Otto von der Malsburg’s cipher letters to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 1637

hcp496.txt

27 39 13 95 N F D 44 89 N 83 11 41 37 G 68 18 35 82 48 97 71 73 30 88 44 P 13? 30 61 29 70 25 83 95 13 35 63
79 31 72 36' 25 83 16 D Z 46 84 97 58 44 41 84 97 21 39 15 96 82 48 65 13 89 36' 83 23 25 71 N 60 201 91 49 O 6?
82 84 94 43 79 63 73 R 48 31 18 48 30 27 84 44 77 73 H 46 66 84 80 73 44 60 25 69 76 24 60 69 45 63 16 74 71
35 42 81 15 39 L 61 63 15 55 83 27 84 13 35 18 93 99 28 15 82 11 25 39 99 68 36 83 239 G 63 79 63 46 16 82 70 10 16 22
37 36' 97 94 57 55 44 63 58 31 56 84 30 39 H 48 42 35 22 62 94 S 23 + 60 57 87 31 193 f 273 55 63
210 90 18 73 99 50 4# 71 95 25 41 84 99 38 39 W 16 99 11 X 84 58 95 25 26 16 78 18_ G_ H 27 95 84 71 83
94 16 30 75? T 66 80 69 30 79 97 27 71 12 81 84 15 26 19 73 R 36 77 91 49 92 35 R 48 63 144 C 25 Y' X 9?
21 39 76 16 31
79 74 36 Z 22 73 N 52 Y 94 27 39 13 57 55 83 77
95 D 10 G 42 92 35 44 11 43 58 93 63 88 63 43 49 65 63
55 83 29 84 91 61 18 48 29 16 22 27 84 97 50 97 95 27 79 44 68 41 30 70 19 60 87 94 16 31
77 39 99 58 71 42 80 35 44 32 71 19 94 58 56 24 35 65 H# 29 16 74 39 83 26 79 44
83 70 N 128 74 73 H 66 38 36 94 11 30 84 176 37 66 97 94 73 22 79 140 31 11 26
39 31 50 70 22 54 16 22 90 71 94? 30 55 19 26 11 30 79 31 S 23 32 36 74 79 56 36 26
40 11 54 84 57 52 71 54 O 48 7? 61 26 29 55 30 91 36 16 15 32 79 30 73 18 49 43 61 63
10 84 L 70 29 16 21 73 N 83 7? 26 36 43 77 Y 83

f003.txt

# f. 3 (HCPortal 496), Malsburg to the Kassel councillors, 5/15 Jan 1637. One cipher line per scan line.
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; / marks a line break inside the scan.
{gemachet,} 27 39 13 95 N F D 44 89 N 83 11 41 37 G 68 18 35 82 48 97 71 73 30 88 44 P 13? 30 61 29 70 25 83 95 13 35 63
79 31 72 36' 25 83 16 D Z 46 84 97 58 44 41 84 97 21 39 15 96 82 48 65 13 89 36' 83 23 25 71 N 60 {Und} 201 91 49 O 6?
82 84 94 43 79 63 73 R 48 31 18 48 30 27 84 44 77 73 H {das} 46 66 84 80 73 44 60 25 69 76 24 60 69 45 63 16 74 71
35 42 81 15 39 L 61 63 15 55 83 27 84 13 35 18 93 99 28 15 82 11 25 39 99 68 36 83 239 G 63 79 63 46 16 82 70 10 16 22
{Und} 37 36' 97 94 57 55 44 63 58 31 56 84 30 39 H 48 42 35 22 62 94 S 23 + 60 57 87 31 193 {Und} f 273 55 63
210 90 18 73 99 50 4# 71 95 25 41 84 99 38 39 W 16 99 11 X 84 58 95 25 26 16 78 18_ G_ H 27 95 84 71 83
94 16 30 75? T 66 80 69 30 79 97 27 71 12 81 84 15 26 19 73 R 36 77 91 49 92 35 R 48 63 {Und} 144 C 25 Y' X 9?
21 39 76 16 31 {; Es sitzet auch itzo ein Capitain vom feind Doctor ...}
# postscript block (below "Der Herren Dienstwilliger")
79 74 36 Z 22 73 N 52 Y 94 27 39 13 57 55 83 77
95 D 10 G 42 92 35 44 11 43 58 93 63 88 63 43 49 65 63
55 83 29 84 91 61 18 48 29 16 22 27 84 97 50 97 95 27 79 44 68 41 30 70 19 60 87 94 16 31
{Und} 77 39 99 58 71 42 80 35 44 32 71 19 94 58 56 24 35 65 H# 29 16 74 39 83 26 79 44
83 70 N 128 74 73 H 66 38 36 94 11 30 84 176 37 66 97 94 73 22 79 140 31 11 26
39 31 50 70 22 54 16 22 90 71 94? 30 55 19 26 11 30 79 31 S 23 32 36 74 79 56 36 26
40 11 54 84 57 52 71 54 O 48 7? 61 26 29 55 30 91 36 16 15 32 79 30 73 18 49 43 61 63
10 84 L 70 29 16 21 73 N 83 7? 26 36 43 77 Y 83

f004.txt

# f. 4 (scan hstam_4_h_1411_0004_Cryp.jpg): outer/address side of the f. 3 letter, with two seals.
# Address (dark ink, bottom centre): "Denen Edlen gestrengen und Ehrenvesten auch Edlen Ehrnvesten und
# hochgelahrten F. hess. geheimbten ... Cassell"; clear docket at left edge.
# NO CIPHER written on this side. All the figures on the page are show-through of f. 3 seen through the paper
# (the scan reads left-to-right, so the image appears to be taken in transmitted light / flipped). Checked:
# the show-through lines "... 82 48 97 71 73 30 88 ..." = f003 line 1, and the lower block
# "79 74 36 Z 22 73 N ... 57 55 83 77" / "95 D 10 G 42 92 35 44 ..." = f003 postscript lines 1-2.
# 0 new groups. (The show-through is too faint to use as an independent check on f003's doubtful groups.)

HCP496_reading.md

# HCPortal 496 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, f. 3), Malsburg to the councillors at Kassel, 5/15 Jan 1637 — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f003.txt` (Bourdeau's hand transcription of f. 3, one cipher line per scan line) decoded with `key.txt`
unchanged (`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the breaks checked on the HCPortal original scan
(hstam_4_h_1411_0003, 2946 x 2312, fetched 22 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch b08). No contemporary
decipherment on the leaf or the address side (f. 4), no clear copy, no edition (NOTES, Escalation). Code values:
`{Cöln}` = 128 (grade I, from context, `codes.txt`).

State (22 Oct 2026, batch b08): **read** (B); clean-sentence share of the reading body 0.667 (`research/reading_audit/b05_score.py`); holes: open codes and signs. Log: `HCP496-509_reread_log.md`.

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[201]` an unvalued code; `<+>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[word]` supplied; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it: the b08 normalisation (`research/reading_audit/b08_norm.py`) was undone on 23 Oct 2026 (batch r2b, `research/reading_audit/r2b_mals_denorm.py`: each word restored to the form its figures or the transcribed clear words give, e.g. alhir, Feint, schleinig, hette, dan, one); modern spelling only in the English file. Punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words written in the letter around the cipher.

## Reading

⟨… gemachet,⟩ das ich auch noch nit weis, wo hervor unsre Garnisonen hirnechst der Unterhalt her, so in Frucht ⟨und⟩ [201] bestehet, genommen werden soll; ⟨das⟩ die Contributiones vom platten Lande sowol alhir als in [239] ein Ende haben. ⟨Und⟩ wirt man nunmer alle Monat auf <+> [?…]tman [193] ⟨und⟩ <f> [273] an [210] zwölf <4#> Virtel casselische Virtel; weill die Unterofficirer duppelt Commis bekommen ⟨und⟩ [144] […] haben.

Es ist noch Zeit, das man sich beim König von Ungern angebe wegen der Fridenstractaten ⟨und⟩ salvum conductum vor <H#> Gesanten nach {Cöln} sollicitire. [176] wirt one [140] nit anfangen zu tractiren. Auf disem itzigem Zug [?steet] gar biel; derowegen Bettage hoch [?nötig] sein.

