At a glanceCiphertext-only break · partial · f. 262 read; f. 263 six lines clean, the rest decoded, not read
- The documents
- Two leaves of one DECODE record. f. 262: a Bavarian servant to his duke, “eritags nach Jacobi” (the Tuesday after 25 July). f. 263: a report on the Pressburg negotiations between Ferdinand and John Zápolya, about 1533–34, probably its enclosure.
- Where
- Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Munich, Kurbayern Äußeres Archiv 4591 ff. 262–263; DECODE R9416, part of catalogue entry 161, “partially decrypted”.
- The ciphers
- Two different sets of invented signs. f. 263 is a homophonic substitution with about 23 frequent signs and word division, and a few codes for persons.
- How it was deciphered
- f. 263: a solver (simulated annealing) with a language model built for it from German prints of 1472–1609 gave running German on its first run; a faint gloss of the time over the first lines, read afterwards, agrees word for word. f. 262: the key rebuilt letter for letter from the clerk’s decipherment over page B, and page A read from its signs (23 October 2026).
- What it says
- The diet at Pressburg, Ferdinand’s party arriving “mit grossem Pomp”, a Turkish embassy on Shrove Tuesday, Imre Czibak offering the Sultan tribute, Alvise Gritti dispatched; dated at Buda (“datm ofen den 12 marcij”). The servant reports Turks up to four thousand strong and Italian and Spanish foot on the move, and asks for seven years’ pension and the office of Oberrichter at Straubing.
- Still open
- f. 263 beyond recto lines 11–16: a reading of the whole leaf exists (23 October 2026), but about 4% of its letters rest on signs with two values chosen by sense, unconfirmed beyond the glossed lines, so it stays decoded, not read. Codes +L and Ω on f. 263, and X, ⊼ and a G-sign on f. 262.
Until 15 October 2026 this record was filed on one page with thirteen other ciphertexts of the same key volume. They are different ciphers, each with its own page; the largest group is System A′ of the dukes’ agents in Hungary. The two leaves here are in two ciphers of their own and are kept together as one record, with a part for each.
01 f. 263: the report on the Pressburg talks
3,150 signs, word-separated. The solver, held to the frequency limits of a homophonic cipher, gave German at once with the new model: “…uon beden kunigen zu entlicher handlung gen Pressburg gesetzt… der tag zu Pressburg erfolgt ist… mit grossem pomp… dem turkischen kaiser… tribut… zu geben…”. The faint gloss on the first lines (“nunmen tag uon beden kunigen zu entlicher handlung gen bresburg gesetzt”) agrees with it word for word, which confirms the break independently. The report concerns the negotiations between “beden kunigen”, Ferdinand and John Zápolya, and their commissaries; a Turkish embassy; “der Emrich beeche” (Imre Czibak) offering the Sultan tribute and “tausent tucaten”; and “den hern Griti abgefertigt” (Alvise Gritti, killed in September 1534), so about 1533–34. (These are the solver’s first-run words; the reading of 23 October 2026 has “dem Emrich Besche [?hundert] tausent” and “der Khö. den hern Griti ab gefertigt”.)
Lines 11–16 of the recto were deciphered word by word at the image (30 September 2026). One transcription code covers two shapes: the zig-zag with one bar is e, the dagger with two bars is s; another covers d and l. In normalised spelling:
… daraus der Tag zu Pressburg erfolgt ist, dahin auch des [Ferd.] Tail mit grossem Pomp kummen sint, auch volmechtigen Gwalt anzaigt, und sich zu beden Tailn entliche Vertrage versehen. Es hat sich aber zutragen, das am Ertag in der Fasnacht von dem turkischen Kaiser ain treffliche Botschaft ankummen …
(“… from which the diet at Pressburg followed, whither also [Ferdinand’s] party came with great pomp and showed full powers, and on both sides a final treaty was expected. But it came about that on Shrove Tuesday a distinguished embassy arrived from the Turkish emperor …”) [Ferd.] is a code sign identified only by the faint gloss; three signs after “Tail”, passed over by the gloss, are not rendered.
The whole leaf, 23 October 2026. f. 263 turned out to carry its own faint interlinear decipherment over recto lines 1–12 and the last lines of the verso, not only the first two lines (r9416/f263_gloss.txt). It writes “fg” over the hourglass X (E. F. G., Your Princely Grace), “Khö” over the barred T (the King, by the context Zápolya) and “Ferd” over g, which settles the person codes. Every line (39 recto, 43 verso) was then read on its crop with the extended key (r9416/f263_reading.md, English f263_en.md). One sign serves both k and b, so the place the solver had as “Kreekurg” is Bresburg; the embassy came “mit vij scheffe”; Imre Czibak offers tribute “und darzu das ganz widisch lannt, welches doch nit sein ist”; on the verso the King dispatches Gritti, the commissioners are recalled from Pressburg, and the last line is “datm ofen den 12 marcij”, Buda, 12 March. The f. 262 key does not apply: the two leaves use different sign sets. Outside the glossed lines, however, about 4% of the letters rest on the second value of a multi-valued sign (z e/s, b d/l, p b/w, K k/b) chosen by the word, with no gloss or print to confirm them, so beyond recto lines 11–16 the leaf stays decoded, not read.
02 f. 262: a servant’s letter to his duke
The letter is glossed over every line in German by a hand of the time, so it was deciphered when it arrived. The gloss is faint, and the reading audit of 22 October 2026 found that page A did not build sentences from it. On 23 October the key was rebuilt letter for letter from the decipherment of page B (a simple substitution with homophones and three code signs, r9416/f262_key.md), and page A was deciphered from its signs on the full-resolution image, all 25 lines, including three the gloss leaves bare (“minkwicz und ander geferden halb durch slesi”). Both pages were then transcribed sign by sign (r9416/f262_signs.txt, 1,498 signs) and decoded again, which changed 17 words to what the signs give. The servant writes of troops in Austria and Styria, of “die turcken bis in vier tausent stark”, of the Italian and Spanish foot (“italische und spanischen kne[chte]”) to move through Styria and by the Danube into Hungary, and of “bartlen von eschelkamb”, and asks for seven years’ outstanding pension and the office of Oberrichter at Straubing. It is dated “eritags nach iacobi”. The reading (r9416/f262_reading.md, English f262_en.md) builds sentences throughout; three code signs stay open.
03 What stays open
- f. 263 beyond recto lines 11–16: re-keyed line by line on 23 October 2026, but the letters on the multi-valued signs (3.9% of the reading) are chosen by sense with no gloss or print to confirm them: decoded, not read.
- f. 263: the codes +L (6 times, always beside Ferdinand) and Ω (7 times, a lord with an instruction), the dotted-circle cluster (recto ll. 12, 21, 34) and the groups at recto ll. 8–9 and verso ll. 27–28, 38–40. The person codes X, T and g are now fixed from the gloss.
- f. 262: the code signs X (3 times), ⊼ (twice) and a G-sign (twice), the first group of A04, the end of A03 and one sign in B01.
Full texts
The transcription and the decryption of every document on this page, so that the reading can be used and checked. Short files are shown here; all are in the repository.
f.263 (pp. 3-4), report on the Pressburg talks, c. 1533-34 read in part
A Bavarian agent's report on the Pressburg negotiations between 'beden kunigen' (Ferdinand and John Zápolya), a Turkish embassy, Imre Czibak's offer of tribute to the Sultan and Alvise Gritti's dispatch, so c. 1533-34. Broken ciphertext-only by constrained annealing: decrypt_f263.txt is the solver's working decrypt of the whole leaf (local errors, before the look-alike split); recto lines 11-16 are re-keyed by hand and checked on the image (reading_p3_11-16.txt).
Builds coherent sentences, but under the read bar of 95% of words read as sense (100% here); the holes are marked in the reading.
Transcription
# R9416 / BayHStA KAA 4591 f.263 -- cipher transcription, images _P3 (rotated 180) and _P4 (rotated 180)
# One ASCII char per sign (see signs_p34_v2.md). '?' after a doubtful sign. [..] = clear words.
# g: lines = faint interlinear German gloss written above the cipher line (NOT absent: P3 carries one).
# v2: f/z/j (dagger/zig-zag/looped) and H/K split; see signs_p34_v2.md.
# How the split was made: the old code f covered THREE shapes, old H two. Where a crop was examined sign by sign
# (P3 1-39 partly, P4 1-27 and 28-32 closely) the shape decided; elsewhere each old f/H was assigned by the
# de-1500s model choosing e/o/z and u/k in word context (k allowed only word-initially). P4 33-43 = model only.
# Transcription is provisional (read from 2000-px crops); treat letter-level detail with caution.
== PAGE P3 (foliated 263, recto) ==
g01: ..(z)u haben durch sorgen bei in mai. den furste
01: jHy X gqpioQ bHd?nD mzyAXQ pfmQ>smy bzQ DHyAio=
g02: nunmen tag uon beden kunigen zu entlicher
02: Qz>zQ OsA HfQ pzbioQ KHQmAfQ jH zQOBmngioy
g03: handlung gen bresburg gesetzt und bei zu baiden
03: gsQbBHQA AzQ ayiozaHyA AziouzO HQb pzy jH asmbzQ
g04: uon ... ..mmissarien? da ... herent? ... uernommen und
04: HfQ nq>>mzsdmioQ? bs gmo?Q HpyzyQQO HioyQz>>zQ HQb
g05: ..sachen men ... nun tragen ... aber annder
05: qQby jsngzQ >ioyZ QHzQ Osyd?AfQ zymS qpzy qQQbioy
g06: .. sachen zu des haben ... er hat
06: A>yzf jsngyQ jH bioj gsbpioQ >my T pfDfzioQ gsO
g07: sachen alles zu des halben ... ... da mit ... er hal..
