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Text #670

 Councillors of Royal Prussia to Sigismund I Jagiellon
Löbau (Lubawa) 1539-06-14
English register:

The Prussian councillors express regret in connection with the King’s [Sigismund I Jagiellon’s] negative response to the supplication sent through the Bishop of Ermland (Warmia) [Ioannes Dantiscus], on changing the date and time of the springtime Diet [of Royal Prussia].

In the face of the continued danger posed by the plague, and invoking their privileges, they ask the King to consent to moving the date and time of the Diet that did not take place to St. Michael’s Day, and to leave the choice of venue up to the councillors. This will enable them to base their decision on the current epidemiological risk.

Their supplication is in the form of an open letter because at this time they do not have the seal of Royal Prussia with them. They are also sending the supplication to the Bishop of Ermland [Ioannes Dantiscus], who will clarify the matter to the King on their behalf in a separate letter.



Manuscript sources:
1copy in Latin, 16th-century, AAWO, AB, D. 68, f. 278r-v

Prints:
1CEID 1/2 Appendices, No. 1, p. 317-319 (in extenso; English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus

 

Serenissime Princeps, Potentissime Rex et Domine Clementissime.

Fidelium servitiorum nostrorum in gratiam Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae subditissimam commendationem.

Nos, infrascripti Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae 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⌊terrarum PrussiaeRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ consiliarii, cum sigillum harum terrarum ad manus non habeamus, patentibus iis nostris litteris per nos ex communi consensu scriptis Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae humiliter significandum duximus, quod ad nostram supplicationem, quam ratione Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventusProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋, qui pro Divi Stanislai die praeterito celebrari debuerat, ad Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram per medium reverendissimi domini Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), diplomat, neo-Latin poet and traveller; 1504 royal scribe; 1507 referendary for Prussian affairs at the court of Sigismund Jagiellon; 1508-1513 royal envoy to Prussian towns and to the Prussian assemblies; 1515 secretary of the Polish legation at the imperial court; in 1516-1532 envoy in the service of the king of Poland Sigismund Jagiellon and emperors Maximilian and Charles V of Habsburg; 1529 Kulm canon; 1530-1537 bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 bishop of Ermland⌊episcopi WarmiensisIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), diplomat, neo-Latin poet and traveller; 1504 royal scribe; 1507 referendary for Prussian affairs at the court of Sigismund Jagiellon; 1508-1513 royal envoy to Prussian towns and to the Prussian assemblies; 1515 secretary of the Polish legation at the imperial court; in 1516-1532 envoy in the service of the king of Poland Sigismund Jagiellon and emperors Maximilian and Charles V of Habsburg; 1529 Kulm canon; 1530-1537 bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 bishop of Ermland⌋, praesidentis nostri, dederamus, ab eodem iis diebus Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae responsum accepimus, ex quo petitiones nostras, ut videlicet tempus et locus illius conventus ob pestis contagium, quod tum et adhuc in praesenti 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)⌊MarienburgiMarienburg (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)⌋ saevit, transferretur, non esse admissas dolenter quidem intelleximus, cum etiam iis, quibus castri cura tradita est, liberum permittatur saluti suae consulere, nobis vero non item.

Cum igitur suspecti aeris et mortis metu, qui a natura cunctis est inditus, tum etiam non dubia spe precium nostrarum exaudiendarum, Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventusProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ noster pro statuto die et loco non coierit ac Serenissima Maiestas Vestra in litteris 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 League⌊GedaniGdańsk (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⌋ clementer nobis datis novissimeque Cracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌊CracoviaeCracow (Kraków, Cracovia), city in southern Poland, Małopolska, on the Vistula river, from 1038 capital of the Kingdom of Poland⌋ confirmatis, quoties res postulaverit, alium locum et tempus praescribendi arbitrium sibi reservaverit[1], iterum ad Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram supplices confugimus atque humillime oramus, elapso iam commodiore veris tempore instanteque messe, cuius cura incumbit omnibus, ut conventum, qui non abs re infectus transiit, in futurum pro 1539-09-29⌊Divi Michaelis festo1539-09-29⌋ celebrandum, unico ad omnes hic Royal Prussian Estates ⌊ordinesRoyal Prussian Estates ⌋ scripto mandato cum omnibus causis tractandis, convertere dignetur, cum tali facultate (si ita Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae propter ancipitem hic aeris statum placebit) Council of Royal Prussia ⌊dominis consiliariisCouncil of Royal Prussia ⌋ concedenda, ut possint, si suspicio pestis tunc in Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊GraudenczGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ esse comperietur, conventum ipsum in locum aliquem salubriorem communi consilio transferre, mandatis Maiestatis Vestrae quoad cetera salvis manentibus, et quo in iis Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), diplomat, neo-Latin poet and traveller; 1504 royal scribe; 1507 referendary for Prussian affairs at the court of Sigismund Jagiellon; 1508-1513 royal envoy to Prussian towns and to the Prussian assemblies; 1515 secretary of the Polish legation at the imperial court; in 1516-1532 envoy in the service of the king of Poland Sigismund Jagiellon and emperors Maximilian and Charles V of Habsburg; 1529 Kulm canon; 1530-1537 bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 bishop of Ermland⌊reverendissimo domino WarmiensiIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), diplomat, neo-Latin poet and traveller; 1504 royal scribe; 1507 referendary for Prussian affairs at the court of Sigismund Jagiellon; 1508-1513 royal envoy to Prussian towns and to the Prussian assemblies; 1515 secretary of the Polish legation at the imperial court; in 1516-1532 envoy in the service of the king of Poland Sigismund Jagiellon and emperors Maximilian and Charles V of Habsburg; 1529 Kulm canon; 1530-1537 bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 bishop of Ermland⌋ nostrum omnium nomine diffusius cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon ca. 1539-06-24, CIDTC IDL 7230, letter lost⌊scribenticf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Sigismund I Jagiellon ca. 1539-06-24, CIDTC IDL 7230, letter lost⌋ Serenissima Maiestas Vestra credat certius, ad illum has patentes sigillis nostris firmatas Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae mittendas dedimus.