## Notes

- The first block follows the clear words "… gemachet," and ends before the clear sentence "Es sitzet auch itzo ein
  Capitain vom feind Doctor …"; the second block is the postscript written under "Der Herren Dienstwilliger".
- "unsre": the figures give u n P(ss) 13 r e (`unssre`); 13 is clear on the scan, so the writer doubled the s.
- "bestehet": `91 49 O 6? / 82 84 94` = be st ? / het; the group cut at the right edge of the line ("6?") must be an
  e-group (16 or 61), so the word is carried.
- "her, so in Frucht": the figures give `82 48 65` = her (82 is clear on the scan), not "der".
- `<+> 60 57 87 31` = <+> t m a n: the sign is a cross written like a t-stroke; a "Hauptman" or "Feldman" would need a
  value for it that no other occurrence confirms, so the word is left open.
- `[144] C 25 Y' X 9?`: after the code, a small c (not the capital mm sign), r, a dotted ei-sign, sch and a doubtful 9;
  no word comes out ("…reisch…"), so the clause is a hole.
- `<H#>` (crossed H) gives ll elsewhere; "vor ll Gesanten" is not a word, so the sign is open here.
- "steet": `O 48 7? 61 26` = st e 7 e t; the 7 sits against a blot; "stehet" would need a 72 (h) whose 2 is lost in the
  blot. "nötig": `83 7? 26 36 43` = n 7 t i g; the same 7 stands where ö is needed. One sign cannot be both h and ö, so
  both words are marked partly carried.
- "biel" = viel (b for v, as elsewhere in these letters).

HCP496_en.md

# HCPortal 496 (f. 3), Malsburg to the councillors at Kassel, 5/15 Jan 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP496_reading.md` (22 Oct 2026, batch b08), with the same holes: `[201]` an unvalued code, `<+>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {Cologne} = code 128 valued from context. ⟨...⟩ = clear words.

## Translation

⟨… made,⟩ that I still do not know where our garrisons' upkeep is to be taken from hereafter, which consists in grain ⟨and⟩ [201]; ⟨since⟩ the contributions from the open country, both here and in [239], are at an end. ⟨And⟩ one will now every month [give?] to <+> […]tman [193] ⟨and⟩ <f> [273] in [210] twelve <4#> quarters, Kassel quarters; because the non-commissioned officers receive double rations ⟨and⟩ [144] […] have.

It is still time for one to present oneself to the King of Hungary about the peace negotiations ⟨and⟩ to solicit a safe-conduct for <H#> envoys to {Cologne}. [176] will not begin to negotiate without [140]. On this present campaign a great deal [?depends]; therefore days of prayer are [?most needful].

## Notes

- "Commis" = commissary bread, the soldier's ration. "Viertel" = the Kassel grain measure.
- "[give?]" is the translator's guess at the sense of the holed clause; the German has no verb carried.
- "King of Hungary": Ferdinand III, elected King of the Romans in December 1636.

hcp497.txt

95 N 37 Y 74 31 71 22 83 11 D 26 18 36 79 95 D
16 63 98 84 54 70 31 O 48 H 49 22 74 35 N 93 91 H# 83 89 N 69 44 148 35 27 61 25 76 Y 46 79? 97 55 97 42 16 84 68 G 83 37 48
G 83 49 30 Y P 61 63 93 D 58 35 97 13 95 N 29 49 72 48 63 13 73 99 94 79 XX 42 G 63 16 55 76 50 84 65 94 95 43 58 83 5?
259 73 27 49 97 258 j 95 80 51 48 31 92 35 22 41 61 83 93 67 61 25 98 93 15 60 16 63 18 58 97 46 49 24 66 H 84 40 Y 96 29 49 18
84 83
32 39 W 11 N 27 36 16 25 79 19 30 71 26 61
58 84 97 48 97 24 83 43 68 43 84 99 27 79 25 58 35 97 46 55 15 37 95 43 68 49 76 48 30 O G 22 13 253 37 66 61 S D 27 9?
Y 10 34 71 39 97 27 84 42 11 H? 22 84 57 61 44 51 55 83 71 83 27 94 70 42 7?
35 27 16 30 91 Y 52 G 54 84 97 63 188 35 97 46 97 49 42 Y 63 79 77 37 L 94 16 97 83 58 84 97 82 39 15 94 48 83 13 35 76 66 D 6?
87 H Y 22 49 52 24 129 90 88 92 93 Z 79 63 56 11 H 84 99 13 58 N 84 83 35 46 16 30 XX 39 15 21 66 97 29 48 15 70 W 48 83
94 25 Q 63 42 95 L 91 97 95 31 54 16 22 74 73 H 84 30 Z 79 30 18 70 25 94 16 31 27 55 83 67 58 97 D 23 97 11 61 W 15 70 83 26
42 95 L 98 55 29 49 63 12 50 48 25 27 84 83 90 24 43 48 82 48 31 36 Z 88 83 57 89 43 15 11 N
79 W 66 Z 71 73 44 43 58 94 84 97 82 39 83 94 39 24 66 13 95 97 49 60 32 70 P 57 55 44 52 58
25 84 29 16 83 74 53 58 30 43 29 61 X 78 73 W 84 22 H# 43 48 13 39 44 96 48 83 31 55 N 128?
92 Y 83 84 22 68 70 15 58 47 42 38 35 31 67 71 38 94 88 42 52 64 49 97 60 G 99 48 63 82 16 25 66
49 43 48 63 10 16 25 66 N 96 84 41 56 11 D 46 16 65 Z 62 L 82 55 99 60 61 97 44 84 P 49 15 97
89 60 27 62 W 27 61 65 91 11 X 93 T 88 93 44 18 95? 97 40 10 88 97 43 28 22 66 82? 83? 36 56 S 43
47 O 60 93 54 61 j 97 95 10 16 63 18 61 83 129 76 G 42 51 35 22 11 29 58 89 31 91 35 42 49 63
63 58 22 56 84 65? 55 10 48 97 46 61 42 97 35 42 69 j 61 63 92 45 83 66 29 49 Y 63 92 49 42
61 31 27 36 13 99 91 61 22 44 89 N 98 45 H G 22 84 44 43 24 60 49 83 86 97 95 27 61 63 61 30
21 28 99 41 61 63 13 35 99 60 84 83 42 66 H? 46 49 97 140 98 58 65 67 49 42 39 63 27 71 97
D 137 39 81 70 30 26 52 58 130 45 46 48? 65 99 88 76 49 19 92 60 30 70 80 60 66 63 49 83
99 55 W 79 63

