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Letter #3136

[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Krzysztof KONARSKI]
Heilsberg (Lidzbark), 1543-01-[29]

English register:

Dantiscus sends a letter to Cornelis De Schepper containing a recommendation for the addressee, along with a copy, from which the addressee will learn what matters he is to handle together with him. He assures him that De Schepper will undoubtedly assist him in every respect and that he may speak with him freely on any subject, especially regarding the matter concerning the Hamburgers. On this issue, Dantiscus advises the addressee to seek additional information from Georg Schewecke, the burgrave and mayor of Gdańsk (Danzig).

Dantiscus asks the addressee to ensure upon arriving at the court of Mary of Hungary, that, should an envoy be sent to the wedding of Sigismund Augustus, that envoy be Cornelis De Schepper, to whom Dantiscus is especially close. He advises the addressee to discuss this with influential figures at the court, emphasising that during his previous diplomatic mission from Spain to Lithuania, De Schepper won the favour of both kings [Sigismund I Jagiellon and Sigismund Augustus] as well as of all important persons at court. No one would be more warmly received than he.

Dantiscus has also written to the treasurer of the queen of Hungary, Wolfgang Haller, asking him to support the addressee in case De Schepper is absent. However, he requests that the letter be delivered to De Schepper regardless.

Dantiscus asks that the addressee tell De Schepper in jest that, if he wishes to receive the usual tribute in the form of a certain kind of drink (potus Iopensis), he should try to get the Danish strait unblocked. Furthermore, he should be assured not to suspect that there is any support in these parts for a warring side that opposes the religion.

The addressee is encouraged to freely present to him any other matters currently unfolding in Poland. As long as he is present, he will find in him a kind and sincere friend. He should be greeted on Dantiscus’ behalf, along with all his other friends at court.




Manuscript sources:
1rough draft in Latin, in secretary's hand, corrections in author's hand, AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 198r
2copy in Latin, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8244 (TK 6), a.1543, f. 3-4

Auxiliary sources:
1register in German, 20th-century, B. PAU-PAN, 8250 (TK 12), f. 6
2register in English, 20th-century, CBKUL, R.III, 31, No. 419

 

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

 

AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 198r

Nobilis et Eximie Domine, domine in Christo plurimum dilecte.

Salutem Dominationi Vestrae felicemque itum et reditum ad eam profectionem, quam suscepit, precamur.

Mittimus ad magnificum dominum Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊Cornelium ScepperumCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋ cf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER] Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-01-29, CIDTC IDL 2612⌊litterascf. [Ioannes DANTISCUS] to Cornelis [DE SCHEPPER] Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1543-01-29, CIDTC IDL 2612⌋ earumque exemplum, ex quo Dominatio Vestra habebit quid commendationem nostram ad illum et quid cum eo agere debeat. Haud dubie Dominationi Vestrae aderit in omnibus c, cum mCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊eoCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋ etiam de singulis libere poterit colloqui, in negotio praesertim, quod ad Citizens of Hamburg ⌊Hanburgen(ses)Citizens of Hamburg ⌋ pertinet. Cuius velimus Dominatio Vestra a spectabili domino Georg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌊Georgio ScheffkeGeorg Schewecke (Georg Scheffke) (*1491 – †1547), 1522 Gdańsk alderman; 1525 town councillor; 1528 judge; 1531 mayor; 1536–1537, 1540, 1542–1545 burgrave; 1534 Gdańsk envoy to the convention in Lüneburg on maritime affairs and conflicts with Lübeck (AT 15, p. 501, 510; AT 16/1, p. 42, 44; ZDRENKA 2, p. 275)⌋ b in the Dantiscus hand, written over M(?)⌈M(?)bb in the Dantiscus hand, written over M(?)⌉urgrabio et praeconsuli Gedanensi uberiorem capiat informationem.

In hocque intendat quantum potest, cum feliciter ad aulam Belgicam in the Dantiscus hand, written over bellicam⌈bellicam Belgicam Belgicam in the Dantiscus hand, written over bellicam⌉ sospes appulerit, si quis ex ea ad honorandas nuptias serenissimi Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌊regis iuniorisSigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌋[1] mitti debeat, quemadmodum existimamus 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 HungariaeMary 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⌋ facturam, ut dominus Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊CorneliusCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋ mihi intime carissimus mittatur. De quo cum principibus viris illius aulae tractare poterit, ea ratione, utpote quod dominus Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊CorneliusCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋ prius a 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⌊maiestate caesareaCharles 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⌋ ex Spain (Hispania)⌊HispaniisSpain (Hispania)⌋, cum ibidem ageremus on the margin⌈cum ibidem ageremuscum ibidem ageremus on the margin⌉, usque in Lithuania⌊LithuaniamLithuania⌋ ad 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⌊serenissimam 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⌋ orator missus fuerit magnamque sibi gratiam apud serenissimos 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

Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌊reges nostrosSigismund 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

Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌋ atque apud omnes curiae nostrae primores compararit, neminemque nostris ob id, quod gratiosus sit apud omnes, nostris gratiorem futurum. Hoc Dominatio Vestra (quod illius industrie committimus in the Dantiscus hand, written over o⌈oimusimus in the Dantiscus hand, written over o⌉) aulice tractare sciet etc.

