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Letter #1999

Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-11-25
            received [1538]-11-26

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, BCz, 1597, p. 317-320

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

BCz, 1597, p. 317

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, frater et maior plurimum observande.

Officiorum meorum sedulitatem et perpetuam commendationem.

Acris profecto obiurgatio Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon⌊dominaeBona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon⌋ in immerentem, quae me vehementer perturbaret, nisi scirem Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram iam occalluisse ad huiusmodi fulgetra, quae plus ex aviditate expostulandi apud fidentem, quam ab superinscribed⌈abab superinscribed⌉ animo exulcerato profecta videntur. Magis me conturbat istarum procellarum auctor, cuius perpetuum apparet esse studium, ut Council of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌊domini consiliariiCouncil of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌋ male audiant apud 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

Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon⌊principesSigismund 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

Bona Sforza (*1494 – †1557), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania (1518-1557); the second wife of Sigismund I Jagiellon; Duchess of Bari and Rossano; daughter of Gian Galeazzo Sforza of Milan and Isabella of Aragon⌋ et ut s nihil sinat esse integrum, quod illi decreverunt. Quod ad rem ipsam attinet, ego non video modum, quo redintegr superinscribed⌈rr superinscribed⌉ari queat, quod iam suo loco motum est, maxime sub hac contentione, quam pro tuenda fide regia susceptam videri volunt, qui sunt auctores. Proinde in diversum nitendo vereor, ne nos ipsos superinscribed in place of crossed-out a⌈a ipsos ipsos superinscribed in place of crossed-out a⌉, praesertim autem Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram, maiori obiciamus criminationi et odio omnemque ludamus operam, cum tanti res non sit, pro qua hoc obeamus discrimen. Unum hoc omitti, meo iudicio, non debet, ut videlicet omnes Council of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌊domini consiliariiCouncil of Royal Prussia the most important local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops (of Ermland (Warmia), who served as the Council’s president, and of Kulm (Chełmno)), three voivodes (of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania), three castellans (of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig)), three chamberlains (of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania), and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities – Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌋ causam Reverendissimae Dominationis Vestrae tueantur ipsamque Dominationem Vestram levent hoc criminationis probro, maxime domini palatini una mecum. De qua re aliquid nunc domino Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊palatino MarieburgensiGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ scribam, verum nihil certi constitui prius potest, quam sciamus, quid ad dominos palatinos de collectione accisae 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⌊maiestas 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⌋ nunc scripserit, quod ego et dominis 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)⌊CulmensiJohann 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)⌋ et Marieburgensi palatinis nunc resciscam, nam ad me regia maiestas aliud nihil scripsit, quam ut colligendi denarii Sancti Petri curam haberem. Deinde Vestrae quoque Reverendissimae Dominationis consilio utemur, quem in modum res sit instituenda, quod mihi privatim antea aedi, non erit ab re. Haec cum scriberem, ecce adest puer domini 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)⌋ cum litteris et generali illo mandato 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⌊regiae maiestatisSigismund 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⌋. In respondendo conformabo me Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae ac festinabo, ut domini palatini accipiant litteras regias, quas mihi misit Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra. Quam rogo, ne frangatur hac tempestate, qualis fere incidere solet in eos, quorum est in republica prima auctoritas, quae stabit volente Deo d... illegible⌈...... illegible⌉ et algebit cf. Suet. Tib. 61.2.8 Nemini delatorum fides abrogata ⌊delatorum fidescf. Suet. Tib. 61.2.8 Nemini delatorum fides abrogata ⌋ . Remitto litteras omnes ad Reverendissimam Dominationem Vestram datas cum novitatibus, pro quibus ago gratias. Addidi ad me quoque datas a dominis Stanisław Hozjusz (Stanisław Hosz, Stanislaus Hosius) (*1504 – †1579), diplomat and theologian; 1534-1538 secretary to the Bishops of Cracow Piotr Tomicki and Jan Chojeński; 1538-1549 royal secretary; 1538-1549 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and from 1539 Cantor; 1540-1550 Canon of Cracow; 1549-1551 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1551-1579 Bishop of Ermland; in 1560 elevated to Cardinal; 1561-1563 Papal Legate to the General