07: 4zbdngz? qBBzf X s?Q Afs? jH 4ngyiomfy?Q bs >mf X bmz
g08: er... hendel... den ... beges.. en bigen
08: ioypf#yQ gioQbzB Az? {struck: jqmng} bz> T pioyyA?oQ pmfioQ f:;Q
g09: ..aben ... nach ... kaid? bei ... ... ich ... mit ... imme zu
09: aDqgioQ HQb gE c QsnS bz> gaiomT zmng >mO? m>>io jH
g10: ..nicht? darauf? ... hat ... uns ... woh... ... wie ... wie ... haben
10: DzyOysAio gqc sszHngfQ bqzzioQ pmyf? X pmzjio gspioQ
g11: das aus den tag zu bresburg erfolgt ist dahin auch
11: bqy spz bzyOqA jH ayiozaHyA zyDzbAO mzO bs gmQ qHng
g12: des fall ... mit grossem bwelb? kummen sint auch
12: bzz g Osmb cI) >mO Ayfzio> aH>aa KH>>zQ 4mQO qHng
g13: (faint)
13: Kzb>iongOmAzQ ApqbO sQfqmf?O HQbzmng jH aiobzQ OsbQ
14: ioQOBmngz DzyOysAz DioyjzgioQ zz gsO zmng. qpioy jH Oys=
15: AioQ bsz q> zyOsA mQ bioy DqzQqngO {struck} HfQ bz> OHyK.
16: mfngioQ Ksmzioy? qmQ OyioDbmngz azOfzngsDc qQ KH>>zQ
17: mfqO {struck: mz?} >mO vy fngioDDio piobngzy bio> T smQ aymzD Hf>
18: Ksmfzy KyqngO gsO pzbngioy mQ bsOzmQ byqQfAioymyO
19: mzO biof jfbpQ KzAiom mng X {struck: mngzH} gmio >mO {struck: fH} fngmK
20: mQ piobngz> X pioybzQ HioQz>>zQ pmz KymzObmng +L g AiojzQ
21: esm T HQb AsQmzioy .)c? KymzOioQ gsmO jH QqngOsmb gmQioy
22: yHzz HpioyQ bzQ Hioypmb?mAOfQ {struck} OsA jH KyiozKHA
23: gqQbzQ Hn?b pmz pfB bio T bmq gsQbBHQA bmzpioy Kiom
24: bio> Ksmfzy gqO bqQQ jH KyiozKHyA bsQQ qcQ bq?mzio> fyO
25: pmyO bmzzy gqQbioB H?sbO zymQ ioQOzngsDO gqpfQ bmio
26: pzmb bioy OHy Kmzng Kqmjzy4ngzQ aiom m>4zbpioy mQ
27: bioyfqng fQOzngzzz?ioQ mfO # pmz ioHy X sp 4ioQz>4yio=
28: mpioQ HioyQf>>ioQ pioybzQ piomOzyfjfngyfmpO bioy j>ymng
29: piojngz bio> T bsz 4mng u AioAzQ bz> OHyKioQ zyamzO m>>io
30: OympHO zfmsz AioDsBbQf jH Aiopy?fQ HQb bqyjH bqz AqQng
31: pmbmfng bsQQO pzbngzz bzngs?QmO jiomQ mzO mQzio#mQ
32: gsQO 4OiobBzQ HQb bio> f>ymng piozngz gmsioyO OsHzioQO.
33: OHnsOzQ jH qmQzyzngqQnHHQA gspzQ X jH piobzQHzQ
34: pqz gmbBD z?sioy OyfzO zmng bmz sy>ioQ KymzOzQ ).:.c azm
35: +L g Aiobyf4OioQ >fAioQ HQb fp bzy OHyKmzng Ksmfioy
36: sp {struck: jzmng} 4zbngioy gqQbBHQAQmb Ayz4>HOmA 4zb pioybzQ
37: bmz pzmb +L HQb g bio> OHyKioQ qBBzz? gOf? AQqbioQ KH>>
38: ioQ gspyfQ4mng >mO qmQz> KymzObmngio> KHQmAQmO
39: HioyOysAQ >fAioQ HQb bfyO >HzzioQ 4m# Hf> OHyKioQ
== PAGE P4 (f.263 verso; image rotated 180) ==
g01: (a few faint gloss letters only: m m ... gen ... n)
01: pmz ioz m> AiobfAioQ mz? sHD 4fbngio gqQbBHQA gq
02: eioy T bioQ gyfQAymOm sp AioDyfOmAO >mO qbbioy
03: QfOHyDO HQb bmz OHyKmzng afOzngsDO qHDbioy
04: afzO Hfy gmQ qQ AiozngmKO HQbbmz pfmb? mng {struck: zf}
05: bio> T jH sbbioy gqQQbHQA sbbpioA ioyDfybzyO amz
06: pfybioQ gsp mngQmO HQOioybqzzzQ pfbbzQ jHy
07: azbioy X jH AHioO bioQ T mQaiomzzQ bioz gzyQ w
08: sQ AzzayfngfQ # bqz ioy pfbbio piobzQKzQ pqz X
09: amz gzy HfQ 4iomQyQpioAyQ AioesQ gqpioQ#
10: piobngioz sHng X aiom bL HQb g QmO jH Hbqm
11: Qio>=qngOsmb AioyqmngO gse bioz gsbpzQ ioHy
12: azbioy X pf ioz jH yyngOioy gqQbBHQA KH>pQmO
13: sHz 4ngbmzzzioQ bqy sHD gqO 4mng bioy T HQb w
14: mQ >yfmQf> ayfm 4zmQ yQO4ngbfzzioQ HQbby>
15: w mQ 4iomQ mQzOyHnKmfQ bmzioQ syOmKiob
16: bqzzioQ 4iozngzyQ ssz bioy OHyKm{struck: ng}zng Ksmzioy mQ
17: bmzioy gqQbHQA bmz KHQmA HQsDHyzOioQzf>m
18: [margin, left: bioy] T mQ amQOQH4zymQ Dyym Dfy piobsbOyQ HQb
19: KsmQioQ >mO QqyioQ QzQQioQ bmzioQ syOmKyb
20: gqO >mng bzy w mQ4iomQzy mQ zOyHnKmfQ
21: ciozyQ bqzzioQ | HQb bzy w zyazHO 4mng gfng ioH
22: X jH bmQioQ HQb pmz pfb mng bioz gsbpHfQ X
23: KsmQ pzDiobng gqp zf sngO mng sfng ioz4zm
24: y?H X bq >mO Qmngf pioAzpioQ HQb bmy? piomb
25: zmng+L g sbff AyAio> OHyKioQ gspyQ zmng X
26: sHng pfb jH pioby?Q w?Hy? pfz bqy sHz pioybzQ
27: pmb am bio> T g X KsQ >yQAyb ymfO X jH>
28: azOioQ mng gsp bioy imzyAzQ X >mO X bioy Kq
29: QDiobzyqnmzQ gsbpzQ jH yiobzQ pzDfbgioQ
30: 4iong >mng AHioO X zQOzngbHzzioQ 4mng bqy m
31: pqz ioHy Aiobfzy?Q gqmO bqy mQQQ 4iomQ pmb
32: by> T AioDzbO zfDioy yz yHy aiobyy X AioDzb
33: mA mzO bmzio fp sQAyzqmAOz gqQbbHQby
34: {blot}-f9. HQb az qHng sQ jH jqmAzQ HQb qHDzzb
35: DHyAioDqyzQ jsngyQ gqO bioy T 4iomQ gyO HQb
36: nq>>mbqymzQ HfQ ayiozaHyA pmbyy spAioDz
37: bioyO bmz piomb j qQ bmzio> fyO DioyAzpioQz
38: mzO bioy w Hzy>qmQO sHD mzympmbyzH KH
39: >>ioQ mng sngO bioy qQfOyzQO pioybz yyioQz
40: ioyO bsz qObiof gspmng mngb jHy ambzQ X mQ iomb
41: ymO {struck} zyHyQ X mQ jzyqbsOioQ pzYioQ OHf >mngbm
42: OqQKqmO pioDzYqioQ fYioy Aiogfyzs>zyHQOio
43: bqO> fDioQ bioQ |= {flourish/scrawl, "mm)"? -- end of text; line short}
# Faint gloss-like letters below the last line at left (illegible).Transcription
j H y X g q p i o Q b H d n D m z y A X Q p f m Q > s m y b z Q D H y A i o =
Q z > z Q O s A H f Q p z b i o Q K H Q m A f Q j H z Q O B m n g i o y
g s Q b B H Q A A z Q a y i o z a H y A A z i o u z O H Q b p z y j H a s m b z Q
H f Q n q > > m z s d m i o Q b s g m o Q H p y z y Q Q O H i o y Q z > > z Q H Q b
q Q b y j s n g z Q > i o y Z Q H z Q O s y d A f Q z y m S q p z y q Q Q b i o y
A > y z f j s n g y Q j H b i o j g s b p i o Q > m y T p f D f z i o Q g s O
4 z b d n g z q B B z f X s Q A f s j H 4 n g y i o m f y Q b s > m f X b m z
i o y p f # y Q g i o Q b z B A z { s t r u c k : j q m n g } b z > T p i o y y A o Q p m f i o Q f : ; Q
a D q g i o Q H Q b g E c Q s n S b z > g a i o m T z m n g > m O m > > i o j H
D z y O y s A i o g q c s s z H n g f Q b q z z i o Q p m y f X p m z j i o g s p i o Q
b q y s p z b z y O q A j H a y i o z a H y A z y D z b A O m z O b s g m Q q H n g
b z z g O s m b c I ) > m O A y f z i o > a H > a a K H > > z Q 4 m Q O q H n g
K z b > i o n g O m A z Q A p q b O s Q f q m f O H Q b z m n g j H a i o b z Q O s b Q
i o Q O B m n g z D z y O y s A z D i o y j z g i o Q z z g s O z m n g . q p i o y j H O y s =
A i o Q b s z q > z y O s A m Q b i o y D q z Q q n g O { s t r u c k } H f Q b z > O H y K .
