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Letter #2012

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Tiedemann GIESE
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-12-09

English register:

Dantiscus presents his position on the advice of the Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) [Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński)] regarding the tax. He would agree to retaining the tax until the next [Royal Prussian] Diet if all [the Prussian councillors] were unanimous, but since they are not, he intends to follow the royal decree to the letter and send the tax money to Marienburg as soon as possible.

In the face of a lack of concern for public affairs on the part of the majority [of the councillors], Dantiscus expresses apprehension about the future of [Prussian] privileges and immunities when the now aged Voivode [of Marienburg] dies. He anticipates he will be unable to defend them without his support.

Dantiscus is grateful to Giese and the Voivode for their sympathy, but he does not think it necessary for them to intervene at the royal court until he receives a reply to his letter [IDL 2001]. He suggests that copies of the [Royal Prussian Council’s] letters to the King [Sigismund I Jagiellon] from the latest Graudenz (Grudziądz) Diet regarding the issue of the contribution should be sent out to the voivodes. If Giese would kindly do that, he would make it easier to reference that letter if it became necessary to stand in Dantiscus’ defence.

Dantiscus has learned that the parish priests from Löbau (Lubawa) and Kazanice(?) (Casnicensis) are demanding that the church administrators [in Kulm (Chełmno)] return the money once provided by the fraternity of priests for rebuilding the church after the fire which affected the town during Dantiscus’ pontificate. Dantiscus considers their demands unjustified.




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, address in secretary's hand, BCz, 245, p. 109-112
2register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1538, f. 48

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 No. 36, p. 156-159 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, frater et amice carissime et honora[n]de .

Salutem et studiosam commendationem.

Consilium magnifici domini Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊pala[tini] MarienburgensisGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ de contributo reservando usque ad proximum Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventumProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ mihi non displiceret, si eius animi essemus omnes.[1] Verum, cum inter nos sint, qui potiores nostras sententias retractatas velint et illis, quantum possunt, data opera reluctantur, ego id sequar, quod mandatum regium iubet. Video nos esse sub manu et sub ea ne hiscere quidem nobis licere, quod accidit, quia consilium nostrum divisum est. Aliis est res privata, aliis favor aulae, paucis res publica curae, ob quam solus ego male audio. Si nobis aetate gravis et prudens vir Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊dominus palatinusGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ decesserit, civitatibus, quae sua sunt, curantibus, parva mihi in reliquis spes est, et vereor, ne de privilegiis immunitatibusque nostris sit actum. Cumque iam nobis contra institutum nostrum ea vis adeo publice infertur, et ego iam non semel pro omnibus impegerim, ut illam in me sustineam, longe viribus sum impar, qui sciam, quid possit et quid in fortioribus me effecerit, unde et mortis habuere causam.

Proinde omnem contributam pecuniam, cuius ne assem quidem sum visurus, cum primis Marienburg (Malbork), town and castle in northern Poland, Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Nogat river, a branch of the Vistula at its delta, the capital of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1309-1457), a voivodeship capital in Royal Prussia, which belonged to the Kingdom of Poland (1466-1772). Marienburg (taking turns with Graudenz (Grudziądz)) was the venue for the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊MarienburgumMarienburg (Malbork), town and castle in northern Poland, Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Nogat river, a branch of the Vistula at its delta, the capital of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1309-1457), a voivodeship capital in Royal Prussia, which belonged to the Kingdom of Poland (1466-1772). Marienburg (taking turns with Graudenz (Grudziądz)) was the venue for the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ mittere constitui explicareque me ex hoc, quod igitur contra me natum est, odio, vel, ex eo si me expedire nequeo, curare illud non admodum atque perferre, ut pleraque alia, pectore infracto. Ab eo ne cf. Vulg. Iac 5.17 Elias homo erat similis nobis passibilis ⌊Elias (Elijah), Hebrew prophet in the 9th century BC⌊HeliasElias (Elijah), Hebrew prophet in the 9th century BC⌋ quidem propheta fuit immunis etc.cf. Vulg. Iac 5.17 Elias homo erat similis nobis passibilis ⌋

