Page 136 [136]
114 LETTERS OF ERASMUS [1515
Dorpi. Antuuerpiae, An. M.D.XV.
338338,6 FROM Leo X.
Basle MSS. Erasmiana Urk. II». 2, 3 (8! 2). Rome,
Breue f°. a? y°. (6°). 10 July 1515.
B. fo. ct: O2 p. 220: F. p. 80: HN: Lond. ii. 4:
LB. 178.
[There are two manuscripts of this letter and Ep. 389 in the Basle University
Library. One (62) is in the hand of Boniface Amorbach, and from its similarity
with the Velleius (Basle MS. AN. II 38), which he finished copying on rr Aug.
1516, it was probably written at the same period; an inference which, as will be
seen, accords with the facts. ‘The other, Urk. II». 3 (82), is in the hand of
Conrad Fonteius (p. 67), and though it agrees with 61 except in some negligible
variants, its reading in Ep. 339. 1 shows that it is independent.
The letters were first printed in B in Oct. 1516; but later in the year they
were published separately by Beatus Rhenanus (6%) in response to a request
from Othmar Nachtgall. The book, Breue sanctissimi domini nostri Leonis X ad
Desyderium Erasmum Roterodamum, Basle, Froben, consists of only eight pages and
is without date; but Beatus’ preface to Nachtgall (BRE. 54) is dated ‘pridie
Calendas Ianuarias. Anno M.D. XvI’, which in BRE. is interpreted as gr Dec.
1515. According to commoner practice, however, the date should mean 31 Dec.
1516; and this isconfirmed by the wanderings of the letters before they reached
Erasmus’ hands. On arriving in England, perhaps c. 19 August 1515 (Brewer
ii. 823), they were given into the charge of Ammonius. He, feeling uncertain of
Erasmus’ moyements, retained them; and it was not till Feb. 1516 that he
ventured to send one of the duplicates of Ep. 338 and the copy of Ep. 339,
together with Ep. 340, through Pace (Ep. 427 and 429) to Erasmus at Basle
(Ep. 389. 20-26). After following Pace into Italy (Jortin ii. 347) these did not
reach Basle until Erasmus had left; and though they were dispatched after him
(Epp. 419 and 460), the first that he saw of these proofs of Papal favour was
when Meghen (Ep. 412 introd.) arrived at Antwerp in July 1516 with the other
copy of Ep. 338 sent by Ammonius (Ep. 429. 5, 6). Ep. 339 he cannot have
seen till he reached England a few days later (Ep. 429 and 457. 37, 8). The
documents sent through Pace, except Ep. 340, were finally delivered to him at
Antwerp ‘in September (Ep. 475. 36, 7; cf. Brewer ii. 2299).
8! and 88 agree together and differ from PB in two important readings, where
Erasmus decided to alter the text. It is clear, therefore, that Boniface’s copy
was taken from the documents sent by Ammonius to Basle; and that Beatus’
book may have been printed from his manuscript. Further confirmation for
the date assigned to Beatus’ preface is given by the mention in it of his recent
visit to Strasburg ; cf. Ep. 460 and BRE. 62.
Sadolet, who composed Epp. 338 and 339, had been appointed Papal Secretary
on the accession of Leo x. The dates given are unquestionable. |
LEO PAPA X.
Drueore fili, salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem, Letati admo¬
dum sumus ex tuis ad nos litteris Londini datis ; pertulerunt enim
cum amorem tuum, tum praeclarum de nobis iuditium quod facis ;
quorum vtrumque nobis gratissimum, Hoc etiam erant ambo illu¬
5 striora, quod non a quouis homine, sed a viro doctissimo et nobis
probatissimo, quem et in minoribus cognouimus, illa nobis accide¬
bat gratulatio, quam summa scribentis fides et summa eloquentia
commendaret. y Quapropter volumus tibi certo persuasum esse nos