CIDT&C Corpus of Ioannes Dantiscus' Texts & Correspondence

Letter #2314

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona Sforza
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1540-05-05

English register: Dantiscus thanks Queen Bona for standing for him and the Ermland Chapter before the King [Sigismund I Jagiellon] in the conflict with Alexander Sculteti. The Queen’s intercession/support resulted in the royal/King’s order for Sculteti to appear in person before instigator/Prosecutor of the Crown on May 24. Dantiscus asks for further support so that the instigator/Prosecutor of the Crown can start proceedings against [Sculteti] regardless of the defendant’s presence and based on testimony of the witnesses. He emphasises the harmfulness of Sculteti’s actions to both the diocese and relations in the Cathedral Chapter.

Dantiscus denies information that he has usurped power/authority – not belonging to the bishop – over monasteries in his subordinate towns. Monasteries are depopulated; in Wartenburg, there are only two Franciscans [Conventual], in addition - of poor health, so it is not like the denouncers claim there are fourteen or fifteen monks, including eight allegedly imposed by Dantiscus.

Dantiscus explains that he added to these two not fugitives and apostates but good and devout followers of the rule of Saint Francis / Francis of Assisi [Observants], exiled from the Land of Meissen by the Lutherans. He did it because of the scarcity of priests in his domain and spaciousness of the monastery buildings, which remained unused. He carried it out so that both could live according to their own rules and were subject to their own superiors, sharing only alms and table.
In order to free himself from false accusations, Dantiscus strenuously asks the Queen to order – for instance Stanisław Kostka, Prussian Treasurer – a visitation of the Franciscan monasteries in Braunsberg (Braniewo) and Wartenburg.

Manuscript sources:

1	copy in Latin, 16th-century, BJ, 6557, f. 388r-389v
2	copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 57 (TN), No. 83, p. 281-285
3	copy in Latin, 18th-century, BCz, 274, No. 244, p. 490-492
4	register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8243 (TK 5), a.1540, f. 14r-v

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus

Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊Ioannes DantiscusIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ episcopus Culmensis(!) 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⌊Bonae reginae PoloniaeBona 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⌋

Serenissima Reginalis Maiestas et Domina, domina clementissima.

Humillimam orationum et servitiorum meorum commendationem.

Ceterum, Serenissima Regina et domina mea clementissima, quod Serenissima Reginalis Maiestas Vestra scribi mihi iussit certo se edoctam me ad The Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌊fratres minoresThe Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌋ in Braunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League

Wartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌊oppidis meisBraunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League

Wartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌋ monachos alios, perfugas The Observants (Order of Friars Minor) ⌊ordinis observantiumThe Observants (Order of Friars Minor) ⌋, intrusisse, compertumque haberi, quod non dumtaxat duo aut tres, quemadmodum meo nomine Mikołaj Płotowski (†after 1548-07-27), royal courtier and owner of estates in Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane); burgrave of Seeburg (Zybork, today Jeziorany) (AT 18, p. 229)⌊PlotowskiMikołaj Płotowski (†after 1548-07-27), royal courtier and owner of estates in Vistula Lowlands (Żuławy Wiślane); burgrave of Seeburg (Zybork, today Jeziorany) (AT 18, p. 229)⌋ rettulit, sed in Wartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌊VartenbergWartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌋ de minoritis XIIII vel XV fratres habeantur, me nihilominus octo ex Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋ expulsos alterius professionis illis addidisse mihique in eos fratres iurisdicionem usurpasse. Quod existimat Serenissima Maiestas Vestra Reginalis indigne a me agi iubetque, ut ea in re, sicut ceteri in Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌊RegnoPoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌋ episcopi, a monastica iurisdictione mihi temperem, faceret hoc quidem Serenissima Maiestas Vestra Reginalis iustissime, quin etiam, si ad eum modum egissem, me ipsum acrem meruisse castigationem pronuntio.

