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Letter #6229

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona Sforza
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1544-03-27

English register:

Dantiscus thanks the queen for making it possible to present the matter, whose essence was shown by witness testimonies, to the members of the [Royal Prussian] Council, as he had recommended in his letter to the queen.

In accordance with the queen’s instruction, Dantiscus conveys such news as has reached him, though it remains scant and uncertain. The king of England [Henry VIII] is raising an army on behalf of the emperor [Charles V of Habsburg], and he is recruiting at his own expense both cavalry and infantry in Germany. The king of Denmark [Christian III of Oldenburg] continues to enforce the blockade of the Danish Straits, which is causing considerable harm to the Kingdom [of Poland] and to Royal Prussia. He has dispatched four envoys [Johan Rantzau, Anders Bentsen Bille, Caspar Fuchs, and Peder Svave] to the emperor with the aim of securing peace. The matter is also to be addressed at the Imperial Diet in Speyer by the landgrave of Hesse [Philipp I der Großmütige], the duke of Mecklenburg [Heinrich V] and the duke of Lüneburg [Ernst I of Braunschweig-Lüneburg der Bekenner]. In Dantiscus’ view, unless the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon] shows serious involvement in the matter by dispatching an envoy of his own, the efforts already undertaken will prove ineffectual.

The returning defendants and mayors of Gdańsk (Danzig) [Barthel Brand, Tiedemann Giese Jr] have received a victors’ welcome from their many supporters. What Dantiscus finds even more troubling, however, is the rumour that a royal prosecutor supposedly hid under a bench, not daring to face the defendants. Dantiscus is concerned that royal authority should remain intact in a city already marked by religious divisions. He has no wish to bring harm to anyone with this written report, but rather desires his native city to prosper.

If any news reaches him once the ice has melted and navigation has been resumed, he will forward it promptly.




Manuscript sources:
1copy in Latin, 16th-century, BJ, 6557, f. 397v-398r
2copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 61 (TN), No. 31, p. 163-165
3copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 274, No. 253, p. 502-503
4register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1544, f. 8r-v

 

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

 

BJ, 6657, f. 397v

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 Dantiscus Episcopus VarmiensisIoannes 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⌋ 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 servitiorum et orationum mearum commendationem.

Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae Reginali supplices gratias ago, quod in causa, cuius ratione testium picturam vidit, se adeo clementem ad meas commendaticias exhibuerit effeceritque, quod Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌊hucRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ 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)⌊dominos consiliariosCouncil 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)⌋ sit remissa. Haec, quali affectione tractabitur, exitus docebit. Per me non stabit, quominus id fiat in hoc perplexo negotio, quod mera iustitia postulat. Creverunt in his novissimis temporibus conscientiae vinculo observantiaque religionis soluta, qua plurimi modo neque Deum, neque homines verentur, tam perversae mentes, ut difficile sit cognitu, cui tuto credi possit. In hac tamen causa, licet satis obscura videatur, sunt non dubia, quo se referat aequitas, indicia; quae utcumque aliquando opprimitur, semper tamen in lucem erumpit.

Deberem quidem Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae, ut mihi iniunxit, nova, quae huc afferuntur, scribere, verum pauca et ea in<c>erta admodum hic accipimus. De serenissimo Henry VIII Tudor (*1491 – †1547), 1509–1547 King of England; son of Henry VII Tudor and Elizabeth of York⌊rege AngliaeHenry VIII Tudor (*1491 – †1547), 1509–1547 King of England; son of Henry VII Tudor and Elizabeth of York⌋ narratur, quod numerosum congerat pro 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⌊caesareCharles 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⌋ exercitum, quodque non paucos equites et pedites suis stipendiis in Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋ conscribi faciat. Christian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534–1559 King of Denmark and Norway; 1523–1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌊Rex DaniaeChristian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534–1559 King of Denmark and Norway; 1523–1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌋ occlusas tenet Danish straits (Fretum Danicum)⌊freti suiDanish straits (Fretum Danicum)⌋ angustias et neminem per eas transmittere statuit, quod non parum rei publicae Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌊regniPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia), the kingdom⌋ et hic nostrae incommodabit. Dicitur tamen, ut pacem assequi possit (qui prior bellum indixit), 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 in 1519, crowned in 1530, and abdicated in 1556; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna of Castile⌊caesaremCharles 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⌋ Johan Rantzau (*1492 – †1565)

