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Letter #2612

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER]
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-01-29

English register:

A disabled hand has forced Dantiscus to dictate his letters to his secretary for the past three months.

He sends this letter through Krzysztof Konarski, the King of Poland's [Sigismund I's] envoy to [Mary], the Queen of Hungary and Governess of Burgundy [i.e. the Habsburg Netherlands]. He entrusts Konarski to De Schepper's care as a greatly talented young man from Prussia and asks that he recommend him to the Queen.

De Schepper's latest letter, which reached Dantiscus through Wolfgang Haller, was dated 30 January 1542. Worried by the long breaks in their correspondence, Dantiscus encloses a copy of his reply, sent on 18 April 1542, and of the letter he sent De Schepper on 6 August 1541 through Kersten Gustlef.

News from Poland will be imparted to De Schepper personally by Konarski. Dantiscus encourages De Schepper to apply to represent the Queen [Mary] at the wedding of the young King [Sigismund II Augustus]. Konarski will try to support his efforts. If they are successful, Dantiscus will also attend the ceremony despite his health problems.

Dantiscus advises De Schepper regarding the conflict between the Netherlands and Denmark. He suggests not striking up a friendship with Hamburg.

He sends De Schepper and his wife and children best wishes on his own behalf and on behalf of his siblings and members of his household. He informs him that Bernhard [von Höfen] is the starost of Heilsberg and still unmarried while Georg [von Höfen] was married in Gdańsk to the mayor's widow.




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, corrections in author's hand, AAWO, AB, D.101, f. 27r-v
2register with excerpt in Latin, Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a. 1543, f. 10r-v

Prints:
1DE VOCHT 1961 No. DE, 442, p. 355 (English register)
2CEID 2/2 (Letter No. 81) p. 486-490 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Magnifice Domine et mi frater et amice Corneli carissime.

Salutem tibi atque omnia precor faustissima ex animo .

[Ne te] a lectione de[trah]at, quod ma[num m]eam non vider[is], [valde] enim affectus sum [hac mea] nova, invitus, dignitate , magistratu dictaturae oneratus, quod illa sui mihi usum iam a tribus ferme mensibus negaverit.

Cum tamen is nobilis Prutenus dominus Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)Christophorus ConarskyKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) a serenissimo 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 Austriarege meoSigismund 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 nuntius ad serenissimam Mary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521-1526 Queen of Hungary, 1522-1526 Queen of Bohemia, 1530-1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother, Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, wife of Louis II Jagiellonreginam HungariaeMary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521-1526 Queen of Hungary, 1522-1526 Queen of Bohemia, 1530-1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother, Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, wife of Louis II Jagiellon The Low Countries (Netherlands), region around the delta of the Rhine, Schelde (Scheldt), and Meuse rivers, includes modern Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germanystatus BurgundiaeThe Low Countries (Netherlands), region around the delta of the Rhine, Schelde (Scheldt), and Meuse rivers, includes modern Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany gubernatricem mittatur isque primum huc ex aula nostra ad me divertisset, quamvis a te nullas praeter cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1542-01-30, CIDTC IDL 2531eascf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1542-01-30, CIDTC IDL 2531, quas ex Brussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of BelgiumBruxellisBrussels (Bruxellae), city in the Low Countries, Duchy of Brabant, since the regency of Mary of Hungary the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands, today the capital of Belgium XXX Ianuarii anni transacti ad me datas acceperim, non potui committere hanc commoditatem nact[us], quin per hunc egregium elegantemque Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)iuvenemKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) multis bonis dotibus ornatum ad te dictanter vicaria manu scriberem, illumque tibi non secus atque si unus fratrum meorum esset, studiose commendarem eumque tuo in me amori, quem inexstinctum immo adhuc flagrantem, quemadmodum meus in te ferv[e]re non destitit, certo mihi persuadeo, quantum possum diligentius commendo, quandoquidem ea ad vos adfert, quae publicae tranquillitati et paci reipublicaeque tum vestrae tum nostrae pro communi victu bonaeque amicitiae firmamento utrimque necessario conducunt. Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)HuncKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) itaque, cum has acceperis, sic in omnibus amare, tractare illique benevolentiam tuam impartiri et, quacumque in re tuo egebit adminiculo, non secus atque mihi ipsi adesse velis eumque de omnibus, quae in aula vestra ill[ic] agenda erunt, in hoc oratorio munere pro dignitate serenissimi 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 Austriareg[is] meiSigismund 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 et tua in eius maiestatem regiam observantia amicissime ut ins[ti]tuas et dirigas, oro plurimum. Daque operam, ut in his, quae in mandatis habet, quantum per te fieri potest et licet, voti ad nos compos redeat.