f012.txt

# f. 12, Malsburg to the Landgrave, 7/17 January 1637 ("Datum Wesel den 7/17 Januarij Ao 1637"). One cipher line per scan line.
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined sign.
# j = a hooked i/j-shaped sign standing alone as a group (distinct from 1); Q = a Q-shaped capital sign.
# block 1 (end of paragraph "... so lang als möglich mainteniren werden,")
{werden,} 95 N 37 Y 74 31 71 22 83 11 D 26 18 36 79 95 D
16 63 98 84 54 70 31 O 48 H 49 22 74 35 N {Und} 93 91 H# 83 89 N 69 44 148 35 27 61 25 76 Y 46 79? 97 55 97 42 16 84 68 G 83 37 48
G 83 49 30 Y P 61 63 93 D 58 35 97 13 95 N 29 49 72 48 63 13 73 99 94 79 {Und} XX 42 G 63 16 55 76 50 84 65 94 95 43 58 83 5?
259 73 27 49 97 258 j 95 80 51 48 31 92 35 22 41 61 83 93 67 61 25 98 93 15 60 16 63 18 58 97 46 49 24 66 H 84 40 Y 96 29 49 18
84 83 {das was ich jhos das hier auf Cassel kommen könte ...}
# block 2 (end of paragraph "... und H. Stadthalter annoch nicht wieder kommen,")
{kommen,} 32 39 W 11 N 27 36 16 25 79 19 30 71 26 61
{Und} 58 84 97 48 97 24 83 43 68 43 84 99 27 79 25 58 35 97 46 55 15 37 95 43 68 {Und} 49 76 48 30 O G 22 13 253 37 66 61 S D 27 9?
Y 10 34 71 39 97 27 84 42 11 H? 22 84 57 61 44 51 55 83 {als will ich bey des Herrn ... abgeschickten botten} 71 83 27 94 70 42 7?
35 27 16 30 91 Y 52 G 54 84 97 63 188 35 97 46 97 49 42 Y 63 79 77 37 L 94 16 97 83 58 84 97 82 39 15 94 48 83 13 35 76 66 D 6?
87 H Y 22 49 52 24 129 90 88 92 93 Z 79 63 56 11 H 84 99 13 58 N 84 83 35 46 16 30 XX 39 15 21 66 97 29 48 15 70 W 48 83
94 25 Q 63 42 95 L 91 97 95 31 54 16 22 74 73 H 84 30 Z 79 30 18 70 25 94 16 31 27 55 83 67 58 97 D 23 97 11 61 W 15 70 83 26
42 95 L 98 55 29 49 63 {Und} 12 50 48 25 27 84 83 90 24 43 48 82 48 31 36 Z 88 83 57 89 43 15 11 N {Wolten auch EfGl. bei ...}
# block 3 (below "Datum Wesel den 7/17 Januarij Ao 1637", before the signature flourish)
79 W 66 Z 71 73 44 43 58 94 84 97 82 39 83 94 39 24 66 13 95 97 49 60 32 70 P 57 55 44 52 58
25 84 29 16 83 74 53 58 30 43 29 61 X 78 73 W 84 22 H# 43 48 13 39 44 96 48 83 31 55 N 128?
92 Y 83 84 22 68 70 15 58 47 42 38 35 31 67 71 38 94 88 42 52 64 49 97 60 G 99 48 63 82 16 25 66
49 43 48 63 10 16 25 66 N 96 84 41 56 11 D 46 16 65 Z 62 L 82 55 99 60 61 97 44 84 P 49 15 97
89 60 27 62 W 27 61 65 91 11 X 93 T 88 93 44 18 95? 97 40 10 88 97 43 28 22 66 82? 83? 36 56 S 43
47 O 60 93 54 61 j 97 95 10 16 63 18 61 83 129 76 G 42 51 35 22 11 29 58 89 31 91 35 42 49 63
63 58 22 56 84 65? 55 10 48 97 46 61 42 97 35 42 69 j 61 63 92 45 83 66 29 49 Y 63 92 49 42
61 31 27 36 13 {above: 16} 99 91 61 22 44 89 N 98 45 H G 22 84 44 43 24 60 49 83 86 97 95 27 61 63 61 30
21 28 99 41 61 63 13 35 99 60 84 83 42 66 H? 46 49 97 140 98 58 65 67 49 42 39 63 27 71 97
D 137 39 81 70 30 26 52 58 130 45 46 48? 65 99 88 76 49 19 92 60 30 70 80 60 66 63 49 83
99 55 W 79 63 {Es ist in den Spanischen guarnisonen ... Churf. in Beyern salvo geschehen werden;}
# letter-cipher block (foot of f. 12, after "... Churf. in Beyern salvo geschehen werden;"). Letter by letter as written,
# numbers kept, dots between numbers kept. Conventions: ü/ÿ = u/y with the writer's diacritic; z = the tailed z-sign
# (also read as ʒ); LL = two large capital L-signs; [blot] = ink blot covering one or two letters; ? = doubtful letter.
# Line 1 is preceded in the margin by a mark "xt:" (reference mark, not part of the text?). Ascender letters l/b/h/k are
# often joined; l before p/g at a join may be a long s (ſ). This block needs a second careful pass if it is attacked.
hkü.43.zwinhalÿergxkrwwtzsklÿsgolp.45.xkmtgwmhÿpptwzgnsÿtfnng
lpÿghotisnüprkgzgnÿxlüragfgnzggü.LL.xhlÿgnghtÿioozliÿhogridzgwr
mafiswikalkgplügnhtüshÿclpkgkgxhrsoisgükegeltxofopnhlaxixkrgnhll
aaükgr.45.kwacÿfeltixiütlhklüaghfxzliolÿgÿwrbrtlkghgcimlügnzl
lfisÿtfhohzembhkgrbmkgwgheünkwagxÿht?ozÿxlpleafo.LL.cgzm
üpiÿmooismaoixklhnkollpzsgbdixggünnplusgfoglegwünzzhng
alfoaÿnkhÿdimhÿwismaiilghzmssxlpxtwagpqhagrÿmlgxidolr
bd[blot]zlmrhfxÿnÿtiilhrnnmzünÿkqpkrfÿiklaoglltxkmtglkolii
slllÿsmaczllgnÿkgzgrihÿpnngtlcgnmotirmabnmgtgxzdaxrip
üipofomioxigrzhtwnxhtnejwlp

f013.txt

# f. 13 (scan hstam_4_h_1411_0013_Cryp.jpg): outer/address side of a letter, with two seals and silk ties.
# Address: "Dem durchlauchtigen hochgebornen Fürsten und Herrn, H. Wilhelmen Landtgraffen zu Hessen ... meinem
# gnädigen Fürsten und Herrn" -- "Cassell"; receipt docket at the foot of the address "Pr. 13. Januarij [or Februarij?] 1637";
# a second short docket to the right of the address (clear, not transcribed).
# NO CIPHER written on this side. All the figures visible on the rest of the page are mirror-image show-through
# from the other side of the sheet (the cipher of the letter itself), too faint to read and not a separate text.
# 0 groups.

HCP497_reading.md

# HCPortal 497 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, ff. 12-13), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, Wesel, 7/17 Jan 1637 — reading of the numerical cipher

Rests on: `f012.txt` (Bourdeau's transcription of scan 0012, one cipher line per scan line; f. 13 is the address side,
no cipher) decoded with `key.txt` unchanged (`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the breaks checked on the HCPortal
original scan hstam_4_h_1411_0012 (2834 x 4284, fetched 23 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch r2b, log
`HCP497-506_reread_log.md`). No contemporary decipherment on the leaf or the address side, no clear copy, no edition
(NOTES, Escalation). The separate ten-line letter-cipher block at the foot of the page is another system and has its
own entry (`alphabetic/`). Code values: `{Cöln}` = 128, `{Hamburg}` = 130, `{Regiment}` = 253, `{die Staaten}` = 188
(grade I, from context, `codes.txt`).

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[148]` an unvalued code; `<XX>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[x]` a letter or word no figure carries; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it (u/v, i/j merged by the
key); nouns capitalised and punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words written in the letter around the cipher. The plain H
sign stands for ll (anstellen, alleine, soll er) and, as in the sibling letters, for tt (Mittel, mit-); it is read so
where only tt gives the word.

## Reading

⟨… so lang als möglich mainteniren werden,⟩ ich weis nun nicht, wie ich [?den] Weg anstellen [?soll], ⟨und⟩ ob <H#> noch in [148] oder bei der Armee sein [?…], eine Reisse noch vor sich gehen solte ⟨und⟩ <XX> meine Abfertigun[?g] [259] oder [258] schicken konten oder wolten; wurde ville Zeit [?…] ⟨das was ich …⟩

⟨… und H. Stadthalter annoch nicht wieder kommen,⟩ dass ich die Recrute ⟨und⟩ Vererungsgelder vor Dalwigs ⟨und⟩ Ebersteins {Regiment}, wie auch d[?ie] [?Leibguarde] mitnemen kan, ⟨als will ich bey des Herrn … abgeschickten botten⟩ und [?…] oder bei Zeigern {die Staaten} Ordre meines w[ei]tern Verhaltens, ob ich <6> alleine zu [129] zu kosten Mittel suchen oder <XX> alhir gelassen Train mitt bringen soll, erst erwarten; dan durch Friesslant mitt Wagen ⟨und⟩ Pferden zu gehen ist unmoglich. ⟨Wolten auch EfGl. bei …⟩

Es ist von guter Hant avisiret, dass man zu Regenspurg geschlossen, <H#> Gesanten nach {Cöln} keinen salvum conductum zu erteilen. [?Hiergegen] berichtet mich der Statthalter Nesselrot, dass der Bischoff von Wirzburg an ihn im Augustto geschriben, wen [129] beim Konig von Bomen, nunmer aber dem Romischen Konige, einkemen, diselben noch woll einen guten Friden erhalten solten. Mitt der [140] wurde man durch [137] apart zu {Hamburg} oder Lubeck tracti[r]en lassen. ⟨Es ist in den Spanischen guarnisonen …⟩

