The letters of Trithemius: a summary
BOOK I
4 November 1506 | Würzburg | [1] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
A good idea to collect Trithemius’s letters about his misfortunes. | ||
10 April 1505 | Heidelberg | [2] |
To: The prior and convent of Sponheim | ||
A rebuke for not supporting T. He will be staying with prince Philip until further notice. | ||
10 April 1505 | Heidelberg | [4] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
T has heard from his messenger Dietrich of the accusations against him, believed by his own prior. | ||
30 April 1505 | Speyer | [5] |
To: Nikolaus Remitius, prior of Sponheim | ||
T is ill in bed and feels abandoned. Please send certain Greek books and his astrolabe. | ||
6 May 1505 | Speyer | [6] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
T has gone to Speyer to be with friends. Jakob is to collect T’s books and surrender his abbatial keys to the prior of Sponheim. | ||
6 May 1505 | Speyer | [8] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
T would like to have Rutger’s books to cheer him in exile. | ||
11 June 1505 | Cölln | [9] |
From: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
Joachim is going to see the King of the Romans and would like to meet T too. Proposed meeting at Bonn. | ||
20 June 1505 | Speyer | [9] |
To: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
The proposed meeting eagerly accepted. | ||
24 June 1505 | Speyer | [11] |
To: Nikolaus Remitius, prior of Sponheim | ||
T is going to a meeting of princes in Cologne by invitation of the Margrave Joachim. | ||
24 June 1505 | Speyer | [12] |
To: Johannes Nutius | ||
Thanks for confirming the prior’s treachery. Reasons for the hostility of his faction. 1. The prior sides with the Duke against the Palatinate. 2. The castle fief of Sponheim. 3. Their dislike of study. 4. The war and T’s flight to Kreuznach. 5. Enmity of the Duke’s archgrammarian. T leaves for Cologne in two days. | ||
24 June 1505 | Speyer | [19] |
To: Richmodis von Horst, abbess of Seebach | ||
T will visit her convent while he is in Cologne. | ||
24 June 1505 | Speyer | [23] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
T about to leave for Cologne: an opportunity to forward letters. | ||
8 July 1505 | Cologne | [29] |
To: Jodokus Beissel | ||
T has reached Cologne by way of Bonn where he met the Margrave. Account of T’s troubles, which began when he took refuge from the civil war and continued on his return. T to stay with the Margrave for a time. | ||
8 July 1505 | Cologne | [32] |
To: Matthäus Herbenus | ||
Religious observations. A copy of the letter to Beissel enclosed. | ||
8 July 1505 | Cologne | [35] |
To: Johannes Capellarius | Latin | English |
T delayed in Cologne by an injured foot. | ||
9 July 1505 | Cologne | [36] |
To: Jakob Kymolanus | Latin | English |
A proposal to meet in Cologne. | ||
10 July 1505 | Cologne | [36] |
To: Gerlach, abbot of S Heribert in Deutz | ||
A proposal to meet in Cologne. | ||
12 July 1505 | Cologne | [37] |
To: Jakob von Maseck | ||
Thanks for the book. | ||
12 July 1505 | Cologne | [42] |
To: Johannes Capellarius | Latin | English |
Advice, in Greek, about learning Greek. | ||
12 July 1505 | Cologne | [44] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
T’s journey. The council of princes. Good company in Cologne. Please reply by the current messenger. | ||
16 July 1505 | Cologne | [46] |
To: Richmodis von Horst, abbess of Seebach | ||
Richmodis in a dispute about an inheritance with her brother. T’s advice. | ||
16 July 1505 | Cologne | [47] |
To: Johannes Gryposius | ||
On friendship. | ||
18 July 1505 | Cologne | [49] |
To: Johannes Capellarius | Latin | English |
The Steganographia sent: keep it secret. A religious meditation. | ||
20 July 1505 | Cologne | [57] |
To: Johannes Steinmoel | Latin | English |
T.’s troubles: he is off to Brandenburg for an indefinite period. Steinmoel should not go to Sponheim. His loose talk rebuked. | ||