Ceterum, ut tecum fraternum in modum congrediar, novissimas tuas cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1542-01-30, CIDTC IDL 2531litterascf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1542-01-30, CIDTC IDL 2531 post anni fere decursum ad me per honestissimum virum dominum Wolfgang (Wolf) Haller von Hallerstein (*1492 – †1559), Fuggers' factor in Antwerp and their chief representative in Spain, financial advisor to Emperor Charles V and mediator for the financing of his election, from 1531 General Treasurer of the Netherands under regent Queen Mary of Hungary; Fuggers' factor (MUFFAT, p. 97)Volffgangum HallerWolfgang (Wolf) Haller von Hallerstein (*1492 – †1559), Fuggers' factor in Antwerp and their chief representative in Spain, financial advisor to Emperor Charles V and mediator for the financing of his election, from 1531 General Treasurer of the Netherands under regent Queen Mary of Hungary; Fuggers' factor (MUFFAT, p. 97) thesaurarium apud vos missas quam libenter acceperim, ex cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1542-04-18, CIDTC IDL 6852, letter lostmeiscf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1542-04-18, CIDTC IDL 6852, letter lost, quas 18 Aprilis ad te dedi, quarum, si forte redditae non sint, mitto exemplum, percepisti. Mitto item et cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER 1541-08-06, CIDTC IDL 6908, letter lostillarumcf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Cornelis DE SCHEPPER 1541-08-06, CIDTC IDL 6908, letter lost exemplum, quas 6 Augusti anni 41 nobilis quidam Livoniensis Kersten Gutslef (Christianus a Gutsleff) Christianus a GutsleffKersten Gutslef (Christianus a Gutsleff) ad te perferre debuit, quarum in tuis cf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1542-01-30, CIDTC IDL 2531novissimiscf. Cornelis DE SCHEPPER & Godschalk ERICKSEN (SASSENKERLE) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Brussels, 1542-01-30, CIDTC IDL 2531 mentionem non fecisti, ab eo etiam tempore, quo Kersten Gutslef (Christianus a Gutsleff) Christianus illeKersten Gutslef (Christianus a Gutsleff) diverterit, supersitne, an quippiam aliud humanitus illi acciderit, ignoro. Quod quidem exemplum inter schedas apud amanuenses meos repertum eo libentius describi iussi, ut inde postulationi tuae manu mea copiose responsum fuisse comperias.

Tu, mi carissime Corneli, nequaquam in tuum admittas animum me tibi esse alium vel umquam futurum, quam qui fuerim ab eo tempore, quo tu me tibi fratrem et amicum esse cognovisti atque expertus es integerrimum, utinamque, si in eo, quod non spero, haesitas, mihi daretu[r] occasio, ut re ipsa, quod loquor, significationem declarationemque facere liceret nihil a te alienum in Dantisco tuo, ne hilum quidem sentires nedum agnosceres. Sic enim tuus ille candidissimu[s animus] meo conglutinatus et infixus est, ut neque vita, neque m[ors] a coepta in te mea benevolentia me umquam distrahere poterit. Sed de iis [hac]tenus.

