English (United Kingdom) 
Polski (PL) 
Copernicus to Bishop John Dantiscus, Frombork, 11 March 1539
Original: Czartoryski Library, Kraków, manuscript 307, pp. 123-124.
Nicholas Copernicus (Nicolaus Copernicus) informs John Dantiscus, Bishop of Varmia, that yesterday Felix Reich, Custodian and Canon of Varmia, was buried. Copernicus took over for Raphael Konopacki as his attorney the vacated Canonship and prebend in agreement with the Papal recommendation and the nomination letter [i.e. the presentation letter] of the Queen of Poland, Bona. He asks that the Bishop give his permission and notify the Chapter that the vacated prebend was given to it or to Copernicus, as attorney, by what deed he will satisfy the Papal passage, and the voivode of Pomerania George Konopacki, his son Raphael, and Copernicus will receive a special favour from the Bishop.
Further reading:
- Biskup Marian, Regesta Copernicana, Warszawa 1973.
- Kopernik Mikołaj, Pisma pomniejsze, Warszawa 2007.
Frombork, 11 March 1539
To my lord, Most Reverend Father in Christ, Johannes [Dantiscus], by the grace of God bishop of Varmia, my most gracious lord
My lord, Most Reverend Father in Christ, most gracious lord:
Canon Felix [Reich] of blessed memory, the [Chapter] Custodian, having passed away, was buried yesterday [2 March 1539]. By right of proxy I have claimed the vacant canonry and prebend for Raphael Konopacki. I have acted to have the case advanced, and the office granted to him according to the terms of the papal letter, on the strength of his nomination by the Most Serene Queen of Poland etc. It remains for your Most Reverend Lordship to deign to express your approval of the foregoing, and to indicate that approval to your Chapter, so that possession of the vacant prebend may be given to him or to me as proxy. In this matter your Most Reverend
Lordship on the basis of the papal letter will render to the governor of Pomerania, his son, and me an extraordinary service which we shall strive to deserve at the hands of your Most Reverend Lordship.
Frombork, 3 March 1539
Your Most Reverend Lordship's
servant
Nicholas Copernicus
Translation by Edward Rosen
Frombork, 11 March 1539
Reuerendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, Domino Joanni Dei gratia Episcopo Varmiensi, Domino meo Clementissimo
Reuerendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, Domine Clementissime. Hodie annuente et consentiente Reuerendissima Dominatione Vestra obtinui a capitulo possesionem canonicatus et praebendae vacantium per obitum bonae memoriae Felicis pro domino Raphaele a Canopat, pro quo ago gratias Reuerendissimae Dominationi Vestrae. Neque dubito, quin ipse Raphael recognoscet hanc beneuolentiam Reuerendissimae Dominationis Vestrae una cum domino palatino Pomeraniae patre suo, vti par est. Cupio et ego me commendatum esse eidem Reuerendissimae Dominationi Vestrae, cui seruitia mea deuoueo. Ex Frauemburg XI Martij 1539.
Eiusdem Reuerendissimae Dominationi Vestrae obsequentissimus
Nicolaus Copernicus
