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Letter #330

Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Fraga, 1527-04-12

English register:

De Schepper reassures Dantiscus that he is looking after the Chancellor [Mercurino Gattinara] during the journey. He caught up with the Chancellor [who left court for Italy at the end of March]. The Chancellor is generally lauded by the Spanish and their confidence in him is so great that some even blame De Schepper for advising his journey to Italy.

De Schepper comments on political and diplomatic issues, and on the career of some persons at the imperial court.

They have been in Zaragoza and they have now reached the place that witnessed the Battle of Lerida which took place between the armies of Caesar and Pompey. They will celebrate Palm Sunday in Lerida, from where De Schepper will write a more copious letter.

He asks Dantiscus to keep him informed about the situation at court.


            received Valladolid, [1527]-04-28

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, BCz, 243, p. 75-76

Auxiliary sources:
1register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8245 (TK 7), f. 432

Prints:
1AT 9 (2nd ed.) No. 123, p. 126-127 (in extenso)
2CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 6) p. 64-66 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

BCz, 243 p. 76

Magnifico et exc(ellentissimo) or exc(ellenti)exc(ellentissimo)exc(ellentissimo) or exc(ellenti) Domino Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes 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 ErmlandIoanni DantiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes 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, 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 Austriaregiae maiestatis PoloniaeSigismund 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 sacram 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 Castilecaesaream maiestatemCharles 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 oratori etc., domino et patri meo observandissimo

BCz, 243 p. 75

Salutem.

Credere potes me nihil operae diligentiaeque omisissem, quo meum ass written over eess written over eequerer plus quam ms. plusquam(!) plus quamplus quam ms. plusquam(!) parentem. Quarto die ab incepto itinere prehendi iam lassatum itineratione, vegetum tamen Mercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80)senemMercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80). Mirari orig. MyrariMirariMirari orig. Myrari possis, quantis omnium plausibus excipiatur. In Mercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80)eoMercurino Arborio di Gattinara (*1465 – †1530), humanist, jurist, trusted and influential advisor to Charles V; 1501 entered the service of the Habsburgs as legal counsel to Duchess Margaret of Austria, 1504 advisor and President of the Privy Council of Margaret of Austria, after the governoship of the Netherlands was entrusted to her, 1518 Grand Chancellor of Castile and later of Charles V as Roman Emperor, 1529 Cardinal of St. Giovanni a Porta Latina (after the death of his wife, Andreetta Avogadro) (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 12; CE, vol. 2, p. 76-80) omnem et totam Spain (Hispania)HispaniarumSpain (Hispania) spem positam locatamque esse uno passim omnes ore conclamant. Equidem misereor huius candoris eo provecti, ut non desint, qui illius prudentiae, cum alias nequeant, hoc modo detrahant tamquam orig. tanquamtamquamtamquam orig. tanquam meis ille consiliis iter hoc inchoarit. Sed ego quidem facile patiar cf. Ter. Eu. 381 At enim istaec in me cudetur faba hanc in me fabam coniectam essecf. Ter. Eu. 381 At enim istaec in me cudetur faba , quippe qui adversus tales insultus animo sum plus quam ms. plusquam(!) plus quamplus quam ms. plusquam(!) intrepido.