## Notes

- Block 1 follows the clear words "… so lang als möglich mainteniren werden,"; block 2 follows "… und H. Stadthalter
  annoch nicht wieder kommen,"; block 3 stands under the date "Datum Wesel den 7/17 Januarij Ao 1637" and before the
  signature flourish.
- "den Weg anstellen soll": the figures give `16 63 98 84 54 …` = en weg (no d-group at the head of the line) and
  `35 N` = so-ch at the end; read on the scan as written, so both words are partly carried.
- "sein [?…], eine Reisse": `… 68 G 83 37 48 | G 83 49 30 Y P 61` = s ei n w e | ei n e r ei ss e. "w e" gives no
  word before "eine Reisse"; left open.
- "Abfertigun[?g]": the last group of the line is a doubtful "5?" where a g-group is needed.
- "wurde ville Zeit [?…]": `29 49 18 | 84 83` = g e w | e n, then the clear text; no word ("gewinnen" would need
  more groups).
- "d[?ie] [?Leibguarde]": `27 9? | Y 10 34 71 39 97 27 84` = d 9 | ei b g u a r d e; the 9 is doubtful and no l-group
  stands before "eib".
- "und [?…] oder bei Zeigern": `71 83 27 94 70 42 7?` = u n d t a m 7; after "und" no word.
- "w[ei]tern Verhaltens, ob ich": `37 L 94 16 97 83` = w tt t e r n; `… 74 35 76 66 D` = s o b i ch (the s closes
  "Verhaltens"). `6?` before "alleine" is an unexplained figure.
- "Hiergegen": `82 16 25 66 | 49 43 48 63` = h e r i | e g e n.
- "diselben": the e is the figure 16 written above the line ("dis{16}lben").
- "tracti[r]en": `… 80 60 66 63 49 83` = c t i n e n; the scan (block 3, last line) shows 63 (n) where an r-group is
  needed, so the r is bracketed.
- "Mitt der [140]": `42 66 H 46 49 97` = m i <H> d e r; the scan shows the crossed H, read tt here.

HCP497_en.md

# HCPortal 497 (f. 12), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, Wesel, 7/17 Jan 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP497_reading.md` (23 Oct 2026, batch r2b), with the same holes: `[148]` an unvalued code, `<XX>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {Cologne} = 128, {Hamburg} = 130, {regiment} = 253, {the
States} = 188 valued from context. ⟨...⟩ = clear words. The letter-cipher block at the foot of the page is translated
in `alphabetic/`.

## Translation

⟨… will maintain as long as possible,⟩ I do not now know how I [?should] set about the journey, ⟨and⟩ whether <H#>
[should] still be at [148] or with the army [?…], [whether] a journey should still go ahead, ⟨and⟩ <XX> [could or
would] send my [?dispatch] [259] or [258]; much time would be [?…] ⟨that what I …⟩

⟨… and the Lord Statthalter has not yet come back,⟩ that I can take with me the recruits ⟨and⟩ the gratuities for
Dalwig's ⟨and⟩ Eberstein's {regiment}, as well as [?the] [?life guard], ⟨I will, by the messengers sent by the Lord
…,⟩ and [?…] or by the bearer [wait for] {the States'} order for my further conduct, whether I <6> should seek means
alone at [129] for the costs, or bring the train left here with me; for to go through Friesland with wagons ⟨and⟩
horses is impossible. ⟨Would Your Princely Grace also …⟩

It is reported from a good hand that it was decided at Regensburg to give <H#> envoys to {Cologne} no safe-conduct.
[?On the other hand] the Statthalter Nesselrode tells me that the Bishop of Würzburg wrote to him in August that, if
[129] came to terms with the King of Bohemia, but now with the King of the Romans, they should still obtain a good
peace. With the [140] one would have [137] negotiate separately at {Hamburg} or Lübeck. ⟨In the Spanish garrisons it
is …⟩

hcp497_letters.txt

hkü.43.zwinhalÿergxkrwwtzsklÿsgolp.45.xkmtgwmhÿpptwzgnsÿtfnng
lpÿghotisnüprkgzgnÿxlüragfgnzggü.LL.xhlÿgnghtÿioozliÿhogridzgwr
mafiswikalkgplügnhtüshÿclpkgkgxhrsoisgükegeltxofopnhlaxixkrgnhll
aaükgr.45.kwacÿfeltixiütlhklüaghfxzliolÿgÿwrbrtlkghgcimlügnzl
lfisÿtfhohzembhkgrbmkgwgheünkwagxÿht?ozÿxlpleafo.LL.cgzm
üpiÿmooismaoixklhnkollpzsgbdixggünnplusgfoglegwünzzhng
alfoaÿnkhÿdimhÿwismaiilghzmssxlpxtwagpqhagrÿmlgxidolr
bd[blot]zlmrhfxÿnÿtiilhrnnmzünÿkqpkrfÿiklaoglltxkmtglkolii
slllÿsmaczllgnÿkgzgrihÿpnngtlcgnmotirmabnmgtgxzdaxrip
üipofomioxigrzhtwnxhtnejwlp

alphabetic_selected_letters.txt

hkuzwinhalyergxkrwwtzsklysqolpxkmtgwmhypptwzgnsytfnnqlpyghotisnuprkqzqnyxluraqfgnzgguxhlygnghtyioozliyhogridzgwrmafiswikakgpugnhtiishycpkqkgxhrsoisgukeqeltxofopnhlaxixkrgnhllpaaukgrkwacyfeltixiuthkuaghfxzliolygywrbrtkqhgcimlugnzlfisytfhohzembhkgrbmkgwgheunkwaqxyhtozyxlpeafocgzmupiymooismaoixklhnkolpzsgbdixggunnplusqfogegwunzzhngafoaynkhydimhywismaiightmssxlpxtwagpqhagrymlgxidolrbdzlmrhfxynytiilhrnnmzunykqpkrfyikaogltxkmtglkoliislllysmaczllgnykqzqrihypnnqtcgnmotirmabnmgtgxzdaxripuipofomioxiqrzhtwnxhtneywlp

alphabetic_block_reading.md

# Malsburg, Wesel, 7/17 January 1637 (HCPortal 497, image 0012): the alphabetic block, reading

The "Editorial German" of `alphabetic/alphabetic_reading.md` (Larry Beck with ChatGPT, 2 Oct 2026; repeating
additive key 4 5 3 6 2, selected 510-position branch), copied here alone so that it is scored and translated without
the method, tables and apparatus, 23 Oct 2026 (translation wave v7). Their marks: `[43]`, `[45]`, `[LL]` code labels
not identified; `[x]`, `[word?]`, `[a/b]` uncertain signs or an interpretation; `†word†` an unresolved literal form;
`[BLOT]` a blot of unknown extent. Spacing, capitals and punctuation are editorial; the letters are the selected
literal output. German.

## Reading

Der [43] stehet itzo aufm Sprunge. Wollen [45] seiner gern los sein und ihn entbehren konnen, so ist es nun Zeit, das [LL] schreiben: weil sie sehen, das er mit den Schwedischen Generalen des Commendo halber sich nicht uergleichen †wurden†, [45] Estat aber erforderte, dat sie ihre †tqouppen† [Trouppen?] bey die Schweden und die Schweden wider bey sie stossen musten, auch [LL] actiones ihme nit mer gefielen, und uber das ihme solche absolute Gewalt, wie er begerte, nit geben konten, so stelleten sie es dahin, wa[BLOT]s ihme zu thun [gefellig/gefellng]; wolten ihn auch wider seine Gelegenheit nit aufhalten, sondern ihn nach [ihrem/khrem] †itzigdn† [itzigen?] Estat und Moglichkeit contentire[n?] lassen.

alphabetic_block_en.md

# Malsburg, Wesel, 7/17 January 1637 (HCPortal 497, image 0012): the alphabetic block, English translation

Translation (Claude Opus 5.5, 23 Oct 2026) of `alphabetic/alphabetic_block_reading.md`, the contributors' editorial
German of the ten-line block. Same marks: `[43]`, `[45]`, `[LL]` unidentified code labels; `[?word]` an uncertain
sign or interpretation; `†word†` an unresolved literal form (translated as far as it carries, kept between daggers);
`[BLOT]` a blot. The contributors' own cautious English, with their alternatives, is in `alphabetic_reading.md`.

