» CORPUS of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence
Copyright © Laboratory for Source Editing and Digital Humanities AL UW

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Letter #1929

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-09-24

English register:

Dantiscus informs Giese that the long-awaited messenger [Mauritius] from Cracow arrived the previous night. He brought the endorsement of the Thorn (Toruń) articles, including the ius indigenatus requirements. Dantiscus is sending Giese a copy of this – still not unsealed – document.

The King [Sigismund I Jagiellon] has also agreed to the tax income being kept at Thorn Town Hall. Dantiscus is passing on to Giese the King’s letter to [Stanisław] Kostka on this matter, and copies of the royal letter postponing the next [Royal Prussian] Diet until spring, for distribution by the voivodes.

According to Dantiscus, they owe confirmation of the articles, and especially of the proper interpretation of the term indigena, to Samuel Maciejowski.

Dantiscus promises to spare no effort to make sure everything is ready for Giese’s consecration, despite the tailor’s absence (in the postscript he adds that the man has arrived). He has already summoned the Custos [of Ermland (Warmia), Felix Reich] to the ceremony; he should arrive [in Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto)] on Friday [27 September].

He assures Giese there was no need for him to apologise for opening the letter [addressed to Dantiscus].




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, address in secretary's hand, BCz, 245, p. 75-78

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 26, p. 128-130 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime mi Domine, frater et amice carissime et honorande.

Salutem et fraterni amoris commendationem.

Hesterna nocte rediit is cf. Kaspar HANNAU to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-09-12, CIDTC IDL 1916;
Fabian WOJANOWSKI (DAMERAU) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-09-15, CIDTC IDL 1923⌊Mauritius (Moritz), at least in 1537-1547 servant of Ioannes Dantiscus, often sent with letters and packages to the royal court (CIDTC, e.g. IDL 1630, IDL 4476, IDL 3266, IDL 3279)⌊nuntiusMauritius (Moritz), at least in 1537-1547 servant of Ioannes Dantiscus, often sent with letters and packages to the royal court (CIDTC, e.g. IDL 1630, IDL 4476, IDL 3266, IDL 3279)⌋ meuscf. Kaspar HANNAU to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-09-12, CIDTC IDL 1916;
Fabian WOJANOWSKI (DAMERAU) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-09-15, CIDTC IDL 1923⌋ ex Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviaCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋, qui ea omnia, quae desiderabamus, attulit, maxime autem in hoc verbo “indigena”, confirmatis articulis Thorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊ThoroniaeThorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ confectis, quorum ne sigillum regium laedatur, mitto exemplum.[1]

Evicimus item, quod pecuniae contributi Thorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊ThoroniaeThorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ in praetorio servari debeant. Ob idque sunt litterae regiae ad dominum 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)⌊CostkaStanisław 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)⌋, quas cum adiunctis litterarum exemplis Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima ad dominos 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)

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)

Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊palatinosJohann 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)

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)

Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋, qui illas reddi curabunt, transmittet, ut sciatur praesertim in Kulm Land (terra Culmensis, Ziemia Chełmińska), region historical region in central-northern Poland; part of Royal Prussia⌊terra CulmensiKulm Land (terra Culmensis, Ziemia Chełmińska), region historical region in central-northern Poland; part of Royal Prussia⌋ Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventum nostrumProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ esse usque ad vernum tempus translatum.

Opera reverendi domini decani Cracoviensis Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌊MaczeyowskiSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌋ peregimus ea, in quibus iam dudum laboravimus, unde hoc verbum “indigena” iam certum ac firmum habemus, quod etiam manus regia stabilius quam prius et solidius reddidit. Debemus igitur non parum Samuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌊huius rei factoriSamuel Maciejowski (*1499 – †1550), humanist and diplomat, one of the most trusted advisors to King Sigismund I and then to his son Sigismund II Augustus; from 1521 Canon of the Collegiate Chapter in Sandomierz, and from 1530 in Kielce; from 1531 Canon of Gniezno; from 1532 or 1533 to 1537 royal secretary (previously scribe at the royal chancellery); 1537-1539 Grand Secretary; 1539-1547 Crown Vice-Chancellor; 1539-1541 Bishop of Chełm; 1541-1545 Bishop of Płock; 1545-1550 Bishop of Cracow; 1547-1550 Crown Grand Chancellor; in 1532 royal envoy to Rome; in 1534 and 1538 royal envoy to the local diets (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 257-258; Urzędnicy 10, p. 184; PSB 19 Machowski - Maria Kazimiera, p. 64-69)⌋, qui ob temporis angustiam occupationesque sedulas Dominationi Vestrae Reverendissimae non rescripsit, quemadmodum ex eius liquet cf. Samuel MACIEJOWSKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-09-14, CIDTC IDL 1921⌊litteriscf. Samuel MACIEJOWSKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1538-09-14, CIDTC IDL 1921⌋, quas cum aliis pauloante missis dabit ad me Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima cum hoc Mauritius (Moritz), at least in 1537-1547 servant of Ioannes Dantiscus, often sent with letters and packages to the royal court (CIDTC, e.g. IDL 1630, IDL 4476, IDL 3266, IDL 3279)⌊nuntioMauritius (Moritz), at least in 1537-1547 servant of Ioannes Dantiscus, often sent with letters and packages to the royal court (CIDTC, e.g. IDL 1630, IDL 4476, IDL 3266, IDL 3279)⌋.

