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Letter #2625

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Sigismund I Jagiellon
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1543-01-29

English register:

The royal envoy to Queen Mary of Hungary, Krzysztof Konarski, arrived at Dantiscus’ residence. Dantiscus has provided him with letters of recommendation addressed to his friends, as well as suitable instructions on making a journey to those parts and fulfilling the king’s orders.

The castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig), Achatius von Zehmen (Cema), appointed as royal envoy to Denmark, has written to Dantiscus asking him to inform the king of the difficulties associated with the journey, which he is reluctant to undertake before the arrival of spring. In winter, it is impossible to set sail from the ice-bound port of Gdańsk. Even if he were to reach Lübeck by land, he would still have to travel onwards by sea, which is dangerous even in summer, as the route to Denmark is full of shallows. In winter, drifting ice poses a serious threat to navigation.

If the envoy were to wait for the sea to become navigable, which is unlikely to happen before Easter [25 March], his mission would be delayed. Given the intensifying warfare, the navigable season will bring economic losses to the king’s subjects in the trade of goods floated down to Gdańsk [partially damaged text]. As the diplomatic mission is impossible to carry out and the matter is urgent, it might be more advantageous to convey the contents of the legation to the king of Denmark [Christian III of Oldenburg] by letter.

The king should send the letter through the duke [Albrecht I von Hohenzollern], who knows how to deliver it without undue delay. It is also advisable to provide the duke with a copy of the letter so that when he writes there [to Denmark], he may be guided by its contents. Upon receiving a response, the king will know what further steps to take, and his subjects will be informed in advance how to manage their grain exports.

Dantiscus has decided to write to the king on this matter so that he may fully understand how, given the current circumstances, he can avoid incurring unnecessary expenses related to the sending of an envoy, and what the route for the mission looks like at present. He kindly asks that his reflections, which he has dictated as his hand is still wrapped in a bandage, be kindly received even if they are perhaps not entirely prudent.




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 199r-v

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 14 (c.p.)
2register in Polish, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 15

 

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

 

AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 199r

Serenissima Regia Maiestas etc.

Humillimam perpetuae meae superinscribed in place of crossed-out fidei ac⌈fidei ac meae meae superinscribed in place of crossed-out fidei ac⌉ servitutis meae commendationem.

Applicuit hic ad me nuntius Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae ad serenissimam Mary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521–1526 Queen of Hungary; 1522–1526 Queen of Bohemia; 1530–1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, and wife of Louis II Jagiellon⌊reginam MariamMary of Hungary (Mary of Austria, Mary of Habsburg) (*1505 – †1558), 1521–1526 Queen of Hungary; 1522–1526 Queen of Bohemia; 1530–1556 Governess of the Habsburg Netherlands on behalf of her brother Charles V; daughter of Philip I of Habsburg and Joanna of Castile, sister of Emperor Charles V, and wife of Louis II Jagiellon⌋, nobilis 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)⌊Christophorus ConarskyKrzysztof 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)⌋, quem a me cum commendaticiis ad amicos in hisque, quae illi in eas regiones proficiscenti mandatisque Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae, quae fert, expedire videbantur, probe superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈probeprobe superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉ instructum dimisi.

Ceterum generosus dominus 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 ZcemeAchatius 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, a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra in Denmark (Dania), the kingdom⌊DaniamDenmark (Dania), the kingdom⌋ orator designatus, ad me cf. Achatius von ZEHMEN (CEMA) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Mohrungen, 1543-01-24, CIDTC IDL 2618⌊scribenscf. Achatius von ZEHMEN (CEMA) to Ioannes DANTISCUS Mohrungen, 1543-01-24, CIDTC IDL 2618⌋ impense a me postulavit, ut Serenissimae Maiestati Vestrae itineris illius, quod inire debet in the Dantiscus hand, written over at⌈attt in the Dantiscus hand, written over at⌉, incommoditates impedimentaque de superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈dede superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉scriberem, quibus deterritus superinscribed⌈deterritusdeterritus superinscribed⌉ (ut revera res habet) istiusmodi profectioni ante vernum tempus se huiusmodi profectioni committere non audebit. Ex 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⌊GedanoGdańsk (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⌋ enim in hoc hiemis rigore et glacie, qua portus occupantur on the margin, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈qua portus occupanturqua portus occupantur on the margin, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉, navigare nequibit, et si terra usque Lübeck (Lubeca, Lubicensis urbs, Lubecum), city in northern Germany, at the mouth of the River Trave, the leading city of the Hanseatic League⌊LubecamLübeck (Lubeca, Lubicensis urbs, Lubecum), city in northern Germany, at the mouth of the River Trave, the leading city of the Hanseatic League⌋ perveniat, nihilominus illi mare erit sulcandum, quod ab ea parte versus Denmark (Dania), the kingdom⌊DaniamDenmark (Dania), the kingdom⌋ in aestate etiam, ob id, quod vadosum sit, satis est periculosum. Hoc porro tempore fluctus glaciebus mixti nonnisi cum summo periculo quempiam traicere sinunt.

