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Letter #1872

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Allenstein (Olsztyn), 1538-07-13

English register:

Dantiscus is happy about Giese’s letter and his good health.

The previous day he wrote briefly from Hohenstein (Olsztynek) about how their joint affairs were going; he advises Giese to stay positive – when the bulls finally arrive, their enemies will have more cause for regret than joy. Dantiscus promises to act in consultation with Giese and not to neglect anything that will serve to speed up Giese’s confirmation. He assures Giese of his friendship and favour.

So as not to exhaust himself and the horses, many of which he had to leave on the way, he stopped in Allenstein (Olsztyn) to stay with the Provost [Paweł Snopek?], who received him in a very friendly manner.

In jest, Dantiscus demands to know the price of the gift received.

He is sending Giese a draft of reforms of the Church, authored by certain cardinals, with commentary by a Lutheran [Johannes Sturm]. He asks for the text to be returned when the opportunity arises.




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, BCz, 245, p. 39-42

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 16, p. 98-100 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime Domine, frater et amice carissime ac honorande.

Salutem fraternique amoris commendationem.

Quod Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima me cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-07-09, CIDTC IDL 4762⌊litteriscf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-07-09, CIDTC IDL 4762⌋ suis adeo amice redeuntem exceperit, gratiam habeo maximam. Gratissimum mihi vicissim est, quod intellexerim, Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam feliciter bene valere.

1538-07-12⌊Heri1538-07-12⌋ ex Hohenstein (Olsztynek), town in Ducal Prussia, 26 km S of Allenstein (Olsztyn)⌊HohensteinHohenstein (Olsztynek), town in Ducal Prussia, 26 km S of Allenstein (Olsztyn)⌋ in compendio, quomodo res nostrae habeant, cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to [Tiedemann GIESE] Hohenstein (Olsztynek), 1538-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1871⌊scripsicf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to [Tiedemann GIESE] Hohenstein (Olsztynek), 1538-07-12, CIDTC IDL 1871⌋. Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima securi bonique sit animi, osores non habituri sunt, quo gaudeant, sed quo paulopost vehementer doleant. Habitis bullis, quae expeditae diu in itinere esse nequeunt, nihil mutuo inter nos consilio omittemus, quo temporius Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae consecrationi sit consultum.

De me, quod coepit, indies sibi firmius persuadeat in amando Dominatione Vestra Reverendissima me cessurum nemini. In iis paulopost diffusius a me scribetur Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae. Quam diutissime optime valere cupio ex animo.

Venerabilis dominus hic probably Paweł Snopek (*after 1480 – †1554), close collaborator of Ioannes Dantiscus; Econom of the Dominium Ermland (Warmia); in 1524 mentioned as Canon of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) for the first time; 1528-1554 Provost of Guttstadt; 1536-1538 Canon of Ermland (in December 1538 he was forced to resign in favour of Alexander von Suchten; in 1543 he regained this prebend but two years later had to step aside for Kaspar Hannau) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 308; SBKKDM, p. 103; SBKW, p. 227; PSB 39/3, p. 405-406)⌊praepositusprobably Paweł Snopek (*after 1480 – †1554), close collaborator of Ioannes Dantiscus; Econom of the Dominium Ermland (Warmia); in 1524 mentioned as Canon of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) for the first time; 1528-1554 Provost of Guttstadt; 1536-1538 Canon of Ermland (in December 1538 he was forced to resign in favour of Alexander von Suchten; in 1543 he regained this prebend but two years later had to step aside for Kaspar Hannau) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 308; SBKKDM, p. 103; SBKW, p. 227; PSB 39/3, p. 405-406)⌋, communis amicus et frater noster, me Allenstein (Olsztyn), city on the Łyna river in southern Ermland (Warmia), Allenstein castle was the seat of the administrator of the Ermland Chapter estate⌊hicAllenstein (Olsztyn), city on the Łyna river in southern Ermland (Warmia), Allenstein castle was the seat of the administrator of the Ermland Chapter estate⌋ tractavit humanissime. Ad probably Paweł Snopek (*after 1480 – †1554), close collaborator of Ioannes Dantiscus; Econom of the Dominium Ermland (Warmia); in 1524 mentioned as Canon of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) for the first time; 1528-1554 Provost of Guttstadt; 1536-1538 Canon of Ermland (in December 1538 he was forced to resign in favour of Alexander von Suchten; in 1543 he regained this prebend but two years later had to step aside for Kaspar Hannau) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 308; SBKKDM, p. 103; SBKW, p. 227; PSB 39/3, p. 405-406)⌊quemprobably Paweł Snopek (*after 1480 – †1554), close collaborator of Ioannes Dantiscus; Econom of the Dominium Ermland (Warmia); in 1524 mentioned as Canon of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) for the first time; 1528-1554 Provost of Guttstadt; 1536-1538 Canon of Ermland (in December 1538 he was forced to resign in favour of Alexander von Suchten; in 1543 he regained this prebend but two years later had to step aside for Kaspar Hannau) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 308; SBKKDM, p. 103; SBKW, p. 227; PSB 39/3, p. 405-406)⌋ ob id potissimum diverti, ne graviore itinere me et equos, iam alioqui fessos, fatigarem impensius. Non paucos reliqui intereundum, paucos mecum integros reduxi.