Scripsi item serenissimae 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⌊reginae HungariaeMary 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⌋ thesaurario domino adscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌈dominodomino adscribed, in the hand of Dantiscus⌉ Wolfgang (Wolf) Haller von Hallerstein (*1492 – †1559), the Fuggers’ factor in Antwerp and their chief representative in Spain; financial adviser to Emperor Charles V and mediator in the financing of his election; from 1531 General Treasurer of the Netherlands under the regent Queen Mary of Hungary (MUFFAT, p. 97)⌊Volffgango HallerWolfgang (Wolf) Haller von Hallerstein (*1492 – †1559), the Fuggers’ factor in Antwerp and their chief representative in Spain; financial adviser to Emperor Charles V and mediator in the financing of his election; from 1531 General Treasurer of the Netherlands under the regent Queen Mary of Hungary (MUFFAT, p. 97)⌋, ut si dominus Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊CorneliusCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋ absens fuerit, ate(?) ad quem tamen Dominatio Vestra superinscribed⌈Dominatio VestraDominatio Vestra superinscribed⌉ litteras nostras superinscribed in place of crossed-out meas⌈meas nostras nostras superinscribed in place of crossed-out meas⌉ mittet, ut superinscribed⌈utut superinscribed⌉ ille Dominationi Vestrae in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out vobis⌈vobis Dominationi Vestrae Dominationi Vestrae in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out vobis⌉ suam benevolentiam et in omnibus agendis operam impendat. Quod sine ulla haesitantia, ut nobis in the Dantiscus hand, written over mihi⌈mihi nobis nobis in the Dantiscus hand, written over mihi⌉ certo persuademus in the Dantiscus hand, written over o⌈omusmus in the Dantiscus hand, written over o⌉, faciet.

Magnifico domino Cornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌊CornelioCornelis De Schepper (Cornelius Scepperus, Cornelis De Dobbele, Cornelius Duplicius) (*1503 – †1555), erudite and diplomat in Habsburg service; close friend of Ioannes Dantiscus; initially in the service of Christian II of Oldenburg, King of Denmark; in 1526 secretary and councillor to Emperor Charles V of Habsburg (CE, vol. 3, p. 218-220; DE VOCHT 1961, p. 15-24)⌋ per iocum Dominatio Vestra nostro nomine dicet, quod si a nobis solitum tributum Iopensis potus[2] habere cupit, efficiat, ut in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out ut⌈ut ut ut in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out ut⌉ Danish straits (Fretum Danicum)⌊angustiae Danici fretiDanish straits (Fretum Danicum)⌋ reserentur, et quod nos minime suspectos habeat, quasi parti adversae faveremus, cum nobis superinscribed in place of crossed-out mihi⌈mihi nobis nobis superinscribed in place of crossed-out mihi⌉ illius machinae, quae imprimis religioni, a qua ms. aqua(!) ⌈a quaa qua ms. aqua(!) ⌉ descivit, ipsique aequitati sint contrariae, numquam nobis placuerint.

Reliqua, quae apud nos aguntur, illi Dominatio Vestra confidenter referet. Experietur eum in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out illum⌈illum eum eum in the Dantiscus hand, superinscribed in place of crossed-out illum⌉, modo praesens fuerit, in omnibus Dominatio Vestra commodum atque sincerum amicum. Cui a nobis atque aliis omnibus in ea aula amicis nostris ut Dominatio Vestra nostro nomine plurimam salutem impartiat, rogamus.

Eandemque feliciter valere, felicissime, quo tendit, ire redireque ad nos optamus ex animo.

[1] Wedding of Elisabeth of Austria (Elizabeth von Habsburg) (*1526 – †1545), Queen of Poland, Grand Duchess of Lithuania; first wife of Sigismund II August Jagiellon (1543-1545), daughter of Ferdinand I of Habsburg, and Anna Jagiellon⌊Elisabeth of AustriaElisabeth of Austria (Elizabeth von Habsburg) (*1526 – †1545), Queen of Poland, Grand Duchess of Lithuania; first wife of Sigismund II August Jagiellon (1543-1545), daughter of Ferdinand I of Habsburg, and Anna Jagiellon⌋ and Sigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌊Sigismund II AugustusSigismund II Augustus Jagiellon (Zygmunt II August) (*1520 – †1572), 1529-1572 Grand Duke of Lithuania (ruled from 1544); 1530-1572 King of Poland (crowned vivente rege (ruled from 1548, after the death of his father); son of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Bona Sforza⌋.

[2] Dantiscus perhaps refers to a particular drink known to him and the addressee, possibly with an allusion to Iopas, bard at the court of Dido in Virgil’s Aeneid ⌊IopasIopas, bard at the court of Dido in Virgil’s Aeneid ⌋, the bard at Dido’s court in Virgil’s Aeneid; the precise point of the joke remains unclear.

[3] Such a date of dispatch appears in the letter written on the following page (AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 198v).