Ceterum, quod Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima cum domino Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊palatino MarienburgensiGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ sortem meam doleant, gratiam habeo, non tamen puto necesse, quod quippiam ad illam aulam scribatur priusquam mihi ad cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Sigismund I Jagiellon] Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-11-26, CIDTC IDL 2001;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Bona Sforza] Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-11-26, CIDTC IDL 2000⌊meascf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Sigismund I Jagiellon] Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-11-26, CIDTC IDL 2001;
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Bona Sforza] Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1538-11-26, CIDTC IDL 2000⌋, quarum hic insunt exempla, responsum fuerit. Non abs re mihi videretur, quod copias cf. other letter [Council of Royal Prussia] Sigismund I Jagiellon Graudenz (Grudziądz) 1537-10-09, CIDTC IDT 666⌊litterarumcf. other letter [Council of Royal Prussia] Sigismund I Jagiellon Graudenz (Grudziądz) 1537-10-09, CIDTC IDT 666⌋ ad 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ ex Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventu novissimo GraudentinoProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ datarum, in quibus contributionis institutio habetur,[2] Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima transcribi curaret et Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)

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

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)⌋, qui illas secum ferre non solent, mitteret, quo, si qua defensio mihi foret necessaria, facilius conficeretur. Idipsum tamen prudentiae et benevolentiae in me Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae permitto.

Cum superioribus annis in sede essem Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae,[3] post conflagratum Kulm (Chełmno, Culma, Culmen), town in northern Poland, on the Vistula river, 40 km N of Thorn (Toruń)⌊oppidumKulm (Chełmno, Culma, Culmen), town in northern Poland, on the Vistula river, 40 km N of Thorn (Toruń)⌋ et ecclesiam,[4] quae ut restauraretur, pecunia ex sacerdotum fraternitate communi consensu insumpta est. Quam, ut edoctus sum, Kazanice parish priest ⌊CasnicensisKazanice parish priest ⌋ et parish priest of Löbau ⌊Lubaviensisparish priest of Löbau ⌋ parrochi ab ecclesiae provisoribus repetere nituntur, quod cum iniquum sit, avarulum illum suum, qui forsan cum pecuniis velit negotiari, comprimat, cf. Pl. Am. 885 ea quae sunt facta infecta ut reddat clamitat ⌊ne, quae pie facta sunt, per impios reddantur infectacf. Pl. Am. 885 ea quae sunt facta infecta ut reddat clamitat ⌋. Quae in societate illa sacerdotum erant deposita, in pios quidem usus et non privatos cedebant. Nisi fuisset ea pecunia et nescio quid ex me adminiculi, adhuc omnia in loco ecclesiae plena essent ruderibus.

Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima feliciter valeat.

[1 ] Giese informed Dantiscus about Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊BaysenGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋’s advice in the letter sent on December 6, 1538 from Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊LöbauLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋ (cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-12-06, CIDTC IDL 2011⌊IDL 2011cf. Tiedemann GIESE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Löbau (Lubawa), 1538-12-06, CIDTC IDL 2011⌋). He not only objected to the idea of withholding the contribution money until to spring time Prussian diet, but found it dangerous

[2 ] 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 IVcf. 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. 213-214

[3 ] Dantiscus was Giese’s predecessor as bishop of Kulm (Chełmno, Culma, Culmen), town in northern Poland, on the Vistula river, 40 km N of Thorn (Toruń)⌊KulmKulm (Chełmno, Culma, Culmen), town in northern Poland, on the Vistula river, 40 km N of Thorn (Toruń)⌋. Both Dantiscus and Giese, being bishops of Kulm, resided in Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊LöbauLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋, whereas Kulm (Chełmno, Culma, Culmen), town in northern Poland, on the Vistula river, 40 km N of Thorn (Toruń)⌊KulmKulm (Chełmno, Culma, Culmen), town in northern Poland, on the Vistula river, 40 km N of Thorn (Toruń)⌋ was a seat of the episcopal Kulm Chapter ⌊ChapterKulm Chapter ⌋, and the chathedral church was located in small town of Kulmsee (Chełmża, Culmense), town in northern Poland, Kulm Lake District, between Kulm and Thorn, 1251-1824 the seat of the Kulm bishops, with a cathedral and a collegiate church⌊KulmseeKulmsee (Chełmża, Culmense), town in northern Poland, Kulm Lake District, between Kulm and Thorn, 1251-1824 the seat of the Kulm bishops, with a cathedral and a collegiate church⌋