De munere mihi donato velim mihi Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima numeraret pretium, quod fratri meo Georg von Höfen (Georg Flachsbinder, Georgius de Curiis) (†after 1550-02-07), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother; Starosta of Rössel (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 584, 586, 588; AGAD, MK, 77, f. 385-386v)⌊GeorgioGeorg von Höfen (Georg Flachsbinder, Georgius de Curiis) (†after 1550-02-07), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother; Starosta of Rössel (HARTMANN 1525-1550, No. 584, 586, 588; AGAD, MK, 77, f. 385-386v)⌋ pollicita est. Sed haec ioco.

Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam iterum felicissime valere precor et opto.

Postscript:

Mitto „Consilium quorundam cardinalium de reformanda ecclesia” et Johannes Sturm (Jean Sturm, Ioannes Sturmius) (*1507 – †1589), German humanist and educator. He undertook diplomatic missions on behalf of Strasbourg, the German Protestants, and the King of France⌊cuiusdam LuteraniJohannes Sturm (Jean Sturm, Ioannes Sturmius) (*1507 – †1589), German humanist and educator. He undertook diplomatic missions on behalf of Strasbourg, the German Protestants, and the King of France⌋ glossam, quam per oportunitatem peto remitti.[1]

[1 ] Dantiscus refers here to a critical report (Consilium de emendanda Ecclesia) by the papal commission examining errors and abuses of the Catholic Church. The chairman of the commission was Cardinal Gasparo Contarini (*1483 – †1542), philosopher and theologian, Venetian diplomat; member of papal commission for church reform in years 1536-1540, withdrawn from its work under suspition of supporting the Reformation; 1515 Venetian avogador del comun; 1521-1525 ambassador to emperor Charles V; 1525 captain of Brescia; 1530 head of the Venetian Council of Ten; 1535 elevated to cardinal; 1541 papal legate to the diet of Regensburg (CE, vol. 1, p. 334-335)⌊Gasparo ContariniGasparo Contarini (*1483 – †1542), philosopher and theologian, Venetian diplomat; member of papal commission for church reform in years 1536-1540, withdrawn from its work under suspition of supporting the Reformation; 1515 Venetian avogador del comun; 1521-1525 ambassador to emperor Charles V; 1525 captain of Brescia; 1530 head of the Venetian Council of Ten; 1535 elevated to cardinal; 1541 papal legate to the diet of Regensburg (CE, vol. 1, p. 334-335)⌋; the members were Gian Pietro Carafa (Ioannes Petrus Carafa, Paulus IV) (*1476 – †1559), 1506-1537 – Bishop of Chieti; 1518-1524 – Archbishop of Brindisi; 1536 elevated to Cardinal; 1537-1549 Archbishop of Chieti; 1549 – Archbishop of Naples; 1555 elected pope as Paulus IV⌊Gian Pietro CarafaGian Pietro Carafa (Ioannes Petrus Carafa, Paulus IV) (*1476 – †1559), 1506-1537 – Bishop of Chieti; 1518-1524 – Archbishop of Brindisi; 1536 elevated to Cardinal; 1537-1549 Archbishop of Chieti; 1549 – Archbishop of Naples; 1555 elected pope as Paulus IV⌋, Jacopo Sadoleto (*1477 – †1547), papal diplomat, Neo-Latin poet, orator, author of the Letter to the Genevans (replied to by Calvin); 1517 – Bishop of Carpentras; 1536 – elevated to Cardinal Priest; 1537 – Cardinal Priest of S. Callisto; 1536–1537 member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church⌊Jacopo SadoletoJacopo Sadoleto (*1477 – †1547), papal diplomat, Neo-Latin poet, orator, author of the Letter to the Genevans (replied to by Calvin); 1517 – Bishop of Carpentras; 1536 – elevated to Cardinal Priest; 1537 – Cardinal Priest of S. Callisto; 1536–1537 member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church⌋, Reginald Pole (*1500 – †1558), the last Catholic archbishop of Canterbury; 1537 cardinal-deacon