AAWO, AB, D. 70, f. 317r (t.p.)

Stanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), leader of the so-called nobles’ party, active in Royal Prussia from 1536, and opponent of most members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who sought to preserve the province’s autonomy and a balance of power in its governance. Tensions between Kostka, Prussian Treasurer, and the Council had been growing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Sent there as the King’s deputy, Kostka, contrary to custom, took part in the proceedings, prompting the Council to suspend the meeting. He accused its members of hostility towards the Poles and appealed to the royal court. In the absence of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland, the Diet was chaired by Dantiscus, and the incident seriously damaged his later relations with Kostka; 1531–1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544–1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1545–1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546–1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546–1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551–1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌊Palatino PomeraniaeStanisław Kostka (*1487 – †1555), leader of the so-called nobles’ party, active in Royal Prussia from 1536, and opponent of most members of the Council of Royal Prussia, who sought to preserve the province’s autonomy and a balance of power in its governance. Tensions between Kostka, Prussian Treasurer, and the Council had been growing since the Diet in Graudenz (Grudziądz) in 1533. Sent there as the King’s deputy, Kostka, contrary to custom, took part in the proceedings, prompting the Council to suspend the meeting. He accused its members of hostility towards the Poles and appealed to the royal court. In the absence of Mauritius Ferber, Bishop of Ermland, the Diet was chaired by Dantiscus, and the incident seriously damaged his later relations with Kostka; 1531–1555 Treasurer of the Prussian lands and of Marienburg (Malbork); 1544–1545 Castellan of Elbing (Elbląg); 1545–1546 Castellan of Kulm (Chełmno); 1546–1549 Vice-Voivode of Kulm; 1546–1551 Voivode of Pomerania; 1551–1555 Voivode of Kulm (PSB 14, p. 356; Urzędnicy 5/2, p. 216; MAŁŁEK 1976, p. 119-123)⌋

Unsernn etc.

