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Letter #2063

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Wartenburg (Barczewo), 1539-01-28

English register:

Having perused the letters from the Voivode of Pomerania [Jerzy Konopacki (Georg von Konopat)] to the Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) [Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński)] and to the Gdańsk (Danzig) Town Council, Dantiscus has concluded that Konopacki has revealed to “Bone” (Os) [Stanisław Kostka] what was said at meetings to discuss storing the money [from taxes]. Thanks to this, the man obtained a document from the court to collect the gathered sum. In Dantiscus’ view, Konopacki acted the way he did because in exchange he expected the royal court’s favour in his conflict with the Kos family over a mill. In his letter to von Baysen, Konopacki claims he knew nothing about the matter because the town scribes had not announced a discontinuance [of the Graudenz (Grudziądz) Diet of Royal Prussia], while in his letter to the Gdańsk Town Council he admits that he had known of the matter but had no knowledge of the King’s [Sigismund I Jagiellon’s] reply, which is not true. Dantiscus thinks that unless the towns offer resistance, the state [i.e. Royal Prussia] will be on the brink of ruin.

Dantiscus supports the idea of writing to the King. He suggests that the letter’s message should not be a suggestion that the money be kept until the next [Royal Prussian] Diet, but a request that a final settlement of accounts take place during that assembly.

In claiming that the tax money should be transferred to the King, Konopacki ignores the fact that the tax was enacted to serve the needs of the Prussian lands and for their defence. This is reasoning typical of people who are not indigenous.

Dantiscus asks Giese to keep the matters discussed here secret. In his view, Konopacki’s seal [under the letter to the King] is not indispensable – the acceptance of Giese, the Voivode of Marienburg, the Castellans of Elbing (Elbląg) [Ludwig von Mortangen (Mortęski)] and Gdańsk [Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)], and possibly the Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno) [Johann von Lusian (Luzjański)] will be enough. He himself, as he wrote earlier, will get involved at the appropriate time.




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, BCz, 245, p. 119-122
2office copy in Latin, in secretary's hand, BCz, 245, p. 113 (b.p.)
3excerpt in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1539, f. 1

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 38, p. 165-167 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

BCz, 245, p. 122

Reverendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, domino Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌊TidemannoTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌋ Dei gratia episcopo Culmensi, fratri et amico carissimo ac honoran(do) or honoran(dissimo)⌈honoran(do)honoran(do) or honoran(dissimo)⌉

BCz, 245, p. 119

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, frater et amice carissime et honoran(de) or honoran(dissime)⌈honoran(de)honoran(de) or honoran(dissime)⌉.

Salutem et fraterni amoris commendationem.

Perlectis litteris domini Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌊palatini PomeraniaeJerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌋ diligentius[1], invenio illum omne consilium de conservandis pecuniis 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)⌊OssiStanisław 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)⌋ illi detexisse. Quo factum est, quod statim a principio litteras ex aula obtinuerit pro exigendis collectis adhuc in vere pecuniis, et hoc ob id maxime, ut favorem aulae in negotio molendini, quod habet cum The Kos (Koss, Cossi) ⌊CossisThe Kos (Koss, Cossi) ⌋, sibi reddat propitium.[2] In litteris ad dominum Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊palatinum MarienburgensemGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ ignorantia rei videtur se excusare contra scribas civitatum invectus, causatur enim, quod, ut vocant, recessus solis sibi usurpant et aliis non communicent. In litteris vero ad gentiles nostros[3] plane fatetur se scivisse, sed a 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⌊maiestate regiaSigismund 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⌋ non vidisse responsum. Quod quam verum sit, liquet ex remissione Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventusProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ praeteriti, quam certe non nesciebat. Si civitates non restiterint, 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⌊res nostra publicaRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ ruinam minatur.

Utcumque res habet, scribendum tamen esset 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⌊maiestati 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⌋, ut Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima concepit, relicta petitione, quod pecuniae reservari possent usque ad futurum Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventumProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋, verum ut in eo de omnibus serio fieret calculus, et de aliis, quemadmodum heri cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE Wartenburg (Barczewo), 1539-01-27, CIDTC IDL 2064⌊scripsicf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE Wartenburg (Barczewo), 1539-01-27, CIDTC IDL 2064⌋ etc. adscribed⌈etc.etc. adscribed⌉

Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌊Bonus iste Pom(eraniensis)Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌋ argute nimirum sibi argumentari videtur, si pecuniae in 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⌊harum terrarumRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ usum sint colligendae, ut hoc ex nobis fieret, quae vero pro 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⌊maiestate regiaSigismund 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⌋ contributae sunt, ut illi cedant, non memor tot legationum, quibus praeterita contributio postulata est, in usum scilicet et 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⌊harum terrarumRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ defensionem. Sed eiusmodi sunt hominum ingenia, qui veri indigenae non sunt. Cogitandum erit, ut aliquando obex ponatur.

