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Letter #2622

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Gemma Frisius
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-01-29


Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, corrections in author's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 198v
2register with excerpt in Latin, English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 31, No. 420

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 14 (t.p.)

Prints:
1HIPLER 1891 No. 58, p. 565 (in extenso; German register)
2DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 441, p. 355 (English register)
3SIKORSKI 1968 No. 517, p. 134-135 (Polish register)
4Kopernik na Warmii No. 556, p. 516 (Polish register)
5RC No. 492, p. 209 (English register)
6NCG 6/1 No. 187, p. 347-349 (in extenso; German translation)
7KOESTLER 2002 p. 182 (reference)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 198v

Eximie Domine et mihi carissime Gemma Frisius (Jemme Reinerszoon) (*1508 – †1555), Netherlandish leading theoretical mathematician and practicing physician in Louvain, scholar, and tutor of Gerardus Mercator, studied medicine, mathematics and astronomy at the University in Louvain (1526), where he became a professor of medicine and mathematics, he applied his mathematical expertise to geography, astronomy and map making (HALLYN; VAN ORTROY)GemmaGemma Frisius (Jemme Reinerszoon) (*1508 – †1555), Netherlandish leading theoretical mathematician and practicing physician in Louvain, scholar, and tutor of Gerardus Mercator, studied medicine, mathematics and astronomy at the University in Louvain (1526), where he became a professor of medicine and mathematics, he applied his mathematical expertise to geography, astronomy and map making (HALLYN; VAN ORTROY).

Salutem tibi, Barbara, wife of Gemma Frisius (Iacobina), wife of Regnier Gemma from 1534 (REICH 2005, p. 324)Iacobinae paper damaged[e]e paper damagedBarbara, wife of Gemma Frisius (Iacobina), wife of Regnier Gemma from 1534 (REICH 2005, p. 324) tuae cum prolibus, et omnia fausta precor.

Non potui committere, cum is nobilis generosusque iuvenis dominus Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)Cristophorus ConarskyKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) a serenissimo 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 Austriarege meoSigismund 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 ad aulam vestram missus sit, quin te litteris meis inviserem superinscribedinvisereminviserem superinscribed, licet vicaria manu scriptis, dictaturae enim, etiam mihi invito, accessit magistratus, eo quod calamo iam a tribus mensibus uti nequeam.

Superiori anno per Euch Eustathius Knobelsdorf (Constans Alliopagus) (*1519 – †1571), neo-Latin poet, studied at the universities in Frankfurt an der Oder (1534-1544), Wittenberg (1538), Leipzig, Louvain (1540), Paris, and Orleans; from 1533 Dantiscus provided financial support for his education; 1544 secretary of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter; 1546 Canon of Ermland; 1546 Canon of Wrocław (Breslau); 1546-1548 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1548-1551 administrator of the Chapter's estate in Allenstein (Olsztyn); 1552 Custos of Ermland; 1553 Vicar General of the bishopric of Ermland; 1558-1564 administrator of the diocese of Ermland in the absence of Bishop Stanisław Hozjusz; 1559 Chancellor of the Wrocław Chapter; 1565 Dean of the Wrocław Chapter; 1567 General Judicial Vicar of the diocese of Wrocław (BORAWSKA 1996 Życie, p. 70, 103; KOPICZKO 2, p. 152; SBKW, p. 152; KNOBELSDORF)Eustachium meum a KnobelsdorffEustathius Knobelsdorf (Constans Alliopagus) (*1519 – †1571), neo-Latin poet, studied at the universities in Frankfurt an der Oder (1534-1544), Wittenberg (1538), Leipzig, Louvain (1540), Paris, and Orleans; from 1533 Dantiscus provided financial support for his education; 1544 secretary of the Ermland (Warmia) Chapter; 1546 Canon of Ermland; 1546 Canon of Wrocław (Breslau); 1546-1548 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1548-1551 administrator of the Chapter's estate in Allenstein (Olsztyn); 1552 Custos of Ermland; 1553 Vicar General of the bishopric of Ermland; 1558-1564 administrator of the diocese of Ermland in the absence of Bishop Stanisław Hozjusz; 1559 Chancellor of the Wrocław Chapter; 1565 Dean of the Wrocław Chapter; 1567 General Judicial Vicar of the diocese of Wrocław (BORAWSKA 1996 Życie, p. 70, 103; KOPICZKO 2, p. 152; SBKW, p. 152; KNOBELSDORF), cum me superinscribed in place of crossed-out mihimihi me me superinscribed in place of crossed-out mihi eo tempore ad te scribendi in multis occupationibus deficeret otium, tibi dici commisi de illa mathesi, de qua ad me cf. Gemma Frisius to Ioannes DANTISCUS Leuven (Lovanium), 1541-07-20, CIDTC IDL 2467scripsisticf. Gemma Frisius to Ioannes DANTISCUS Leuven (Lovanium), 1541-07-20, CIDTC IDL 2467, quod eam auctor, Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussiaecclesiae meaeErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia canonicus, doctor Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124)Nicolaus CoperniciusNicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124), qui is diebus in extremis fere laborat paralisi affectus, cuidam Georg Joachim Rheticus (*1514 – †1574), mathematician, cartographer, physician, pupil of Nicolaus CopernicusmathematicoGeorg Joachim Rheticus (*1514 – †1574), mathematician, cartographer, physician, pupil of Nicolaus Copernicus evulgandam typis tradiderit. Iussi et cf. In Copernici libellum epigramma shortly before 1541-06-27, CIDTC IDP 57epigramma meumcf. In Copernici libellum epigramma shortly before 1541-06-27, CIDTC IDP 57 tibi legendum ostendi, quod t(?) rei ipsius et ipsius Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124)auctorisNicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124) non vanas habet laudes.[1] Quid porro cum ea excusione fiat, hucusque me praeterit.