m f n g i o Q K s m z i o y q m Q O y i o D b m n g z a z O f z n g s D c q Q K H > > z Q
m f q O { s t r u c k : m z } > m O v y f n g i o D D i o p i o b n g z y b i o > T s m Q a y m z D H f >
K s m f z y K y q n g O g s O p z b n g i o y m Q b s O z m Q b y q Q f A i o y m y O
m z O b i o f j f b p Q K z A i o m m n g X { s t r u c k : m n g z H } g m i o > m O { s t r u c k : f H } f n g m K
m Q p i o b n g z > X p i o y b z Q H i o Q z > > z Q p m z K y m z O b m n g + L g A i o j z Q
e s m T H Q b A s Q m z i o y . ) c K y m z O i o Q g s m O j H Q q n g O s m b g m Q i o y
y H z z H p i o y Q b z Q H i o y p m b m A O f Q { s t r u c k } O s A j H K y i o z K H A
g q Q b z Q H n b p m z p f B b i o T b m q g s Q b B H Q A b m z p i o y K i o m
b i o > K s m f z y g q O b q Q Q j H K y i o z K H y A b s Q Q q c Q b q m z i o > f y O
p m y O b m z z y g q Q b i o B H s b O z y m Q i o Q O z n g s D O g q p f Q b m i o
p z m b b i o y O H y K m z n g K q m j z y 4 n g z Q a i o m m > 4 z b p i o y m Q
b i o y f q n g f Q O z n g z z z i o Q m f O # p m z i o H y X s p 4 i o Q z > 4 y i o =
m p i o Q H i o y Q f > > i o Q p i o y b z Q p i o m O z y f j f n g y f m p O b i o y j > y m n g
p i o j n g z b i o > T b s z 4 m n g u A i o A z Q b z > O H y K i o Q z y a m z O m > > i o
O y m p H O z f m s z A i o D s B b Q f j H A i o p y f Q H Q b b q y j H b q z A q Q n g
p m b m f n g b s Q Q O p z b n g z z b z n g s Q m O j i o m Q m z O m Q z i o # m Q
g s Q O 4 O i o b B z Q H Q b b i o > f > y m n g p i o z n g z g m s i o y O O s H z i o Q O .
O H n s O z Q j H q m Q z y z n g q Q n H H Q A g s p z Q X j H p i o b z Q H z Q
p q z g m b B D z s i o y O y f z O z m n g b m z s y > i o Q K y m z O z Q ) . : . c a z m
+ L g A i o b y f 4 O i o Q > f A i o Q H Q b f p b z y O H y K m z n g K s m f i o y
s p { s t r u c k : j z m n g } 4 z b n g i o y g q Q b B H Q A Q m b A y z 4 > H O m A 4 z b p i o y b z Q
b m z p z m b + L H Q b g b i o > O H y K i o Q q B B z z g O f A Q q b i o Q K H > >
i o Q g s p y f Q 4 m n g > m O q m Q z > K y m z O b m n g i o > K H Q m A Q m O
H i o y O y s A Q > f A i o Q H Q b b f y O > H z z i o Q 4 m # H f > O H y K i o Q
p m z i o z m > A i o b f A i o Q m z s H D 4 f b n g i o g q Q b B H Q A g q
e i o y T b i o Q g y f Q A y m O m s p A i o D y f O m A O > m O q b b i o y
Q f O H y D O H Q b b m z O H y K m z n g a f O z n g s D O q H D b i o y
a f z O H f y g m Q q Q A i o z n g m K O H Q b b m z p f m b m n g { s t r u c k : z f }
b i o > T j H s b b i o y g q Q Q b H Q A s b b p i o A i o y D f y b z y O a m z
p f y b i o Q g s p m n g Q m O H Q O i o y b q z z z Q p f b b z Q j H y
a z b i o y X j H A H i o O b i o Q T m Q a i o m z z Q b i o z g z y Q w
s Q A z z a y f n g f Q # b q z i o y p f b b i o p i o b z Q K z Q p q z X
a m z g z y H f Q 4 i o m Q y Q p i o A y Q A i o e s Q g q p i o Q #
p i o b n g i o z s H n g X a i o m b L H Q b g Q m O j H H b q m
Q i o > = q n g O s m b A i o y q m n g O g s e b i o z g s b p z Q i o H y
a z b i o y X p f i o z j H y y n g O i o y g q Q b B H Q A K H > p Q m O
s H z 4 n g b m z z z i o Q b q y s H D g q O 4 m n g b i o y T H Q b w
m Q > y f m Q f > a y f m 4 z m Q y Q O 4 n g b f z z i o Q H Q b b y >
w m Q 4 i o m Q m Q z O y H n K m f Q b m z i o Q s y O m K i o b
b q z z i o Q 4 i o z n g z y Q s s z b i o y O H y K m { s t r u c k : n g } z n g K s m z i o y m Q
b m z i o y g q Q b H Q A b m z K H Q m A H Q s D H y z O i o Q z f > m
T m Q a m Q O Q H 4 z y m Q D y y m D f y p i o b s b O y Q H Q b
K s m Q i o Q > m O Q q y i o Q Q z Q Q i o Q b m z i o Q s y O m K y b
g q O > m n g b z y w m Q 4 i o m Q z y m Q z O y H n K m f Q
c i o z y Q b q z z i o Q | H Q b b z y w z y a z H O 4 m n g g f n g i o H
X j H b m Q i o Q H Q b p m z p f b m n g b i o z g s b p H f Q X
K s m Q p z D i o b n g g q p z f s n g O m n g s f n g i o z 4 z m
y H X b q > m O Q m n g f p i o A z p i o Q H Q b b m y p i o m b
z m n g + L g s b f f A y A i o > O H y K i o Q g s p y Q z m n g X
s H n g p f b j H p i o b y Q w H y p f z b q y s H z p i o y b z Q
p m b a m b i o > T g X K s Q > y Q A y b y m f O X j H >
a z O i o Q m n g g s p b i o y i m z y A z Q X > m O X b i o y K q
Q D i o b z y q n m z Q g s b p z Q j H y i o b z Q p z D f b g i o Q
4 i o n g > m n g A H i o O X z Q O z n g b H z z i o Q 4 m n g b q y m
p q z i o H y A i o b f z y Q g q m O b q y m Q Q Q 4 i o m Q p m b
b y > T A i o D z b O z f D i o y y z y H y a i o b y y X A i o D z b
m A m z O b m z i o f p s Q A y z q m A O z g q Q b b H Q b y
{ b l o t } - f 9 . H Q b a z q H n g s Q j H j q m A z Q H Q b q H D z z b
D H y A i o D q y z Q j s n g y Q g q O b i o y T 4 i o m Q g y O H Q b
n q > > m b q y m z Q H f Q a y i o z a H y A p m b y y s p A i o D z
b i o y O b m z p i o m b j q Q b m z i o > f y O D i o y A z p i o Q z
m z O b i o y w H z y > q m Q O s H D m z y m p m b y z H K H
> > i o Q m n g s n g O b i o y q Q f O y z Q O p i o y b z y y i o Q z
i o y O b s z q O b i o f g s p m n g m n g b j H y a m b z Q X m Q i o m b
y m O { s t r u c k } z y H y Q X m Q j z y q b s O i o Q p z Y i o Q O H f > m n g b m
O q Q K q m O p i o D z Y q i o Q f Y i o y A i o g f y z s > z y H Q O i o
b q O > f D i o Q b i o Q | = { f l o u r i s h / s c r a w l , " m m ) " - - e n d o f t e x t ; l i n e s h o r t }Decryption