Haec omnia in ea, quae inter nos crevit, fiducia apud Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam maneant. Quodsi Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌊Pom(eraniensis)Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌋ sigillum addere voluerit, parum refert. Satis erit, si Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima, domini Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊palatinus MarienburgensisGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋, Ludwig von Mortangen (Ludwik Mortęski) (†1539), 1512-1516 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1516-1539 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg) (SBPN 3, p. 256-257; PSB 22 Morsztyn Zbigniew - Mytkowicz, p. 9-11)⌊castellanus ElbingensisLudwig von Mortangen (Ludwik Mortęski) (†1539), 1512-1516 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1516-1539 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg) (SBPN 3, p. 256-257; PSB 22 Morsztyn Zbigniew - Mytkowicz, p. 9-11)⌋ et Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌊GdanensisAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌋, et, si induci posset, Johann von Lusian (Jan Luzjański) (*before 1470 – †1551), brother of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Bishop of Ermland (Warmia); 1514-1551 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno); 1520-1525 Burgrave of Rössel (Reszel) (PSB 18, p. 166-167)⌊palatinus CulmensisJohann von Lusian (Jan Luzjański) (*before 1470 – †1551), brother of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Bishop of Ermland (Warmia); 1514-1551 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno); 1520-1525 Burgrave of Rössel (Reszel) (PSB 18, p. 166-167)⌋ adprimant. Mihi, quod prius scripsi, pro rei condicione non licet. Non tamen suo tempore deero Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae et nostris sanioribus.

Quam dominus Deus sospitet prosperetque in omnibus diutissime.

[1] This letter, which is unknown to the editors, was attached to cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1539-01-25, CIDTC IDL 2061⌊IDL 2061cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1539-01-25, CIDTC IDL 2061⌋.

[2] Negotium molendini, “the mill case”, was being discussed during the spring meeting of the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊Royal Prussian DietProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ in 1537. The Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌊Voivode of PomeraniaJerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌋ invaded the estates of three noblemen: Wojciech Dulski a nobleman from Pomerania⌊Wojciech DulskiWojciech Dulski a nobleman from Pomerania⌋, Rafał Kos a nobleman from Pomerania⌊Rafał KosRafał Kos a nobleman from Pomerania⌋, and Paweł Kos (Paulus Coss, Koss), Marshall of the court of Dantiscus as the bishop of Kulm (Chełmno) (CIDTC, IDT 246)⌊Paweł KosPaweł Kos (Paulus Coss, Koss), Marshall of the court of Dantiscus as the bishop of Kulm (Chełmno) (CIDTC, IDT 246)⌋. He destroyed a mill just being built as well as kidnapped and robbed another noble, Otton Sobowski ⌊Otton SobowskiOtton Sobowski ⌋, of ten marks (see cf. Protokoły sejmiku generalnego Prus Królewskich / Protokolle des Landtags von Königlich Preussen, vol. 4: maj 1536 - wrzesień 1542 / Mai 1536 - September 1542, ed. by Krzysztof Kopiński, Janusz Tandecki, Liliana Lewandowska, Toruń, TNT, 2017, series: Towarzystwo Naukowe w Toruniu. Fontes 112 / Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft zu Thorn. Fontes 112 ⌊PSGPK 4cf. Protokoły sejmiku generalnego Prus Królewskich / Protokolle des Landtags von Königlich Preussen, vol. 4: maj 1536 - wrzesień 1542 / Mai 1536 - September 1542, ed. by Krzysztof Kopiński, Janusz Tandecki, Liliana Lewandowska, Toruń, TNT, 2017, series: Towarzystwo Naukowe w Toruniu. Fontes 112 / Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft zu Thorn. Fontes 112 ⌋, p. 109).

[3] Citizens of Gdańsk ⌊gentiles nostriCitizens of Gdańsk ⌋, literally 'our fellow countrymen', here refers to Gdańsk Town Council ⌊the Gdańsk Town CouncilGdańsk Town Council ⌋.