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Letter #2947

Bartłomiej PLEMIĘCKI (von PLEMENT) to Ioannes DANTISCUS
Rome, 1546-04-03
            received Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1546-09-20

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, AAWO, AB, D. 6, f. 98-99
2copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1546, f. 8-10v

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 283
2register in English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 31, No. 368

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino, domino 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⌊Ioanni Dei gratia episcopo VarmiensiIoannes 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⌋, domino meo clementissimo Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌊HeilspergiHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌋ in Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊PrussiaPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋

Salutem dico.

Dominus Kaspar Hannau (Gasparus Hannovius, Kacper Hannow) (*1519 – †1571), Dantiscus' nephew (son of Anna), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Marcin Kromer, Bishop of Ermland; his studies in Cracow (1536-1538), and later in Rome (1539-1548), were financed by his uncle; from 1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Dean of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; from 1547 Canon of Włocławek (ORACKI 1984, p. 84; KOPICZKO 2, p. 108-109)⌊Gaspar HannoviusKaspar Hannau (Gasparus Hannovius, Kacper Hannow) (*1519 – †1571), Dantiscus' nephew (son of Anna), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Marcin Kromer, Bishop of Ermland; his studies in Cracow (1536-1538), and later in Rome (1539-1548), were financed by his uncle; from 1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Dean of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; from 1547 Canon of Włocławek (ORACKI 1984, p. 84; KOPICZKO 2, p. 108-109)⌋, Reverendissimae Paternitatis Vestrae nepos, homo ea comitate atque ingenio, atque idem in rebus gerendis summa fide, diligentia et assiduitate praeditus salutem mihi aliquoties ex Reverendissimae Paternitatis Vestrae litteris significavit negotiaque mea sibi a Reverendissima Paternitate Vestra quam accuratissime commendata affirmavit. Quae tanta erga me cleme{me}ntissimi amoris observantia Paternitatis Vestrae Reverendissimae varia ac multiplici animi laetitia voluptateque me affecit, quamvis nequissimi plani et impostoris 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)⌊Alexandri ScultetiAlexander 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)⌋, inquam, quam mecum contraxerat, familiaritas quasi morum suorum sycophantiarumque minime edocto et tum temporis Rome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy See⌊RomaeRome (Roma), city in central Italy, on the Tiber river, seat of the Holy See⌋ novitio benevolentiae Reverendissimae Paternitatis Vestrae erga me fuit quaedam seiunctio, ut paternae mihi declararunt litterae.

Nunc autem in commodius tempus dimissa purgatione illius suspicionis, qua apud Reverendissimam Parernitatem Vestram aliquantisper laboraverim, precor enixe, det veniam, si improvidentia mea se offensam aliquo modo existimet et me in tantum in parte aliqua servulorum suorum haerere permittat, quousque ipse me coram tanto vitio exsolvero, id, quod proxima imminente aestate Deo fortunante futu{r}rum arbitror. Non mediocriter profecto haec me res animo excruciavit atque meae ad Reverendissimam Paternitatem Vestram scribendi intermissionis fuit causa, utpote indignatione Paternitatis Vetstrae Reverendissimae me deterrente, qui haud ullo merito mea apud eandem graviter atque iniuriae sim accusatus, praesertim cum mihi insideret in animo perpetua memoria illius munificentissimae liberalitatis, quam in consulendo semper studiis meis, quo etiam erga me esset animo quaque clementia satis ostendit perspicueque declaravit. Quo fiat, ut mea studia meamque operam omnem perquam libentissime ad Reverendissimam Paternitatem Vestram deferrem, si modo aliqua mihi daretur occasio. Quanto autem saepius daretur in Reverendissimae Paternitatis Vestrae vel amicorum clientumque suorum negotiis mihi oportunitas inserviendi tanto maius optatiusque sim habiturus indicium ac testimonium illius erga me benevoli amoris ac clementiae.

Praeterea, Princeps Illustrissime, Antistes et Protector Reverendissime, cum mihi non sit ignotum res et negotia mea illi esse curae, non dubitavi paucissimis eandem certiorem reddere, quod ius meum nominationis ad canonicatum Varmiensem, a 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⌊reginaBona 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⌋ nostra, Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌊PoloniaePoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌋ serenissima principe, quod mihi et a Paul II (Pietro Barbo) (*1417 – †1471)⌊summo pontificePaul II (Pietro Barbo) (*1417 – †1471)⌋ competebat, per regulam cancellariae revocatum, irritum et inane factum, nunc inconfirmatum a Holy See (Sedes Apostolica) ⌊sede apostolicaHoly See (Sedes Apostolica) ⌋ reliquerim. Verum sanctissimo domino nostro Paul III (Alessandro Farnese) (*1468 – †1549), 1493 elevated to cardinal; 1524 Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia; 1534-1549 Pope⌊Paulo papa tertioPaul III (Alessandro Farnese) (*1468 – †1549), 1493 elevated to cardinal; 1524 Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia; 1534-1549 Pope⌋ familiaribus suis gratias expectativas elargiente, ut aliquod praemium servitutis meae reportarem, non posterioris tuli, quin etiam de simili gratia, sicut et ceteris familiaribus, mihi provideretur. Titulo denique canonici Varmiensis de novo sum honestatus, hoc est creatione in canonicum.