of Ss. Nereo ed Achilleo; 1540 - of Ss. Vito, Modesto e Crescenzia, and S. Maria in Cosmedin; 1555 cardinal-priest of S. Maria in Cosmedin; 1556 archbishop of Canterbury⌊Reginald PoleReginald Pole (*1500 – †1558), the last Catholic archbishop of Canterbury; 1537 cardinal-deacon of Ss. Nereo ed Achilleo; 1540 - of Ss. Vito, Modesto e Crescenzia, and S. Maria in Cosmedin; 1555 cardinal-priest of S. Maria in Cosmedin; 1556 archbishop of Canterbury⌋, Federico Fregoso (*ca. 1480 – †1541), Genoese (his brother was Doge of Genoa); in 1522 defended the Republic of Genoa against the army of Emperor Charles V; corresponded with Castiglione and Bembo; 1507 – Archbishop of Salerno (1529 resigned); 1508 – Bishop of Gubbio; 1536-1537 – member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church; 1539 – elevated to Cardinal Priest; 1541 – Cardinal Priest of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo⌊Federico FregosoFederico Fregoso (*ca. 1480 – †1541), Genoese (his brother was Doge of Genoa); in 1522 defended the Republic of Genoa against the army of Emperor Charles V; corresponded with Castiglione and Bembo; 1507 – Archbishop of Salerno (1529 resigned); 1508 – Bishop of Gubbio; 1536-1537 – member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church; 1539 – elevated to Cardinal Priest; 1541 – Cardinal Priest of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo⌋, Girolamo Aleandro (*1480 – †1542), born in Motta di Livenza; 1528-1541 Archbishop of Brindisi, 1538-1542 Cardinal-Priest of S. Crisogono ⌊Girolamo AleandroGirolamo Aleandro (*1480 – †1542), born in Motta di Livenza; 1528-1541 Archbishop of Brindisi, 1538-1542 Cardinal-Priest of S. Crisogono ⌋, Gian Matteo Giberti (*1495 – †1543), patron of the arts and letters, member of the Roman Academy; one of the most trusted advisers to popes Leo X and Clement VII; in 1536 member of the commission of nine cardinals and prelates (decreed by the Fifth Lateran Council) which drafted the "Consilium de emendanda ecclesia"; 1514 secretary to Cardinal Giulio de'Medici (future Clement VII); 1519 - secretary to Leo X; Notary of the apostolic chancery; 1523 Datary (in charge of distributing benefices); 1524 Bishop of Verona; 1521 envoy of Cardinal Giulio de'Medici to Alfonso I d'Este, Charles V, and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey; 1534 papal nuncio to Venice; 1537 papal legate to France (with cardinal Reginald Pole) (CE, vol. 2, p. 94-96)⌊Giovanni Matteo GibertiGian Matteo Giberti (*1495 – †1543), patron of the arts and letters, member of the Roman Academy; one of the most trusted advisers to popes Leo X and Clement VII; in 1536 member of the commission of nine cardinals and prelates (decreed by the Fifth Lateran Council) which drafted the "Consilium de emendanda ecclesia"; 1514 secretary to Cardinal Giulio de'Medici (future Clement VII); 1519 - secretary to Leo X; Notary of the apostolic chancery; 1523 Datary (in charge of distributing benefices); 1524 Bishop of Verona; 1521 envoy of Cardinal Giulio de'Medici to Alfonso I d'Este, Charles V, and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey; 1534 papal nuncio to Venice; 1537 papal legate to France (with cardinal Reginald Pole) (CE, vol. 2, p. 94-96)⌋, Gregorio Cortese (Giovanni Andrea Cortese) (*1483 – †1548), in 1540 invited to the Colloquy of Worms (did not come due to illness); counted among the best Latin writers and most learned men of his time; author of poems, epistles, historical works; translated the New Testament from Greek to Latin; Benedictine; Abbot of monasteries (Lérins, France; S. Pietro in Modena; S. Pietro in Perugia, S. Giorgio in Venice, San Benedetto in Polirone); 1536-1537 