Verum, Serenissima Princeps, quisquis is fuerit, qui hanc delationem fecit, revera praepostere fecit, cum in praesenti et in hoc ipso die in oppido meo Wartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌊VartenbergWartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌋ non plures sunt The Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌊fratres minoritaeThe Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌋, quam duo, et ii quidem nescio ob quam vitam manci et valetudinarii, alius autem nemo fratrum, cuiuscumque sit ordinis, apud et cum illis duobus agit. Tantum abest, quod The Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌊illorumThe Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌋ sint XIIII, aut quod octo alios alterius professionis illis iunxerim. Porro, ut Serenissima Maiestas Vestra Reginalis huius rei nudam veritatem agnoscat seque ab ea de me concepta opinione liberet, qui toties etiam usque ad defectionis crimen iniquis modis sum delatus, sed Deo gratia, numquam reus peractus, Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram Reginalem humillime et intime propter Deum rogo atque obtestor, velit hic cuipiam committere, vel ipsi generoso domino 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)⌊Stanislao 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)⌋ 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)⌊castri MariemburgensisMarienburg (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)⌋ 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⌋ thesaurario, ut sub meis impensis oppida mea Braunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌊BraunsbergBraunsberg (Braniewo), town in Ermland (Warmia), 19 km NE of Elbing (Elbląg), port on the Vistula Lagoon, a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ et Wartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌊VartenbergWartenburg, town in Ermland (Warmia), NE of Allenstein (Olsztyn), today Barczewo in Poland⌋ accedat monasteriaque The Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌊fratrum minoritarumThe Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) ⌋ revideat exacteque perquirat, quot in quovis monasterio habeantur fratres et quot alterius professionis ad illos intruserim, quamque a me vim et iniuriam patiantur, utque singula, quae compererit, in notitiam Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae Reginalis deducat. Tum, si qua in re deliquisse agnitus fuero, totum me iudicio ac animadversioni Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae Reginalis subicio patiarque sine misericordiae imploratione, quodcumque de me statuerit. Eo examine facto candorem et innocentiam meam, quae in tot prioribus falsis delationibus semper integra et incontaminata apparuit atque mansit, liquido Serenissima Maiestas Vestra Reginalis perspiciet.

Quod vero viros bonos et vitae sanctimonia probatos iis duobus Wartenbergensibus addere destinaram, eos, inquam, viros, qui non perfugae neque religionis erant desertores, sed regulae Francis of Assisi, Saint (St. Francis) (*1181/1182 – †1226)⌊divi FrancisciFrancis of Assisi, Saint (St. Francis) (*1181/1182 – †1226)⌋ professores et in eius regulae observantia conspicuos, ex terra Meißen (Misna), town in southeastern Germany, on the Elbe river, 25 km NW of Dresden⌊MisnensiMeißen (Misna), town in southeastern Germany, on the Elbe river, 25 km NW of Dresden⌋ a The Lutherans ⌊LuteranisThe Lutherans ⌋ depulsos, eo consilio, ut prius scripsi, a me factum est, ut in tam amplo monasterio, quod tantundem spatii, quantum oppidum intra muros occupavit, cultus divinus et sacerdotum numerus, qui hic rarissimus est, restauraretur, utque parochi, quorum unus in dicione mea et tres et quattuor ecclesias ob paucitatem sacerdotum dirigere cogitur, ex illis fratribus ad contionandum et ad sacramenta populo administranda cooper<a>tores haberent; sicque cum illis duobus egeram, ut ipsi in sua regula et alii in sua viverent suisque quivis illorum praepositis oboedirent, eleemosinae tantummodo cum convictu et mensa omnibus essent communes. Si ob id merui adeo inique deferri, Dei iudicio relinquo.

Haec sunt, Serenissima Regina et Domina, domina mea clementissima, quae ad tuendam innocentiam meam me ipsa rei aequitas et veritas scribere compulit. Ea, ut Serenissima Maiestas Vestra Reginalis clementer apud se expendere, boni consulere, et si quid gravioris suspicionis de me conceperit, in auras refundere dignetur, quantum possum humilius et impensius oro meque illi supplicissime commendo a Deoque Omnipotente Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae Reginali aetatem diutissime florentem et prosperrimam faustaque iucunda et grata omnia precor ex animo.

Datae Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌊HeilsbergHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌋, quinta Maii MDXL.