GStA, PK, HBA, C 2, No 28, 1 unnumbered

An(n) meyn(n) gnedig(en), lib(e)n h(e)rn 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)⌊herczogenn(n)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)⌋ 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⌊Preussen(n)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⌋ mit den(n) allererst(e)n zu hand(en) s(einen) f(urstlichen) g(naden) etc.

Cito cito cito[1]

GStA PK, HBA, C2 No. 28, 2v

Dem durchlaucht(e)n hochgebornen(n) furst(e)n h(e)rn Albrecht(e)n margraffen(n) zu Brandenburg etc. herczogen(n) im(m) Preussen(n) etc. mey(ne)m g(nedigen) lib(e)n hern(n) zu eigen(n) hend(en)

GStA, PK, HBA, C 2, No 28, f. 1r

Durchlauchter, hochgeborner(r) furst, g(nediger), lieber(r) herr(r). Mein gancz willige dienste zuvorann(n). /

Mir ist E(wer) G(naden) cf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1532-08-29, CIDTC IDL 821⌊schreiben(n)cf. Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach to Ioannes DANTISCUS Königsberg, 1532-08-29, CIDTC IDL 821⌋ eigener hant von(n) Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊KrakoCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ durch meyn(n) sundren(n) freundt und bruder, hernn(n) 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 Livonia⌊Nibschiczen(n)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 Livonia⌋, zu komen(n), / das mich herczlich hot erfreudt, / daraus E(wer) G(naden) gnedigen(n), freuntlichenn(n) willen(n) gen mir / vorstanden(n) / mit solchen erbittenn(n), / das ich um(m)b E(wer) G(naden) nye hab vorschuldet / noch vordynet. / Bedanck mich der halben(n) gen E(wer) G(naden) uff das allerhochste, / wil ouch solcher grosser, unvordinter freuntschaff, / dar in mich E(wer) G(naden) genomen(n), / nu(m)mer undanckpar gefunden(n) werden(n), / und das wirt mit der zceit E(wer) G(naden) uffentlich spuren(n) un(n)d befinden(n) etc.

Was das belangt, / do von mir E(wer) G(naden) geschribenn(n), / uff mein(n) negsten(n) cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach Cracow, 1532-08-16, CIDTC IDL 5184⌊brifcf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach Cracow, 1532-08-16, CIDTC IDL 5184⌋ von(n) Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊KrakoCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ an E(wer) G(naden) gegebenn(n), / bedorffte ein(n) lang antwurt, / das so mit papir nicht wol oder sicher ist auszurichtenn(n). / Wil das selbtige so berhwen(n) lossen(n), biss ich selbst mich zu E(wer) G(naden) mag vorfuegenn(n) / und do mit E(wer) G(naden) willen(n) un(n)d meynem(m) hochem(m) beger genug muge geschen(n). / So ich mich von(n) hynnen(n) zu der Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊tagfartProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ uff sant Michel[2] gen(n) 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)⌋ mues begeb(e)n / und von(n) dannen(n) straks aus ein andern(n) weg vor mich nhemen(n), / thu ich E(wer) G(naden) hochlich bitten(n), wold sich nicht besveren(n), / das ich E(wer) G(naden) noch dem(m) tage zu Marienburg / zu Riesenburg (Prabuty), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, 44 km NE of Graudenz⌊ResenburgRiesenburg (Prabuty), town in northern Poland, Pomerania, 44 km NE of Graudenz⌋ mocht finden(n) / und do selbst mich noch aller nottorfft mit E(wer) G(naden) bereden(n).