22 July 1505 | Cologne | [58] |
To: Johannes Bracht, prior of St Matthias near Trier | ||
Bracht knows T’s troubles. T is off to the borders of Saxony with the Margrave. | ||
22 July 1505 | Cologne | [60] |
To: Jakob Kymolanus | Latin | English |
Arnoldus Bostius was right, divinity is better than astronomy. | ||
24 July 1505 | Cologne | [68] |
To: Johannes Canter Frisius | ||
Canter has married: thoughts on marriage. Account of the recent war and damage to the monasteries. | ||
24 July 1505 | Seebach | [71] |
From: Richmodis von Horst, abbess of Seebach | ||
Richmodis’s. convent oppressed by a local count. Please intercede with the Archbishop of Cologne. | ||
29 July 1505 | Cologne | [72] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
The King [Maximilian I] has left Cologne on a campaign against the Sycambri. The Archbishop of Cologne still in conflict with the citizens. T to leave for Speyer shortly. | ||
31 July 1505 | Cologne | [73] |
To: Johannes Capellarius | Latin | English |
T is off in three days’ time: please visit as he may not return from Brandenburg. Religious meditation. | ||
13 August 1505 | Speyer | [82] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
The Margrave’s invitation to Brandenburg and Count Philip’s assent. T left Cologne on 4 August. T’s brother seeks a remedy for the war damage. Please come to Speyer. | ||
13 August 1505 | Speyer | [84] |
To: Johannes Nutius | ||
Nutius has urged T to return to Sponheim, but he cannot. Reasons for his move to Brandenburg: a coup against T by the Prior of Sponheim. T’s longstanding private revelation that he would not end his days at Sponheim. T’s work for the monastery and its library. T has called the prior to meet him at Speyer. | ||
30 July 1505 | Paris | [88] |
From: Germain de Ganay | Latin | English |
De Ganay has seen T’s letter to Joannes Steinmoel, containing inspiration and enigmas. What does it actually mean? De Ganay has heard wonders of T from Bovelles. The bearer of these letters, Narciscus, has a further message to be delivered by word of mouth. | ||
24 August 1505 | Speyer | [89] |
To: Germain de Ganay | Latin | English |
T has entertained Narciscus for 12 days and has explained the secret to him. Several pages of number mysticism. T has previously told de Ganay all he saw fit and Narcissus has further information. | ||
30 July 1505 | Paris | [94] |
From: Wolfgang Hopilius | Latin | English |
Recommendation of Narciscus. | ||
24 August 1505 | Speyer | [95] |
To: Wolfgang Hopilius | Latin | English |
Narciscus arrived on 15. August. He is too fond of alchemy but will see his error. | ||
6 June 1505 | St Quentin | [97] |
From: Libanius Gallus | Latin | English |
A letter of support couched in mystical terms. Arcana mentioned. | ||
20 August 1505 | Speyer | [99] |
To: Libanius Gallus | Latin | English |
Thanks for the support. T is off to Brandenburg. | ||
22 August 1505 | Speyer | [101] |
To: Charles de Bovelles | Latin | English |
T is sorry that Bovelles did not send a letter with Narciscus. He would like Bovelles’s scriptural commentary promised during his visit to Sponheim. | ||
26 August 1505 | Speyer | [103] |
To: Richmodis von Horst, abbess of Seebach | ||
T leaving for Brandenburg tomorrow. Pious good advice. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [107] |
To: the prior and convent of Sponheim | ||
T left Speyer on 27 August and arrived in Berlin on 11 Sepember. He originally intended to return to Heidelberg on St Martin’s day but will now stay in Berlin until Easter. T has powerful protectors and will only return to Sponheim with his old authority restored. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [108] |
To: Philip, elector Palatine | Latin | English |
The Margrave’s command to stay until Easter: T seeks Philip’s permission. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [109] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