4=s >=m A=g D=r H=u I=r K=k L=s O=t Q=n S=n T=d X=e Y=d a=b b=d c=b d=c e=t f=e g=h i=a io=e m=i n=c o=e p=b q=a s=a u=n v=e w=g y=r z=n eur e haben ducar iergen beinmeir den rurge nemen ttg uen beden uuunigen eu enteicher hnnduung gen breeburg geenee uend ber eu beiden uen cammierien da hien ubrere t uer nemmen ued andr eachen mern nuen tragen ernn aber annder gmree eachrn eu dee hadben mir d brreeen hat sedrche addee e an gea eu echreiern da mit e die erbern hended ge dem d berrgen bieen en brahen uend ha annch drm hbeid eich mit imme eu rertrage hat aaeuuchen deeen bie e bieee haben dar abe dertag eu breeburg erredgt iet da hin auch dee h taid br mit greeem bumbb uumren eint auch uedmechtieen gbadt aneaiet uadeich eu beden tadn entdaiche rertrage rereehen ee hat eich aber eu tra gen dae am ertag in der raenacht uen dem turk iechen kaieen ain trerdiche betecharb an kummen ieat mit er echerre bedcher dem d ain brier uem kaieer kracht hat bedcher in datein dranegerirt iet dee eedbn uegei ich e hie mit echik in bedchem e berden uenemmen bie krietdiche s h geeen tai d uad ganieer t krieteneait eu nachatid hier ruee ubern den uerbitigten tag eu kreekug handen uid bie bet de d dia handtung dieber kei dem kaieer hat dann eu kreekurg dann atn dhieem ert birt dieer handed uadt erin entechart heeben die beid der tur kiech kaieerschen bei imsedber in dereach entecheeeen iet bie eur e ab senemsre iben uernemmen berden beitereeechraibt der emrich beeche dem d daesich n gegen dem turken erbiet imme tribut eeiae geraddee eu geben uand dareu dee ganch bidiech dannt bedchee dechanit eein iet iaeein hant stedden uand dem emrich beeche huaert taueen tucaten eu ainerechancuung haben e eu bedenuen bae hiadr eder treet eich die armen krieten b bei es h gedreeten megen und eb der turkiech kaieer ab sedchaer handdungnid gresrutieg sed berden die beid es uand h dem turken addee hte gnaden kumm en habensich mit ainem krietdichdem kunignit uertragn megen und dert mueeen sia uem turken bie ee im gedegen iet aur sedche handdung ha der d den herngriti ab gerertigt mit adder neturrt und die turkiech betschart aurder beet uer hin an geechikt unddie beid ich dem d eu adder hanndung addbeg errerdert bie berden hab ichnit unterdaeeen bedden eur beder e eu guet den d inbeieen dee hern g an geebrechrn dae er bedade bedenken bae e bie her uen seinrnbegrn getan haben bedchee auch e bei ds und h nit eu udai nemachtaid geraicht hat dee hadben eur beder e be ee eu rrchter handdung kumb nit aue schdieeeen dar aur hat sich der d und g in mrinem bri sein rntschdeeeen unddrm g in sein inetruckien dieen artiked daeeen seeechern aae der turkichech kaieer in dieer handung die kunig unarureteneemi d in bintnueeerin rrri rer bedadtrn und kainen mit naren nennen dieen artikrd hat mich der g inseiner in etruckien beern daeeen und der g erbeut eich hech eu e eu dinen und bie bed ich dee hadbuen e kain beredch hab ee acht ich dech eesei eue da mit nichne begeben und die beid eichs h adee gegem turken haben eich e auch bed eu bedeniken bae dar aue berden bid bi dem d h e kan menged eriet e eum beten ich hab der aiergen e mit e der ka nrederacien hadben eu reden beredhen sech mich guet e entechdueeen sich dar i bae eur gedeern hait dar innn sein bid drm d geredt eerer re rur bedrr e gered ig iet diee eb angreaigte handdundr e und be auch an eu eaigen und aureed rurgeraren eachrn hat der d sein hrt und cammidarien uen breeburg bidrr abgere dert die beid e an dieem ert rergebene iet der g uermaint aur ieribidreu ku mmen ich acht der anetrent berde rrene ert dae atdee habich ichd eur biden e in eid rit erurn e in eeradaten beden tue michdi tankait beredaen eder gehereamerunte datm eren den
Decryption
# R9416 f.263 recto (image _P3, rotated 180), lines 11-16: normalised reading, 30 Sept 2026
#
# Made to fill the gaps in the quotation for Lasry's list. Source: p34_v2.txt (the v2 transcription), re-keyed by
# hand with the provisional key below, every word checked against the image at full resolution
# (kaa4591/img/IMG_R9416_I44531_P3.jpg), and lines 11-12 against the faint contemporary interlinear gloss
# (g11/g12 in p34_v2.txt, re-read on the image). Grades: H = value from the recovered key; C = agrees with the
# contemporary gloss; M = a look-alike sign re-assigned from the image or the word; I = inferred.
#
# Key used (v2 codes): z e | f o | j z | H u/v | K k | s a | q a | O t | Q n | b d | B l | > m | A g | D f/v |
# y r | m i | io e | ng ch | g h | a b/p | p b/w/u | 4 s | c t
#
# The look-alike split the NOTES asked for, as far as these lines go: the v2 code z covers two shapes, the
# zig-zag with one crossbar (e) and a dagger with two crossbars (s). The two-bar form is s in "daraus", "Bresburg",
# "ist", "grossem", "sich", "das", "Fasnacht" (M, each fixed by the word; lines 11-12 also by the gloss). In the same
# way b covers d and l ("tail", "tailn", "treffliche", "erfolgt"), and a few f/z/j/A signs of the first pass are
# re-assigned by the image ("anzaigt", "erfolgt").
## Normalised text (cipher throughout; [ ] = supplied)
... daraus der Tag zu Pressburg erfolgt ist, dahin auch des [Ferd.] Tail mit grossem Pomp kummen sint, auch
volmechtigen Gwalt anzaigt, und sich zu beden Tailn entliche Vertrage versehen. Es hat sich aber zutragen, das am
Ertag in der Fasnacht von dem turkischen Kaiser ain treffliche Botschaft ankummen ...
English: ... from which the diet at Pressburg followed, whither also [Ferdinand's] party came with great pomp and
showed full powers, and on both sides a final treaty was expected. But it came about that on Shrove Tuesday a
distinguished embassy arrived from the Turkish emperor ...
## Word by word
11 bqy spz daraus H/C gloss "das aus"; p = u (the w/u sign), z = the two-bar s
bzyOqA der Tag H/C
jH zu H/C
ayiozaHyA Bresburg H/C gloss "bresburg"; z = two-bar s (the old decrypt's "breeburg")
zyDzbAO erfolgt M/C gloss "erfolgt"; the 4th sign is the o-dagger, b = l
mzO ist M/C z = two-bar s
bs gmQ qHng dahin auch H/C
12 bzz des M/C gloss "des"
g [Ferd.] C code sign; the gloss over it reads "Ferd" (faint; "Fed" possible). Elsewhere
"der g" is a person; the identification rests on this one gloss.
Osmb Tail M/C gloss "tail"; b = l
cI) (not rendered) three signs (circle with dot, I, a closing curve), passed over by the
contemporary gloss, which runs "des Ferd tail ... mit grossem bumbb kummen
sint"; a null group or abbreviation mark. Not counted as read.
