Re: Misovsky's MS in Uppsala

[Zandbergen@xxxxxxxxxxx (Rene Zandbergen)]

Dear all,

I'm not sure if the context of the Mnishovsky reference is clear.
I include it below for those interested.

Rene

--------------------------------------------------------------

When Wilfrid Voynich set out to investigate the history of the
Voynich MS, he wrote to Prague in order to obtain
information related to the names mentioned in the Marci letter
(and the erased signature of Jacobus de Tepenec on the
first folio of the MS). 

A reply followed soon (?), in March 1921, written in French.
Following is a translation of excerpts of that reply into English. 


The Doctor in Law, Raphael Sobiehrd-Mnishovsky de Sebuzin & de Horstein,
Czech lawyer and writer, was born in 1580 in Horsuv Tyn, in W. Bohemia.
He
studied in Prague with the Jesuits. [...]
he continued his studies in Paris and Rome [where he appears to have
been at 
the same time as Baresch - RZ] and he became doctor in law abroad. At
this
time he changed his name from Sobiehrd to Mnisovsky. 

After his return he became royal secretary to the famous diplomat and
politician cardinal Melchior Klesl, who at that time was gouvernor in
Austria.
In this fuction he delivered important services as a political agent,
during
the war of Ferdinand II (then duke of Styria) with the Venetians. In
return
for his services he was appointed counsel to the government in Styria.
At
this time he was instructed to teach the young archduke (later emperor)
Ferdinand III the Czech language. 

For him he probably wrote the Latin work: "Constructio seu strues
Tritemiana.
Qui nullum unquam idiomatis bohemici calluit verbum, per eam in momento
scribet
convenienter bohemice quantum volet" (the manuscript is now in the
library
of the University of Uppsala, where it was transported by the Swedes
during
the 30-years war).  [Wilfrid Voynich put three exlamation marks in the
margin of
this paragraph - RZ] 

[...] 
In 1635 he became royal procurator. [Wilfrid Voynich highlighted this
item
in the letter - RZ] 

[...]
When, on 25 February 1634, Albert of Wallenstein, duke of Friedland, and
his
general Adam Erdman Trcka count of Lipa were murdered in Cheb, being
suspected of high treason, Raphael was put in charge of the criminal
process
of both men, with the aim to justify the confiscation of their goods. 

[...]

Sobiehrd - Mnisovsky was an apt Latin poet who has composed 540 Latin
poems,
mostly epigrams. Shortly before his death he composed a funerary poem
for
himself: "Funebria Raphaelis - Mnissovsky de Sebuzin, quae sibi vivens
adhuc
valensque fecit", and had it printed with the instruction to distribute
it at
his funeral. 

[...]

He died on 21 November 1644 and was buried in the St. Saviour church in
the
Jesuit college at the Clementinum in Prague.