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Letter #2623

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Samuel MACIEJOWSKI]
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1543-01-29

English register:

Dantiscus has handed over useful information and letters of recommendation to the royal envoy [Krzysztof Konarski]. He instructed the citizens [of Gdańsk (Danzig)] to provide the envoy with a length of Lund cloth and fifty Prussian marks. He noted that if the addressee’s letter on this matter produces no result, he doubts that his own efforts will have any effect. The two defendants [Barthel Brandt and Tiedemann Giese Jr] strongly object to any developments which they learn are in accordance with Dantiscus’ wishes.

At the most recent [Royal Prussian] Diet in Marienburg (Malbork), members of the [Royal Prussian] Council boldly wrote to the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon] in the two men’s defence, prompted by the chairman of the session standing in for Dantiscus [Tiedemann Giese], either feigning ignorance about the reason for the lawsuit or actually lacking any knowledge on the matter. They sent the letter to the syndic [Konrad Lagus] in such a way that it reached the king but bypassed Maciejowski. Dantiscus encloses a copy of that letter, secretly obtained by his chancellor [Nicolaus Human], who was despatched to the Diet. Dantiscus did not consent to undermining the king’s authority nor to calling the royal court distant and unusual for these lands. He asks that his protest be conveyed to the king.

The aforementioned letter praises the loyalty of the defendants to the king more than their faith. However, Dantiscus doubts they can indeed be loyal to the king, given that their faith is perverse. During the feast of Corpus Christi, they did not take part in the procession, withdrew from the city, and drew their allies away with them. He has already written enough on this subject.

He supports the departure of the castellan of Gdańsk [Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)] to Denmark, provided that he can reach the destination without hardship. In the attached letter to the king, he has explained why such a journey is impossible during the harsh winter months and what he believes can be done in the meantime.

He asks to be excused from attending the upcoming Diet of the Kingdom of Poland, and also to be spared from travels and hostile people.




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, corrections in author's hand, AAWO, AB, D.101, f. 28r-v
2excerpt in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1543, f. 11r-12r

 

Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus

 

Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, frater ....

[Salutem et] meorum obsequiorum commendatio[nem] ....

... nuntium 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⌊serenissimae maiestatis regiaeSigismund 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⌋ nobile[m] [Krzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), 1543 scribe in the royal chancery, later royal secretary; as such, undertook several diplomatic missions in 1557–1565; 1551–1565 royal courtier; before 1568 starost of Jurborg; 1568 member of the Maritime Commission (KOROLKO, p. 210; FERENC 2014, p. 216)⌊Christophorum KonarskyKrzysztof Konarski (*before 1526 – †ca. 1574), 1543 scribe in the royal chancery, later royal secretary; as such, undertook several diplomatic missions in 1557–1565; 1551–1565 royal courtier; before 1568 starost of Jurborg; 1568 member of the Maritime Commission (KOROLKO, p. 210; FERENC 2014, p. 216)⌋] ... eius legatione in omnibus, quae ... abunde edoctum commendaticiisque [ad]... a me auctum absolvi, dedi item ... et ad eos, qui inibi non parum possunt ... commodo illorum procurando ad hoc iter non admod[um] ... proficiscatur, ut illi cum uno Lundensis panni stamine et quinquaginta marcarum nostratium pecuniola subvenirent. Quod adminiculum si non litterae Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae, quas habet, impetrabunt, nescio, si meae quid momenti habebunt. Duo enim illi Barthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌊citatiBarthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌋, ubi quippiam ex meo desiderio progressum agnoverint, strenue se opponunt.

Pro Barthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌊quibusBarthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌋ (quod satis mirari non possum <)> ab Tiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), ennobled by King Sigismund I in 1519; 1504–1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516–1527 and 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)⌊eoTiedemann Giese (Tidemannus Gisius) (*1480 – †1550), ennobled by King Sigismund I in 1519; 1504–1538 Canon of Ermland (Warmia); 1516–1527 and 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)⌋, qui pro me praesidebat, in Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊conventu proximo Marienburg (Malbork), town and castle in northern Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Nogat, a branch of the Vistula in its delta, the seat of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1309–1457) and a voivodeship capital in Royal Prussia, within the Kingdom of Poland (1466–1772). Alternating with Graudenz (Grudziądz), Marienburg was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌊MarienburgiMarienburg (Malbork), town and castle in northern Poland, in Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Nogat, a branch of the Vistula in its delta, the seat of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1309–1457) and a voivodeship capital in Royal Prussia, within the Kingdom of Poland (1466–1772). Alternating with Graudenz (Grudziądz), Marienburg was the venue of the Provincial Diets of Royal Prussia, chaired by the bishop of Ermland (Warmia)⌋Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ Council of Royal Prussia the principal local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops: of Ermland (Warmia), who served as president of the Council, and of Kulm (Chełmno); three voivodes: of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania; three castellans: of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig); three chamberlains: of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania; and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities: Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌊domini consiliariiCouncil of Royal Prussia the principal local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops: of Ermland (Warmia), who served as president of the Council, and of Kulm (Chełmno); three voivodes: of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania; three castellans: of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig); three chamberlains: of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania; and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities: Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌋ inducti, dissimulantes vel nescientes citationis causam, satis animose serenissimae 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⌊maiestati regiaeSigismund 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⌋ scripserunt. Quae litterae sic missae sunt ad Konrad Lagus (*ca. 1500 – †1546), doctor of both laws (University of Wittenberg, 1540); from 1540 syndic of Gdańsk (Danzig)⌊syndicumKonrad Lagus (*ca. 1500 – †1546), doctor of both laws (University of Wittenberg, 1540); from 1540 syndic of Gdańsk (Danzig)⌋, ut serenissimae 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⌊maiestati regiaeSigismund 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⌋ redderentur, ne de illis Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima notitiam habere possit. Quarum exemplum, quod Nicolaus Human (*ca. 1480 – †1543), at least in 1527 dean of the Guttstadt chapter; 1528–1538 provost; in 1529 judicial vicar of Ermland; public notary; chancellor to the bishops of Ermland Mauritius Ferber and Ioannes Dantiscus, at least until January 1543 (KOPICZKO 2, p. 132; WOELKY 1866, p. 287; PSGPK 5, p. 7-8)⌊cancellariusNicolaus Human (*ca. 1480 – †1543), at least in 1527 dean of the Guttstadt chapter; 1528–1538 provost; in 1529 judicial vicar of Ermland; public notary; chancellor to the bishops of Ermland Mauritius Ferber and Ioannes Dantiscus, at least until January 1543 (KOPICZKO 2, p. 132; WOELKY 1866, p. 287; PSGPK 5, p. 7-8)⌋ meus, quem ad conventum miseram, secreto nactus est, iis inclusum mitto. Ad eas me non consensisse, ut auctoritati regiae derogetur quodque tribunal regium remotum et insolens Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania, and Livonia. From 1466 it was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici), comprising the remnants 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), thereafter known as Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). By the Treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊his terrisPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania, and Livonia. From 1466 it was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici), comprising the remnants 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), thereafter known as Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). By the Treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋ dici debeat, impense rogo, Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima protestationem ex me serenissimae 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⌊maiestati regiaeSigismund 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⌋ faciat .