>mO mit H/C
Ayfzio> grossem M/C f = o, z = two-bar s
aH>aa Pomp H/C cipher and gloss both spell it "bumbb"; normalised
KH>>zQ 4mQO kummen sint H/C
qHng auch H/C
13 Kzb>iongOmAzQ volmechtigen M first sign is the plain double post (H, u/v), not K; b = l
ApqbO Gwalt M b = l
sQfqmf?O anzaigt M on the image the 3rd sign is the looped z (j) and the 6th is g (A)
HQbzmng und sich M b = d, z = two-bar s
jH aiobzQ OsbQ zu beden Tailn H/M b = l in "Tailn"
14 ioQOBmngz entliche H
DzyOysAz Vertrage H
DioyjzgioQ versehen M written "verzehen" (looped z); normalised
zz gsO zmng. es hat sich M z z = e + two-bar s; z = two-bar s in "sich"
qpioy jH Oys= aber zu tra- H
15 AioQ -gen H "zutragen" (hat sich zugetragen)
bsz das M z = two-bar s
q> zyOsA am Ertag H Ertag = Tuesday
mQ bioy in der H
DqzQqngO Fasnacht M z = two-bar s; "am Ertag in der Fasnacht" = Shrove Tuesday
{struck} one struck sign
HfQ bz> OHyK. von dem Turk- H
16 mfngioQ -ischen M f = two-bar s
KsmzioyS Kaiser H/M
qmQ ain H
OyioDbmngz treffliche M b = l
azOfzngsDc Botschaft M signs mixed in the first pass; the word is certain
qQ KH>>zQ ankummen H
Line 17 begins "ist" (read "mfqO", doubtful) and continues "mit vy fngioDDio" (perhaps "mit ir Scheffe[n]",
"with their ships", not settled), "welcher dem [T] ain Brief vom Kaiser bracht hat, welcher in Latein transferirt
ist, desselben Copei ich E. F. G. hiemit schick" (lines 17-19, not yet checked sign by sign).Decryption
# R9416 f. 263 (images P3 recto, P4 verso): reading (23 Oct 2026, r2h) Rests on: the v2 sign-label transcription `p34_v2.txt` decoded with the f. 263 hand key (`f263_key.md`, extended this session; `research/reading_audit/r2h_dec263.py` prints the decode), every line checked on the full-resolution DECODE images (3468 x 4624, turned 180 deg; line crops in the scratchpad), and the **contemporary interlinear decipherment**, which is faint and runs over recto lines 1-12 and the last two lines of the verso (`f263_gloss.txt`). The f. 262 key does not apply: f. 263 is a different sign set (see `f263_reread_log.md`). Codes: `E. F. G.` is the hourglass sign X (the gloss writes "f g" over it; 20 occurrences, always "Euer Fürstliche Gnaden", with a plural verb); `Khö.` is the barred T (the gloss writes "Khö" over it on recto line 9; a king, by the context Zápolya); `Ferd.` is the code g (the gloss writes "Ferd" over it on recto line 12). `[+L]` and `[Ω]` are code signs not identified (holes). `[?word]` partly carried, `[word]` supplied, `[…]` unread. Spelling as the figures give it. Line numbers are the cipher lines (r = recto P3, v = verso P4). ## Reading r01 zur E. F. G. haben durch [?Jorgen] [?Weinmair] den furge- r02 nemen tag von beden kunigen zu entlicher r03 handlung gen Bresburg gesetzt und wer zu baiden r04 von cammissarien da hin [?verordnet], vernummen, und r05 ander sachen mer. nun tragen sich aber annder r06 gros sachen zu, des halben mir Khö. [?befolhen] hat, r07 solchs alles E. F. G. an[…] zu schreiben, da mit E. F. G. die r08 [?erbern] hendel so dem Khö. begegen [?wisen] […] r09 […]hen und […] nach dem […] Khö. sich mit imme zu r10 vertrage hat ansuchen lassen, wie E. F. G. [?wissen] haben, r11 daraus der tag zu Bresburg erfolgt ist, dahin auch r12 des Ferd. tail mit grossem bumbb kummen sint, auch r13 volmechtigen gwalt anzaigt, und sich zu beden tailn r14 entliche vertrage verzehen. es hat sich aber zu tra- r15 gen, das am ertag in der fasnacht von dem turk- r16 ischen kaiser ain treffliche botschaft ankummen r17 ist mit vij scheffe, welcher dem Khö. ain brief vom r18 kaiser bracht hat, welcher in latein dransferirt r19 ist; des selben copei ich E. F. G. hie mit schick, r20 in welchem E. F. G. werden vernemmen, wie kristlich [+L] Ferd. [?gegen] r21 […] Khö. und ganzer […] kristenhait zu nachtail hiner r22 [?rucks] uber den verwilligten tag zu Bresburg r23 handlen. und wie wol der Khö. die handlung [?lieber] bei r24 dem kaiser hat dann zu Bresburg, dann an disem ort r25 wirt diser handel [?bald] [?ain] entschaft haben, die r26 weil der turkisch kaiser schon bei im selber in r27 der sach entschlussen ist, wie eur E. F. G. ab senem [?schre-] r28 iben vernommen werden. weiter so schreibt der Emrich r29 Besche dem Khö., das sich […] gegen dem turken erbiet, imme r30 tribut […] gefallen zu geben und darzu das ganz r31 widisch lannt, welches doch nit sein ist, in [?sein] r32 hant stellen, und dem Emrich Besche [?hundert] tausent r33 tucaten zu ainer schanckung haben. E. F. G. zu bedenken, r34 was [?hilf] oder trost sich die armen kristen […] bei r35 [+L] Ferd. getrosten mogen, und ob der turkisch kaiser r36 ab solcher handlung nid grosmutig sol werden, r37 die weil [+L] und Ferd. dem turken alles […] gnaden kumm- r38 en, haben sich mit ainem kristlichem kunig nit r39 vertragn mogen, und dort mussen [?sie] vom turken, v01 wie es im gelegen ist. auf solche handlung hat v02 der Khö. den hern Griti ab gefertigt mit aller v03 noturft, und die turkisch botschaft auf der v04 post vor hin an geschikt. und die weil ich v05 dem Khö. zu aller handlung allweg erfordert bin v06 worden, hab ich nit unterlassen wollen, eur v07 beder E. F. G. zu guet den Khö. in beisein des hern [Ω] v08 an gesprochen, das er wolle bedenken, was E. F. G. v09 bis her von seinet wegen getan haben, v10 welches auch E. F. G. bei [+L] und Ferd. nit zu […] v11 [?nem] [?nachtail] geraicht hat. des halben eur v12 beder E. F. G., wo es zu rechter handlung kumt, nit v13 aus schliessen. dar auf hat sich der Khö. und [Ω] v14 in meinem bei sein entschlossen und dem v15 [Ω] in sein instruckion disen artikel v16 lassen setzen, das der turkisch kaiser in v17 diser handlung die kunig und furstentum[…] v18 der Khö. in bintnus […] frei vor behalten und v19 kainen mit namen nennen. disen artikel v20 hat mich der [Ω] in seiner instruckion v21 [?lesen] lassen, und der [Ω] erbeut sich hoch eu[r] v22 E. F. G. zu dinen. und wie wol ich des halben E. F. G. v23 kain befelch hab, so acht ich doch, es sei v24 [?eur] E. F. G. da mit nichts begeben. und die weil v25 sich [+L] Ferd. also gegen turken haben, sich E. F. G. v26 auch wol zu [?bedenken], was dar aus werden v27 wil. bei dem Khö. […] E. F. G. kan […] […] E. F. G. zum v28 beten. ich hab der […] E. F. G. mit E. F. G. der ka- v29 nfederacien halben zu reden befolhen, v30 sech mich guet, E. F. G. entschliessen sich dar in, v31 was eur gelegenhait dar in sein wil. v32 dem Khö. gefelt, so fer es [?eur] beder E. F. G. gefel- v33 lig ist, dise ob angezaigte handlung v34 […] und [?bit] auch an zu zaigen und auf […] v35 furgefaren sachen hat der Khö. sein [?hern] und v36 cammissarien von Bresburg wider abgefo- v37 dert, die weil es an disem ort vergebens v38 ist. der [Ω] vermaint auf […] zu ku- v39 mmen. ich acht der […] werde […] v40 […] das alles hab ich eur beden E. F. G. in eil v41 [?nit] [?verhalten] wollen. tue mich E. F. G. in […] v42 [?untertenigkait] befelhen. aller gehorsamer unde[r] v43 datm ofen den 12 marcij ## Notes - r11-r16 are the 30 Sept 2026 reading (`reading_p3_11-16.txt`), unchanged except that g is now written Ferd. (the gloss) and "Pressburg" kept as the figures spell it (Bresburg). The three signs after "tail" on r12 (circle with dot, I, closing curve) are passed over by the gloss and are not rendered; the same cluster (a dotted circle with marks) stands on r21 and r34, rendered […]. - K covers k and b (a look-alike: "kaiser", "kunig" but "bracht", "bei", "Bresburg" r22/r24); the sense chooses. - v43 "12 marcij" is written in clear; "datm ofen" (Datum Ofen = Buda) in cipher.
Decryption
# R9416 f. 263: the faint contemporary interlinear decipherment (read 23 Oct 2026, r2h, on the full-resolution # DECODE images IMG_R9416_I44531_P3/P4 turned 180 deg). It stands over recto lines 1-12 and over the last lines of the # verso; recto 13-39 and verso 1-40 carry none. "..." = not legible; (x) = uncertain letter. Spelling as written. # Over code signs the glossator writes: "fg" over the hourglass X (r01), "Khö" over the barred T (r09), "Ferd" over g (r12). r01 zur fg haben durch (s/j)orgen bein mair den furge r02 numen tag uon beden kunigen zu entlicher r03 handlung gen bresburg gesetzt und ber zu baiden r04 uon cammissarien da hin (u/h)eront uernummen und r05 andr sachen mer nun tragen sich aber annder r06 gros sachen zu des halben mir ... (be)...ce(lh)en hat r07 solchs alles ... an ... zu schreiben da mit H die r08 erb... hendel also dem ... begegen bigen r09 ...ahen und ... nach dem ... bei Khö sich mit imme zu r10 uertrage hat ans(uchen) lassen wie ... wi(sse) haben r11 das aus den tag zu bresburg erfolgt ist dahin auch r12 des Ferd tail ... mit grossem bumbb kummen sint auch v41 ... tu mich ... v42 ... (en)... gehorsamer un(der) ...