Vicecancellarius encrypted Balthasar Merklin von Waldkirch (*ca. 1479 – †1531), 1500 doctor of canon law at the University of Bologna; councillor at the imperial courts of Maximilian I and Charles V, 1527-1531 Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, 1527-1531 titular Bishop of Malta, Bishop of Hildesheim (confirmed in 1530) and coadjutor of the Bishop of Constance (confirmed in 1530) (NDB, Bd. 1, p. 566-567)VicecancellariusBalthasar Merklin von Waldkirch (*ca. 1479 – †1531), 1500 doctor of canon law at the University of Bologna; councillor at the imperial courts of Maximilian I and Charles V, 1527-1531 Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, 1527-1531 titular Bishop of Malta, Bishop of Hildesheim (confirmed in 1530) and coadjutor of the Bishop of Constance (confirmed in 1530) (NDB, Bd. 1, p. 566-567)Vicecancellarius encrypted ,[1] quem semper habuit, tandem animum explicavit. Mirabere et hoc, quanto Balthasar Merklin von Waldkirch (*ca. 1479 – †1531), 1500 doctor of canon law at the University of Bologna; councillor at the imperial courts of Maximilian I and Charles V, 1527-1531 Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, 1527-1531 titular Bishop of Malta, Bishop of Hildesheim (confirmed in 1530) and coadjutor of the Bishop of Constance (confirmed in 1530) (NDB, Bd. 1, p. 566-567)illeBalthasar Merklin von Waldkirch (*ca. 1479 – †1531), 1500 doctor of canon law at the University of Bologna; councillor at the imperial courts of Maximilian I and Charles V, 1527-1531 Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, 1527-1531 titular Bishop of Malta, Bishop of Hildesheim (confirmed in 1530) and coadjutor of the Bishop of Constance (confirmed in 1530) (NDB, Bd. 1, p. 566-567) apparatu ostentationeque hactenus occultarit virus id, virulentissimus homo. Dabitur id saeculo orig. seculosaeculosaeculo orig. seculo huic saneque infelici orig. infoeliciinfeliciinfelici orig. infoelici. Lalmant encrypted Jean Lalemand (Ioannes Alemanus) (*1470 – †1560), friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam, adherent of Charles de Lannoy, Viceroy of Naples, personal enemy of Alfonso de Valdés, whom he charged with Lutheranism on the basis of his work "Dialogo de las cosas ocurridas en Roma"; secretary to Charles V, in December 1528 accused of betrayal and imprisoned, never regained the Emperor's favourLalmantJean Lalemand (Ioannes Alemanus) (*1470 – †1560), friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam, adherent of Charles de Lannoy, Viceroy of Naples, personal enemy of Alfonso de Valdés, whom he charged with Lutheranism on the basis of his work "Dialogo de las cosas ocurridas en Roma"; secretary to Charles V, in December 1528 accused of betrayal and imprisoned, never regained the Emperor's favourLalmant encrypted [2] apud caesarem encrypted 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 CastilecaesaremCharles 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 Castilecaesarem encrypted [3] instetit encrypted instetitinstetit encrypted , ut ait, pro revocatione encrypted pro revocationepro revocatione encrypted , sed extra animum, neque adimplebit autem cupiditatem hanc malam. Nescio ominari successum harum rerum, adeo mihi videntur mirabiles. Italiae encrypted ItaliaeItaliae encrypted [4] passim multa [T] encrypted T undeciphered[T]T undeciphered[T] encrypted facturum, modo caesari encrypted 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 CastilecaesariCharles 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 Castilecaesari encrypted [5] visum ita fuerit. Sunt et istic orig. isthicisticistic orig. isthic, qui res regis Angliae encrypted regis Angliaeregis Angliae encrypted [6] strenue agunt, sed, ut audio, minime successuris conatibus. probably Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici) (*1478 – †1534), 1523-1534 PopePontifex(?) encrypted Pontifex(?)Pontifex(?) encrypted probably Clement VII (Giulio de' Medici) (*1478 – †1534), 1523-1534 Pope[7] fertur praeclara quaedam orig. quedamquaedamquaedam orig. quedam adversus viceregem encrypted Charles de Lannoy (*ca. 1487 – †1527), first Count of Lannoy (1526-1527), Lord of Sanzeilles, Erquelines and Mingoval, soldier and statesman in the service of the Habsburgs ; 1521 Governor of Tournai, 1522-1523, 1526-1527 Viceroy of Naples, 1523-1527 commander in chief of Imperial armies in ItalyviceregemCharles de Lannoy (*ca. 1487 – †1527), first Count of Lannoy (1526-1527), Lord of Sanzeilles, Erquelines and Mingoval, soldier and statesman in the service of the Habsburgs ; 1521 Governor of Tournai, 1522-1523, 1526-1527 Viceroy of Naples, 1523-1527 commander in chief of Imperial armies in Italyviceregem encrypted [8] gessisse. Nescio, an vobis id quoque constet.