Ea, quae apud nos et quae mecum aguntur, cum hunc ingenuum Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)iuvenemKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) vivam habeas epistulam, nolo in praesens esse prolixior. Is enim tibi libere referet (sic enim inter me et illum convenit), quaecumque iis turbulentis periculosissimisque temporibus se hac in mundi nostra parte offerunt, quae quidem multa et molesta egerent scriptione. Hoc unum a me intime te admonitum velim fraternisque contendo precibus, ut in hoc, quantum tibi dignum est, cf. Adagia 318 remis velisque velis et remiscf. Adagia 318 remis velisque intendas, quod a serenissima Mary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521-1526 Queen of Hungary, 1522-1526 Queen of Bohemia, 1530-1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother, Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, wife of Louis II Jagiellonregina tuaMary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521-1526 Queen of Hungary, 1522-1526 Queen of Bohemia, 1530-1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother, Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, wife of Louis II Jagiellon, quae ad cohonestandas serenissimi Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforzaregis mei iuniorisSigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza nuptias[1] invitatur, in illius ad nos persona nuntius mittaris. Ego equidem, etsi cf. Hor. Epist. 1.1.1-3 Prima dicte mihi, summa dicende Camena, / spectatum satis et donatum iam rude quaeris, / Maecenas, iterum antiquo me includere ludo? rude donaricf. Hor. Epist. 1.1.1-3 Prima dicte mihi, summa dicende Camena, / spectatum satis et donatum iam rude quaeris, / Maecenas, iterum antiquo me includere ludo? iam annis et valetudine fatigatus ab aula nostra postulaverim neque illa prorsus mihi est negata, tamen, si te eo venturum intellexero , etiam si lectica et alio quocumque molliore vehiculo deferri debeam, ad videndum amplectendumque te advolabo. Qua in re cum Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210)hoc nuntio nostroKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), in 1557-1565, as a royal secretary, he undertook several diplomatic missions; 1543 scribe at the royal chancellery, later royal secretary, 1568 member of the Maritime Commission, before 1568 starost of Jurborg (KOROLKO, p. 210) egi, quod si quispiam a vobis allegari ad nos debeat, ut pro te studiosissime sit sollicitus, quo tibi provincia haec iniungatur. Tu vero ne pigrere, ut eam ultro, immo et quodammodo ambitiose suscipias, et quantum res exigit, deposcas. Si te, priusquam ex vivis hinc decessero, conveniendi mihi dabitur facultas, multum accessisse fortunis vitaeque meae longiori beatiorique existimabo. Te itaque iterum atque iterum obnixe oro, sic ad id te accommoda, ne desiderium meum frustreris.

De negotiis non est, quod scribam. Mihi numquam placuit, quod quorundam, qui privata curant commoda, The Danes (Dani) DaniThe Danes (Dani) inducti consilio, maris sui angustias navigantibus clauserint bellumque minime necessarium (cum prius per totum Christianum orbem vix ulla sincera pax habeatur) in se concitaverint. Quod ut facilius vobisque utilius componi possit, non abs re expedire puto, ne vestri in amicitiam et societatem Citizens of Hamburg HamburgensesCitizens of Hamburg admittant, qui, si cum The Danes (Dani) DanisThe Danes (Dani) relicti fuerint, quos in hoc bellum exstimularunt, ipsique commerciis vestrorum carere nequeant, quod cum The Danes (Dani) DanisThe Danes (Dani) spe persuasionibusque frivolis falsis ex re vestra et usu pacisci possitis. De quo et nuntius hic noster tecum conferet, quem ut una mecum serenissimae Mary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521-1526 Queen of Hungary, 1522-1526 Queen of Bohemia, 1530-1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother, Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, wife of Louis II Jagiellonreginae vestraeMary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521-1526 Queen of Hungary, 1522-1526 Queen of Bohemia, 1530-1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother, Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, wife of Louis II Jagiellon dominae mihi olim, ut scis, non parum faventi, commendes, quantum exactius quiveris, a te maiorem in modum rogo.