Reading
<!-- Reading of R9416 f. 263 recto lines 11-16, the part of the leaf counted as read (Claude Opus 5.5, 23 Oct 2026): the text of lines r11-r16 of f263_reading.md, which is the 30 Sept 2026 reading of reading_p3_11-16.txt (every word checked on the full-resolution image; lines 11-12 also against the contemporary gloss) in the figures' own spelling (Bresburg, bumbb, verzehen), not the normalised text given there. An excerpt: the rest of the leaf is decoded, not read. Ferd. = code g, glossed "Ferd". Cipher throughout. --> # R9416 f. 263 recto lines 11-16, report on the Pressburg talks, c. 1533-34: reading ## Reading … daraus der tag zu Bresburg erfolgt ist, dahin auch des Ferd. tail mit grossem bumbb kummen sint, auch volmechtigen gwalt anzaigt, und sich zu beden tailn entliche vertrage verzehen. Es hat sich aber zutragen, das am ertag in der fasnacht von dem turkischen kaiser ain treffliche botschaft ankummen …
Translation
<!-- English translation of f263_r11-16_reading.md (Claude Opus 5.5, 23 Oct 2026): R9416 f. 263 recto lines 11-16, the part of the leaf counted as read. An excerpt; the whole leaf's partial reading and its English are f263_reading.md and f263_en.md. --> # R9416 f. 263 recto lines 11-16, report on the Pressburg talks, c. 1533-34: English translation … from which the diet at Pressburg followed, to which Ferdinand's party also came with great pomp, and showed full powers, and on both sides a final treaty was expected. But it came about that on Shrove Tuesday a distinguished embassy arrived from the Turkish emperor …
f.262 (pp. 1-2), servant's letter to his duke, 'eritags nach Jacobi'
A Bavarian servant to his duke, Tuesday after St James (c. 1533-34): he could not get through Austria and Styria, where troops are quartered everywhere and a messenger was struck down, nor through Silesia and Poland because of Minckwitz and other dangers; Italian and Spanish foot are to move through Styria and down the Danube into Hungary; the duke should have sent Bartlen von Eschlkam; four thousand Turks are said to be out under cover of an embassy, sparing neither friend nor foe; he means to travel on, pursue dealings begun through a lord, claim seven years' pension, and asks for fifty gulden as Oberrichter at Straubing. Page A read from its signs with the key rebuilt from the contemporary gloss of page B; page B follows the gloss.
Transcription
# R9416 f. 262 (pp. 1-2): sign-label transcription, verify sweep 23 Oct 2026 (reading audit v2) # From the DECODE images IMG_R9416_I44531_P2 (page A) and P1 (page B), turned 180 deg, read in full-resolution strips # (1,500 x 460 px, about three cipher lines each); page B also against the contemporary interlinear gloss above it. # One line per cipher line, words separated as in the manuscript. Decode: research/reading_audit/v2_r9416_f262_dec.py. # Labels (key in f262_key.md): # 8 g | Q ♀ e | 9 q-loop e | 5 ʂ n | D Δ d | U Δ̂ u/v | W o+o u/v | r ɣ i | y t | R б r | 6 round 6 m | + h # O ⊙ a | C a | 7 c | F Γ f | 3 l | E Ǝ s | o ϙ o | 4 ч u/o | k ʍ k | Z p̶ z | 2 ʑ b | P ɸ/δ w/b/p | x i # # ss | N ƛ n | X, T (⊼), G: code signs | ? one unread sign | ?? an unread run # Caveats: R (б, straight stem, r) and 6 (round, m) are close in this hand; the label follows the shape where it was # clear and the key's value where it was not (so a few R/6 labels rest on sense, like the P family's w/b/p). # A03 end (page edge) and the first group of A04 are unread; the sign in B01 between 'hern' and 'angefangen' and the # struck group in B06 are unread; B11 'dinst' has one unclear sign (5 or 7). A01 8Q59Dr89R +QR 5O7+ D96 r7+ OWF DQ6 r7+ O4F DQ6 A02 PQ8 ZW X ZUZrQ+95 Pr5 r7+ DWR7+ Or5 WQRyROUQ A03 FRQU5D W5yQR D96 8ROFQ5 W45 E7+OU52WR8 ?? A04 ?? QREy DQ5 PrQ5 +QR CUF ko6y 8QP4R5Qy DOE 6rR A05 DWR7+ ZWkQ6Q5 U5648 3r7+ DQR6O#Q5 E9r QE 5ry C33Or5 A06 r5 oEyQRR9r7+ Eo5DQR OW7+ EyQrR6CR7k 2QEy93y A07 W5D U9R8C5859R yC8 Or5 Poy 5rDQR893Q895 DOE A08 8QE7+ROr 8QP9Ey DOE r7+ QE E9r5 Eo3y 5W5 ko5 r7+ DQE A09 6r5kPr7Z W5D C5DQR 8QF9RDQ5 +C32 DWR7+ E3QEr A10 U5D Po3Q5 OW7+ 5ry ko6Q5 DrQ PQx3 C29R X yRQF3r7+ A11 C5EO7+Q5 8Q398Q5 W5D T Q5y3r7+ WoR +Oy ZW A12 U2QR9r395 6ry DQ5 ryO3xE7+Q W5D EPO5rE7+Q5 k5Q A13 7+95 DrQ DWR7+ EyQR6OR7k 6ry Cr5Q6 W5D DQR A14 yW5OU DQ6 C5D9R5 +CUFF95 r5 W58QR5 Zr+Q5 Eo3395 A15 D9R+O32 6Qr5 Cx5FQ3yr8E 2QDQ5k+Q5 9WR FWREy3r7+ A16 85OD DQ5 2ORy395 Wo5 QE7+93kO62 +Qy Do+r5 8QF9Ryr8y A17 W5D C33QR EC7+ 8Uy95 2QRr7+y ZW yU5 DOr5Q295 A18 r7+ DrQ 5oyDURFy C47+ E7+RQr295 Po3y DCN T A19 8r2y FWQR DrQ yWR7k95 2rE r5 UrQR yOUEQ5y EyCRk A20 +C2Q5 Er7+ r5 E7+Qr5 EQr5 2oyE7+OFy +QRCWE ZW A21 2Q3Oryy95 DWR7+ 8QEyo395 DrQ5W5 PQD9R FRQU5D 5o A22 7+ FQr5D E7+o5Q5 Do7+ EyQy QE ZW QUR95 FUREy3r7+Q5 A23 85ODQ5 8QF83395 WQR59R 85QDr89R +QR Eo r7+ Dr# A24 oRyE 5ry DWR7+ 6O8 U5D Eo5Ey 5ry Er7+QR ZW A25 P39r295 +O2 2r5 r7+ FWR5Q6Q5E ZU r G Or5 RCrE ZU B01 y+U5 QyZ3r7+ PRO7yr7k DWR7+ +QR5 ? C58QFO5895 B02 PQry9R r5 8O58 ZW 2Rr58Q5 OW7+ 6Qr5 CUE B03 EyQ5Dr8 PQ5Ero5 4o5 Er2Q5 rORQ5 ZW QRFoD9R5 2ry B04 DQ65O7+ QWR F4REy3r7+ 85OD 6rR r5 O2E7+3C8 B05 6Qr59R 2QEo3DW58 FU5FZr8 8W3Dr5 8Q5 EyRO2r58 B06 ZU6 o29RRr7+y9R r5 Or5 E7+Qx5 ?? 9WR F4REy3r7+ B07 85OD Eo3x7+E F4R 8Wy O5Er7+y U9RoRD5Q5 DCN r7+ B08 EW5Ey 6O58Q3 C5 ZQRU58 +O2 DCR5Q295 Cr5 FWR B09 E7+RrFy O5 G U45 QWR5 FUREy3r7+95 85ODQ5 oDQR B10 P4 QE D95EQ3295 5ry 893Q8Q5 4o5 EQr59R 2oyEOFy B11 6Qr5 3O58PQRr8 Dr?Ey U5D DCE 6rR PQD9R PrRyQR B12 2QR8 5o7+ X DrQ Z9ry +9R 5x7+yE 8Q295 6o895 B13 Z42QD95kQ5 y+4 QWR5 FWREy3r7+95 85ODQ5 B14 6r7+ x5 D96 O33Q5 W5yQRy95r83x7+ 2QF93+Q5 B15 DCyW6 QRryC8E 5O7+ rC7o2r
Decryption
# R9416 f. 262 (pp. 1-2), a Bavarian servant to his duke, "eritags nach Jacobi" [1534?]: reading (23 Oct 2026, batch b32) Page A (the DECODE image P2, turned 180 deg) read **from its signs** on the full-resolution image, line by line, with the letter-for-letter key built from the contemporary interlinear decipherment (`gloss.txt`) and from the signs of page B (`f262_reread_log.md`, key `f262_key.md`); page B follows the contemporary decipherment (`gloss.txt`), checked against the signs at B01-B07 (corrections noted below). Spelling as the figures give it. `[X]`, `[⊼]`, `[G]`: code signs, unidentified; `[?word]` partly carried; `[...]