member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church; 1542 – Cardinal Priest of S. Ciriaco alle Terme; 1542 to death – Bishop of Urbino⌊Gregorio CorteseGregorio Cortese (Giovanni Andrea Cortese) (*1483 – †1548), in 1540 invited to the Colloquy of Worms (did not come due to illness); counted among the best Latin writers and most learned men of his time; author of poems, epistles, historical works; translated the New Testament from Greek to Latin; Benedictine; Abbot of monasteries (Lérins, France; S. Pietro in Modena; S. Pietro in Perugia, S. Giorgio in Venice, San Benedetto in Polirone); 1536-1537 member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church; 1542 – Cardinal Priest of S. Ciriaco alle Terme; 1542 to death – Bishop of Urbino⌋, and Tommaso Badia (*1483 – †1547), member of the Inquisition; participated in the Colloquy of Worms (1540) and of Regensburg (1541); author of theological and philosophical treatises as well as writings against Lutheranism; Dominican; lector of theology at the convents of Ferrara, Venice and Bologna; Master of the Sacred Palace (pope's theologian); 1536-1537 member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church; 1542 – Cardinal of S. Silvestro in Capite⌊Tommaso BadiaTommaso Badia (*1483 – †1547), member of the Inquisition; participated in the Colloquy of Worms (1540) and of Regensburg (1541); author of theological and philosophical treatises as well as writings against Lutheranism; Dominican; lector of theology at the convents of Ferrara, Venice and Bologna; Master of the Sacred Palace (pope's theologian); 1536-1537 member of the Commission for the Reform of the Church; 1542 – Cardinal of S. Silvestro in Capite⌋. The document was published in 1538 in Italy (Italia)⌊ItalyItaly (Italia)⌋, Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermanyGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋, and The Habsburg Netherlands⌊the NetherlandsThe Habsburg Netherlands⌋ without the knowledge of either its authors or the Holy See (Sedes Apostolica) ⌊Holy SeeHoly See (Sedes Apostolica) ⌋. In the same year Martin Luther (Martinus Lutherus) (*1483 – †1546), theologian, leader and originator of the German Reformation⌊Martin LutherMartin Luther (Martinus Lutherus) (*1483 – †1546), theologian, leader and originator of the German Reformation⌋ prepared his own translation of this report with acrimonious commentary. cf. Gasparo Contarini, Gian Pietro Carafa, Jacopo Sadoleto, Reginald Pole, Federico Fregóso, Girolamo Aleandro, Giovanni Matteo Giberti, Gregorio Cortese, Tommaso Badia, Johannes Sturm, Consilium delectorum cardinalium et aliorum praelatorum de emendanda ecclesia. Epistola Ioannis Sturmii de eadem re ad cardinales ceterosque viros ad eam consulationem delectos., Strasbourg, Crato Mylius, 1538 ⌊Strassbourg edition of Consilium of 1538cf. Gasparo Contarini, Gian Pietro Carafa, Jacopo Sadoleto, Reginald Pole, Federico Fregóso, Girolamo Aleandro, Giovanni Matteo Giberti, Gregorio Cortese, Tommaso Badia, Johannes Sturm, Consilium delectorum cardinalium et aliorum praelatorum de emendanda ecclesia. Epistola Ioannis Sturmii de eadem re ad cardinales ceterosque viros ad eam consulationem delectos., Strasbourg, Crato Mylius, 1538 ⌋ was provided with a commentary entitled Epistola Ioannis Sturmii de eadem re ad cardinales ceterosque viros ad eam consulationem delectos. Probably this print was sent to Giese by Dantiscus. For further reading, see cf. Elisabeth G. Gleason, Gasparo Contarini: Venice, Rome, and Reform, University of California Press, 1993 ⌊GLEASON 1993cf. Elisabeth G. Gleason, Gasparo Contarini: Venice, Rome, and Reform, University of California Press, 1993 ⌋, p. 140-157