[4 ] This can refer to the fire of Kulmsee (Chełmża, Culmense), town in northern Poland, Kulm Lake District, between Kulm and Thorn, 1251-1824 the seat of the Kulm bishops, with a cathedral and a collegiate church⌊KulmseeKulmsee (Chełmża, Culmense), town in northern Poland, Kulm Lake District, between Kulm and Thorn, 1251-1824 the seat of the Kulm bishops, with a cathedral and a collegiate church⌋ cathedral church on 1531, or to the fire of Löbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌊LöbauLöbau (Lubawa, Lubavia), town in northern Poland, Kulm Land (Ziemia Chełmińska), ca. 67 km E of Graudenz (Grudziądz), the main seat of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno)⌋ on June 1533 which was described in detail by Dantiscus in his cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Piotr TOMICKI Löbau (Lubawa), 1533-07-17, CIDTC IDL 979⌊lettercf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Piotr TOMICKI Löbau (Lubawa), 1533-07-17, CIDTC IDL 979⌋ to Piotr Tomicki (*1464 – †1535), humanist, statesman, diplomat, one of the most trusted collaborators of King Sigismund I of Poland; 1500-1503 Chancellor of Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellon, 1502 Gniezno Cantor, Archdeacon of Cracow, 1503-1505 servant of Jan Lubrański, Bishop of Poznań, 1504-1510 Canon of Poznań, 1506 royal scribe, 1507-1519 Grand(?) Secretary, 1509 Canon of Włocławek, 1510-1514 - of Gniezno, 1511 Custos in Kielce and Sandomierz, 1514 Bishop of Przemyśl; 1515 Crown Vice-Chancellor, 1520 Bishop of Poznań, 1523 - of Cracow; from 1524 (at least) General Collector of świętopietrze (Peter's pence), 1509 royal envoy to the Dukes of Pomerania and to Mecklenburg, 1510 - to Wallachia, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513 - to Hungary (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 268)⌊Piotr TomickiPiotr Tomicki (*1464 – †1535), humanist, statesman, diplomat, one of the most trusted collaborators of King Sigismund I of Poland; 1500-1503 Chancellor of Cardinal Fryderyk Jagiellon, 1502 Gniezno Cantor, Archdeacon of Cracow, 1503-1505 servant of Jan Lubrański, Bishop of Poznań, 1504-1510 Canon of Poznań, 1506 royal scribe, 1507-1519 Grand(?) Secretary, 1509 Canon of Włocławek, 1510-1514 - of Gniezno, 1511 Custos in Kielce and Sandomierz, 1514 Bishop of Przemyśl; 1515 Crown Vice-Chancellor, 1520 Bishop of Poznań, 1523 - of Cracow; from 1524 (at least) General Collector of świętopietrze (Peter's pence), 1509 royal envoy to the Dukes of Pomerania and to Mecklenburg, 1510 - to Wallachia, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513 - to Hungary (WYCZAŃSKI 1990, p. 268)⌋. Cf. The letter of Erasmus of Rotterdam (Gerrit Gerritszoon, Geert Geerts, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus) (*1466/1469 – †1536), Dutch humanist and theologian, distinguished philologist, the most famous and influential humanist of the Northern Renaissance; his works had a profound impact upon Christian theology during the first half of the sixteenth century⌊Erasmus of RotterdamErasmus of Rotterdam (Gerrit Gerritszoon, Geert Geerts, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus) (*1466/1469 – †1536), Dutch humanist and theologian, distinguished philologist, the most famous and influential humanist of the Northern Renaissance; his works had a profound impact upon Christian theology during the first half of the sixteenth century⌋ to Miklós Oláh (Nicolaus Olaus) (*1493 – †1568), Hungarian humanist and poet; from 1526 secretary to King Louis II Jagiellon and in the same year, after the Battle of Mohács, to Queen