` unread. One line per cipher line. ## Reading Genediger her nach dem ich auf dem ich auf dem weg zu [X] zuziehen bin ich durch ain vertraue freund unter dem grafen von schaunburg [...] [...] erst den wien her auf komt gewornet das mir durch zukemen unmuglich dermassen sei es nit allain in osterreich sonder auch steirmarck bestelt und vergangner tag ain bot nidergelegen das geschrai gewest das ich es sein solt nun kon ich des minkwicz und ander geferden halb durch slesi und polen auch nit komen die weil aber [X] treflich ansachen gelegen und [⊼] entlich vor hat zu ubereilen mit den italische und spanischen kne- chen die durch steirmarck mit ainem und der tunau dem andern hauffen in ungern zihen sollen derhalb mein ainfeltigs bedenkhen eur furstlich gnad den bartlen von eschelkamb het dohin gefertigt und aller sach guten bericht zu tun daineben ich die notdurft auch schreiben wolt dan [⊼] gibt fuer die turcken bis in vier tausent stark haben sich in schein sein botschaft heraus zu belaitten durch gestolen dienun weder freund noch feind schonen. doch stet es zu euren furstlichen gnaden [?gefallen]. verner gnediger her so ich diß orts nit durch mag und sonst nit sicher zu bleiben hab bin ich furnemens zu [...] ain rais zu thun etzlich practick durch hern [...] angefangen weiter in gang zu bringen auch mein aus- stendig pension von siben iaren zu erfodern bit demnach eur furstlich gnad mir in abschlag meiner besoldung funfzig guldin gen strabing zum oberrichter in ain schein [...] eur furstlich gnad solichs fur gut ansicht verordnen dan ich sunst mangel an zerung hab darneben ain fur- schrift an [G] von eurn furstlichen gnaden oder wo es denselben nit gelegen von seiner botsaft mein langwerig [?dinst] und das mir weder wirten berg noch [X] die zeit her nichts geben mogen zubedenken thu eurn furstlichen gnaden mich in dem allen unterteniglich befelhen datum eritags nach iacobi ## Notes - Verify sweep 23 Oct 2026 (reading audit v2): f. 262 transcribed sign by sign (`f262_signs.txt`, 1,498 signs) and re-decoded with this key (`research/reading_audit/v2_r9416_f262_dec.py`). Changes from the signs: A02 zuziehen (was [?zuzrehen]), vertraue; A03 unter (was under); A04 gewornet; A07 bot (was [?boit]); A08 "es sein solt" (was "es lern solt": s-e-i-n, two Ǝ after ♀); A10 polen (was [?belen]; δ as p); A12 italische (x = i); A16 eschelkamb; A18 wolt (ϙ, not 9: was welt); A21 gestolen (was [?gestalten]); A23 verner (the unread word: u/v-e-r-n-e-r) and [?gefallen] (an 8 where a stands); A24 mag (6-⊙-8; was [?wag]); B05 guldin; B09 [G] (a code sign the gloss skips, before 'von'); B11 [?dinst] (one unclear sign); B12 '[X] die zeit her' (the code sign and 'her' that the gloss struck are in the cipher); B14 unterteniglich. Page B B08-B15 now checked sign by sign. The notes below are from the b32 reading. - Page A, cipher words not glossed before (A09-A11, and the faint parts): "minkwicz und ander geferden halb durch slesi und [?belen] auch nit komen", "die weil aber [X] treflich ansachen gelegen und [⊼] entlich vor hat zu ubereilen", "der tunau", "den bartlen von [?eschelkamb] het dohin gefertigt", "gibt fuer die turcken bis in vier tausent stark", "in schein sein botschaft", "belaitten durch gestalten", "feind schonen. doch stet es", "so ich diß orts nit durch [?wag] und sonst nit sicher zu bleiben", "furnemens zu [...] ain rais zu thun" (continued on page B). - Where the gloss and the signs disagree, the signs are followed: A03 "unter" (gloss "untiden"), A13 "mit ainem" (gloss "nit allain"), A18 "welt dan [⊼]" (gloss "wolt ia"), A19 "fuer die turcken bis in" (gloss "euer die kaysken bei in"), A22 "schonen" (gloss "wonen"); B05 "funfzig ... strabing" (figures), B07 "dan" (gloss "dann zu"). - Page B l. 6 "[...]" is the gloss's "e" before "eur" (figures not settled); l. 12 the gloss's struck word is left out.
Decryption
R9416 / BayHStA KAA 4591 f.262 -- interlinear gloss transcription (photos rotated 180 deg)
Reading order: P2 (image _P2, begins "Genediger her") = page A (first page); P1 (image _P1, foliated "262", ends "Datum ... nach Jacobi") = page B (second page).
Gloss is faint; [?] = uncertain, ... = illegible.
PAGE A (_P2)
A01: Genediger her nach dem ich auf dem ich auf dem
A02: we[g?] zw ... gangen[?] bin ich durch ... ain nertrane[?]
A03: ... und ... untiden[?] dem grafen von schauenburg[?] ...
A04: die erst ... von ... her ... kemt ... das ...
A05: durch zukemen unmoglich dem[?] ... seiten es nit allain
A06: in osterreich sonder auch steirmarck bestelt
A07: und vergangner tag am ... nider ge legen das
A08: geschicht wel[?] das ich
A09: (no gloss visible)
A10: (no gloss visible)
A11: (no gloss visible)
A12: mit den walischen und spanischen kne-
A13: chten die durch steirmarck nit allain und der
A14: tunau den andern hauffen in ungern zuchen sollen
A15: derhalb mein ainfeltig bedenkhen euer furstlich
A16: gnad den bastien[?] von ... schickh ... amb[?] he... ... ...
A17: und aller sach guten bericht zu tun dayneben
A18: ich die notdurft auch schreiben wolt ia
A19: gibt euer die kaysken[?] bei in vier tausent stark[?]
A20: haben sich in schein ainer botschaft heraus zu
A21: be... ... auch bestellen dienen weder freund noch
A22: feind ... wonen ... stet er zu euer furstlichen
A23: gnaden gefallen ... ... ... ...
A24: [overlaps A23] gnaden gefallen ich ... gnad ... ... / above cipher line 24: gilt[?] nit durch ... und sonst nit sicher zu
A25: ... derhalb[?] hab bin ich furnemens[?] ... ain ... ...
(cipher lines on page A: 25; A24 = "gnaden gefallen..." cipher line, gloss lines as numbered above)
PAGE B (_P1, folio 262)
B01: thun etzlich practick durch hern angefangen
B02: weiter in gang zu bringen auch mein aus-
B03: stendig pension von siben iaren zu erfordern bit
B04: demnach eur furstlich gnad mir in abschlag
B05: meiner besoldung funfzig gulden gen straubing
B06: zum oberrichter in ain schein e eur furstlich
B07: gnad solichs fur gut ansicht verordnen dann zu
B08: sunst mangel an zerung hab darneben ain fur-
B09: schrift an von eurn furstlichen gnaden oder
B10: wo es denselben nit gelegen von seiner botsaft
B11: mein langwerig dienstund das mir weder wirten
B12: berg noch die zeit [struck-through word] nichts geben mogen
B13: zubedenken thu eurn furstlichen gnaden
B14: mich in dem allen untertenigclich befelhen
B15: datum eritags nach iacobi
(page B: 15 cipher lines, all glossed; the last cipher line (3 groups) is longer than "datum eritags nach iacobi"
would need at the end -- the final group may be an unglossed word/signature; not verified)
CLEAR TEXT: none found on either photo apart from the gloss itself and the foliation "262" (top right of page B,
i.e. f.262 is the leaf's recto as foliated; the letter nonetheless begins on the other side, _P2, with the salutation
"Genediger her"). No address or signature in clear. Marginal pointing hand drawn at A07 ("und vergangner tag ...").
Page B left/right margins: an archival slip and a few pencil marks only.
DATE CLUE: "datum eritags nach iacobi" = Tuesday after St James (25 July); year not given.
Mentions of Walloon and Spanish troops marching through Styria and along the Danube into Hungary and of the
Graf von Schauenburg(?) suggest the Turkish war years (c. 1530s-1560s); the writer asks to become Oberrichter at
Straubing, so he is a Bavarian servant writing to the Duke of Bavaria.
LINE COUNT: 40 cipher lines (A 25 + B 15). Glossed: 37 (A 22 + B 15). Unglossed: 3 (A09-A11).
Legibility of the gloss is poor on A02-A04, A16, A21-A25.