Council of Trent; in 1573 appointed Grand Penitentiary to Pope Gregory XIII (SBKW, p. 95-96; KOPICZKO 2, p. 129-130)⌊HosioStanisław Hozjusz (Stanisław Hosz, Stanislaus Hosius) (*1504 – †1579), diplomat and theologian; 1534-1538 secretary to the Bishops of Cracow Piotr Tomicki and Jan Chojeński; 1538-1549 royal secretary; 1538-1549 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and from 1539 Cantor; 1540-1550 Canon of Cracow; 1549-1551 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1551-1579 Bishop of Ermland; in 1560 elevated to Cardinal; 1561-1563 Papal Legate to the General Council of Trent; in 1573 appointed Grand Penitentiary to Pope Gregory XIII (SBKW, p. 95-96; KOPICZKO 2, p. 129-130)⌋ et Nikolaus Nibschitz (Mikołaj Nipszyc) (*ca. 1483 – †1541), royal courtier, diplomat in the service of Sigismund I and Albrecht von Hohenzollern-Ansbach, Dantiscus' friend; from 1525 until his death an official representative of Duke Albrecht at the Cracow royal court; from 1532 royal secretary; 1519 royal envoy to Albrecht von Hohenzollern, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, 1525, 1526 envoy to Hungary, 1527 envoy to the Congress in Wrocław, 1531-1533, 1537 envoy to Ferdinand I of Habsburg, 1535-1537, 1540 envoy to Brandenburg, 1536 envoy to the estates of Livonia⌊NibschicioNikolaus Nibschitz (Mikołaj Nipszyc) (*ca. 1483 – †1541), royal courtier, diplomat in the service of Sigismund I and Albrecht von Hohenzollern-Ansbach, Dantiscus' friend; from 1525 until his death an official representative of Duke Albrecht at the Cracow royal court; from 1532 royal secretary; 1519 royal envoy to Albrecht von Hohenzollern, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, 1525, 1526 envoy to Hungary, 1527 envoy to the Congress in Wrocław, 1531-1533, 1537 envoy to Ferdinand I of Habsburg, 1535-1537, 1540 envoy to Brandenburg, 1536 envoy to the estates of Livonia⌋, cuius mentem forte aulica stropha tecta declarare mihi non gravetur Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra, quae illum non secus atque on the margin in place of crossed-out ut⌈ut non secus atque non secus atque on the margin in place of crossed-out ut⌉ seipsam novit. Stanisław Hozjusz (Stanisław Hosz, Stanislaus Hosius) (*1504 – †1579), diplomat and theologian; 1534-1538 secretary to the Bishops of Cracow Piotr Tomicki and Jan Chojeński; 1538-1549 royal secretary; 1538-1549 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and from 1539 Cantor; 1540-1550 Canon of Cracow; 1549-1551 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1551-1579 Bishop of Ermland; in 1560 elevated to Cardinal; 1561-1563 Papal Legate to the General Council of Trent; in 1573 appointed Grand Penitentiary to Pope Gregory XIII (SBKW, p. 95-96; KOPICZKO 2, p. 129-130)⌊HosioStanisław Hozjusz (Stanisław Hosz, Stanislaus Hosius) (*1504 – †1579), diplomat and theologian; 1534-1538 secretary to the Bishops of Cracow Piotr Tomicki and Jan Chojeński; 1538-1549 royal secretary; 1538-1549 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and from 1539 Cantor; 1540-1550 Canon of Cracow; 1549-1551 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1551-1579 Bishop of Ermland; in 1560 elevated to Cardinal; 1561-1563 Papal Legate to the General Council of Trent; in 1573 appointed Grand Penitentiary to Pope Gregory XIII (SBKW, p. 95-96; KOPICZKO 2, p. 129-130)⌋ quid respondendum sit, ignoro, cognitum non habens, quid nunc agat dominus Alexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy, in 1540 banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon; in 1541 imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome; after release from prison in 1544 he stayed in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509-1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519-1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia), 1530-1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536-1538 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, today Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220)⌊AlexanderAlexander Sculteti (Scholtcze) (*ca. 1485 – †1570), doctor of canon law, cartographer, historian and friend of Copernicus; accused by Dantiscus and Stanisław Hozjusz (Hosius) of Sacramentarian heresy, in 1540 banished by King Sigismund I Jagiellon; in 1541 imprisoned by the Inquisition in Rome; after release from prison in 1544 he stayed in Rome for the rest of his life; 1509-1516 notary at the Roman Curia; 1519-1541 Canon of Ermland (Warmia), 1530-1539 Chancellor of the Ermland Chapter; 1536-1538 administrator of the komornictwo of Mehlsack (Melzak, today Pieniężno) (KOPICZKO 2, p. 299; SBKW, p. 219-220)⌋, quem non credo passurum, ut Alexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)⌊neposAlexander von Suchten (*ca. 1520 – †1576-1590), doctor of medicine, alchemist, poet; studied in Leuven, Ferrara, Rome, Bologna and Padua; as a nephew of Alexander Sculteti, accused of heresy and sentenced in 1545 to lose a canonry and hereditary property; 1538-1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1549 court physician and librarian of Ottheinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg; 1557 court physician of Sigismund Augustus in Vilnius (PSB 45/3, p. 337-338)⌋ suus cedat iuri, etiam si liti et causae cesserit.

