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Letter #2337

Ioannes DANTISCUS to Thomas CRANMER
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1540-09-01

English register:

A rumor concerning Dantiscus’ death, reinforced by the absence of any letters from him over the past three years, had reached Cranmer. Dantiscus had not written because he had received news of Cranmer’s execution, reportedly carried out, along with that of many others, on the orders of his king [Henry VIII]. In response to Cranmer’s letter, Dantiscus expresses his wish to resume their correspondence. He urges Cranmer to avoid dangerous situations. Given the political situation in England, he refrains from writing more so as not to endanger the recipient, should the letter fall into the wrong hands.

He would prefer to learn about events in England directly from Cranmer rather than from others who convey unreliable reports. He does not fully believe the widely circulated rumours of countless seizures of church property, death penalties being meted out to men and women, and many marriages and divorces, carried out in defiance of both divine and human law.

What makes him inclined to give credence to these rumours, however, is Cranmer’s signature on the letter, in which he referred to himself as a minister, rather than, as in the past, Archbishop and Primate. In Poland, people live under a Christian king [Sigismund I Jagiellon], according to ancient customs, much as they once did in England. Dantiscus is glad that his earlier suggestion [regarding the possibility of arranging a marriage between Henry VIII and Isabella Jagiellon] was met with no interest, for had it ended as in the case of the Duchess of Jülich [Anne of Cleves], he would have found himself in serious trouble.

Dantiscus foretells that the repeated changes of royal wives (Helenae) will bring the wrath of God upon England. As he harbours no ill will toward the country, he prays to God to avert misfortune.

He thanks Cranmer for his concern for the education of the young man [Georgius Rogenellus], whom he had recommended at the imperial court [of Charles V of Habsburg] in Regensburg to serve at Cranmer’s court. The young man has brought Dantiscus regards and a letter from Cranmer. Dantiscus expresses his gratitude for Cranmer’s financial support in Rogenellus’ education and for having provided him with the means for his journey.

He promises to reciprocate and be of service to Cranmer or his family and friends, making use of his own means, which are in a reasonably good state. He asks to be more fully informed about Cranmer’s personal affairs as well as the situation in his country. Cranmer may conveniently send letters to him via his compatriots [the citizens of Danzig (Gdańsk)], who are active in London.

In a postscript with his own hand, Dantiscus mentions that he is sending his poem describing his own life [Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum], which has been printed without his knowledge or consent. In a light-hearted tone, he asks for news of how the recipient now lives: whether he leads the kind of life attributed to Saint Paul the Apostle [celibacy]. For here, he adds, nothing is more highly prized than celibacy and a bed kept fully to oneself. He permits himself this jest on account of their former intimacy, forged during banquets and companionship on the boat when Dantiscus departed from Regensburg a few years earlier.




Manuscript sources:
1fair copy in Latin, autograph, in secretary's hand, author's signature, NAUK, PRO SP 1/163, f. 1-2

Prints:
1CRANMER 1833 No. 259, footnote n, p. 300-302 (in extenso)
2CRANMER 1846 p. 402-404 (in extenso; English translation)
3GAIRDNER 1898 No. 4, p. 1 (English register)

 

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus Excerpts concerning Dantiscus' travels

 

BL PRO SP 1/163, f. 1r

Rumorem de morte mea ad te, mi humanissime Cranmere, perlatum eo auctum cf. Thomas CRANMER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Lambeth, [1540]-06-20, CIDTC IDL 2325⌊scribiscf. Thomas CRANMER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Lambeth, [1540]-06-20, CIDTC IDL 2325⌋, quod a me intra triennium nullas acceperis. Hoc quidem non incurantia aut mutuae nostrae amicitiae oblivione contigit, verum ob similem de te rumorem, qui apud nos percrebuit, quem certe, amantissimus utpote tui, dolenter accepi, te, inquam, iussu Henry VIII Tudor (*1491 – †1547), 1509–1547 King of England; son of Henry VII Tudor and Elizabeth of York⌊regis tuiHenry VIII Tudor (*1491 – †1547), 1509–1547 King of England; son of Henry VII Tudor and Elizabeth of York⌋, cum multis aliis bonis viris, praeter omnem aequitatem fuisse e vivis sublatum. Quo intime permotus, non secus atque tu meis, ita et ego tuis manibus aeternam non semel beatitudinem sum precatus. Qua de re, cum eiusmodi rumor, Deo gratia, utrique falsus evanuit, gaudendum nobis et ad pristinum benevolentiae officium et animo, et scripto redeundum est. Tu tamen, ne te cf. Adagia 851 Pyraustae interitus ⌊πυραύ<σ>του μόροςcf. Adagia 851 Pyraustae interitus ⌋ [1] occupet, cum ea sint apud vos tempora, quae nulla prius in orbis Christiani regione fuerunt umquam, caveas: plura adderem, nisi vererer has fraudi tibi futuras, si in alterius quam in tuas manus inciderent.