T. in Berlin until Easter. The Margrave would have welcomed Jakob too. Jakob should stay at Neuburg with Joannes Damius. Religious advice. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [113] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
T’s chaplain is returning to the Rhineland with this message. Brandenburg given to country pursuits, not learning. T wants to return to the Rhineland but not necessarily to Sponheim. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [114] |
To: Johannes Vigilius of Sunsheim | Latin | English |
Brandenburg is fertile but underpopulated. The people are too fond of feasting and they keep fasts by getting drunk. Threat of war between Mecklenburg and Lübeck. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [115] |
To: Johannes Damius Curtensis | ||
Arrangements for Jakob Trithemius to stay at Neuburg until T’s return there. | ||
20 October 1505 | Berlin | [116] |
To: Johannes Bracht, prior of St Matthias, Trier | ||
T. in Berlin until Easter. He will only return to Sponheim on his own terms. | ||
24 October 1505 | Lebus | [117] |
From: Dietrich von Bülow, bishop of Lebus | ||
A letter of support, references to Iamblichus and Proclus. | ||
31 October 1505 | Cölln | [118] |
To: Dietrich von Bülow, bishop of Lebus | ||
T is reading Iamblichus and Proclus and also Apollonius of Tyana which he brought from Cologne. | ||
15 December 1505 | Berlin | [119] |
To: Johannes Evriponus | Latin | English |
Please return to Berlin at once with the books promised to the Margrave. T has finished his praises of the saints to be copied and also has a copy of the Steganographia for Evriponus to see. | ||
13 November 1505 | Speyer | [119] |
From Eucharius Heimer | ||
An appeal to return, for the good of the order. | ||
8 January 1506 | Berlin | [121] |
To: Eucharius Heimer | ||
T is in Berlin until Easter at the urging of Count Philip. He cannot return to Sponheim unless his enemies recant. | ||
22 November 1505 | Sponheim | [123] |
From Nikolaus Remitius, prior of Sponheim | ||
The prior and brethren want T back: the real culprits were the abbot of Mons Sti Jacobi and Magnus and Fredericus. The Duke has appointed Meginhardus von Coppenstein and the Count has appointed Franciscus von Sickingen. The Judas will undoubtedly flee if T returns: Johannes Nutius speaks for all the monks. | ||
8 January 1505 | Berlin | [124] |
To: Nikolaus Remitius, prior of Sponheim | ||
T believes the brethren but he is obliged to stay away until Easter. He is surprised that the Abbot of Mainz misses him, as he led the agitation against : he tried to turn Cardinal Raymond, the Archbishop of Mainz, the Count Palatine and the Margrave against T. | ||
11 November 1505 | Speyer | [126] |
From: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
When T left for Speyer, Jakob went to Wachenheim and then Cologne where he served the abbot as a scribe without payment. Attempt to give him a run-down parish: instead he went to his parents at Trier and then to Damius until T returns. | ||
8 January 1506 | Berlin | [127] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
Please tell the parents T is well. Fine words from prior Remitius, but T is sceptical. T and Jakob must decide what to do when T returns. | ||
27 January 1506 | Lebus | [127] |
From: Dietrich von Bülow, bishop of Lebus | ||
Please return Iamblicus and Proclus when you have finished with them. | ||
4 February 1506 | Berlin | [128] |
To: Dietrich von Bülow, bishop of Lebus | ||
Iamblicus duly returned. Lack of intellectual company in Berlin. | ||
1 March 1506 | Berlin | [129] |
To: Hermann von den Busche | ||
T had not known that Hermann was in Leipzig or he would have called. He heard in Cologne that he was in Louvain. Thoughts on poetry. T will return around Ascension Day. | ||
14 March 1506 | Berlin | [131] |
To: Konrad abbot of Sts Ulrich and Afra in Augsburg | ||