Ich wold gern(n) E(wer) G(naden) vil gutter, newer zceytungen(n) von(n) hynnen(n) schreiben(n). / So ist an mich nichts anders komen(n), / dan das der h(e)rn The Fuggers German family of merchants and bankers that dominated European business during the 15th and 16th centuries⌊FuggerThe Fuggers German family of merchants and bankers that dominated European business during the 15th and 16th centuries⌋ factor Georg Mülich From 1509 Fuggers' factor in Milan, Wrocław (Ger. Breslau) and Toruń (Ger. Thorn). (Reinhard W., Häberlein M., Augsburger Eliten des 16. Jahrhunderts: Prosopographie wirtschaftflicher und politischer Führungsgruppen 1500-1620, 1996)⌊Jorg MulichGeorg Mülich From 1509 Fuggers' factor in Milan, Wrocław (Ger. Breslau) and Toruń (Ger. Thorn). (Reinhard W., Häberlein M., Augsburger Eliten des 16. Jahrhunderts: Prosopographie wirtschaftflicher und politischer Führungsgruppen 1500-1620, 1996)⌋ von(n) Wrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in southwestern Poland, on the Oder river, historical capital of Silesia, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs⌊BreslaWrocław (Breslau, Vratislavia), city in southwestern Poland, on the Oder river, historical capital of Silesia, from 1526 ruled by the Habsburgs⌋ negst genn(n) GStA, PK, HBA, C 2, No 28, f. 1v Thorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌊Thorn(n)Thorn (Toruń, Thorunium), city in northern Poland, on the Vistula river in its lower reaches, main residence of the bishops of Kulm (Chełmno); one of the three Great Prussian Cities (along with Gdańsk and Elbing) which had representatives in the Council of Royal Prussia; a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ hot geschriben(n), / wie der The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌊TurkThe Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌋ mit al seiner gewalt / acht meil wegs noch Hungary (Kingdom of Hungary)⌊Hungern(n)Hungary (Kingdom of Hungary)⌋ sey zu rucken(n) geczogen(n) / und hab das stettlen(n) Güns (Köszeg, Guncium), town and fortress in northwestern Hungary on the border with Austria⌊GunsGüns (Köszeg, Guncium), town and fortress in northwestern Hungary on the border with Austria⌋, / das der probably İbrahim Pasha (*ca. 1493 – †1536), in 1536 the Sultan, worried about his growing importance, had him strangled and confiscated his property; 1523-1536 Grand Vizier and Serasker (supreme commander of the army) of Sultan Suleiman I and his trusted advisor (AT 16/1, No. 147, p. 286-295; CLOT 2012, p. 94-98; DZIUBIŃSKI, p. 104-106, 112-114; POCIECHA 4, p. 192)⌊Imbrey Basschaprobably İbrahim Pasha (*ca. 1493 – †1536), in 1536 the Sultan, worried about his growing importance, had him strangled and confiscated his property; 1523-1536 Grand Vizier and Serasker (supreme commander of the army) of Sultan Suleiman I and his trusted advisor (AT 16/1, No. 147, p. 286-295; CLOT 2012, p. 94-98; DZIUBIŃSKI, p. 104-106, 112-114; POCIECHA 4, p. 192)⌋ vil tag het belegert / und V. sturme dar vor verloren(n), / mit solchen(n) tedingen(n) gelossen(n). / Ins erst liss her durch eyn(n) basscha mit dem(m) houptman on the margin⌈manman on the margin⌉ des Güns (Köszeg, Guncium), town and fortress in northwestern Hungary on the border with Austria⌊stettlensGüns (Köszeg, Guncium), town and fortress in northwestern Hungary on the border with Austria⌋, eynem(m) tapferen(n) man(n)e, redenn(n), das her sich im in sein dinst ergebe, / wold im das stettlen und ander heru(m)mer erblich geben(n). Und do her dissen(n) wedlichen(n) houptman(n) dar zu nicht mocht bringen(n), / do mit mit ehrenn(n) die belegrung abzcuge, / liss her mit im handlen(n), / so Vienna (Wien, Vienna), city in eastern Austria, on the Danube river⌊WienVienna (Wien, Vienna), city in eastern Austria, on the Danube river⌋ gewo(n)nen(n) wurd, / das her sich ouch ergebe. / Hiruff, / so der houptman(n) kein(n) pulver mher und weynig gehabt p(ro)fant, / hot sich lossen(n) bereden(n) / wissende, das Vienna (Wien, Vienna), city in eastern Austria, on the Danube river⌊WienVienna (Wien, Vienna), city in eastern Austria, on the Danube river⌋ so mit aller nottorfft besorget, das es diss jor bleib ungewonnen(n). / Und wie der schreibt, / das die The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌊Turken(n)The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌋ kein slacht wollen(n) geliffern(n), / des ich mich alzeit besorget. / Idoch hab ich von(n) Charles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌊kay(serliche)r m(aieste)tCharles V of Habsburg (*1500 – †1558), ruler of the Burgundian territories (1506-1555), King of Spain as Charles I (1516-1556), King of Naples and Sicily, King of the Romans (1519-1530), Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation (elected 1519, crowned 1530, abdicated 1556); son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile⌋ und vom(m) Ferdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria, from 1526 King of Bohemia and Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia as Ferdinand I, 1531-1558 King of the Romans, 1558-1564 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, a younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌊romschen(n) konigeFerdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria, from 1526 King of Bohemia and Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia as Ferdinand I, 1531-1558 King of the Romans, 1558-1564 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna the Mad of Castile, a younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌋ gehort, / so die The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌊Turken(n)The Ottoman Turks (Turcae) ⌋ der slacht sich wolden(n) enczyhen(n), / das sie mit aller macht wolten(n) noch seczen(n). / Got gebe glug uff unser seitten(n) etc.

Hiermit thu ich mich in E(wer) G(naden) gnedige freu(n)tschafft befelen(n) / und bit, mich wold mit den(n) erst(e)n lossen(n) wissen(n), / voczu das E(wer) G(naden) gewilliget ist. / Got der almechtig geb E(wer) G(naden) ein gesunt, langwerig leben(n) und zu allenn(n) zceiten(n) glugszelig zunhemen(n).

Dat(um) aus dem(m) Althausen (Starogród, Antiquum Castrum), town on the Vistula river, ca. 1.5 km S of Kulm, initial location of Kulm; given to the Kulm cathedral by Alexander Jagiellon, it was the summer residence of the Kulm bishops⌊AltenhauseAlthausen (Starogród, Antiquum Castrum), town on the Vistula river, ca. 1.5 km S of Kulm, initial location of Kulm; given to the Kulm cathedral by Alexander Jagiellon, it was the summer residence of the Kulm bishops⌋, den 25 Septembr(is) 1532.

E(wer) G(naden) williger(r) 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⌊JoannesIoannes 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⌋ etc. bischoff zu Kulm diocese (Chełmno diocese)⌊Culmen(n)Kulm diocese (Chełmno diocese)⌋ ma(nu) p(ro)pria

[1] There are two addresses preserved. This one might have served as an outer envelope or been assigned to this letter falsely

[2] September 29