Quid apud vos agatur, gratius mihi fuisset scire a te, quam de iis, qui multa incerta pro certis nobis denuntiant. Tot scilicet bonorum ecclesiae direptiones paper damaged⌈[reptiones]reptiones paper damaged⌉ [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ quae modum et paper damaged⌈[quae modum et]quae modum et paper damaged⌉[2] numerum non habent, in utrumque promiscue sexum supplicia, quodque magis his omnes in admirationem ac detestationem inducit, tot coniugia totque contra omnes, tum humanas, tum etiam divinas leges repudia. Quae tamen, quamvis passim hic in vulgus sparsa, pro veris habentur, apud me adhuc sunt ambigua.

Nonnihil ad credendum me compellit, quod tu, cum sis et archiepiscopus, et England⌊regni vestriEngland⌋ primas, ministrum ecclesiae tuae, longe alio quam prius nomine, te cf. Thomas CRANMER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Lambeth, [1540]-06-20, CIDTC IDL 2325, letter subscribed: Amicus tibi non minus etiam nunc quam olim animo coniunctissimus Thomas ecclesiae Cantuariensis minister⌊subscribiscf. Thomas CRANMER to Ioannes DANTISCUS Lambeth, [1540]-06-20, CIDTC IDL 2325, letter subscribed: Amicus tibi non minus etiam nunc quam olim animo coniunctissimus Thomas ecclesiae Cantuariensis minister⌋. Ministri quidem sumus omnes, ecclesiarum qui sumus episcopi; hoc tamen titulo, quo Paul of Tarsus, Saint (*5-10 AD – †64-67 AD), the most important missionary and theologian of early Christianity, known as the Apostle of Nations, author of Letters, the main figure of the Acts of the Apostles⌊PaulusPaul of Tarsus, Saint (*5-10 AD – †64-67 AD), the most important missionary and theologian of early Christianity, known as the Apostle of Nations, author of Letters, the main figure of the Acts of the Apostles⌋ usus est, abuti non deberemus. Is etenim, qui speculatur, non est sine ministerio, BL PRO SP 1/163, f. 1v sua tamen ob id vocatione non privatur. Nos porro hic sub christianissimo pientissimoque 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⌊regeSigismund 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⌋ degentes, Favorinus of Arelate (*85 – †150), one of the most learned sophists of Hadrian’s era⌊Phouorini(!) instead of Favorini⌈Phouorini(!)Phouorini(!) instead of Favorini⌉Favorinus of Arelate (*85 – †150), one of the most learned sophists of Hadrian’s era⌋ apud Aulus Gellius (*ca. 130 – †after 180), Roman writer, author of "Noctes Atticae"⌊GelliumAulus Gellius (*ca. 130 – †after 180), Roman writer, author of "Noctes Atticae"⌋ praecepto, cf. Gel. I 104 Vive ergo moribus praeteritis, loquere verbis praesentibus ⌊utimur verbis praesentibus, et moribus vivimus antiquiscf. Gel. I 104 Vive ergo moribus praeteritis, loquere verbis praesentibus ⌋, in quibus et vos olim non infelices inter alios mortales fuistis; adeo etiam, quemadmodum recens nosti, quod de insigni ad te coniugio cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Thomas CRANMER Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-10-15, CIDTC IDL 1546⌊scripserimcf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Thomas CRANMER Löbau (Lubawa), 1536-10-15, CIDTC IDL 1546⌋, hoc si ad eum modum, ut cum Anne of Cleves (*1515 – †1557), Queen of England (1540-01-06 - 1540-07-09) as the fourth wife of Henry VIII Tudor; daughter of John III the Peaceful, Duke of Cleves, and Maria of Jülich-Berg⌊IuliacenseAnne of Cleves (*1515 – †1557), Queen of England (1540-01-06 - 1540-07-09) as the fourth wife of Henry VIII Tudor; daughter of John III the Peaceful, Duke of Cleves, and Maria of Jülich-Berg⌋ successisset, in quas me turbas non coniecissem? Eas a me Deus per suam misericordiam avertit.