The war and the origin of T’s troubles. Invitation to a provincial council at Augsburg accepted. The messenger will be returning via Augsburg and Salzburg. Inform the Abbot of Nuremberg. | ||
20 March 1506 | Berlin | [132] |
To: Georg Sibutus Daripinus | Latin | English |
More about poetry. T will visit on his return. | ||
18 June 1506 | Heidelberg | [136] |
To: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
T left Berlin on 14 May. Illness in Leipzig, kidnap by the count. He cannot perform Joachim’s errands in Cologne and Mainz until further notice, nor will he be returning to Sponheim. | ||
20 June 1506 | Heidelberg | [137] |
To: the prior and convent of Sponheim | ||
T’s chaplain Dietrich has returned from his mission to Sponheim. T is not minded to return but he is willing to receive a visit from the prior. | ||
21 June 1506 | Heidelberg | [138] |
To: Pope Julius II | ||
Saintly qualities of Benno of Meissen. | ||
16 June 1506 | Heidelberg | [142] |
To: the convent of Sponheim | ||
The brethren should not assume that T wants to return to Sponheim. He will consider further after the council. | ||
31 July 1506 | Heidelberg | [143 misprinted 133] |
To: Jakob Wimpfeling | Latin | English |
Two years’ worth of news. Destruction in the war. Rebellion of the monks and refuge in Brandenburg. T awaiting the council. | ||
4 August 1506 | Heidelberg | [145] |
To: Johannes Nutius | ||
The prior visited T and informed him orally of a council at Bingen on 4 August. T rejected the terms. The next day Damius told T of letters addressed to T which the prior did not show him, containing invective against him by the prior of Mainz and Slarpius. T resolved never to return to Sponheim. Ingratitude after T’s kindness to the prior’s parents. T awaiting the council. | ||
20 August 1506 | Heidelberg | [149] |
To: the annual chapter of the Bursfeld observance | ||
T wanted to attend the council but is threatened with kidnap by the Count of Lyningen, as is the abbot of Limburg whose convent was burned. T briefly imprisoned. The coup against T during his wartime exile. Imprisonment of T’s men by the abbot of Mainz at Heidelberg. Residence at Heidelberg, Speyer and Berlin. T minded to relinquish Sponheim. | ||
20 August 1506 | Heidelberg | [152] |
To: Konrad, abbot of St Stephen, Würzburg | Latin | English |
Please come to Heidelberg when the council is over. T and the abbot of Limberg await Konrad and Johannes von Schuttern. | ||
30 August 1506 | Heidelberg | [154] |
To: Heinrich, abbot of Bursfeld | ||
T and the abbot of Limberg could not attend the council because of the count. T is to resign Sponheim because of the prior and the cellarer and also the abbot of Mainz. Negotiations at Heidelberg because of the burnt convent. | ||
12 September 1506 | Heidelberg | [156] |
To: Rutger Sicamber, canon of Hegen | Latin | English |
A meeting at Heidelberg on 4 September. Ioannes von Schuttern, Konrad of St. James, Würzburg and Georgius in Suuartzach urged T to return to his convent. Two other brethren sent from the council to placate the count. T replied that he did not want conciliation with the count and would not return to Sponheim. T’s services required by three princes, the King [Maximilian I], the Margrave of Brandenburg and Philip Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine. The abbot of St. Stephen has informed T that the convent of St. James in Würzburg needs a new abbot. The deputation from the council left on the 8th. T waiting to hear from the bishop of Würzburg. | ||
14 September 1506 | Würzburg | [157] |
From: Konrad, abbot of St. Stephen, Würzburg | Latin | English |
Konrad is back from the meeting at Neuburg near Heidelberg. The bishop of Würzburg likes the idea. | ||
17 September 1506 | Heidelberg | [158] |
To: Konrad, abbot of St. Stephen, Würzburg | Latin | English |