Das uns E(wer) H(erlichkei)t abermals durch ihr cf. Stanisław KOSTKA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Marienburg (Malbork), 1547-10-19, CIDTC IDL 4691⌊schreibenncf. Stanisław KOSTKA to Ioannes DANTISCUS Marienburg (Malbork), 1547-10-19, CIDTC IDL 4691⌋ / wegen unser swacheit ersuchenn, / und sich frewen written over m⌈mnn written over m⌉, das die zu besserung (: Got lob :) sich superinscribed in place of crossed-out thut⌈thut sich sich superinscribed in place of crossed-out thut⌉ wendet written over nn⌈nntt written over nn⌉, / thu wir uns deshalben, / wie auch zuvor von uns superinscribed⌈unsuns superinscribed⌉ geschenn, / freuntlich bodanckenn. Und seindt ihn der zuvorsicht, die wir zu Got dem almechtigen [un]ser gesuntheit halben on the margin⌈un hidden by binding⌈[un]un hidden by binding⌉ser gesuntheit halben[un]ser gesuntheit halben on the margin⌉ haben, / das ehr uns unsere vorige gesuntheit zufugen werdenn / in vorigem freitage[1] von Wormditt (Orneta), town in Ermland (Warmia), 30 km W of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński)⌊VormdithWormditt (Orneta), town in Ermland (Warmia), 30 km W of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński)⌋ hieher in unser fuerwerck Schmolainen (Smolajny), village in Ermland (Warmia), ca. 20 km SW of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), and ca. 4 km N of Gutstadt (Dobre Miasto), one of the residences of the bishops of Ermland⌊SmoleinSchmolainen (Smolajny), village in Ermland (Warmia), ca. 20 km SW of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), and ca. 4 km N of Gutstadt (Dobre Miasto), one of the residences of the bishops of Ermland⌋ vorruckt, / da wir dennoch mudickeit halbenn bass in den dritten vierden superinscribed⌈ vierden vierden superinscribed⌉ tag uns widderum auszuruhen / haben vorharren mussenn, / und seindt bodocht v mit gotlicher hulffe auf als morgen uns ferner noch Heilsberg (Lidzbark, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland, now Lidzbark Warmiński⌊HeilsbergHeilsberg (Lidzbark, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland, now Lidzbark Warmiński⌋ zubegebenn, wo superinscribed in place of crossed-out da wir⌈da wir wo wo superinscribed in place of crossed-out da wir⌉ uns auf zukomende Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊tagfarthProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋, / die wir von 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⌊ko(ninglicher) m(ajeste)tSigismund 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⌋, u(nserem) a(ller)g(nedigsten) hernn, kegen Elbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, in Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń), represented in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌊ElbingElbing (Elbląg), city in northern Poland, in Pomerania, on the Vistula Lagoon, one of the three Great Prussian Cities, alongside Gdańsk (Danzig) and Thorn (Toruń), represented in the Prussian Council; member of the Hanseatic League⌋ auf sanct Barbare feir superinscribed⌈feirfeir superinscribed⌉, welchs sein wirdt der vierdte Decembris, / im namen aller hern 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⌊dieser landeRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ 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)⌊redteCouncil 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)⌋ / anzusatzenn gebeten, / volkom(m)en ausruhen und unser gesuntheit zu superinscribed⌈zuzu superinscribed⌉ erholen wollen. Wo uns nu / der almechtige Got genedigst die starcke und kraft vorleienn, / darin wir nicht zweifeln, / vorleien wirdt, / das wir uns genugsam zu dem wege spuren werden, / wollen wir nicht allein die Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊tagfarthProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ allein superinscribed⌈alleinallein superinscribed⌉ der gemeinen 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⌊dieser landeRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ hendel halben, / die sher reichlich und swer seindt, / auch wises rats bodurrffen, / sunder das wir uns auch mit E(wer) H(erlichkei)t shen mochtenn, / gerne bosuchenn. Ess wil aber nu vortmher unser swacher, abgewiseter leib, / den wir zu wasser und lande / in vielen und sweren gescheften und hendeln bisher gebrauchet, / und w derwegen wenig ruhe gehab written over t⌈tbb written over t⌉t, / nicht mehr die bowegung des reisens und fharens austhen, / und wo wir densulben noch ein zeitlang erhalten wollen, / werden wir uns des enthaltenn und damit darin messigenn m ms. n(!) ⌈mm ms. n(!) ⌉ussen. Das E(wer) H(erlichkei)t auf unser bitte nu auch ihrer gesuntheit mer vorthin superinscribed⌈vorthinvorthin superinscribed⌉ wil war nhemen / und der warten, hat uns sunderlich wolgefallenn, / den wie volkom(m)en wir uns sulbst die thun gunnen, / thun wir die auch E(wer) H(erlichkei)t von Gote lange zeit wunschen. Absalom Reyman (†after 1550-08-03), subject of duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern; after 1543 court marshal of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese (HA, 810, 812, 910, 1174, 1194, 1195)⌊Absolonn ReinmansAbsalom Reyman (†after 1550-08-03), subject of duke Albrecht von Hohenzollern; after 1543 court marshal of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese (HA, 810, 812, 910, 1174, 1194, 1195)⌋ schreibenn und das(?) meister der bohemischen hern, so sich widder die romische ko(ningliche) m(ajeste)t vors w ihrem eidt entkegen vorbunden, / welchs E(wer) H(erlichkei)t durch ihren son von Praga ist zugefertigt on the margin⌈und das(?) meister superinscribed in place of crossed-out nhamen⌈nhamen meister meister superinscribed in place of crossed-out nhamen⌉ der bohemischen hern, so sich widder die Ferdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria; from 1526 King of Bohemia and of Hungary, Croatia, and Slavonia as Ferdinand I; 1531–1558 King of the Romans; from 1558 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna of Castile, and younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌊romische ko(ningliche) m(ajeste)tFerdinand I of Habsburg (*1503 – †1564), from 1521 Archduke of Austria; from 1526 King of Bohemia and of Hungary, Croatia, and Slavonia as Ferdinand I; 1531–1558 King of the Romans; from 1558 Holy Roman Emperor; son of Philip I the Handsome and Joanna of Castile, and younger brother of Charles V of Habsburg⌋ vors w ihrem eidt entkegen vorbunden, / welchs E(wer) H(erlichkei)t durch ihren Andrzej Kostka ⌊sonAndrzej Kostka ⌋ von Prague (Praha, Praga), city in central Bohemia, on the Vltava river, from the 9th century capital of Bohemia, archepiscopal see⌊PragaPrague (Praha, Praga), city in central Bohemia, on the Vltava river, from the 9th century capital of Bohemia, archepiscopal see⌋ ist superinscribed in place of crossed-out seindt⌈seindt ist ist superinscribed in place of crossed-out seindt⌉ zugefertigtund das(?) meister der bohemischen hern, so sich widder die romische ko(ningliche) m(ajeste)t vors w ihrem eidt entkegen vorbunden, / welchs E(wer) H(erlichkei)t durch ihren son von Praga ist zugefertigt on the margin⌉, haben wir gerne gelesenn. / Bodanckenn uns kegen E(wer) H(erlichkei)t, das die uns solchs hat mitgeteilet superinscribed in place of crossed-out hat zugefertiget⌈hat zugefertiget hat mitgeteilet hat mitgeteilet superinscribed in place of crossed-out hat zugefertiget⌉. / Sendt superinscribed⌈SendtSendt superinscribed⌉ unsers boten, / den wir an 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⌊alter superinscribed⌈alteralter superinscribed⌉ ko(ninglicher) m(ajeste)tSigismund 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⌋ hof geschicket, / seindt wir uns uns teglich vormuttende. / Was der von der Provincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌊tagfarthProvincial Diet of Royal Prussia ⌋ hie im 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⌊landeRoyal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), region, part of Prussia annexed to the Kingdom of Poland in 1466 under the provisions of the Second Peace of Thorn⌋ / und sunst anderen zeitungenn uns wirdt einbringenn, / wollen wir E(wer) H(erlichkei)t, / die der almechtige Got lange gesunt ha erhalte, / mitzuteilen nicht nachlassen.

Dat(um) aus unserem hof Schmolainen (Smolajny), village in Ermland (Warmia), ca. 20 km SW of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), and ca. 4 km N of Gutstadt (Dobre Miasto), one of the residences of the bishops of Ermland⌊SmoleinSchmolainen (Smolajny), village in Ermland (Warmia), ca. 20 km SW of Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), and ca. 4 km N of Gutstadt (Dobre Miasto), one of the residences of the bishops of Ermland⌋, den 23 Octob(ris) M D XLVII.

[1] October 21