Cui nos supplicissime commendamus cupientes eandem Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram in diuturna et felicissima prosperitate valere.

Eiusdem Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae devoti et fideles consiliarii ac servitor[es]

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)⌊Tidemannus episcopus CulmensisTiedemann 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)⌋ manu propria subscripsit

Johann von Lusian (Jan Luzjański) (*before 1470 – †1551), brother of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Bishop of Ermland (Warmia); 1514-1551 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno); 1520-1525 Burgrave of Rössel (Reszel) (PSB 18, p. 166-167)⌊Ioannes de LusianisJohann von Lusian (Jan Luzjański) (*before 1470 – †1551), brother of Fabian von Lusian (Luzjański), Bishop of Ermland (Warmia); 1514-1551 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno); 1520-1525 Burgrave of Rössel (Reszel) (PSB 18, p. 166-167)⌋ palatinus Culmensis ac capitaneus Rosinensis [etc. subscripsit]

Georg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌊Georgius a BaisenGeorg von Baysen (Jerzy Bażyński) (*1469 – †1546), 1503-1512 Chamberlain of Marienburg (Malbork); 1512-1546 Voivode of Marienburg (PSB 1, p. 377)⌋ palatinus Marienburgensis et Gnevensis etc. subscripsi[t]

Jerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌊Georgius a ConopatJerzy Konopacki Sr (Georg von Konopat) (*ca. 1480 – †1543), brother of Jan Konopacki, Bishop of Kulm (Chełmno); 1512-1516 Chamberlain of Pomerania; 1516-1518 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1518-1543 Voivode of Pomerania (PSB 13, p. 547-548)⌋ palatinus Pomeraniae manu propria subscripsit

Achatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌊Achacius CzemeAchatius von Zehmen (Achacy Cema) (*ca. 1485 – †1565), 1517-1531 Chamberlain of Pomerania, 1531-1546 Castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), 1545-1546 Voivode of Kulm (Chełmno), 1546-1565 Voivode of Marienburg (Malbork) (SBPN 1, p. 194-195; ORACKI 1984, p. 38-39; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 198; PSB 4, p. 325-326)⌋ castellanus Gedanensis, capitaneus Sthumensis subscripsit

[1 ] Cf. Constitutiones terrarum Prussiae, Gdańsk, June, 17 1526: Conventus autem publici seu generales iuxta proximam ordinationem nostram in Prussia quotannis bis celebrentur: verno videlicet tempore Dirshoviae ad diem sancti Stanislai, tempore autem autumni in Grudzyancz ad diem sancti Michaelis. Conventus autem particularis, per nos instituendus, locum et diem ex nostro arbitrio sortietur (cf. Corpus Iuris Polonici sectionis primae privilegia statuta constitutiones edicta decreta mandata regnum Poloniae spectantia comprehendentes voluminis quarti annos 1523-1534 continentis fasciculus primus, ed. by Oswald Balzer, Kraków, 1910 ⌊CIP 1/4/1cf. Corpus Iuris Polonici sectionis primae privilegia statuta constitutiones edicta decreta mandata regnum Poloniae spectantia comprehendentes voluminis quarti annos 1523-1534 continentis fasciculus primus, ed. by Oswald Balzer, Kraków, 1910 ⌋, p. 235-236), and, more precisely, Constitutiones Terrarum Prussiae, in publicis comitiis Thorunensibus, Sigismundi regis auctoritate confirmatae, anno 1538: Conventus autem publici seu generales, iuxta proximam ordinationem nostram, in 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⌊PrussiaRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ quotannis bis celebrentur, verno videlicet tempore 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)⌊MariaeburgiMarienburg (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)⌋ ad diem sancti Stanislai; tempore autem autumni in Graudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊GraudentzGraudenz (Grudziądz, Graudentium), city in Poland, Voivodeship of Pomerania, on the upper east bank of the Vistula, Graudenz (taking turns with Marienburg (Malbork)) was the venue for the Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia, which were chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋ ad diem sancti Michaelis. In nostro tamen arbitrio erit, cum res ita postulaverit, alium locum et tempus huiusmodi conventibus praescribere. Peculiares autem conventus per nos instituendi locum et diem ex nostro arbitrio sortientur (cf. Volumina Constitutionum, vol. 1/2 (1527-1549), ed. by Wacław Uruszczak, Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Sejmowe, 2000 ⌊VC 1/2cf. Volumina Constitutionum, vol. 1/2 (1527-1549), ed. by Wacław Uruszczak, Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Sejmowe, 2000 ⌋, p. 189)