Konrad’s letter reached Neuburg on the 16th. T delighted. He will arrive at the end of September, after some business in Heidelberg and Speyer. Let the bishop know T has accepted. | ||
20 September 1506 | Speyer | [159] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
T has heard from Konrad that the bishop of Würzburg is on his side. He has accepted St. James’s. T in Speyer for a few days. Please come to meet T and bring the book about letters. | ||
20 September 1506 | Speyer | [160] |
To: Richmodis von Horst, abbess of Seebach | ||
After 18 months of uncertainty T has given up Sponheim and accepted St. James. His reasons. A meditation. The bishop of Speyer should give Richmodis a new abbot. | ||
21 September 1506 | Seebach | [167] |
From: Richmodis von Horst | ||
Richmodis saddened by the news. What the prior of Sponheim told her. Hopes that T will still visit. | ||
22 September 1506 | Speyer | [169] |
To: Richmodis von Horst, abbess of Seebach | ||
T understands, but the prior is untrustworthy. T will remain the visitor of Seebach by agreement with bishop Ludwig but he cannot come in person until the count of Seebach is dealt with. | ||
22 September 1506 | Heidelberg | [171] |
To: Johannes, monk of Frankfurt, confessor at Seebach | ||
T temporarily deputes the visitation of Sebach. | ||
28 December 1506 | Würzburg | [171] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
T encloses the transcribed letters: a few omitted and a few to him added. |
BOOK II
24 June 1506 | Würzburg | [173] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
An introduction. The printing at Mainz. Greek and Hebrew. Meditation on the liberal arts. | ||
31 October 1506 | Würzburg | [180] |
To: the prior and convent of Sponheim | Latin | English |
A rebuke. T’s work for the monastery and its library. Lies of the goldsmith of Worms. Visitation of Gerlach abbot of Deutz and Johannes abbot of Schönau. Slackness of successive priors apart from Nikolaus of Kreuznach and Iohannes Damius Curtensis. Unsatisfactory cellarers. The war damage brought 12 years of trouble to a head. Alliance with the Duke Palatine defended. Now it can be told: the prior ignored someone sleeping with a woman villein in the church. Misbehaviour in T’s absence. The council at Bingen. The bogus letter of Peter Slarpius. Nikolaus of Kreuznach driven from the monastery. Similar treatment of Iohannes Damius Curtius, Henricus Northeimensis and others. Ioannes Nutius senior, Iohannes Damius, Ioannes Cusanus, Ioannes de Sobernheim, Ioannes Pingionita senior and Ioannes Sculteti filius absolved: also all the dead except Haymo. The two ringleaders. | ||
31 October 1506 | Würzburg | [192] |
To: Johannes Bracht, prior of S Matthias, Trier | ||
Review of T’s own life and actions. | ||
30 October 1506 | Würzburg | [197] |
To: Johannes Gotfridi, paster of Mandal | ||
Review of T’s life and actions, rebuke to his enemies. Historical precedents. T’s supporters absolved. Prior Melantius and Pingionita iunior blamed. Gotfridi now to be the patron of poor Sponheim. | ||
31 October 1506 | Würzburg | [207] |
To: Johannes Damius, provost of the nuns of Neuburg | ||
T is now at Würzburg. Please look after Sponheim. | ||
6 November 1506 | Würzburg | [208] |
To: Friedrich, elector of Saxony | ||
T has heard from Conradus Mutianus and Heinrich von Bünau. He can now take up the commission to finish the history of Saxony by Adam of Fulda. A list of books lent to Heinrich when he had a broken leg: T wants them back. | ||
14 November 1506 | Tangermünde | [209] |
From: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
Joachim is missing T. Death of Libanius: Joachim would like his books. Request for a visit at Easter or Pentecost. Betrothal of Joachim’s sister. | ||
25 November 1506 | Würzburg | [211] |
To: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
T’s actions and move to Würzburg. Libanius may not be dead. T would love to visit but will need permission from his new prince and he is new in his job: best postponed until 1508. | ||
