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Letter #5224

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach
Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1539-09-19
            received 1539-09-20

Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in German, in secretary's hand, GStA PK, XX. HA Hist. StA Königsberg, HBA, C 1, No. 594

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, GStA PK, XX. HA Hist. StA Königsberg, Ostpr. Fol., 14 320, f. 33v-34r
2register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8249 (TK 11), f. 141

Prints:
1HARTMANN 1525-1550 No. 594, p. 326 (German register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Dem durchlauchten, hochgebornen fursten und hern, hern Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544)AlbrechtnAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 to his death Duke in Prussia as a liegeman of the Polish king; son of Friedrich V of Brandenburg der Ältere and Sophia Jagiellon (daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon), nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the university in Königsberg (1544), / von Gots gnadennn marggraff zu BrandenburgBrandenburgBrandenburg, in Ducal PrussiaPrewssenDucal Prussia, zu StettinStetinStettin, PomeraniaPomernPomerania, der Kashubia (Kaszuby, Cassubia, Cassubae), region in Gdańsk Pomerania and eastern part of Western Pomerania, inhabited by an autochthon Slavic people – the KashubiansCassubenKashubia (Kaszuby, Cassubia, Cassubae), region in Gdańsk Pomerania and eastern part of Western Pomerania, inhabited by an autochthon Slavic people – the Kashubians und WendenWendenWenden hertzog, burggraff zu Nuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, BavariaNormbergNuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, Bavaria und furst zu / RügenRugenRügen, / unserm hochgunstigen, lyben hern und freunt

Durchlauchterr ,hochgebornerr furst, hochgunstigerr , lieber herrr und freundt. / Unser freuntliche, willige dinst zuvorann. /

Es hat sich zugetragenn, das derr eddel unnd ernfest her 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)Stentzel KostkaStanisław 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) von Stangenberg (Sztembark), village Ermland, ca. 17 km SE of Sthum, estate of Kostka family; today Stążki in northern PolandStangenbergStangenberg (Sztembark), village Ermland, ca. 17 km SE of Sthum, estate of Kostka family; today Stążki in northern Poland, 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 Austriakoniglicher majestetSigismund 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, unseres allergnedigsten hern, uff 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)MarienburgMarienburg (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) / und derr Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thornlande PrewssenRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn schatzmeysterr, / hawptman zur Soldau (Działdowo), town in Ducal Prussia, 64 km S of AllensteinSoleSoldau (Działdowo), town in Ducal Prussia, 64 km S of Allenstein, / in meynung, das er hie den edlen, gestrengen, unsern freuntlichen, lyben bruderr, hern 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 LivoniaNickles NiebschitzNikolaus 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, / der sich in koniglichen werben und geschefften zu Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht begeben, / finden solte, / mit im sich zubereden, / jestrigs thags yst zu uns her gelangt, / mit dem wir inseynnerr sachen / nicht wenig wort gehabt, / doraus wir erstlich vormerckt, / das er den freythag noch sanct Bartholomey, / durch Euer Furstliche Durchlaucht angesetzt, / nicht habe angenhomen, / auch die zeyt, do Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht schreybenn derhalben gen Marienburg gekomen, / zu Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of PolandKrakaCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland gewesen, / aus solchen ursachen dy syben vorborgten, seyne dynerr, / dy er dismal geschickt, / nicht habe gestellet, / vyl wennigerr dy vierr, dy zu Marienwerder (Kwidzyn, Insula Sanctae Mariae), town in Ducal Prussia, 38 km S of Marienburg, today in northern PolandMarienwerderrMarienwerder (Kwidzyn, Insula Sanctae Mariae), town in Ducal Prussia, 38 km S of Marienburg, today in northern Poland bestrickt, / welche do, / auch in sterblicherr luft, / aneunderlas vorhalten, / und sich in solcher bestrickung Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht zu gestellen ( wy wir negst bericht, / geschen soldt sein ) nie yst worden nachgeben, / wywol sy solchs etlich mhal gebethen, / nemlich von wegen der anhangenden thodtlichen kranckheyten, / das sy yndert in eyn andren gesundem ort bestrickt mochten werden, / solchs je zu der unbillicheyt, / so dem so were, / thet gereychen etc. /

In solcher underredung mit dem hern 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)schatzmeysterrStanisław 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) hab wir in gespurt, / das er vyl lyber bey Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht gefellig und dinstlich, / dan der gestalt / in ungenadt wold sein gehalten. / Dieweyl wir dan Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht der mass zugethan / und unserm erbiethen nach / mit allem vleis Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht freuntlich zu dienen vorgenhomen, / und solchs wircklich mit der thadt gerne wolten beweyssen, / lasse wir uns beduncken, / das es Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht nicht misfallen ader zu wydren sein mochte, / so wir zu der sachen vorrichtung uns auch freuntlicher weys, / so weyt wir zuleyden sein, / einlyssen, / hirumb wir den hern schatzmeysterr etliche thage hie bey uns zuvorharren vormocht. / So sich vyleicht was begebe zu underhandlen ( dyweyl konigliche botschafft der her 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 LivoniaNiebschitzNikolaus 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 in der sachen bey Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht wirdt vortzihenn ), das durch uns zur eynnicheyt und des zcancks hinlegung gefurdert mocht werden, / wolde wir uns zu hohen ehren Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht, domit alles wurd vortragen ( das wir vor das beste auss vil ursachen etc. angesehen ) unbeswert lassen gebrawchen, / Euer Furstliche Durchlaucht in aller freundtlicher zuvorsicht fleyssiglich byttendt, / wolde ir hochvorstendig furstlich gemuet dohin wenden, / domit 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 Austriakonigliche majestetSigismund 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, unser allergnedigster herre, in solchemm wol erhaltenem alterr / in dyser sachen nicht weyter mhue und vordris entpfange, / wy wir uns dan zu Euer Furstlichen Durchlaucht, in der gunst wir uns befelhen, / gentzlich wollen trosten und vorsehen. /

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 ErmlandIoannesIoannes 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, von Gots gnadenn byschoff zu Ermland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal PrussiaErmelandtErmland (Warmia, Varmia), diocese and ecclesiastical principality in northeastern Poland, 1466-1772 within the Kingdom of Poland, Royal Prussia