Answer to No. 2396. Luther reports that the letter of Margravine Elisabeth to the Elector had happened without his prior knowledge, and that he had not known about the intended move to Lichtenberg.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. C, fol. 16, No. 12. 2 Printed by Burkhardt, p. 292.
1) "is penetrated" put by us instead of: "innerungen".
2) Here the text is corrupted. Burkhardt offers: "that Ir fehrlichsten hiltet, i. l. der furgewesen weter" 2c.
Grace and peace in Christ and my poor pater noster. Most noble, highborn prince, most gracious lord! To E. C. F. G.'s writing, received by me yesterday, in which E. C. F. G., stating how they cannot know whether my most gracious wife has done such writing with my knowledge or concern, or whether she intends to move to Lichtenberg, 2c., I humbly reply to E. C. F. G. that I truly knew nothing of her C. F. G. letter. For now a while ago I have noticed that letters and messengers have run, but I have not known to whom or where. Likewise, nothing has been reported to me about the move to Lichtenberg, except that there has been a rumor in the house 3) as if Duke Albrecht of Mecklenburg together with his spouse (who was recently in Roslau), Margrave Hans and the Princess of Anhalt were to come to my most gracious wives in Lichtenberg. Such delusion is now strengthened by Philipp's arrival full of Lichtenberg (whom I thought was ordered by E. C. F. G. to keep house in Lichtenberg), to whom, as therefore called (as I hear it said), likewise keeping house is ordered by my most gracious wives; but I know nothing for certain; to which it added that at the same time the game, so E. C. F. G. sent to her C. F. G., was quickly sent to Lichtenberg, so that I thought that such a gift and meeting would take place there, and the next day my g. I could not think of anything else, because E. C. F.G. would have granted or ordered such a thing for reasons, because it is a wonder how reluctant one is here. And, as E. C. F. G. write to me that I should advise that the good Princess stay here for a while longer, I do so not only justly, but also gladly, because I do not yet know of anything better to advise, based on my loyalty. But I fear that I will not be able to hold the eel by the tail in the end, so it struggles and pushes to turn out; I do not know what causes it, because I would dream of it while awake or would have dreamed of it. E. C. F. G. help the best in God's name, otherwise I will have to let go what does not want to stay. Today He told me Philipps (so come back), what a desolate being at Lichten-
3) Rumble. Burkhardt reads: "gewümel". (Dietz.)
berg. So I am told that all the young noblemen and the previous court should be called together again, and everything is directed toward the train. If it will not be otherwise, then I am satisfied, because I do everything not for the sake of enjoyment, but for the good of C. F. G. I know that well. F. G. for the best, I know that well. Hiemit dem lieben GOtt befohlen, Amen. Tuesday after St. Nicolai [Dec. 11] 1537.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Martinus Luther.
No. 2399.
Elector Johann Friedrich to Luther.
The Elector asks Luthern to delay the Margravine's departure for Lichtenberg as much as possible, since he will come to Wittenberg himself to put matters in order. He knows nothing about the visit of several princely persons to the Margravine. He intended to have things put in order in Lichtenberg.
The concept is in the Weimarsche Gesammtarchiv, Reg. C, fol. 16. no. 12. 2. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 293.
Our greeting before. Venerable and Reverend, dear devotee! We have received your reply to our next letter to you, concerning our friendly dear wife, the Margravine Dowager, and her journey from Wittenberg to Lichtenberg, and have noted with gracious favor that you knew nothing of the writing which her beloved recently did to us, nor of her departure from Wittenberg. And we do not want to reassure you in your gracious opinion that we have not yet received an answer from her beloved about the situation of her son, our uncle and brother-in-law, Margrave Hansen, coming to her beloved in Wittenberg, and whether this is acceptable or not. But we are waiting for such an answer daily, and since such a meeting has reached its progress (furgang), as we undoubtedly want to provide for ourselves, since our lady, the Margravine, will be serious on account of Margrave Hansen, we are once again obliged and inclined to dispose of the time to Wittenberg, and with his love, the Margravine's household, and for the sake of other troubles, before and before she goes to Lichtenberg again, to be friendly with her.