Zaragoza (Saragossa, Caesaraugusta), city in northeastern Spain, Aragon, on the Ebro riverCaesarea est AugustaZaragoza (Saragossa, Caesaraugusta), city in northeastern Spain, Aragon, on the Ebro river ad Ebro, river in northern SpainHiberumEbro, river in northern Spain flumen, quae nos humanissime excepit. Iam ad loca ea pervenimus, in quibus olim Caesar (Caius Iulius Caesar) (*100 BC – †44 BC), Roman politician, military commander and dictatorCaesarCaesar (Caius Iulius Caesar) (*100 BC – †44 BC), Roman politician, military commander and dictator Marcus Petreius (*110 BC – †46 BC), Roman politician and army commander; on the side of Pompey in the Civil War between Caesar and PompeyPetreiumMarcus Petreius (*110 BC – †46 BC), Roman politician and army commander; on the side of Pompey in the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey, Lucius Afranius (*ca. 112 BC – †46 BC), Roman politician and army commander; on the side of Pompey in the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey; consul in 60 BCAfraniumLucius Afranius (*ca. 112 BC – †46 BC), Roman politician and army commander; on the side of Pompey in the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey; consul in 60 BC et Marcus Terentius Varro (*116 BC – †27 BC), Roman scholar and writer; army commander under Pompey in the Civil War between Caesar and PompeyMarcum VarronemMarcus Terentius Varro (*116 BC – †27 BC), Roman scholar and writer; army commander under Pompey in the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey, Pompey the Great (Cnaeus Pompeius Magnus) (*106 BC – †48 BC), associate and then opponent of Julius Caesar; great statesman and general of the late Roman Republic, 61–54 BC triumvirPompeiiPompey the Great (Cnaeus Pompeius Magnus) (*106 BC – †48 BC), associate and then opponent of Julius Caesar; great statesman and general of the late Roman Republic, 61–54 BC triumvir duces, sibi in potestatem redegit,[9] inter Cinca, river in the north-east of SpainSincamCinca, river in the north-east of Spain scilicet et Segre (Sègre), river in southern France, Andorra, Northern Spain, tributary to the EbroSycorimSegre (Sègre), river in southern France, Andorra, Northern Spain, tributary to the Ebro satis celebrem Lucan (Marcus Annaeus Lucanus) (*39 AD – †65 AD), ancient Roman poetLucaniLucan (Marcus Annaeus Lucanus) (*39 AD – †65 AD), ancient Roman poet etiam cf. Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, Bellum Civile (Pharsalia) , IVcarminibuscf. Marcus Annaeus Lucanus, Bellum Civile (Pharsalia) , IV, tribus tantum leucis ab Lerida (Lleida, Ilerda), city in the west of Catalonia, SpainIlerdaLerida (Lleida, Ilerda), city in the west of Catalonia, Spain. Lerida (Lleida, Ilerda), city in the west of Catalonia, SpainQuoLerida (Lleida, Ilerda), city in the west of Catalonia, Spain postquam pervenerimus, videbis me copiosius scripturum esse, quandoquidem diem illic Palmarum[10] celebrabimus. Tu interea scribe ad me, quae facies rerum sit Valladolid (Vallisoletum, Oleti vallis), city in central Spain, Castile and León, on the Pisuerga riveristic orig. isthicisticistic orig. isthicValladolid (Vallisoletum, Oleti vallis), city in central Spain, Castile and León, on the Pisuerga river. Plurimum enim id ego scire desidero orig. desyderodesiderodesidero orig. desydero. Commendabis autem me imprimis tibi, deinde illustri domino probably Johann II of Montfort-Rothenfels (*ca. 1490 – †1547), count of Montfort-Rothenfels; ambassador of Margaret of Austria, duchess of Savoy (BURMEISTER, p. 33-57)comitiprobably Johann II of Montfort-Rothenfels (*ca. 1490 – †1547), count of Montfort-Rothenfels; ambassador of Margaret of Austria, duchess of Savoy (BURMEISTER, p. 33-57) et magnificis dominis comitibus palatinis,[11] confratribus meis, quos omnes iubeo tecum rectissime valere.

Tuus, quem nosti, 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)C(ornelius) D(uplicius) Sc(epperus)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)

[1] Vicecancellarius symbol [S1] (double gibbet) used for Baltasar Merklin von Waldkirch; the solution of the cipher based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol preserved together with the fair copy of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427IDL 427cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427

[2] Lalmant (arrow right symbol): the solution of the cipher is based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol, as preserved together with the fair copy of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427IDL 427cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427

[3] caesarem (symbol A): the solution of the cipher is based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol, as preserved together with the fair copies of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355 and cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427IDL 427cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427

[4] Italiae (symbol X): the solution of the cipher is based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol, as preserved together with the fair copies of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355 and cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427IDL 427cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427

[5] caesari (symbol A): the solution of the cipher is based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol, as preserved together with the fair copies of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355 and cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427IDL 427cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Veere, 1529-03-09, CIDTC IDL 427

[6] regis Angliae (symbol Q): the solution of the cipher is based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol, as preserved together with the fair copy of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355

[7] Pontifex(?) encrypted with the symbol B, which appears also in cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355 and cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Binche, 1546-06-12*, CIDTC IDL 2974IDL 2974cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Binche, 1546-06-12*, CIDTC IDL 2974. In the last case it surely stands for pontifex (the Pope). This meaning of the symbol B is also possible in both the earlier letters. However, such a solution is not certain and the cipher used in the letter cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Binche, 1546-06-12*, CIDTC IDL 2974IDL 2974cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Binche, 1546-06-12*, CIDTC IDL 2974 differs from that used in the other letters

[8] viceregem (symbol S): the solution of the cipher is based on Dantiscus’ solution of De Schepper’s use of this symbol, as preserved together with the fair copy of cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355IDL 355cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Genoa, 1527-06-27, CIDTC IDL 355

[9] The Battle of Illerda (49 BC) was a series of military actions near Illerda (now Lleida/Lerida) in the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey. It resulted in the surrender of Lucius Afranius and Marcus Petreius, the commanders of Pompey’s army, to Caesar, and thereafter, the surrender of Marcus Terentius Varro, praetor of Hispania Ulterior.

[10] In 1527 Palm Sunday fell on April 14.

[11] To be added later: which of the counts palatine were at the court of Charles V at that time.