## Translation

The [43] is now on the point of leaving. If [45] wish to be rid of him and can do without him, it is now time for
[LL] to write: since they see that he †would† not come to agreement with the Swedish generals over the command, but
the state of [45] required that they join their †troops† [?troops] to the Swedes and the Swedes in turn to them, and
also [LL]'s actions no longer pleased him, and moreover they could not give him such absolute authority as he
demanded, they left it to what [?pleased] him to do; nor would they keep him back against his convenience, but would
have him satisfied according to [?their] †present† [?present] state and ability.

hcp502.txt

72 73
70 76 79 65 27 35 N 83 93 D 39 56 84 22 27 49 46 95 13 49 68 42 89 44 55 26 77 37 45 86 61 97 63 42 11 30 67 28 68 37 16 A 79 6?
67 84 65 37 48 29 145 31 49 18 61 37 79 97 10 88 22 29 16 44 95 31 235 46 87 97 62 31 83 95 94 47 84 97 82 66 63 46 ?
97 99 66 N 13 Y 63 42 69 D 62 63 76 48 O 36 42 60 49 56 93 97 L_ 44 16 10 16 22 XX 82 89 T Z 39 60 G_ 83 9?
O 61 H# 84 83 36 Z 27 66 16 81 25 93 71 11 70 22 27 69 97 58 63 43 82 84 25 42 39 44 O G_ 83 13 58 ?
97 43 84 63 35 R 84 63 23 58 30 84 26 35 10 25 11 Z 99 21 35 B 57 55 63 27 70 77 24 89 15 80 92 27 61 56 48 3?
57 93 15 76 97 55 42 19 55 12 60 Q 44 82 49 99 98 66 43 X 42 11 60 24 35 42 25 93 60 61 63 39 27 30 11 70
88 89 63 80 55 30 81 16 44 77 191 42 66 A f S 57 62 83 193 63 84 10 48 63 0 253 Z 47 80 92 61 83 42 36'?
54 79 29 16 10 84 31 46 48 97 200 13 Y 83 41 84 60 18 55 K 4# m 43 61 28 49 68 49 44 51 93 M 79 83 66
262 96 70 29 84 63 j 37 49 30 15 11 N 46 55 72 95 44 92 35 E 79 83 72 55 10 16 22 11 30 61 22 98 84 54 ?
56 35 99 82 G_ 42 58 76 16 25 27 95 49 266 S 23 68 36 76 71 97 54 4# 27 11 16 25 61 N 26 84 O 97 39 ?
48 58 93 63 128 F 50 189 29 49 44 35 R 49 63 83 11 94 57 49 25 39 15 13 + S 80 55 P 16 H 11 X ?
24 66 30 94 84 99 210 76 Y 13 66 D
18 11 30 94 95 21 83 84 22 93 83 61 40 98 Y T 16 99 31 55 D 43 84 21 48 22 37 49 44 32 70 13 4?
X 95 N 96 77 73 18 11 30 26 73 10 30 11 Z 99 21 35 B 56 55 44 27 66 84 99 73 21 22 29 49 97 87 96 82 66 63 S 12?
F 23 42 55 30 12 24 97 43 215 35 27 84 97 19 35 65 10 70 N 10 30 11 15 16? 83 138 13 73 18 11 27 84 ?
13 Y 22 49 29 70 30 31 11 13 35 83 29 61 82 84 63 27 55 13 16 13 77 73 18 93 99 39 99 74 5?
72 55 22 S 87 7? 29 16 21 79
SS 82 70 94 56 11 26 Y 29 16 22 82 55 63 46 61 44 28 31 77 G_ 83 16 30 29 79 21 Y 57 76 94 84 63 25 28 82 41 49 18?
49 22 43 84 X 25 11 61 10 16 22
79 97 71 22 32 74 Y 4?
82 79 30 76 67 71 46 61 97
S 50 32 11 16 71 22 51 35 Z 61 44 83 70 N 21 84 30 56 55 31 C Y ?
43 84 72 48 63
18 11 16 61 13 46 79 83 84 22 F 86 27 84 97
48 44 55 D 72 49 30 42 70 63 O G_ 83 29 61 21 84 60

f014.txt

# f. 14 (scan hstam_4_h_1411_14_Cryp.jpg, foliated "9" top right), Malsburg to the Landgrave, "Datum Wesel den 16/26 Januarij Ao 1637".
# One cipher line per scan line. Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces};
# ' = dot above the group; ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined sign; a trailing "?" alone at the end of
# a line = group cut by the torn/folded right edge of the sheet. The right edge is damaged: the last group of many lines
# is partly lost.
# block 1 (margin mark "#"; after "... Leslies fortrückens gewandert hette, erwarten,")
{erwarten,} 72 73
70 76 79 65 27 35 N 83 93 D 39 56 84 22 27 49 46 95 13 49 68 42 89 44 55 26 77 37 45 86 61 97 63 42 11 30 67 28 68 37 16 A 79 6?
67 84 65 37 48 29 {Und} 145 31 49 18 61 37 79 97 10 88 22 29 16 44 95 31 235 46 87 97 62 31 83 95 94 47 84 97 82 66 63 46 ?
97 99 66 N 13 Y 63 42 69 D 62 63 76 48 O 36 42 60 49 56 93 97 L_ 44 16 10 16 22 XX 82 89 T Z 39 60 G_ 83 9?
O 61 H# 84 83 {den 15/25 Z huius} 36 Z 27 66 16 81 25 93 71 11 70 22 27 69 97 58 63 43 82 84 25 42 39 44 O G_ 83 13 58 ?
97 43 84 63 35 R 84 63 {Und} 23 58 30 84 26 35 10 25 11 Z 99 21 35 B 57 55 63 27 70 77 24 89 15 80 92 27 61 56 48 3?
57 93 15 76 97 55 42 19 55 12 60 Q 44 82 49 99 98 66 43 X 42 11 60 24 35 42 25 93 60 61 63 {Und} 39 27 30 11 70
88 89 63 80 55 30 81 16 44 77 191 42 66 A f S 57 62 83 193 63 84 10 48 63 0 253 Z 47 80 92 61 83 42 36'?
54 79 29 16 10 84 31 46 48 97 200 13 Y 83 41 84 60 18 55 K 4# {Und} m 43 61 28 49 68 49 44 51 93 M 79 83 66
262 96 70 29 84 63 j 37 49 30 15 11 N 46 55 72 95 44 92 35 E 79 83 72 55 10 16 22 11 30 61 22 98 84 54 ?
56 35 99 82 G_ 42 58 76 16 25 27 95 49 266 S 23 68 36 76 71 97 54 {Und} 4# 27 11 16 25 61 N 26 84 O 97 39 ?
48 58 93 63 128 F 50 189 29 49 44 35 R 49 63 {Und} 83 11 94 57 49 25 39 15 13 + S 80 55 P 16 H 11 X ?
24 66 30 94 84 99 210 76 Y 13 66 D {jan de Wert ist in persona zu Cölln und hat sein volck in den ...}
# block 2 (continues after "... und hat sein volck in den Stifft Münster gelegt,")
{gelegt,} 18 11 30 94 95 21 83 84 22 93 83 61 40 98 Y T 16 99 31 55 D 43 84 21 48 22 37 49 44 32 70 13 4?
X 95 N 96 77 73 18 11 30 26 73 10 30 11 Z 99 21 35 B 56 55 44 27 66 84 99 73 21 22 29 49 97 87 96 82 66 63 S 12?
F 23 42 55 30 12 24 97 43 {Und} 215 35 27 84 97 19 35 65 10 70 N 10 30 11 15 16? 83 138 {Und} 13 73 18 11 27 84 ?
13 Y 22 49 29 70 30 31 11 13 35 83 29 61 82 84 63 {Gott gebe ihnen glück} 27 55 13 16 13 77 73 18 93 99 39 99 74 5?
72 55 22 S 87 7? 29 16 21 79 {; Hatzfelt hat das seinige ...}
# block 3 (after "... Venedischen [?] ... Schlangenlicht (?) hinnen,")
SS 82 70 94 56 11 26 Y 29 16 22 82 55 63 46 61 44 28 31 77 G_ 83 16 30 29 79 21 Y 57 76 94 84 63 25 28 82 41 49 18?
49 22 43 84 X 25 11 61 10 16 22 {dass sich nun recht alle gemüter ... zum fürsten}
{schaffen, Und was ... erhalten, dazu dan} 79 97 71 22 32 74 Y 4?
82 79 30 76 67 71 46 61 97 {gute beförderung thun wollen;}
# block 4 (after "... 33800 Rthl. ... welches alles")
{welches alles} S 50 32 11 16 71 22 51 35 Z 61 44 83 70 N 21 84 30 56 55 31 C Y ?
43 84 72 48 63 {Und bey weitem nicht schreiben ... Obri-}
{sten ... berichten, sobald ich herfahre} 18 11 16 61 13 46 79 83 84 22 F 86 27 84 97
48 44 55 D 72 49 30 42 70 63 O G_ 83 29 61 21 84 60 {will ich ... überschreiben;}

HCP502_reading.md

# HCPortal 502 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, f. 14), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, Wesel, 16/26 Jan 1637 — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f014.txt` (transcription agent, checked by Bourdeau) decoded with `key.txt` unchanged
(`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the breaks checked on the HCPortal original scan (hstam_4_h_1411_14, 2854 x
4200, fetched 22 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch b08). The right edge of the sheet is torn and folded: the
last group of many lines is partly or wholly lost (marked `?` in the transcription). No contemporary decipherment, no
clear copy, no edition. Code values: `{Cöln}` = 128, `{Regiment}` = 253 (grade I, `codes.txt`).