Nunc ad hanc nihil opus est, praeter gratia Reverendissimae Paternitatis Vestrae et clementi patrocinio. Etsi minime dubium est, quin et iustitia, et lex apud Reverendissimam Paternitatem Vestram plurimum auctoritatis haberent, quo fiat, ut ad illam confugiam tamquam ad sacram (ut dicitur) ancoram, quae mihi precor obtestorque in adipiscenda possesione canonicatus, quantum primus vacaverit, benigne patrocinari dignetur subque suis ulnis defendere. Deficiente enim mihi in tali negotio gratia Dei primum et Paternitatis Vestrae Reverendissimae nihil agam. Do fidem atque spondeo, quidquid hic humanissime suae in me benignitatis contulerit Reverendissima Paternitas Vestra, bene ab eadem positum et collocatum iri, qui primum Deum Optimum Maximum pro incolumitate longevitateque sua cum tota familia clementina praestabor, tum sedulis studiis erga illam etiam minimos servulorum secundos promereri tanta beneficia conabor. Demum nolim praetereat Reverendissimam Paternitatem Vestram, quod a reverendissimo Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌊episcopo CulmensiTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌋ et Kulm Chapter ⌊capituloKulm Chapter ⌋ suo a canonicatu et praebenda post obitum bonae memoriae in mense pontificio Martin von Zehmen (Marcin Cema) (†ca. 1542), 1504 Kulm vicar general and judicial vicar; 1530-1532 administrator of Kulm bishopric (after the death of Jan Konopacki, and during Dantiscus' absence) (BISKUP 1992, p. 219-220)⌊Martino CzemaMartin von Zehmen (Marcin Cema) (†ca. 1542), 1504 Kulm vicar general and judicial vicar; 1530-1532 administrator of Kulm bishopric (after the death of Jan Konopacki, and during Dantiscus' absence) (BISKUP 1992, p. 219-220)⌋ vacante omnino seiungor, cum suae paternitati non sit occultum mihi ius ad ecclesiam eandem vel canonicatum luce clarius competere. Demiror profecto tantam Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌊praesulisTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌋ nostri inhumanitatem, nisi fortasse neminem Paulo Cupner digniorem arbitratur ad hanc dignitatem, quem ita accuratissime defendit. Si non esset molestum Reverendissimae Paternitati Vestrae Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌊illumTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), in 1519 ennobled by King Sigismund I; 1504-1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516-1527, 1533-1537 Judicial Vicar and Vicar General of Ermland; 1523-1538 Custos of Ermland; 1537-1549 Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1549-1550 Bishop of Ermland (BORAWSKA 1984, passim)⌋ suis scriptis mei causa commonefacere, quo se erga illos, quod paternitati suae reverendissimae olim libentissime inservierint, non ita praebeat crudelem et durum, quamvis nescio, an aliquid profecerit, siquidem 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⌋, domini nostri clementissimi, litterae mei gratia nihil profuerunt.

Ego propter auram Romanam meae valetudini omnino adversantem adhuc ante ferias Paschae domum ire institui, quo aliquantulum immo quasi exsucus et enervus tot pharmacis febribusque cerevisia nostra reficiar.

Dominus Kaspar Hannau (Gasparus Hannovius, Kacper Hannow) (*1519 – †1571), Dantiscus' nephew (son of Anna), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Marcin Kromer, Bishop of Ermland; his studies in Cracow (1536-1538), and later in Rome (1539-1548), were financed by his uncle; from 1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Dean of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; from 1547 Canon of Włocławek (ORACKI 1984, p. 84; KOPICZKO 2, p. 108-109)⌊Gaspar HannoviusKaspar Hannau (Gasparus Hannovius, Kacper Hannow) (*1519 – †1571), Dantiscus' nephew (son of Anna), doctor of both canon and civil law, friend of Marcin Kromer, Bishop of Ermland; his studies in Cracow (1536-1538), and later in Rome (1539-1548), were financed by his uncle; from 1545 Canon of Ermland (Warmia) and Dean of Guttstadt (Dobre Miasto) Collegiate Chapter; from 1547 Canon of Włocławek (ORACKI 1984, p. 84; KOPICZKO 2, p. 108-109)⌋ se strenuum fidelemque defensorem causae meae in canonicatu Culmensi esse pollicitus est. Haud quidem ullo merito meo, sed iam antea multis in me collatis beneficiis suis me sibi in totum devinctum reddidit et nunc multo strictius. Cui etsi minime opus esse arbitror, quando oportune fieri poterit, per schedas suas Reverendissima Paternitas Vestra me commendare non dedignetur, summopere flagito.

Quam Deus Optimus nobis in multa lustra servet una cum tota familia incolumem.

Postscript:

Nova, quae Reverendissimae Paternitati Vestrae ex animo scripsissem, verum nulla sese tali digna principe obtulerunt.