Tu, si quid habes in eadem mathesi a te editum vel forsan in ea, quam profiteris, medica facultate a te editum superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscusa te edituma te editum superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus, per hunc 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 Austriaserenissimi regis meiSigismund 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 Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)oratoremKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) ad me transmittas. Referetur tibi per occasionem non indigna gratia. Si qua etiam in re ipsi domino Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)oratoriKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) usui esse possis, te ob veterem meam in te benevolentiam oro, ne pigrere illi tuam praestare operam.

Sunt mihi duo nepotes, quos, sopitis his bellis, quibus orbis Christianus ubique tumultuatur, ad vos mittere statui. Tu – quaeso – me edoceas, quomodo res litteraria quosve lectores on the marginquosve lectoresquosve lectores on the margin apud vos habeat, et quibus impensis annuis se apud vos sustineri possint, in eo mihi rem apprime gratam facturus.

Mi carissime Gemma, vale Barbara, wife of Gemma Frisius (Iacobina), wife of Regnier Gemma from 1534 (REICH 2005, p. 324)uxoremque tuamBarbara, wife of Gemma Frisius (Iacobina), wife of Regnier Gemma from 1534 (REICH 2005, p. 324) meo nomine complectere, etiam si multis volueris vicibus, illique et omnibus amicis salutem dices.

[1] The term mathesis undoubtedly refers here to Copernicus’ work cf. Nicolaus Copernicus, De revolutionibus orbium caelestium, Nuremberg, 1543 De revolutionibuscf. Nicolaus Copernicus, De revolutionibus orbium caelestium, Nuremberg, 1543 ; however, the epigram of praise that Dantiscus created for Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124)CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) (*1473 – †1543), humanist, physician and astronomer, doctor of canon law; nephew of Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland; 1497-1543 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1511-1513, 1520, 1524-1525, 1529 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1523 General Administrator of the bishopric after the death of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 161; SBKW, p. 123-124) was only placed at the beginning of a fragment of De revolutionibus (book I, chapters 13 and 14), published separately by Georg Joachim Rheticus (*1514 – †1574), mathematician, cartographer, physician, pupil of Nicolaus CopernicusJoachim RheticusGeorg Joachim Rheticus (*1514 – †1574), mathematician, cartographer, physician, pupil of Nicolaus Copernicus in 1542 under the title cf. Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik), De lateribus et angulis triangulorum, tum planorum rectilineorum, tum Sphaericorum, libellus eruditissimus et utilissimus, cum ad plerasque Ptolemaei demonstrationes intelligendas … scriptus a Clarissimo et doctissimo viro Domino Nicolao Copernico …, Wittenberg, Ioannes LUFFT, 1542 De lateribus et angulis triangulorum, tum planorum rectilineorum, tum sphaericorumcf. Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik), De lateribus et angulis triangulorum, tum planorum rectilineorum, tum Sphaericorum, libellus eruditissimus et utilissimus, cum ad plerasque Ptolemaei demonstrationes intelligendas … scriptus a Clarissimo et doctissimo viro Domino Nicolao Copernico …, Wittenberg, Ioannes LUFFT, 1542 .