State (22 Oct 2026, batch b08): decoded, not read; clean-sentence share of the reading body 0.167 (before 0.143); holes: open codes and signs in nearly every sentence, torn edge. Log: `HCP496-509_reread_log.md`.

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[145]` an unvalued code; `<+>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[word]` supplied (here only letters lost at the torn edge); `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it: the b08 normalisation (`research/reading_audit/b08_norm.py`) was undone on 23 Oct 2026 (batch r2b, `research/reading_audit/r2b_mals_denorm.py`: each word restored to the form its figures or the transcribed clear words give, e.g. alhir, Feint, schleinig, hette, dan, one); modern spelling only in the English file.
Punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words written in the letter around the cipher.

## Reading

⟨… erwarten,⟩ [?hoffe] aber doch noch am Ende dises Monats, wofern mir das Wette[r], der Weg ⟨und⟩ [145] newe Werbungen in [235] daran nit verhind[e]rlich sein, mich an bestimte Ort neben [XX] Hoffstat [?einzustellen].

⟨Den 15/25 huius⟩ ist die Proviandirung Hermansteins [?vorgenommen], ⟨und⟩ füret Obristl Hoffman das Volck, deme […]molbram, Captain Helwigsch mit vom Roten ⟨und⟩ Adria von Carpens [191] mitt <f> au man [193] neben <o> {Regiment}stucken mi[t]gegeben. Der [200] seint etwa <K> <4#> ⟨und⟩ <m> [?gewesen]; kommen i[n] [262] Tagen schwerlich dahin. Haben iren Weg […] Molheim über die [266] auf Siburg ⟨und⟩ <4#> die rechte Stra[ss]e von {Cöln} auf [189] genommen, ⟨und⟩ nit mer als <+> au casselisch[e] Virtel [210] bei sich.

⟨Jan de Wert ist in persona zu Cölln und hat sein Volck in den Stifft Münster gelegt;⟩ wirt ihnen one Zweiffel nachgehen. Wen das [?geschicht], so wirt Obristl Hoffman [?die Lohngerat] hin auf Marpurg ⟨und⟩ [215] oder Corbach, Brilen [138] ⟨und⟩ so wide[r] seine Garnison gehen. ⟨Gott gebe ihnen Glück,⟩ das es sowol als […] Hanau [?abgehe].

[SS] hat mit eigen Handen an seiner geheimbten Rahte [?geschrieben], ⟨dass sich nun recht alle Gemüter … zum Fürsten …⟩.

⟨… dazu dan⟩ er und sei[n] Her[r] [?Bruder] ⟨gute Beförderung thun wollen;⟩ ⟨welches alles⟩ auf die Unkosten nach [?Hermanstein] gehen. ⟨… sobald ich herfahre,⟩ wie es denen auf der […]e nach Hermanstein gehet, ⟨will ich … überschreiben.⟩

## Notes

- Letters in plain brackets are the values of groups lost or half lost at the torn right edge where one letter is
  certain from the word (Wette[r], verhind[e]rlich, mi[t]gegeben, i[n], Stra[ss]e, wide[r], sei[n]); a lost group that
  the word does not fix is `[…]`.
- "deme […]molbram": `27 61 56 48 3? / 57 93 15 76 97 55 42`; the last group of l. 12 is cut (a 30-group); no name
  "…molbram" is known to us, so the hole stays.
- `neben o 253 ST 47 80 92 61 83` = "neben o Regimentstucken": a small o with a point before the code, not a figure
  group; open.
- "gewesen": the figures give `ge a e sen` (28 = a, where a w-group is needed); partly carried.
- "die Lohngerat hin": `27 66 84 99 73 21 22 29 49 97 87 96 82 66 63` = dielohngerathin; the sense of "Lohngerat" is not
  clear to us.
- "abgehe": `55 7? 29 16 21 79` = a 7 gehe; the lone 7 (also in HCPortal 496) has no value in the key.
- "geschrieben": `… 18 / 49 63 54 16 X 66 61 …` = "w / enge schrieben"; the writer seems to have begun a word at the line
  end; the participle is carried, the w-group is not.
- "Bruder": `21 48 65 10 46 24 46 61 25` = her b d u d e r; "Herr Bruder" with d for r once; partly carried.
- "Hermanstein" in block 4: `82 84 25 42 39 63 M Y ?` = herman + mm-sign + ei + cut group; the mm-sign stands where st
  is needed.

HCP502_en.md

# HCPortal 502 (f. 14), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, Wesel, 16/26 Jan 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP502_reading.md` (22 Oct 2026, batch b08), with the same holes: `[145]` an unvalued code, `<+>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {Cologne} = 128, {regiment} = 253 valued from context.
⟨...⟩ = clear words. Partial reading: the document stays "decoded, not read".

## Translation

⟨… await,⟩ but I [?hope] still at the end of this month, provided the weather, the road ⟨and⟩ [145] new recruitments in [235] do not hinder it, to [?present myself] at the appointed place with [XX] household.

⟨On the 15/25th of this month⟩ the provisioning of Hermanstein was [?undertaken], ⟨and⟩ Lieutenant-Colonel Hoffman leads the troops, to whom […]molbram, Captain Helwigsch with vom Roten ⟨and⟩ Adria von Carpens [191] with <f> au man [193] besides <o> {regimental} guns were given. The [200] were about <K> <4#> ⟨and⟩ <m>; they will hardly get there in [262] days. They took their way […] Mülheim over the [266] to Siegburg ⟨and⟩ <4#> the right road from {Cologne} to [189], ⟨and⟩ have no more than <+> au Kassel quarters [210] with them.

⟨Jan de Werth is at Cologne in person and has put his troops into the Bishopric of Münster;⟩ he will no doubt follow them. If that [?happens], Lieutenant-Colonel Hoffman will go [?…] to Marburg ⟨and⟩ [215] or Korbach, Brilon [138], ⟨and⟩ so back to his garrison. ⟨God give them luck,⟩ that it [?turns out] as well as […] Hanau.

[SS] has [?written] with his own hand to his privy councillors ⟨that all minds now … to the prince …⟩.

⟨… for which⟩ he and his [?brother] ⟨will give good help;⟩ ⟨all of which⟩ goes on the costs for [?Hermanstein]. ⟨… as soon as I go there,⟩ how it goes with those on the […] to Hermanstein, ⟨I shall … write.⟩

## Notes

- Hermanstein = Ehrenbreitstein, the Hessian-held fortress on the Rhine, then blockaded.