Teque, mi carissime Corneli, frater et fili, prout a me haberi vis, unice carissime, cum Elisabeth Donche (Anna Isabella Donche, Isabeau) (†1549), from 1528 wife of Cornelis De Schepper, mother of Cornelis Jr and Anne, sister of Joanna Donche (AT 16/1, p. 215)tua coniugeElisabeth Donche (Anna Isabella Donche, Isabeau) (†1549), from 1528 wife of Cornelis De Schepper, mother of Cornelis Jr and Anne, sister of Joanna Donche (AT 16/1, p. 215) honestissima Cornelis De Schepper Jr (*1532 – †1582 or 1583), son of Cornelis De Schepper (DE VOCHT 1961, 316, 403-404; DONCHE, p. 310, 346-349)

Anne De Schepper (*1529-1532 – †1619), daughter of Cornelis De Schepper (DONCHE, p. 340-346)
liberisCornelis De Schepper Jr (*1532 – †1582 or 1583), son of Cornelis De Schepper (DE VOCHT 1961, 316, 403-404; DONCHE, p. 310, 346-349)

Anne De Schepper (*1529-1532 – †1619), daughter of Cornelis De Schepper (DONCHE, p. 340-346)
que atque tota domo quam diutissime sospitem ac felicem esse ex intimis medullis cupidissime opto et cupio. Fratres mei, Bernhard von Höfen (Bernhard Flachsbinder) (†after 1548), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother, stayed with Dantiscus in Spain, as a member of his mission's retinue, and was used as a trusted courier to Poland at least from 1526; after 1530 Starost of LöbauBernardusBernhard von Höfen (Bernhard Flachsbinder) (†after 1548), Ioannes Dantiscus' brother, stayed with Dantiscus in Spain, as a member of his mission's retinue, and was used as a trusted courier to Poland at least from 1526; after 1530 Starost of Löbau, qui huius Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermlandmeae arcisHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland praefectus est mecumque agit caelebs, et 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)GeorgiusGeorg 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), qui Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic LeagueGedaniGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Bay of Gdańsk at the mouth of the Vistula, on the Baltic, the biggest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities (Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (Elbląg)) with representation in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League in patria Barbara Behme (†after 1550-02-07)filiam et coniugem viduamBarbara Behme (†after 1550-02-07) inibi Peter Behme (*ca. 1480 – †1539), 1526-1535 Gdańsk councillor; 1536-1539 Mayor of Gdańsk (ZDRENKA 1, p. 77-80)praeconsulisPeter Behme (*ca. 1480 – †1539), 1526-1535 Gdańsk councillor; 1536-1539 Mayor of Gdańsk (ZDRENKA 1, p. 77-80) uxorem duxit, Anna von Höfen (Anna Reyneck, Anna Flachsbinder), sister of Ioannes Dantiscus, wife of Johann Hannau Sr and, after his death, of Johann Reyneck

Catherina von Höfen Dantiscus' sister, 1538-11-17 married Hans Glaubitz (CIDTC, IDL 5205; IDL 2425; IDL 4399)

Ursula von Höfen (Ursula Flachsbinder), Dantiscus’ sister, wife of Johann Reisen, mother of Justine, Ursule, and Augustin; then wife of Zacharias Lehmann, mother of Johann Lehmann
sororesAnna von Höfen (Anna Reyneck, Anna Flachsbinder), sister of Ioannes Dantiscus, wife of Johann Hannau Sr and, after his death, of Johann Reyneck

Catherina von Höfen Dantiscus' sister, 1538-11-17 married Hans Glaubitz (CIDTC, IDL 5205; IDL 2425; IDL 4399)

Ursula von Höfen (Ursula Flachsbinder), Dantiscus’ sister, wife of Johann Reisen, mother of Justine, Ursule, and Augustin; then wife of Zacharias Lehmann, mother of Johann Lehmann
praeterea meae tres omnesque mei domestici, qui te mihi esse sciunt carissimum, multam tibi salutem et tuis omnibus apprecantur.