1) Burkhardt: "yhr E. k. f. g.", which cannot be correct, may now by C. F. G. the Churfürst or the Markgräfin be understood.
to overcome them. However, we do not want to deprive you of the fact that some things are happening now, so that we will not be able to come to Wittenberg in the coming week. Therefore, it is our gracious request, if you will note that our Lady wanted to require Margrave Hansen, her son, to come to Wittenberg, that you will see to it that this is not postponed until after Christmas. For what we think about and do here is for the good of the pious princess. Since you yourselves know of nothing better to do, [than] that her beloved abstain from Wittenberg for a while, it is once again our gracious request that you, in accordance with our gracious letter, set it in motion with her beloved and work diligently, as you will know how to do, so that this will happen. But if, as we note, you do not want to be persecuted for a long time, but her beloved would rise to move to Lichtenberg, then we cannot help it, and must let it happen and put it there, because we have done our part and are thus excused.
But that Duke Albrecht of Mecklenburg together with his spouse, also Margrave Hans and the Princess of Anhalt are to come to the Margravine in Lichtenberg, as you have received, we have not heard anything about that before; what will therefore come to you further, you should report to us by your letter.
Because we also understand from your letter how a desolate being is at Lichtenberg, and that the previous court shall be called together again, as you have been reported, so we are minded. He is to request Jörgen von Minkwitz to come here, and to talk to him thereupon 2) according to all necessity and for the best of the margravine. We have not wished to restrain you from doing so, and are inclined to you with grace and good. Date at Torgau, Sunday after Luciä [Dec. 16] 1537.
No. 2400.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich.
Intercession for Ambrosius Laub of Halle to give him the completed fiefdom of Gera.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Ji, fol. 122 b. C. 5. 9. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 295.
G. n. Peace in Christ 2c. Most Serene, Highborn Prince, Most Gracious Lord! There will come a writing to E. C. F. G. for
2) "On it" put by us instead of: "Ahead".
Letters from the year 1537. no. 2400. 2401. 2402.
a citizen of Halle, named Ambrosius Laub, of a fief in Gera 2c. Now the same man does not like to be in Halle under the evil worm and disgraceful Cardinal, and thinks away. For this reason, he has asked me to inform E. C. F. G. and to ask him, if E. C. F. G. wants to use him for an office, that he can have a gracious promotion from E. C. F. G.. Now that he is such a man who adheres to the Gospel and would heartily like to be there, my humble request to E. C. F. G. is that it be done, if E. C. F. G. would help such a poor captive soul out of the dungeon and clutches of the desperate tyrant, as much as it may please E. C. F. G. and in time advise the good man. May the Father of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ bless C.F.G., Amen. Wednesday after St. Lucia [Dec. 19] 1537.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Martinus Luther.
No. 2401.
To the Elector Johann Friedrich, together with Jonas and Melanchthon.
Intercession for Ambrosius Laube, the Elector wants to provide his son with a clay for the studio.
This letter is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. Ji, fol. 122 b. It is in Canzleischrift, only the signatures are originals. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 296.
God's grace through our Lord Jesus Christ beforehand. Most noble, highborn, most gracious Prince and Lord! The witness of these writings, a citizen of Halle, named Ambrosius Laube, has informed us that his son has been promised a fiefdom in Gera by the Collator, but that the same fiefdom has recently been turned over by the visitators of the same place for the improvement of a parish and school. Now the good man does not request that the visitators change their decree for his sake, because he also likes to see the promotion of the Gospel. However, because he is poor and has small children, we humbly request that E. C. F. G. may grant his son
graciously consider and provide him with another fiefdom in Altenburg or otherwise, if something has been transferred, in gracious consideration that the father, in honor of the Gospel, is satisfied and lets the fiefdom in Gera go, and we ask in submission that E. C. F. G. will graciously let him enjoy our intercession, since the good man is Magister Georgen [Rörer], brother-in-law of the deacon here. C. F. G. will graciously let him enjoy our intercession, for the good man, since he is Magister Georgen [Rörer], the deacon's brother-in-law here, has quite diligently approached us to ask for him. God will reward such E. C. F. G. Elemosyne abundantly, and [we] do not doubt that this good man will always work with submissive gratitude. God keep E. C. F. G. always. Date Wednesday after Luciä [Dec. 19] in 1537.
E. C. F. G.
Martinus Luther, D. Justus Jonas, D. Philippus Melanchthon.
No. 2402.