Quem vero apud vos exitum hoc turbulentissimum cum tot commutatis Helen of Troy in Greek mythology wife of Menelaus king of Sparta, known for her beauty. Her abduction by Paris (the son of Priam, king of Troy) caused the Trojan war⌊HelenisHelen of Troy in Greek mythology wife of Menelaus king of Sparta, known for her beauty. Her abduction by Paris (the son of Priam, king of Troy) caused the Trojan war⌋ malum, et haec tanta et tam impia diritas aliquando habebit, nemo sanae mentis non videt, quantumvis cf. V. Max. 1:3:26-28 lento enim gradu ad vindictam sui divina procedit ira tarditatemque supplicii gravitate pensat ⌊lento divina ira gradu procedatcf. V. Max. 1:3:26-28 lento enim gradu ad vindictam sui divina procedit ira tarditatemque supplicii gravitate pensat ⌋. Quam ut ab hac vestra praedivite England⌊insulaEngland⌋, quae mihi ob multam humanitatem in ea perceptam carissima est, et a vobis omnibus mihi carissimis diutissime Dominus Deus contineat, immo numquam exerceat, impense oro; tantum abest, ut quicquam adversi imprecer.

Ceterum quod honorificis illis relictis titulis usu receptis adeo me mentis(?) tuae(?) gau(?)dium paper damaged⌈[dium]dium paper damaged⌉ [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ ma paper damaged⌈[ma]ma paper damaged⌉gna paper damaged⌈[na]na paper damaged⌉ gratia(?) [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉. Itaque paper damaged⌈[Itaque(?)]Itaque paper damaged⌉[3] magnas gratias habeo, quod Georgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌊puerumGeorgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌋, quem Regensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria⌊RatisbonaeRegensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria⌋ ad Danube (Dunaj, Donau), river in central and eastern Europe⌊DanubiumDanube (Dunaj, Donau), river in central and eastern Europe⌋ in aula 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 in 1519, crowned in 1530, and abdicated in 1556; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna of Castile⌊caesarisCharles 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 in 1519, crowned in 1530, and abdicated in 1556; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna of Castile⌋ quondam famulatui tuo addixeram, adeo liberaliter educari commiseris. Georgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌊HuncGeorgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌋ revera, cum tuis me verbis et litteris salutaret, a facie non minus, quam alium quempiam exoticum, a me numquam prius visum, noveram; fuitque eo mihi gratior, quod tua opera et adminiculo in adulescentem orig. adolescentem⌈adulescentemadulescentem orig. adolescentem⌉ moribus et litteris non incultum excreverit; qui si institutum, quod coepit, prosequi non intermiserit, quod ad reliquum vitae tempus pertinebit, facile assequetur. Tibi vero iterum atque iterum gratias ago, quod Georgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌊illumGeorgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌋, ad meam commendationem et nostrae inter nos BL PRO SP 1/163, f. 2r amicitiae rationem, tam benigne et largiter tuo impendio in litterarum studiis exercitum foveris hucque ad me non sine viatico remiseris. Hinc clare liquet Athenaeus of Naucratis (fl. about the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd century AD), Greek rhetorician and grammarian⌊AthenaeumAthenaeus of Naucratis (fl. about the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd century AD), Greek rhetorician and grammarian⌋ non recte sensisse cf. Adagia 1286 Non sunt amici, amici qui degunt procul ⌊amicos non esse, qui procul deguntcf. Adagia 1286 Non sunt amici, amici qui degunt procul ⌋; cum tu, ab orbe nostro divisus, in hoc Georgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌊iuveneGeorgius Rogenellus at least from 1534 scholar of Trinity Hall in Cambridge; in 1532 entered the service of Thomas Cranmer on Dantiscus' recommendation and came back to Poland after 8 years (GAIRDNER 1883, p. 80)⌋, cuius father of Georgius ROGENELLUS

mother of Georgius ROGENELLUS ⌊parentesfather of Georgius ROGENELLUS

mother of Georgius ROGENELLUS ⌋ <non> nisi fama agnovi, mihi fueris officiosissimus.