Legi Johann Reyneck (†1535), the second husband of Dantiscus' sister Anna; doctor of both canon and civil law; councillor to Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern (BORAWSKA 1984, p. 179-180, 203; GÜNTHER 1907, p. 365)⌊ReneciiJohann Reyneck (†1535), the second husband of Dantiscus' sister Anna; doctor of both canon and civil law; councillor to Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern (BORAWSKA 1984, p. 179-180, 203; GÜNTHER 1907, p. 365)⌋ cf. Epitaphium Ioannis Reinecii Johann REYNECK before 1536-02-24, CIDTC IDP 95;
[Reply to poem of Poliander] 1538-11-17 — 1538-11-23, CIDTC IDP 168, poem lost⌊epitaphiacf. Epitaphium Ioannis Reinecii Johann REYNECK before 1536-02-24, CIDTC IDP 95;
[Reply to poem of Poliander] 1538-11-17 — 1538-11-23, CIDTC IDP 168, poem lost⌋ altercantia, quibus id quidem effectum est, ut antigonista(!) Ioannes Poliander (Johann Gramann, Johann Graumann) (*1487 – †1541), doctor of theology, Protestant preacher, and hymn-writer. In 1519 during the dispute between Martin Luther and Eck, he served on the Catholic side, but was impressed by Luther’s argumentation. In 1525 he accepted an invitation from Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern to Königsberg, where he organised the new Protestant schools in Prussia. In 1531 he took part in the Colloquy of Rastenburg (HASE). Poliander’s and Dantiscus’ epitaphs for Reyneck were published by Szymon Starowolski in his Monumenta Sarmatarum but with no author’s name given (Monumenta Sarmatarum, p. 367-368; SKOLIMOWSKA 2012, p. 195); 1520-1522 Rector at the Thomasschule in Leipzig; 1522 cathedral preacher in Würzburg; before 1525 preacher in Nuremberg and in Mansfeld; ca. 1525 preacher in the Altstädt church in Königsberg (GÜNTHER 1907; ADB, Bd. 26, p. 388-389)⌊illeIoannes Poliander (Johann Gramann, Johann Graumann) (*1487 – †1541), doctor of theology, Protestant preacher, and hymn-writer. In 1519 during the dispute between Martin Luther and Eck, he served on the Catholic side, but was impressed by Luther’s argumentation. In 1525 he accepted an invitation from Duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern to Königsberg, where he organised the new Protestant schools in Prussia. In 1531 he took part in the Colloquy of Rastenburg (HASE). Poliander’s and Dantiscus’ epitaphs for Reyneck were published by Szymon Starowolski in his Monumenta Sarmatarum but with no author’s name given (Monumenta Sarmatarum, p. 367-368; SKOLIMOWSKA 2012, p. 195); 1520-1522 Rector at the Thomasschule in Leipzig; 1522 cathedral preacher in Würzburg; before 1525 preacher in Nuremberg and in Mansfeld; ca. 1525 preacher in the Altstädt church in Königsberg (GÜNTHER 1907; ADB, Bd. 26, p. 388-389)⌋ in magna laude g ducet se ausum cum episcopo manum conserere. Ceterum quid lucri fecerit Reverendissima Dominatio Vestra non video, etiam si eius nihil est, meo quidem sensu, quod reprehendi possit. Equidem, si ante fuissem in consilium adhibitus, suasissem potius eludi lacessentem.

Commendo me Reverendissimae Dominationi Vestrae, quam in mei amore Dominus servet diu integram et felicem.