Mary of Hungary, from 1543 Chancellor of Ferdinand I, 1543-1548 Bishop of Zagreb, 1548-1553 Bishop of Eger, 1553-1568 Archbishop of Esztergom (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 110-111)⌊Miklós OláhMiklós Oláh (Nicolaus Olaus) (*1493 – †1568), Hungarian humanist and poet; from 1526 secretary to King Louis II Jagiellon and in the same year, after the Battle of Mohács, to Queen Mary of Hungary, from 1543 Chancellor of Ferdinand I, 1543-1548 Bishop of Zagreb, 1548-1553 Bishop of Eger, 1553-1568 Archbishop of Esztergom (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 110-111)⌋, Freiburg (Freiburg im Üechtland, Fribourg), city in western Switzerland, on the Sarine river⌊Freiburg im BreisgauFreiburg (Freiburg im Üechtland, Fribourg), city in western Switzerland, on the Sarine river⌋, 1533-11-7 cf. Miklos Olah, Levelezese, ed. by Arnold Ipolyi, Budapest, 1875, series: Monumenta Hungariae Historica 25, Okmanytarak [=Documents] 1 ⌊OLAH 2018cf. Miklos Olah, Levelezese, ed. by Arnold Ipolyi, Budapest, 1875, series: Monumenta Hungariae Historica 25, Okmanytarak [=Documents] 1 ⌋, p. 550): Dantiscus Culmensis episcopus scribit exustum Culmum civitatem cathedralem, insuper aliud oppidum, ubi habebat arcem, sic absumptum incendio, ut praeter maenia fere nihil supersit. Both fires are also mentioned in several other letters from Dantiscus’ correspondence (e.g. cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona Sforza Löbau (Lubawa), 1533-07-01, CIDTC IDL 966⌊IDL 966cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona Sforza Löbau (Lubawa), 1533-07-01, CIDTC IDL 966⌋, cf. Stanisław KOSTKA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Marienburg (Malbork), 1533-07-08, CIDTC IDL 975⌊IDL 975cf. Stanisław KOSTKA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Marienburg (Malbork), 1533-07-08, CIDTC IDL 975⌋, cf. Jan KARNKOWSKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1533-07-15, CIDTC IDL 977⌊IDL 977cf. Jan KARNKOWSKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1533-07-15, CIDTC IDL 977⌋,cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Vilnius, 1533-07-16, CIDTC IDL 978⌊IDL 978cf. Bona Sforza to Ioannes DANTISCUS Vilnius, 1533-07-16, CIDTC IDL 978⌋, cf. Johann REYNECK to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1533-07-22, CIDTC IDL 982⌊IDL 982cf. Johann REYNECK to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1533-07-22, CIDTC IDL 982⌋, cf. Maciej DRZEWICKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Łowicz, 1533-08-21, CIDTC IDL 3572⌊IDL 3572cf. Maciej DRZEWICKI to Ioannes DANTISCUS Łowicz, 1533-08-21, CIDTC IDL 3572⌋, cf. Johan WEZE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Vienna, 1533-09-11, CIDTC IDL 1006⌊IDL 1006cf. Johan WEZE to Ioannes DANTISCUS Vienna, 1533-09-11, CIDTC IDL 1006⌋, cf. Stanisław RZECZYCA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Rome, 1533-10-20, CIDTC IDL 1023⌊IDL 1023cf. Stanisław RZECZYCA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Rome, 1533-10-20, CIDTC IDL 1023⌋, cf. Iustus Lodvicus DECIUS (DECJUSZ, DIETZ) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1533-08-16, CIDTC IDL 994⌊IDL 994cf. Iustus Lodvicus DECIUS (DECJUSZ, DIETZ) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Cracow, 1533-08-16, CIDTC IDL 994⌋, cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mikołaj GRABIA?] Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-04-07, CIDTC IDL 1435⌊IDL 1435cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Mikołaj GRABIA?] Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-04-07, CIDTC IDL 1435⌋)