8 November 1506 | Würzburg | [215] |
To: Elisabeth de Longovico, his mother | Latin | English |
Via Jakob Trithemius. Reassurance and a meditation. | ||
18 November 1506 | Würzburg | [217] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
A pious meditation. | ||
1 December 1506 | Hegen ? | [220] |
From: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
Memories of a visit to Sponheim ten years previously. Opportunities for printing at Nuremberg. News of friends. | ||
18 December 1506 | Würzburg | [223] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
Another account of T’s troubles. News of friends. | ||
14 January 1507 | Würzburg | |
To: Iohannes Damius Curtius | 14 January 1507 | [226] |
Melantius elected abbot of Sponheim. | ||
17 January 1507 | Berlin | [228] |
From: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
What news of Libanius? The invitation renewed. T replies via a fishmonger. | ||
14 March 1507 | Würzburg | [230] |
To: Nikolaus Basellius of Durckheim, monk of Hirsgau | Latin | English |
Account of T’s resignation and move. Some of Nikolaus’s books are still at Sponheim. | ||
18 April 1507 | Trittenheim | [232] |
From: Johannes Centurianus, priest of Trittenheim | ||
Centurianus sides with T. An account of the stories about him. Meditation. | ||
4 May 1507 | Mandal | [236] |
From: Johannes Gotfridi | ||
Gotfridi sides with T. News of friends. | ||
9 April 1507 | Würzburg | [241] |
To: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | ||
The fishmonger. Permission to visit delayed. Instructions about Greek writing repeated. | Latin | English |
29 May 1507 | Berlin | [243] |
From: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
Good news about Libanius. Hopes for a visit at a later date. Books promised, a gift enclosed. News of friends. | ||
10 April 1507 | Würzburg | [245] |
To: Georg Episcopi, prior of the Dominican convent at Cölln | ||
Sympathy with Georg’s troubles, an account of T’s own. | ||
10 April 1507 | Würzburg | [247] |
To: Johannes von Siegen, abbot of St. Peter, Erfurt | ||
Taking the opportunity of a messenger to Brandenburg. Account of T’s move. Thanks for the support. Monastic politics. | ||
16 April 1507 | Würzburg | [249] |
To: Dietrich von Bülow, bishop of Lebus | Latin | English |
The legends of Apollonius of Tyana must have been invented to compete with the true miracles of Christ. | ||
28 May 1507 | Cölln/ | [254] |
From: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
Joachim has seen T’s letter to the archbishop of Cologne, sent in March: he was grateful for the books and medicine. The current messenger is going on to see him – T can send things too. An oral message to T: he must keep it secret till he sees the archbishop. | ||
5 June 1507 | Würzburg | [255] |
To: Hermann IV of Hessia, archbishop of Cologne | ||
The book and items entrusted to the Burgrave’s messenger: T was prevented from returning them last years. | ||
14 June 1507 | Würzburg | [256] |
To: Rutger Sicamber, canon of St Peter of Hegen | Latin | English |
Troubles of Macharius, abbot of the destroyed abbey of Limburg. Sorry to hear that Johannes Canter Frisius is dead. | ||
12 June 1507 | Aldenata | [258] |
From: Hermann IV of Hessia, archbishop of Cologne | ||
Please send instructions with the current messenger or better still come in person before Hermann leaves in 14 days time. | ||
23 June 09 | Würzburg | [259] |
To: Hermann IV of Hessia, archbishop of Cologne | ||
T needs permission to travel and the notice was too short. A meeting on St. Michael’s day? T needs time to prepare. | ||
12 July 1507 | Würzburg | [260] |
To: Friedrich von Redwitz, canon of Bamberg, provost of Oringen | ||
Praise of learning. Thanks for the invitation to Bamberg. | ||
4 March 1507 | Bruges | [269] |
From: Johannes de Woesbruck | Latin | English |