hcp503.txt

76 Y 57 122 58 4# 76 25 79 13
73 15 60 11 93 44 S 86 129 j 30 G_ 10 16 83 62 22 29 84 21 55 99 41 49 63 48 77 36 O 39
76 61 65 46 84 97 13 84 78 76 84 36 26 52 42 95 94 120 18 84 54 79 31 46 16 74 24 49 30
99 58 Z 24 35 65 21 49 25 57 39 22 Z Y 83 36 63 27 16 30 37 70 10 61 97 71 44 48 72 55
L 27 66 84 43 48 46 55 44 38 92 61 63 31 36 A# 39 H# 61 91 G_ Y 83 55 63 46 61 30
120 98 36 H# 83 35 N 58 75 22?
92 G_ 44 84 42 202 98 95 W 84 63 13 70 54 26 79 97 84 97 37 55 97 41? 84 91 70 S 30 16 43 70? 25 60
39 H# 48 94 28 43 49 98 11 46 16 97 72 35 B j 97 Y 91 49 96 63 73 N 51 71 25 60 90 15 36 Z
27 55 77 76 73 25 11 29 62 97 26 83 35 N 22 69 79 F# 46 11 16 83 74 43 61 82 39 76 26 95 N 21 70
76 84 120 39 22 27 G_ 41 84 31 99 39 B 48 63 46 87 68 129 83 70 D 55 31 23 39 83 54 67 16
74 94 30 Q 38 96 16 90 58 56 36 63 27 79 44 + S 23 92 71 83 67 36 54 88 44 54 46 61 13
Z 36 78 O 70 22 60 74 39 83 46 95 48 9 273 193 f 9 273 212 18 36 16 S N j?
273 94 25 70 29 35 44 13 j 81 83 26 Y 99 29 79 37 73 25 9 84 44 2 94 G_ 99 13 40 24
98 61 30 10 16 22 12? 28 94 84 83 26 48 39 15 10 16 30 G_ 60 74 S W 43 61 94 Y 15 94 21 79 H#
16 44 13 73 78 26 84 83 74 36 79 44 58 63 95 63 11 30 16 25 23 35 H# 16 97 18 61 97 91 24 63
43 29 84 26 69 83 27 84 30 41 98 48 97 27 61 63 77 93 18 58 97 46 61 63 77 11 16 66 83 39 H# 36
25? 49 97 69 83 26 84 63 26 36 35 63 70 80 26 11 93 31 29 16 21 79 R 84 94 18 16 15
N 84 13 46 70 44 46 84 42 92 73 83 11 29 43 79 56 Y 83 84 63 18 16 77 84 83 42 48
21 97 39 99 74 188 j 22 12? 55 30 60 36 38 47 99 95 65 j 62 46 48 83 76 65 60 31 43 61 63
40 58 27 84 42 48 21 16 L_ 89 82 35 B 76 61 25 66 N 26 C 61 94 67 70 74 36 72 57 18 48? 30 16
70 44 54 61 27 Y 91 61 26 18 35 25 27 48 44 18 11 16 27 55 77 67 84 97 28 56 10 39 W
55 32 79 58 65 X 35 44 93 25 27 30 61 XX 67 36 49 S 50 67 84 63 15 49 66 90 41 16 44
46 84 38 16 56 70 49 25 j 11 49 44 84 4H#? o? D 25 Y N 13 60 S 77 46 55 15 16 22 13 35
99 94 48 27 70 22 79 97 44 35 N 201 36 44 27 Y 60 X 15 55 83 26 78 69 54 61 63 82
61 H# 49 79 55? 97? 82 87 L_ 74 36 N 28 76 16 30 44 36 97 54 84 44 60 52 58 24 84 30 O 16 21
49 44 98 35 H# 16 22 18 11 30 60 10 70 15 41 58 35 83 21 36 97 98 36 21 48 63 77 93 25
54 84 27 16 30 37 16 54 61 83 42 39 63 18 79 97 27 48 77 36 N S 23 46 11 84 43 89 15 27
48 25 71 36 99 37 79 31 11 54 84 97 F# 86 27 95 48 55 10 29 79 97 48 H# 79 26 79 30 56 69
63 49 24 84 97 99 55 W 48 44 F 70 39 94 57 28 D 49 83 92 45 M 48 63
58 73 83 77
79 25 30 16 27 61 26 39 10 16 97 44 36 97 43 84 63 60 58 35 44 86 97 95 94 42 55 N
79 63 74 39 43 94 84 65 18 93 99 94 49 Y 22 49 83 86 69 44 43 48 97 S L_ 27 79 97 50 F# Z
46 30 71 57 76 43 84 76 48 63 67 70 W H# 46 84 44 76 84 18 71 F# 61 63 91 30 11 16 B
58 73 22 82 66 97 24 35 65 120 39 22 51 71 31 23 26 18 16 54 43 84 X 95 38 51 79? L_
82 84 H# 79 27 70 22 11 72 83 46 G N 26 16 188 84 30 55 15 13 27 70 44 57 11 94 71 11 16 99
65 58 21 66 29 84 25 42 29 61 57 71 21 26 27 11 16 22 61 48 83 92 73 44 26 84 90 58
67 16 42 49 37 66 97 94 48 25 58 10 16 30 e 81 86 84 25 27 84 83 45 L_ 18 16 22 27 11 43
42 11 L_ 91 30 11 22 29 84 83 42 71 W 84 44 84 30 77 11 72 16 60 28 76 84 65 36 41 90 35 92
G 83 61 29 16 99 48 54 49 44 82 Y 26 90 71 129 52 24 51 73 E 84 63

f015.txt

# f. 15 (scan hstam_4_h_1411_0015_Cryp.jpg), marked "Triplicat" in the left margin (docket "... 1637"); Malsburg to
# the Landgrave. One cipher line per scan line. Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs;
# clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above; ? = doubtful; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined sign; j = hooked i/j sign
# standing alone as a group. In this hand 4 is written like a "t" (41, 44, 48, 49 look like "ti", "tt", "t8", "tg").
# The only cipher on the page is this one block in the lower middle; the ink is faint (pale brown) throughout.
{Kommen ..., mitbringen, ich habe ihm ...} 76 Y 57 122 58 4# 76 25 79 13
73 15 60 11 93 44 S 86 129 j 30 G_ 10 16 83 62 22 29 84 21 55 99 41 49 63 48 77 36 O 39
76 61 65 46 84 97 13 84 78 76 84 36 26 52 42 95 94 120 18 84 54 79 31 46 16 74 24 49 30
99 58 Z 24 35 65 21 49 25 57 39 22 Z Y 83 36 63 27 16 30 37 70 10 61 97 71 44 48 72 55
L 27 66 84 43 48 46 55 44 38 92 61 63 31 36 A# 39 H# 61 91 G_ Y 83 55 63 46 61 30 {seint ...}
{Ich aber doch bald ... erklären, ... meinen fleis ... solle es nicht mangeln}

