg and tutor to her sons (ORACKI 1984, p. 69; PAWLAK 1987)⌋ praeceptore, quem ego coniugatum sacerdotem per mandata regia ex Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌊mea dioecesiErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia⌋ exegi, in ludo fuit litterario. Quod porro ad conservandas in vigore nominationes Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae concessas pertinet, modo legitime cum illis ad ecclesiam meam fiat introitus, nihil a me desiderari patiar.

Ceterum, quae in litteris cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-11-20, CIDTC IDL 2684⌊XXI Novembriscf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-11-20, CIDTC IDL 2684⌋ et cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-12-10, CIDTC IDL 2692⌊X novissimi Decembriscf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-12-10, CIDTC IDL 2692⌋ datis de Hanna Czerna (Hanna of Witowice, Hanna Schwarzenberg) (†after 1547), second wife of Lucas von Allen, Starost of Rogoźno; later wife of Stanisław Sokołowski of Wrząca Wielka, Starost of Rogoźno⌊capitanea RogosnensiHanna Czerna (Hanna of Witowice, Hanna Schwarzenberg) (†after 1547), second wife of Lucas von Allen, Starost of Rogoźno; later wife of Stanisław Sokołowski of Wrząca Wielka, Starost of Rogoźno⌋ Serenissima Maiestas Vestra attigit, in quibus me dignabitur, cum responsum habuerit, reddere certiorem, gratissimum erit non satis feliciter coniugatae, ut in eo Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae mentem et erga se clementiam agnoscat.

Exhilaravit me, quod libellus[1] a me missus non displicuerit, igni enim, quae in eo habentur, iam a me fuerant destinata.

De Wilhelm V der Reiche (Wilhelm of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, William I of Cleves, William V of Jülich-Berg) (*1516 – †1592), 1538–1543 Duke of Guelders and Zutphen; 1539–1592 Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. During the ensuing Third Guelderian War, he allied with France against Charles V; his predecessor, Duke Charles of Guelders, had likewise concluded an alliance with France (MÜLLER)⌊IuliacensiWilhelm V der Reiche (Wilhelm of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, William I of Cleves, William V of Jülich-Berg) (*1516 – †1592), 1538–1543 Duke of Guelders and Zutphen; 1539–1592 Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. During the ensuing Third Guelderian War, he allied with France against Charles V; his predecessor, Duke Charles of Guelders, had likewise concluded an alliance with France (MÜLLER)⌋ aliud, quam quod scripsi, hucusque cognoscere nequivi. De cuius statu, immo et ipsius 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 in 1519, crowned in 1530, and abdicated in 1556; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna 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 in 1519, crowned in 1530, and abdicated in 1556; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna of Castile⌋, adeo variant novitates, quae ad nos perveniunt, quod eas scribere pudeat, quandoquidem in tot sectarum confusione tam multa sibi contraria feruntur, ut non facile inventu sit, quid credi debeat; nempe cf. WALTHER, Proverbia 26211b Quot capita, tot sententiae ⌊tot passim confinguntur nova ex hominum affectionibus enata, quot fere sunt capitacf. WALTHER, Proverbia 26211b Quot capita, tot sententiae ⌋. Cum tamen certi quiddam accepero, quod cf. Gel. 12.11.7 Alius quidam veterum poetarum, cuius nomen mihi nunc memoriae non est, Veritatem Temporis filiam esse dixit ⌊temporis filia veritascf. Gel. 12.11.7 Alius quidam veterum poetarum, cuius nomen mihi nunc memoriae non est, Veritatem Temporis filiam esse dixit ⌋ proferet, Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram non celabo. Cui me suppliciter commendo aetatemque diutissime florentem faustissimaque precor omnia.

[1] Queen Bona thanked Dantiscus for the booklet in her cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-12-10, CIDTC IDL 2692⌊letter of December 10, 1543cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Wielowieś, 1543-12-10, CIDTC IDL 2692⌋. Stanisław Hozjusz (Stanisław Hosz, Stanislaus Hosius) (*1504 – †1579), diplomat and theologian; 1534-1538 secretary to the Bishops of Cracow Piotr Tomicki and Jan Chojeński; 1538-1549 royal secretary; 1538-1549 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and from 1539 Cantor; 1540-1550 Canon of Cracow; 1549-1551 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1551-1579 Bishop of Ermland; in 1560 elevated to Cardinal; 1561-1563 Papal Legate to the General Council of Trent; in 1573 appointed Grand Penitentiary to Pope Gregory XIII (SBKW, p. 95-96; KOPICZKO 2, p. 129-130)⌊Stanisław HozjuszStanisław Hozjusz (Stanisław Hosz, Stanislaus Hosius) (*1504 – †1579), diplomat and theologian; 1534-1538 secretary to the Bishops of Cracow Piotr Tomicki and Jan Chojeński; 1538-1549 royal secretary; 1538-1549 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and from 1539 Cantor; 1540-1550 Canon of Cracow; 1549-1551 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1551-1579 Bishop of Ermland; in 1560 elevated to Cardinal; 1561-1563 Papal Legate to the General Council of Trent; in 1573 appointed Grand Penitentiary to Pope Gregory XIII (SBKW, p. 95-96; KOPICZKO 2, p. 129-130)⌋ described to Dantiscus the very moment the Queen received it in his cf. Stanisław HOZJUSZ (HOSIUS) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Sandomierz, 1543-12-16, CIDTC IDL 2695⌊letter of 1543-12-16cf. Stanisław HOZJUSZ (HOSIUS) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Sandomierz, 1543-12-16, CIDTC IDL 2695⌋, referring to it as an Epithalamion. Therefore, it may be presumed that the libellus mentioned here is a missing edition of Dantiscus’ cf. Epithalamium reginae Bonae ca. 1518-04-18, CIDTC IDP 30⌊Epithalamium reginae Bonaecf. Epithalamium reginae Bonae ca. 1518-04-18, CIDTC IDP 30⌋. Perhaps the author decided it to be published after the wedding ceremony of Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌊Sigismund II AugustSigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌋ and Elisabeth of Austria (Elizabeth von Habsburg) (*1526 – †1545), Queen of Poland, Grand Duchess of Lithuania; first wife of Sigismund II August Jagiellon (1543-1545), daughter of Ferdinand I of Habsburg, and Anna Jagiellon⌊Elisabeth of HabsburgElisabeth of Austria (Elizabeth von Habsburg) (*1526 – †1545), Queen of Poland, Grand Duchess of Lithuania; first wife of Sigismund II August Jagiellon (1543-1545), daughter of Ferdinand I of Habsburg, and Anna Jagiellon⌋, in which he participated in May 1543.