In illis litteris fides erga serenissimam 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ Barthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌊citatorumBarthel Brand (*ca. 1490 – †1549), 1520 Gdańsk (Danzig) alderman; 1523 consenior; 1526 senior; 1527 town councillor; 1538–1549 mayor

Tiedemann Giese Jr (*1491 – †1556), 1525, 1526, 1531 alderman of Gdańsk (Danzig); 1533 consenior; 1536 senior; 1539 councillor; 1540–1556 mayor; 1547, 1555 burgrave; nephew of Tiedemann Giese, bishop of Ermland (Warmia) (ZDRENKA 2, p. 114)⌋ supra fidem commendatur. Quam neque ego admodum impugno. Quomodo autem recta et vera in principem esse debeat, cum praepostera sit et iniqua erga Deum et Eius vivum Corpus et Sanguinem? Council of Royal Prussia the principal local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops: of Ermland (Warmia), who served as president of the Council, and of Kulm (Chełmno); three voivodes: of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania; three castellans: of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig); three chamberlains: of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania; and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities: Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌊IpsiCouncil of Royal Prussia the principal local authority in Royal Prussia. It consisted of two bishops: of Ermland (Warmia), who served as president of the Council, and of Kulm (Chełmno); three voivodes: of Kulm, Marienburg (Malbork), and Pomerania; three castellans: of Kulm, Elbing (Elbląg), and Gdańsk (Danzig); three chamberlains: of Kulm, Marienburg, and Pomerania; and representatives of the three Great Prussian Cities: Gdańsk, Thorn (Toruń), and Elbing (ACHREMCZYK 2016, p. 17-18)⌋ videant . Cui, ut hostes, ne honorem exhiberent debitum, manifesto processioni, quae illo die, utpote Corporis Christi apud omnes pios Christianos solemnis est et venerabilis, se subduxerunt et alios suos complices ex illa extra Gdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Baltic Sea, at the mouth of the Vistula on the Bay of Gdańsk, the largest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Thorn (Toruń) and Elbing (Elbląg); represented in the Council of Royal Prussia and a member of the Hanseatic League⌊urbemGdańsk (Danzig, Dantiscum), city in northern Poland, on the Baltic Sea, at the mouth of the Vistula on the Bay of Gdańsk, the largest and wealthiest of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Thorn (Toruń) and Elbing (Elbląg); represented in the Council of Royal Prussia and a member of the Hanseatic League⌋ traxerunt. Qua in re, cum iam satis superque aliquoties , nulla affectione, sed conscientia et fide mea erga serenissimam 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ adactus, scripserim, finem facio.

Ceterum, quod generoso domino 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)⌊castellano GedanensiAchatius 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)⌋ profectio in Denmark (Dania), the kingdom⌊DaniamDenmark (Dania), the kingdom⌋ sit iniuncta, non improbarem, si eam commode transigere posset. Quod qua de re hoc duro brumae tempore fieri nequeat, et quae interim commodo esse mihi visa sint pro rudi meo captu, in cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Sigismund I Jagiellon Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-01-29, CIDTC IDL 2625⌊adiunctiscf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Sigismund I Jagiellon Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-01-29, CIDTC IDL 2625⌋ serenissimae 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⌊maiestati regiaeSigismund 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⌋ descripsi.

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⌊CuiSigismund 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⌋ , quod ad Diet of Poland ⌊regni comi[tia] ...Diet of Poland ⌋ ut me Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima dictatorem adhuc ...ns et plurimum oro, sunt enim in me (qu... ...corrosimus) maria et flumina congelata, quae ...cio, non nisi ferventiore sole resolventur ... in Dominum Deum spero serenissimam 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⌊maiestatem regiamSigismund 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⌋ ...m et hic amplius non ero Dominationemque Vestram Reverendissimam ...mem videbo aliquando cupidissime.

Quam oro, ut me habeat commendatissimum meque veteri sua benevolentia prosequi non desinit et sic me in corpore et animo affectum a profectionibus et malevolis meis tueatur.

Eandem Dominationem Vestram Reverendissimam ad prorogatissima tempora salvam et felicem esse ex animo cupio.