What has T been doing? Nicolaus de pulchro monte took letters to Sponheim on 4 February but T. was not there. Nicolaus is a polyglot who would like to meet T. | ||
8 May 1507 | Würzburg | [271] |
To: Johannes de Woesbruck | Latin | English |
Woesbroek’s letters arrived on 7 May with those from Nicolaus, T replied briefly. Acccount of his troubles. T would love to meet Nicolaus. | ||
10 June 1507 | Cologne | [272] |
From: Nikolaus Gerbellius Phorcensis, scholar in the University of Cologne | Latin | English |
Praise for T. | ||
16 June 1507 | Würzburg | [274] |
To: Nikolaus Gerbellius Phorcensis | Latin | English |
Gerbellius does T too much honour. T’s current writing projects: the new Steganographia has had to be delayed because of T’s enemies. | ||
1 July 1507 | Würzburg | [276] |
To: Konrad Celtis, poet laureate of the Gymnasium of Vienna | ||
An account of T’s troubles. | ||
1 July 1507 | Nuremberg | [279] |
From: Willibald Pirckheimer, lawyer and senator of Nuremberg | ||
Thanks for the letters. Pirckheimer has seen the letter to Celtis. Poetry. Invitation to Augsburg. | ||
8 July 1507 | Würzburg | [281] |
To: Willibald Pirckheimer, lawyer and senator of Nuremberg | ||
On poetry. T cannot visit at present. | ||
20 July 1507 | Würzburg | [284] |
To: Georg Eberbach, doctor at Erfurt | ||
T was sorry not to meet Georg last year. Georg will have heard of T’s troubles from the abbot of St. Peter. His library. Meditation. How are Georg’s sons? | ||
17 July 1507 | Würzburg | [286 misprinted 285] |
To: Johannes Gotfridi, priest of Mandal | ||
Thanks for the sympathy. Defence of T’s actions. | ||
27 July 1507 | Würzburg | [289] |
To: Jakob Wimpfeling of Selestadt theologian, orator and poet | Latin | English |
Books received and sent. Bede was definitely a monk. Wimpfeling is unlikely to get a welcome at Sponheim. He is welcome to visit T: the new monastery is short of books. | ||
28 July 1507 | Würzburg | [290] |
To: Simon abbot of Laach near Andernach | ||
An account of T.’s troubles. | ||
12 August 1507 | Würzburg | [292] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
Rutger’s letters of 1 May arrived on 1 August and of 17 July on 3 August. Thanks for the poems, they do not read like an old man’s work. Perhaps they should. News of friends. | ||
[294] | ||
12 August 1507 | Würzburg | [294] |
To: Wilhelm Veldicus Menapius, sometime Augustinian canon in Frankendal | Latin | English |
Letters sent on 5 July arrived 1 August. Thanks for the enquiry. Advantages and disadvantages of St. James. The globe for sale at Worms sounds wonderful but 40 florins is too much. T has a cheap globe of his own showing the discoveries of Amerigo Vespucci. Henrich von Bünau has died: it is not certain where his books and globe are. Because of the status of his monastery, T can no longer hold the office of visitor as before. | ||
16 August 1507 | Würzburg | [298] |
To: Matthäus Herbenus | ||
Distances mean that T has not written since Cologne 2 years ago. His doings since then. News of friends. Wimpfeling in trouble for saying Augustine was not a monk. Johannes Nutius, who was innocent in the coup, has died at Sponheim. | ||
16 August 1507 | Würzburg | [301] |
To: Johannes Capellarius | Latin | English |
T’s doings since Cologne. Generosity of the Margrave. T has written an autobiography and six books of Polygraphia. Steganographia may not be published: the reasons. Rumours of magery. T has read magical books but only to refute them. | ||
16 August 1507 | Würzburg | [304] |
To: Jakob Kymolanus | Latin | English |
Kymolanus’s letters of 1 May arrived 31 July via a merchant. T has returned the library to Sponheim since it was bought with abbey funds, except some arcane books which he has with him at Würzburg. Buying new books with the Margrave’s money. The new abbot would probably sell books but T does not want to despoil Sponheim. Printing means that there are more books than anyone could read: complete works of Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose and Gregory now available. Kymolanus was to forward letters to Libanius but he did not get them. What news of Joannes Oudewater? Keep the Greek grammar, T has another. Only one monk in Würzburg is studying Greek. | ||