Ioannes, tailor ⌊SartoremIoannes, tailor ⌋ nondum vidi, in causa esse reor, quod plus a me receperit, quam meruerit. Curabo tamen nihilosecius, ut omnia sint parata, quibus ad consecrationem Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae egemus. Ad quam, cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Ermland (Warmia) Chapter shortly before 1538-09-24, CIDTC IDL 7319, letter lost⌊scribenscf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Ermland (Warmia) Chapter shortly before 1538-09-24, CIDTC IDL 7319, letter lost⌋ Ermland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌊venerabili capituloErmland Chapter cathedral chapter based in Frauenburg (Frombork, Varmia)⌋, communem fratrem nostrum dominum Felix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201)⌊custodemFelix Reich (*ca. 1475 – †1539), secretary to Łukasz Watzenrode, Bishop of Ermland (Warmia), and his chaplain; from 1518 Chancellor to succeeding Bishops of Ermland: Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański) and Mauritius Ferber; 1518-1525 Provost of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; 1526-1539 Canon of Ermland; 1528 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1529-1532 administrator of the Chapter's estates in Allenstein (Olsztyn), and in 1538 in Tolkemit (Tolkmicko); 1538-1539 Vicar General of the diocese of Ermland, and Custos of Ermland; 1528-1530 envoy of the Ermland Chapter to the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia (KOPICZKO 2, p. 265-266; BORAWSKA 1984, p. 176-177; SBKW, p. 200-201)⌋ vocavi aderitque, ut arbitror, ipsa 1538-09-27⌊feria sexta futura1538-09-27⌋. In qua Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam libenter et non sine gaudio salvam et incolumem Deo bene favente videbo.

Postscript:

Postquam has obsignare statuissem, venit Ioannes, tailor ⌊sartorIoannes, tailor ⌋.

De reseratis cf. Achatius von ZEHMEN (CEMA) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Stuhm (Sztum), 1538-09-07, CIDTC IDL 3754⌊litteriscf. Achatius von ZEHMEN (CEMA) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Stuhm (Sztum), 1538-09-07, CIDTC IDL 3754⌋ excusatione opus non erat, etiam si legisset.[2] cf. Cic. Off. 1. 51. 8 tum e quibus ipsis, cetera sic observentur, ut in Graecorum proverbio est, amicorum esse communia omnia; Sen. Ben. 7.12.1 Aeque nihil prohibet, cum omnia amicis dicamus esse communia, aliquid amico donari; non enim mihi sic cum amico communia omnia sunt, quomodo cum socio, ut pars mea sit, pars illius, sed quomodo patri matrique communes liberi sunt, quibus cum duo sunt, non singuli singulos habent, sed singuli binos ⌊Amicorum communia sunt omniacf. Cic. Off. 1. 51. 8 tum e quibus ipsis, cetera sic observentur, ut in Graecorum proverbio est, amicorum esse communia omnia; Sen. Ben. 7.12.1 Aeque nihil prohibet, cum omnia amicis dicamus esse communia, aliquid amico donari; non enim mihi sic cum amico communia omnia sunt, quomodo cum socio, ut pars mea sit, pars illius, sed quomodo patri matrique communes liberi sunt, quibus cum duo sunt, non singuli singulos habent, sed singuli binos ⌋. Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram complectar et videbo oppido quam libentissime.

[1 ] Constitutions of the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊Provincial DietProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ of Thorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊ThornThorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ were approved by 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⌊Sigismund I JagiellonSigismund 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⌋ on September 12, 1538 (cf. Volumina Constitutionum, vol. 1/2 (1527-1549), ed. by Wacław Uruszczak, Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Sejmowe, 2000 ⌊VC 1/2cf. Volumina Constitutionum, vol. 1/2 (1527-1549), ed. by Wacław Uruszczak, Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Sejmowe, 2000 ⌋, p. 189-192)

[2 ] In his cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-09-21, CIDTC IDL 1927⌊lettercf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-09-21, CIDTC IDL 1927⌋ to Dantiscus, Giese apologises for opening by mistake 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)⌊Achatius von Zehmen’sAchatius 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)⌋ letter addressed to Dantiscus