Dantiscus has recently replied to a letter from Perrenot de Granvelle, which was delivered to him by the royal envoy Jan Ocieski. He writes again concerning another embassy to the Emperor [Charles V of Habsburg], undertaken by Stanisław Maciejowski, brother of the bishop of Chełm, vice-chancellor and friend of Dantiscus [Samuel Maciejowski]. The mission’s objective includes, among other matters, the banishment imposed by the imperial court on Duke in Prussia, Albrecht [von Hohenzollern]. Dantiscus himself had previously dealt with this issue as an envoy of the king [Sigismund I Jagiellon], and therefore outlines to the addressee the context of the matter and his actions at the time.

At the Imperial Diet in Augsburg [1530], Dantiscus lodged a protest on behalf of the Polish monarch against granting investiture of the Prussian lands, formerly held by the [Teutonic] Order, back to the Order. The Emperor made assurances that the act did not infringe upon anyone’s rights or property. Dantiscus insisted that the emperor not permit a lawsuit to be brought against the king and his vassal Albrecht before the imperial court. The emperor gave him hope that such a case would not arise. However, en route from the Netherlands to the Imperial Diet in Regensburg [1532], Dantiscus discovered a banishment decree affixed to the doors of a church in Frankfurt, imposing banishment on Albrecht and all his supporters. Upon arrival, he informed the emperor that the wording of this banishment also included the king of Poland and all his subjects, potentially inciting unrest and even war. The emperor declared that the decision had been issued without his knowledge by the imperial court acting according to its own laws and customs, and he promised to ensure that it would not be enforced. The king [Sigismund I Jagiellon] repeatedly appealed to the emperor in writing and by envoys to ensure the revocation of the banishment and is doing so now by sending Maciejowski.

As a clergyman, Dantiscus holds this matter especially close to his heart, for its successful resolution is of vital importance for the preservation of peace and the well-being of all Christendom. He also assures that, should peace be secured, Duke Albrecht will be willing to cooperate also in matters of religion.

Dantiscus warns that the ban, if upheld, threatens to trigger a crisis in relations between the Kingdom of Poland and the king of the Romans [Ferdinand I of Habsburg], and may ultimately lead to the breaking off of the recently concluded betrothal [between Sigismund II Augustus and Elizabeth of Habsburg].

He underscores the importance of Maciejowski’s mission, requesting all possible assistance in ensuring its success and asking that his own person also be recommended to the emperor.