16 August 1507 | Würzburg | [307] |
To: Christian Massecus | Latin | English |
Has Christianus finished his chronicle yet? How a Greek crucifix might have got to Ghent in the crusades. Most chronicle writers omit 24 years from the total back to the time of Christ. | ||
20 August 1507 | Würzburg | [309] |
To: Johannes Damius | Latin | English |
The abbot of Bursfeld has visited Sponheim and ordered all the Greek books to be sold. Please buy them if possible. T spent more than 1500 florins on them and meant them for Sponheim. There were 2000 volumes in many languages when Heinrich von Bünau visited three years ago. | ||
20 August 1507 | Würzburg | [312] |
To: Johannes Virdung | Latin | English |
The bishop’s secretary has shown T Virdungs’s representations to Count Philip: many thanks. Instructions about books. Georgicus Sabellicus, the prince of the necromancers, also called Faustus. T came across him at Gelnhausen on the way back from Brandenburg and also at Würzburg and Kreuznach: a vain boaster of bad character. | ||
24 August 1507 | Würzburg | [314] |
To: Hermann IV of Hessia, archbishop of Cologne | ||
T could not come for St. Michael’s day because of the plague in the Rhineland. | ||
24 August 1507 | Würzburg | [315] |
To: Jodokus Beissel | ||
An astrological prophecy about T, made 20 years ago by king Philip’s astronomer: but T does not believe in astrology. Maybe demons incited T’s enemies but they acted freely. | ||
31 August 1507 | Würzburg | [317] |
To: Rutger Sicamber | Latin | English |
A list of T’s own works, as requested. Steganographia will probably not be finished. A collection of letters. T’s actions since leaving Sponheim. Books written at Würzburg: another collection of letters and Polygraphia. A work on demonic deceits planned. | ||
13 May 1507 | Berlin | [327] |
From: Bartholomäus Lescanius, chaplain of Albrecht | ||
Bartholomäus misses T and would love to see him back in Berlin. | ||
30 August 1507 | Würzburg | [328] |
To: Bartholomäus Lescanius | ||
T cannot visit Brandenburg at present. | ||
28 August 1507 | Fulda | [329] |
From: Dietrich von Eltz | ||
Sympathy with T. Dietrich has had similar troubles of his own. | ||
1 September 1507 | Würzburg | [333] |
To: Dietrich von Eltz | ||
Many thanks for rescuing T’s instruments and books of arcane matters when T was at Speyer. T advises Dietrich to find a good monastery and stay there. | ||
1 September 1507 | Würzburg | [336] |
To: Matthäus Lang, prince bishop of Gurk | ||
The current messenger, Johannes Rummel of Nuremberg has urged T to come with him to the king at Augsburg but presented no supporting letters. T has ignored him. | ||
1 September 1507 | Würzburg | [337] |
To: Eberhard Senft, chaplain and dean of Bamberg | ||
T has been invited to Augsburg but is unwilling and unable to leave his monastery. | ||
6 September | Würzburg | [338] |
To: Konrad Peutinger, doctor of law and secretary to the senate of Augsburg | ||
Does the king really want to see T? The unknown messenger. | ||
5 October 1507 | Würzburg | [340] |
To: Libanius Gallus | Latin | English |
T sorry to be parted from Libanius, who is in Spain. Letters of 24 June arrived at the end of September. Number mysticism. Libanius to write via Bovelles. | ||
16 October 1507 | Würzburg | [342] |
To: Joachim, elector of Brandenburg | Latin | English |
The promised book has been copied and is enclosed. Delay because the messenger had quartain fever. Thanks for the gift. Polygraphia is finished and Joachim shall have a copy. | ||
16 October 1507 | Würzburg | [343] |
To: Jakob Trithemius | Latin | English |
The book of letters now complete. Best wishes. |