Proinde ubi vicissim gratum tibi facere tibique aut tuis ex usu et re esse possum, propensissimam meam offero operam, qua in eventis periculosi huius temporis proque fortunarum et facult paper damaged⌈[t]t paper damaged⌉atum mearum satis lauta, Deo gratia, condicione, libere atque tuto utere tibique persuade me tui esse assiduissime memorem. Itaque, si me amas, quod certo existimo, copiose de tuo ac rerum vestrarum statu rescribe. Id ipsum per mercatores Citizens of Gdańsk ⌊gentiles meosCitizens of Gdańsk ⌋, qui London (Londinium), city in England, on the Thames river⌊LondiniLondon (Londinium), city in England, on the Thames river⌋ agunt, commode, quandocumque libuerit, facies mihique mirum in modum gratificaberis.

Postscript:

[...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉[4] non potui mihi ab hoc appendiculo temperare, quin paper damaged⌈[quin(?)]quin paper damaged⌉ item ad te cf. Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum Pio lectori before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 53;
Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 54⌊vitae meae cursumcf. Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum Pio lectori before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 53;
Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 54⌋, de quo saepe inter nos, quando una essemus, collocutio incidit, atque institutum prelis, me invito etiamnum et inscio, cf. Ioannes Dantiscus (Jan Dantyszek), Ioannis Dantisci episcopi Varmiensis Carmen paraeneticum, iuvenibus huius temporis non inutile, ad ingenuum adolescentem Constantem Alliopagum, Kraków, Hieronymus WIETOR, 1539 ⌊excussumcf. Ioannes Dantiscus (Jan Dantyszek), Ioannis Dantisci episcopi Varmiensis Carmen paraeneticum, iuvenibus huius temporis non inutile, ad ingenuum adolescentem Constantem Alliopagum, Kraków, Hieronymus WIETOR, 1539 ⌋ mitterem. In cf. Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum Pio lectori before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 53;
Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 54⌊eocf. Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum Pio lectori before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 53;
Carmen paraeneticum ad Constantem Alliopagum before 1539-08-13, CIDTC IDP 54⌋ vivum tibi tui Dantisci simulacrum seu iconisma depinxi; hocque ob id, ut et tu mihi, quam ducas vitam et si comparem, quemadmodum Paul of Tarsus, Saint (*5-10 AD – †64-67 AD), the most important missionary and theologian of early Christianity, known as the Apostle of Nations, author of Letters, the main figure of the Acts of the Apostles⌊PauloPaul of Tarsus, Saint (*5-10 AD – †64-67 AD), the most important missionary and theologian of early Christianity, known as the Apostle of Nations, author of Letters, the main figure of the Acts of the Apostles⌋ tribuitur, duxeris, significationem facias. Apud nos caelibatu et libero lectulo nihil est iucundius ac written over et(?)⌈et(?)acac written over et(?)⌉ dulcius. Iocari libuit, haec enim scribens, visus sum mihi tecum vel in symposio, ut solebamus, vel in nave Danubiana, ad quam me comiter ex Regensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria⌊RatisbonaRegensburg (Ratisbona), city in southeastern Germany, Bavaria⌋ superioribus annis comitasti abeuntem, confabulari. Quod pro iure veteris inter nos comparatae necessitudinis ne[cnon] or no[nnisi] text damaged⌈necnon text damaged⌈[cnon]cnon text damaged⌉ne[cnon] or no[nnisi] text damaged⌉ familiaritatis boni te puto consulturum.

[1] Over Greek words gloss in another hand: Salamandrae fatum

[2, 3, 4] A line of text illegible along the trace of folding