Kasza Péter (szerk.): Stephanus Brodericus - Epistulae (Bibliotheca Scriptorum Medii Recentisque Aevorum, Series Nova XIV., Argumentum Kiadó - Magyar Országos Levéltár, Budapest, 2012)
1537
291 Draft of a departing pact for Ferenc Frangepán and István Brodarics1 [Vienna?], [November 1537]2 Manuscript used: IlIIStA, Ung. Akt. Fast. 33. Konv. A, fol. 14.' Published: ETE III., 219-220. Elected Bishops of Eger and Vác Ferenc Frangepán and István Brodarics pledge upon their faith, honour, and conscience that in case peace is not realised between Ferdinand and John within six months, they turn away from John and become adherents of Ferdinand forever, even if they are deprived form their possessions or suffer persecution. They do this on the conditions that Ferdinand guarantees to give back their bishoprics in lime and in the meantime duly takes care of their provisions. Nos frater Franciscus de Frangepanibus Agriensis et Stephanus Brodericus Wacien- sis ecclesiarum electi promittimus et pollicemur sub bona nostra fide, honore ac vinculo conscientiarum nostrarum Serenissimo Domino Nostro, Domino regi Ferdinando nos in eventum, in quem pax et tranquillitas inter Maiestatem Suam ex una et regem 5 loannem, occasione Regni Hungarici partibus ab altera, infra tempus semestre a data praesentium computandum, non sequeretur (quod Deus procul avertat), pluribus et rationabilibus ex causis animum nostrum ad id monentibus et imprimis, ne participes tantarum caedium et effusionum sanguinis Christiani, tum rabie et immanitate Turcica, tum etiam furore domestico praetextu regni eiusdem patratarum diiudicari possemus, io praefato domino loanni Regi contra ipsum Serenissimum Dominum Regem Ferdi- nandum heredesque ipsius praesentes et futuros nullo unquam tempore inservire velle, quin potius parati sumus, persecutione personali propterea in nos et direptione bonorum ecclesiarum nostrarum excitata et saeviente, ecclesias easdem illi resignare, ea tamen lege, ut idem Serenissimus Dominus Rex Ferdinandus ex nunc annuat gratiose, 1 This document, extant as a draft without signatures or dating, does not prove in itself that it reflects the real intentions of Brodarics and Frangepán, i.e. that they would turn away from Szapolyai if he and Ferdinand cannot reach an agreement. At the same time, however, several extant letters by Thurzó (see: HHStA, Ung. Akt., Fasc. 33. Konv A. fol. 12-13; fol. 72-73; and Fasc 33. Konv B. fol. 29-30) refer to such intentions. (Venit ad me quaedam honesta persona a domino Colocensi et Broderico Vaciensi [...] quam tenore litterarum [...] hoc tnecum tractare commiserunt, quoniam ipsi omnino sunt deliberati si lohannes cum Maiestate Vestra concordiam de regno Hungáriáé non fecerit, illi amplius servire nolle. See HHStA, Ung. Akt„ Fasc. 33. fol 12-13. - Italics mine. PK) We also have the draft of Ferdinand’s response dated 12 December (see: HHStA, Ung. Akt., Fasc 33. Konv B, fol. 45.), which refers to a copy intended for Brodarics and Frangepán, so the above letter might be related to a draft which outlined a possible pact about switching sides and which was prepared upon hearing about the intentions of Brodarics and Frangepán. To our knowledge, such pact was never ratified.- Elek Thurzó mentions in his letter to Ferdinand on 8 November 1537 (see: HHStA, Ung. Akt. fasc. 33. Konv. A, fol. 12-13.) that Brodarics and Frangepán intend to defect. If the letter was indeed drafted by Brodarics and Frangepán, then it might have been ready already in early November. If it was prepared in Vienna upon hearing the news of their intention, then, too, it was probably written in November. ' A document without signature or date. It seems to be a draft. 515
