Kasza Péter (szerk.): Stephanus Brodericus - Epistulae (Bibliotheca Scriptorum Medii Recentisque Aevorum, Series Nova XIV., Argumentum Kiadó - Magyar Országos Levéltár, Budapest, 2012)
1528
Vestrae Reverendissimae Dominationis servitor humillimus Stephanus Brodericus Sirmiensis subscripsit 5 On the back side: Reverendissimo domino meo, domino Petro episcopo Cracoviensi vicecancellario regni Poloniae etc., domino mihi observandissimo. 10» István Brodarics to Piotr Tomicki Tarnów, 28 April 1528 Manuscript used: MOL, I 45, 1. bundle 1 Or I Iv. I. He gives an account to King John of all that Tomicki entrusted to him; the King received advice calmly as somebody who knows that they come from a good friend and a true Christian priest; he only resents the fact that he is supposed to give up the crown he got in a legitimate way for the sake of Christianity in favour of someone who has no right in the country whatsoever, and whose power is based solely on arms, violence, and the disloyalty of John s subjects. 2. To Tomicki s warning, that he should avoid putting his country and the whole of Christianity into danger by seeking the Turks 'friendship, his responses is: he did everything he could to keep the distance from this friendship, and was willing to suffer bitterly for this; he also knows where Turkish friendship led in the case of Constantinople, but there is no such danger here, and even if still something similar happened, the blame would be laid on his opponent in any case; there arc Christian reigning princes who seek alliance with the Turks without any pressure on them, so he cannot be reproached for it when his country was taken away from him unjustly. - 3. His case is not hopeless among Hungarian noblemen either, since they, apart from a few, do not hate him so much and do not like Ferdinand and the Germans so much as some are inclined to believe. 4. Szapolyai is positive that Christian rulers, especially the King of France do not abandon him. They can be most useful if they engage forces of the Emperor and Ferdinand in battles so that they cannot conquer Hungary. His situation is far from being so desperate that he should accept Ferdinand's shameful conditions, still, he is receiving Tomicki s advice with a grateful heart. Brodarics hopes he will be willing to accept just and fair conditions. - 5. Szapolyai finds it strange that he is advised to find another refuge if his firm intention is not to seek agreement with Ferdinand. He, who gives him refuge in his country only if he, Szapolyai, gives up his own kingdom for his opponent is a strange ally and relative. This advice should have been given to Ferdinand when the decision was still in Sigismunds hands. - 6. The Poles must not stay neutral since that would mean the betrayal of their alliance with Szapolyai which is still in effect; such a thought fits neither the King nor Tomicki. So the King asks Tomicki to convince Sigismnnd that the latter should keep his promise and fulfil his ally duties. 7. Szapolyai feels that the Poles need not fear Ferdinand so much and should not give up so easily on what they deem lawful. - 8. Brodarics asks Tomicki to forgive him for not having written the letter himself but his heavy stomach-ache made his hands and legs useless. Reverendissime Domine, Domine Colendissime, servitiorum commendationem. [ 1.] Narravi regiae maiestati, domino meo gratiosissimo ea, quae Vestra Reverendissima Dominatio commiserat mihi suae maiestati referenda, de concordia cum adversario suo ineunda. Accepit omnia gratissimo animo, quippe quae sibi persuadet consilia 211