Si itaque illi erit immorandum, quousque mare fiat navigabilius (quod vix ante futurum Paschae festum[1] continget), sera eius erit in Denmark (Dania), the kingdom⌊DaniamDenmark (Dania), the kingdom⌋ legatio, quandoquidem tunc omnibus AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 199v mare pervium est, quod s[...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ occlusis, ut aperiantur, cae[...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ quot transibunt priusquam [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ gravius crudescente bello [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ sine magno detrimento a[...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ 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⌊GedanumGdańsk (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⌋ secundo in the Dantiscus hand, written over um⌈umoo in the Dantiscus hand, written over um⌉ Vistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌊Vistula in the Dantiscus hand, written over am⌈amaa in the Dantiscus hand, written over am⌉Vistula (Wisła), river in Poland⌋ d[...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ damno subditorum Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ placeret, consultius fortassis esset, quod paper damaged⌈[od]od paper damaged⌉ [...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉ti nequeat resque moram non patitur, ut Serenissima Maiestas Vestra de eis superinscribed in place of crossed-out ea⌈eade eis paper damaged⌈[de eis]de eis paper damaged⌉de eis superinscribed in place of crossed-out ea⌉, quae in paper damaged⌈[in superinscribed⌈inin superinscribed⌉]in paper damaged⌉ legatione continentur, de d litteris suis serenissimo Christian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534–1559 King of Denmark and Norway; 1523–1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌊Danorum regiChristian III of Oldenburg (*1503 – †1559), 1534–1559 King of Denmark and Norway; 1523–1559 Duke of Holstein and Schleswig; son of Frederick I of Oldenburg, King of Denmark, and his first consort, Anna of Brandenburg⌋ significationem faceret.

Eas, inquam, litteras Serenissima Maiestas Vestra opera illustrissimi Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 until his death Duke in Prussia as a vassal of the Polish king; son of Frederick V of Brandenburg-Ansbach the Elder and Sophia Jagiellon, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon; nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the University of Königsberg, 1544⌊principisAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 until his death Duke in Prussia as a vassal of the Polish king; son of Frederick V of Brandenburg-Ansbach the Elder and Sophia Jagiellon, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon; nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the University of Königsberg, 1544⌋ vicini mei, qui modos et viam illas mittendi novit sine longiori hidden by binding⌈[ri]ri hidden by binding⌉ prorogatione, transmittet. Neque id eum abs re esset ut ad ipsum illustrissimum Albrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 until his death Duke in Prussia as a vassal of the Polish king; son of Frederick V of Brandenburg-Ansbach the Elder and Sophia Jagiellon, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon; nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the University of Königsberg, 1544⌊principemAlbrecht I von Hohenzollern-Ansbach (Albrecht von Brandenburg) (*1490 – †1568), 1511-1525 Grand Master of the Teutonic Order; from 1525 until his death Duke in Prussia as a vassal of the Polish king; son of Frederick V of Brandenburg-Ansbach the Elder and Sophia Jagiellon, daughter of Casimir IV Jagiellon; nephew of Sigismund I, King of Poland; founder of the University of Königsberg, 1544⌋ litterarum exemplum dari in the Dantiscus hand, written over etur⌈eturii in the Dantiscus hand, written over etur⌉ inducique eum, ut se illis in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out utque se illis conformaret⌈utque se illis conformaret inducique eum, ut se illis inducique eum, ut se illis in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out utque se illis conformaret⌉ eo scribens conformaret in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra induceretur⌈a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra induceretur conformaret conformaret in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out a Serenissima Maiestate Vestra induceretur⌉. H stain⌈[H]H stain⌉abito ad illa in the Dantiscus hand, written over o⌈oaa in the Dantiscus hand, written over o⌉s responso, tum demum, quid facto opus sit superinscribed in place of crossed-out esset⌈esset sit sit superinscribed in place of crossed-out esset⌉, facile Serenissima Maiestas Vestra dispiciet, subditique Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae hinc, quid cum frumentis hidden by binding⌈[is]is hidden by binding⌉ suis agere debeant tempori, opportune agnoscent.

Quae omnia ob id in Serenissimae Maiestatis Vestrae notitiam superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈notitiamnotitiam superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉ deducenda existimavi, quo et impensas illas pro oratore hac tempestate supervacaneas continere et quomodo hoc legationis iter in praesens habeat, plane superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈planeplane superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉ cognoscere posset hidden by binding⌈[et]et hidden by binding⌉, humillime Serenissimae Maiestati supplicans hanc animi mei satis forte in on the margin⌈inin on the margin⌉considerati declarationem, quam adhuc manu cataplasmatis involuta fide mea ductus dictando superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈dictandodictando superinscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉ feci, clementer aequi bonique consulere dignetur.

Cui me supplicissime commendo Dominum Deum intime orans, ut eandem Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram quam diutissime sospitet prosperetque in omnibus.

[1] March 25.