Anders Bille (*1477 – †1555)

Caspar Fuchs (†not before 1571)

Peder Svave (*1496 – †1552)⌊quatuor oratoresJohan Rantzau (*1492 – †1565)

Anders Bille (*1477 – †1555)

Caspar Fuchs (†not before 1571)

Peder Svave (*1496 – †1552)⌋ misisse, et quod eam Speyer (Spira), city in western Germany, on the Rhine river, 25 km S of Mannheim⌊SpiraeSpeyer (Spira), city in western Germany, on the Rhine river, 25 km S of Mannheim⌋ in Imperial Diet (Reichstag) ⌊comitiis ImperiiImperial Diet (Reichstag) ⌋ illustrissimus Philipp I of Hesse der Großmütige (*1504 – †1567), 1509–1567 Landgrave of Hesse, ruling in his own right from 1518; son of Wilhelm II of Hesse and Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; husband of Christine of Saxony, daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxony; protector of the Protestant Reformation and one of the most important early Protestant rulers in Germany; one of the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League, taken prisoner by Emperor Charles V after the defeat at Mühlberg in 1547 and released in 1552 (ADB, 25, p. 765-783)⌊lantgrabius HassiaePhilipp I of Hesse der Großmütige (*1504 – †1567), 1509–1567 Landgrave of Hesse, ruling in his own right from 1518; son of Wilhelm II of Hesse and Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; husband of Christine of Saxony, daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxony; protector of the Protestant Reformation and one of the most important early Protestant rulers in Germany; one of the leaders of the Schmalkaldic League, taken prisoner by Emperor Charles V after the defeat at Mühlberg in 1547 and released in 1552 (ADB, 25, p. 765-783)⌋ cum Heinrich V von Mecklenburg (*1479 – †1552), 1503–1520 Duke of Mecklenburg; 1520–1552 Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin⌊MeckelburgensiHeinrich V von Mecklenburg (*1479 – †1552), 1503–1520 Duke of Mecklenburg; 1520–1552 Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin⌋ et Ernst I of Braunschweig-Lüneburg der Bekenner (*1497 – †1546), 1520–1546 Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Celle and of Lüneburg; son of Duke Heinrich der Mittlere; Protestant⌊Lun ms. c(!) ⌈nn ms. c(!) ⌉enburgensiErnst I of Braunschweig-Lüneburg der Bekenner (*1497 – †1546), 1520–1546 Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Celle and of Lüneburg; son of Duke Heinrich der Mittlere; Protestant⌋ ducibus tractandam susceperint. Quae tractatio, nisi opera serenissimi BJ, 6657, f. 398r 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⌊regisSigismund 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⌋ nostri per allegatum Speyer (Spira), city in western Germany, on the Rhine river, 25 km S of Mannheim⌊eoSpeyer (Spira), city in western Germany, on the Rhine river, 25 km S of Mannheim⌋ nuntium serio fiet, cassa mihi futura videtur.

Neque hoc novum tacendum duxi: citatos Barthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌊proconsules GdanensesBarthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌋ cum magna pompa per non paucos obvios eius societatis equites quasi re optime confecta susceptos 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⌊civitatemGdańsk (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⌋ intrasse. Quod quidem ingratum mihi esse nequit, hoc tamen non item, quod vulgo iactatur, instigatorem regii officii sub scamnum se abscondisse et in citatorum aspectum non fuisse prodire ausum, velim enim auctoritatem existimationemque regiam in ea praesertim 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⌊civitateGdańsk (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⌋, ubi in religione non parum variatur, integram esse. Sed haec his pro fide mea addita nolim cuipiam esse offendiculo vel detrimento, qui nihil cupio ardentius, quam quod locus is mihi genitalis, in quo primam vidi lucem, per divinam atque Serenissimae 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⌊Maiestatis RegiaeSigismund 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⌋ gratiam cresceret fieretque in dies in omni felicitate auctior.

Si quid postea resoluta glacie navigabile mare factum attulerit, cum primis Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram non celabo.

Cui me suppliciter commendo et a Domino Deo aetatem diutissime prosperrimam et fausta omnia precor.