SUMMARY (normalised English, tentative for the page-A passages):
Gracious lord: after I set out on my journey (on your business), I went through ... to the Count of Schauenburg(?);
the passage was impossible, because it is not only in Austria but also in Styria that (troops) are quartered, and
recently ... lay down ... [three lines unglossed] ... with the Walloon and Spanish soldiers, who are to go through
Styria and along the Danube, the other force into Hungary. Therefore my humble view is that Your Princely Grace (send)
... to give a full report of everything, and I would also write what is needful; ... some four thousand strong(?);
they have come out under cover of an embassy ...; serve neither friend nor foe ...; as it pleases Your Princely
Grace ... it is not safe to pass through ... I have therefore undertaken ... [page B] to set certain practices
begun through Herr ... going further, and to claim my outstanding pension of seven years. I ask therefore that Your
Princely Grace, in part payment of my salary, appoint me with fifty gulden as Oberrichter at Straubing, if Your
Grace sees fit, since I otherwise lack means to live; I also have a letter of recommendation from Your Princely
Grace, or where that is not convenient, from his embassy. Consider my long service, for which neither the
innkeepers nor the time have given me anything. I commend myself humbly to Your Princely Grace in all this.
Dated Tuesday after St James' Day.
EXAMPLE CIPHER/GLOSS PAIRS (letter-for-letter):
1. A01 first word, 9 signs: figure-8, cross-foot circle ("venus" sign), s-hook, q-loop, open triangle, gamma/r-loop,
figure-8, q-loop, b-loop = "genediger" (g=8, e=q/venus, n=s, d=triangle, i=gamma, r=b) -- g, e, d repeat
consistently; followed by cross, venus, b-loop = "her" (h=+, e=venus, r=b).
2. B04/B07/B09 "gnad(en)": figure-8, s-hook, dotted circle, open triangle (+ venus, s-hook) = g-n-a-d(-e-n);
recurs identically in A23 and B13.
3. B01 "durch": open triangle, double-circle (oo), b-loop, 7-hook, cross = d-u-r-c-h (the same 5-sign group
"triangle oo b 7 +" recurs at A02, A05, A13, A22, A25 where the gloss reads "durch").Reading
# R9416 f. 262 (pp. 1-2), a Bavarian servant to his duke, "eritags nach Jacobi" [1534?]: reading (23 Oct 2026, batch b32) Page A (the DECODE image P2, turned 180 deg) read **from its signs** on the full-resolution image, line by line, with the letter-for-letter key built from the contemporary interlinear decipherment (`gloss.txt`) and from the signs of page B (`f262_reread_log.md`, key `f262_key.md`); page B follows the contemporary decipherment (`gloss.txt`), checked against the signs at B01-B07 (corrections noted below). Spelling as the figures give it. `[X]`, `[⊼]`, `[G]`: code signs, unidentified; `[?word]` partly carried; `[...]` unread. One line per cipher line. ## Reading Genediger her nach dem ich auf dem ich auf dem weg zu [X] zuziehen bin ich durch ain vertraue freund unter dem grafen von schaunburg [...] [...] erst den wien her auf komt gewornet das mir durch zukemen unmuglich dermassen sei es nit allain in osterreich sonder auch steirmarck bestelt und vergangner tag ain bot nidergelegen das geschrai gewest das ich es sein solt nun kon ich des minkwicz und ander geferden halb durch slesi und polen auch nit komen die weil aber [X] treflich ansachen gelegen und [⊼] entlich vor hat zu ubereilen mit den italische und spanischen kne- chen die durch steirmarck mit ainem und der tunau dem andern hauffen in ungern zihen sollen derhalb mein ainfeltigs bedenkhen eur furstlich gnad den bartlen von eschelkamb het dohin gefertigt und aller sach guten bericht zu tun daineben ich die notdurft auch schreiben wolt dan [⊼] gibt fuer die turcken bis in vier tausent stark haben sich in schein sein botschaft heraus zu belaitten durch gestolen dienun weder freund noch feind schonen. doch stet es zu euren furstlichen gnaden [?gefallen]. verner gnediger her so ich diß orts nit durch mag und sonst nit sicher zu bleiben hab bin ich furnemens zu [...] ain rais zu thun etzlich practick durch hern [...] angefangen weiter in gang zu bringen auch mein aus- stendig pension von siben iaren zu erfodern bit demnach eur furstlich gnad mir in abschlag meiner besoldung funfzig guldin gen strabing zum oberrichter in ain schein [...] eur furstlich gnad solichs fur gut ansicht verordnen dan ich sunst mangel an zerung hab darneben ain fur- schrift an [G] von eurn furstlichen gnaden oder wo es denselben nit gelegen von seiner botsaft mein langwerig [?dinst] und das mir weder wirten berg noch [X] die zeit her nichts geben mogen zubedenken thu eurn furstlichen gnaden mich in dem allen unterteniglich befelhen datum eritags nach iacobi ## Notes - Verify sweep 23 Oct 2026 (reading audit v2): f. 262 transcribed sign by sign (`f262_signs.txt`, 1,498 signs) and re-decoded with this key (`research/reading_audit/v2_r9416_f262_dec.py`). Changes from the signs: A02 zuziehen (was [?zuzrehen]), vertraue; A03 unter (was under); A04 gewornet; A07 bot (was [?boit]); A08 "es sein solt" (was "es lern solt": s-e-i-n, two Ǝ after ♀); A10 polen (was [?belen]; δ as p); A12 italische (x = i); A16 eschelkamb; A18 wolt (ϙ, not 9: was welt); A21 gestolen (was [?gestalten]); A23 verner (the unread word: u/v-e-r-n-e-r) and [?gefallen] (an 8 where a stands); A24 mag (6-⊙-8; was [?wag]); B05 guldin; B09 [G] (a code sign the gloss skips, before 'von'); B11 [?dinst] (one unclear sign); B12 '[X] die zeit her' (the code sign and 'her' that the gloss struck are in the cipher); B14 unterteniglich. Page B B08-B15 now checked sign by sign. The notes below are from the b32 reading. - Page A, cipher words not glossed before (A09-A11, and the faint parts): "minkwicz und ander geferden halb durch slesi und [?belen] auch nit komen", "die weil aber [X] treflich ansachen gelegen und [⊼] entlich vor hat zu ubereilen", "der tunau", "den bartlen von [?eschelkamb] het dohin gefertigt", "gibt fuer die turcken bis in vier tausent stark", "in schein sein botschaft", "belaitten durch gestalten", "feind schonen. doch stet es", "so ich diß orts nit durch [?wag] und sonst nit sicher zu bleiben", "furnemens zu [...] ain rais zu thun" (continued on page B). - Where the gloss and the signs disagree, the signs are followed: A03 "unter" (gloss "untiden"), A13 "mit ainem" (gloss "nit allain"), A18 "welt dan [⊼]" (gloss "wolt ia"), A19 "fuer die turcken bis in" (gloss "euer die kaysken bei in"), A22 "schonen" (gloss "wonen"); B05 "funfzig ... strabing" (figures), B07 "dan" (gloss "dann zu"). - Page B l. 6 "[...]" is the gloss's "e" before "eur" (figures not settled); l. 12 the gloss's struck word is left out.
Translation
# R9416 f. 262: English (from f262_reading.md, same holes) ## Translation Gracious lord: after I, on the way, on the way, on the way to [X] to travel, I have, through a trusted friend under the Count of Schaumburg, [...] [...] first that [the news] comes up here from Vienna warned that for me to get through was impossible, so much is it, not only in Austria but also in Styria, occupied [with troops], and the day before yesterday a messenger was laid low, so that the rumour went that I was the one. Now I cannot, because of Minckwitz and other dangers, go through Silesia and Poland either. But since [X] is of considerable standing and [⊼] in the end intends to overrun with the Italian and Spanish foot- soldiers, who are to march through Styria with one [force] and along the Danube with the other force into Hungary: therefore my simple view is that Your Princely Grace should have dispatched Bartlen von Eschlkam there to give a good report of everything; besides, I would also write what is needful; for [⊼] gives out [that] the Turks are up to four thousand strong; they have set out under cover of his embassy, to escort [it], [?stolen] through; they spare neither friend nor foe. Yet it rests with Your Princely Grace's pleasure. Further, gracious lord, since in this place I cannot get through and it is otherwise not safe to stay, I have resolved to make a journey to [...], to carry further certain dealings begun through Herr [...], and also to claim my outstanding pension of seven years. I therefore ask Your Princely Grace, in part payment of my salary, to appoint me with fifty gulden at Straubing as Oberrichter, in the form [...] Your Princely Grace may think good, for I otherwise lack the means to live; I also [ask for] a letter of recommendation to [G] from Your Princely Grace or, where that is not convenient, from his embassy. To consider my long [?service], for which neither Württemberg [X] nor the times so far have been able to give me anything, I humbly commend myself to Your Princely Grace in all of this. Dated Tuesday after St James.
Key: key.txt, reading_p3_11-16.txt
04 Sources
- Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Kurbayern Äußeres Archiv 4591 ff. 262–263, via DECODE R9416 (login; publication of the images needs the archive’s permission, so this page shows none).
- Language model: Deutsches Textarchiv prints 1472–1609, built for this leaf (
lang/modelde-1500s). - Print: a web search (21 September 2026) found no edition.
The transcriptions, gloss, working decrypt and the hand-keyed lines are in the repository folder targets/r9416/.