f016.txt

# f. 16 (scan hstam_4_h_1411_0016_Cryp.jpg, an opened double leaf: left = the letter, right = an enclosure list of
# officers killed/captured, clear text). Malsburg to the Landgrave, "Datum Wesel den 30 Januarij [/9 Februarij?] Ao 1637",
# signed "Otto von der Malsburg". One cipher line per scan line. Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter
# signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above; ? = doubtful; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined sign; j = hooked i/j sign
# standing alone as a group. In this hand 4 looks like "t" (44 = "tt", 48 = "t8", 49 = "tg"). The right-hand leaf has
# no cipher.
# block 1 (after "... alß nichts sein, weil er in Staadische protection genommen ist,")
{genommen ist,} 120 98 36 H# 83 35 N 58 75 22?
92 G_ 44 84 42 202 98 95 W 84 63 13 70 54 26 79 97 84 97 37 55 97 41? 84 91 70 S 30 16 43 70? 25 60
39 H# 48 94 28 43 49 98 11 46 16 97 {Und} 72 35 B j 97 Y 91 49 96 63 73 N 51 71 25 60 90 15 36 Z
27 55 77 76 73 25 11 29 62 97 26 83 35 N 22 69 79 F# 46 11 16 83 74 43 61 82 39 76 26 95 N 21 70
76 84 120 39 22 27 G_ 41 84 31 99 39 B 48 63 46 87 68 129 83 70 D 55 31 23 39 83 54 67 16
74 94 30 Q 38 96 16 90 58 56 36 63 27 79 44 {Und} + S 23 92 71 83 67 36 54 88 44 54 46 61 13
Z 36 78 O 70 22 60 74 39 83 46 95 48 9 273 193 {Und} f {Und} 9 273 212 18 36 16 S N j?
273 94 25 70 29 35 44 13 j 81 83 26 Y 99 29 79 37 73 25 9 84 44 {Und} 2 94 G_ 99 13 40 24
98 61 30 10 16 22 12? 28 94 84 83 26 48 39 15 10 16 30 G_ 60 74 S W 43 61 94 Y 15 94 21 79 H#
16 44 13 73 78 26 84 83 74 36 79 44 58 63 95 63 11 30 16 25 23 35 H# 16 97 18 61 97 91 24 63
43 29 84 26 69 83 27 84 30 41 98 48 97 27 61 63 77 93 18 58 97 46 61 63 77 11 16 66 83 39 H# 36
25? 49 97 69 83 26 84 63 26 36 35 63 {Und} 70 80 26 11 93 {ink blot over one group} 31 29 16 21 79 R 84 94 18 16 15
N 84 13 46 70 44 46 84 42 92 73 83 11 29 {Und} 43 79 56 Y 83 84 63 18 16 77 84 83 42 48
21 97 39 99 74 188 j 22 12? 55 30 60 36 38 47 99 95 65 j 62 46 48 83 76 65 60 31 43 61 63
40 58 27 84 42 48 21 16 L_ 89 82 35 B 76 61 25 66 N 26 C 61 94 67 70 74 36 72 57 18 48? 30 16
70 44 54 61 27 Y 91 61 26 18 35 25 27 48 44 18 11 16 27 55 77 67 84 97 28 56 {blotted group, 39?} 10 39 W
55 32 79 58 65 X 35 44 93 25 27 30 61 XX 67 36 49 S 50 67 84 63 15 49 66 90 41 16 44
46 84 38 16 56 70 49 25 j 11 49 44 84 4H#? o? D 25 Y N 13 60 S 77 46 55 15 16 22 13 35
99 94 48 27 70 22 79 97 44 35 N 201 36 44 27 Y 60 X 15 55 83 26 78 69 54 61 63 82
61 H# 49 79 55? 97? 82 87 L_ 74 36 N 28 76 16 30 44 36 97 54 84 44 60 52 58 24 84 30 O 16 21
49 44 98 35 H# 16 22 {Und} 18 11 30 60 10 70 15 41 58 35 83 21 36 97 98 36 21 48 63 77 93 25
54 84 27 16 30 37 16 54 61 83 42 39 63 18 79 97 27 48 77 36 N S 23 46 11 84 43 89 15 27
48 25 71 36 99 37 79 31 11 54 84 97 F# 86 27 95 48 55 10 29 79 97 48 H# 79 26 79 30 56 69
63 49 24 84 97 99 55 W 48 44 {Und} F 70 39 94 57 28 D 49 83 92 45 M 48 63 {; Jhro Gen. Lieut. ...}
# block 2 (after "... Ich habe dieses bring wohl vor 3 tagen geschrieben aber nicht schliessen wollen, bis EfGl. ich einweinig")
{einweinig} 58 73 83 77 {triangle sign} {mein meinung überschreiben können, Und dünket mich es werde EfGl. nicht abhanden}
{gehen,} 79 25 30 16 27 61 26 39 10 16 97 44 36 97 43 84 63 60 58 35 44 86 97 95 94 42 55 N
79 63 74 39 43 94 84 65 18 93 99 94 49 Y 22 49 83 86 69 44 43 48 97 S L_ 27 79 97 50 F# Z
46 30 71 57 76 43 84 76 48 63 67 70 W H# 46 84 44 76 84 18 71 F# 61 63 91 30 11 16 B
58 73 22 82 66 97 24 35 65 120 39 22 51 71 31 23 26 18 16 54 43 84 X 95 38 51 79? L_
82 84 H# 79 27 70 22 11 72 83 46 G N 26 16 188 84 30 55 15 13 27 70 44 57 11 94 71 11 16 99
65 58 21 66 29 84 25 42 29 61 57 71 21 26 27 11 16 22 61 48 83 92 73 44 26 84 90 58
67 16 42 49 37 66 97 94 48 25 58 10 16 30 e 81 86 84 25 27 84 83 45 L_ 18 16 22 27 11 43
42 11 L_ 91 30 11 22 29 84 83 42 71 W 84 44 84 30 77 11 72 16 60 28 76 84 65 36 41 90 35 92
G 83 61 29 16 99 48 54 49 44 82 Y 26 90 71 129 52 24 51 73 E 84 63 {EfGl. hiemit in gottes gnädigen ...}
# notes: in block 2 l.4 "46 84 44 76" and "16 B" at end; "e" (l.8) is a small looped e-like sign, not a digit;
# "65 36" in l.9 has a stroke drawn above it (overline over both groups); "E" (l.10) = a capital E-sign with a bar.
# "{triangle sign}" in the clear lead-in = a large drawn triangle after "58 73 83 77", possibly a cipher sign.
# block 1 l.9: "4H#? o? D" = a crossed '4H'-shaped sign, a small circle, and D -- uncertain.

f017.txt

# f. 17 (scan hstam_4_h_1411_0017_Cryp.jpg): address wrapper of the f. 16 letter, one seal.
# Address: "Dem durchleuchtigen hochgebornen Fürsten und Herrn, Herrn Wilhelmen Landgraffen zu Hessen,
# Graffen zu Catzenelnbogen, Dietz, Ziegenhain und Nidda, meinem gnädigen Fürsten und Herrn" -- "Cassell".
# NO CIPHER on this side; the faint writing elsewhere is show-through from the other side (clear text of the
# enclosure list). 0 groups.

HCP503_reading.md

# HCPortal 503 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, ff. 15-16), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, Wesel, Jan 1637 — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f015.txt` (the "Triplicat", one faint block) and `f016.txt` (the letter of 30 Jan [/9 Feb] 1637, two blocks),
transcription agents checked by Bourdeau, decoded with `key.txt` unchanged (`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the
breaks checked on the HCPortal original scans (hstam_4_h_1411_0015, 0016; fetched 22 Oct 2026 into the session
scratchpad; batch b08). f. 16 has heavy show-through from the enclosure list on the other side. f. 17 is the address
side (no cipher). No contemporary decipherment, no clear copy, no edition. Code values: `{Compagnien}` = 273,
`{die Staaten}` = 188 (grade I, `codes.txt`).

State (22 Oct 2026, batch b08): decoded, not read; clean-sentence share of the reading body 0.375 (raw decode 0.389); holes: open codes and signs in most sentences. Log: `HCP496-509_reread_log.md`.

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[120]` an unvalued code; `<H#>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[word]` supplied; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it: the b08 normalisation (`research/reading_audit/b08_norm.py`) was undone on 23 Oct 2026 (batch r2b, `research/reading_audit/r2b_mals_denorm.py`: each word restored to the form its figures or the transcribed clear words give, e.g. alhir, Feint, schleinig, hette, dan, one); modern spelling only in the English file. punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words
written in the letter around the cipher. Paragraphs: the f. 15 block (Triplicat); f. 16 block 1 (two paragraphs);
f. 16 block 2.

## Reading

⟨… ich habe ihm⟩ beim [122] u<4#> [?Resolution] auf [129] Schreiben angehalten. Es ist aber derselbe itz mit [120] wegen des Verlust vor Hermanstein in der […] ⟨und⟩ hatt die Gedancken ni<A#> alle bei einander.

⟨… weil er in Staadische protection genommen ist,⟩ [120] will noch von keinem [202] wissen; sagt, er erwarte Bauregart alle Tage wider. ⟨Und⟩ Hoff schreibet noch [?kürtzlich], das Borigart noch nie Audiens gehabt. Ich habe [120] andeiten [?lassen], das [129] nach Anfang des Traicte zu Minden ⟨und⟩ <+> Aufkündigung des Stilstants an die 9 {Compagnien} [193] ⟨und⟩ <f> ⟨und⟩ 9 {Compagnien} [212], wie auch sch[…] {Compagnien} Tragons [?schon] [?…]teil [?geworben], ⟨und⟩ 2 Teils zu werben Patente albereits ausgeteilt [?hetten]. Solten sie nun in irer voller Werbung [?gehindert] werden, so würden sie in aller irer Intention ⟨und⟩ Actio[n] gehemmet, welches dan dem König ⟨und⟩ gemeinen Wesen mehr als {die Staaten} […] particulir Schaden bringen [würde].

Zu deme [?hette] Hoff [?berichtet], das ihm were [?angedeutet] worden, wie das der Ambassadeur schon Ordre [XX], die auf den leizten [?December] schiene <4H#> <o>ch Reichs[…]dalen solte, dan er noch [201] in Deitschlant ligen hätte. Er hat sich aber nirgend zu verstehen wollen ⟨und⟩ wirt bald von hir [?ziehen]. Sorge derwegen, man werde sich auf die Golder, vil weniger auf die [?abgeredete] Termine verlassen ⟨und⟩ […] machen kommen.

⟨Ich habe dieses … bis EfGl. ich einweinig⟩ vons <triangle> ⟨mein Meinung überschreiben können, und dünket mich, es werde EfGl. nicht abhanden gehen.⟩ Er redet aber nirgend von Friedmachen. Sagt, er wolte einen Finger [?auf] der F[au]st drumb geben, dass <H#> den [?bewussten] Brieff von hir vor [120] Ankunft weggeschicket hätte; dann ihn deuchte, {die Staaten} er alsdan mit viel ruhigerem Gemüth dienen könnte. Zu dem wirt er über <e> Pferde notwendig mitbringen müssen. Er sihet aber itzo keine Gelegenheit, zu [129] zu kommen.

## Notes

- "Bauregart", "Borigart": `76 70 S 25 61 43 39 30 26` and `76 93 25 69 43 39 30 26`, Beauregard twice, in two spellings.
- "Audiens": `nie F# 27 69 84 83 77` = nie + crossed-F sign + diens; F# is valued au in the key.
- "lassen": `15 39 T 61 22` = la + ff-sign + en; partly carried.
- "schon … teil geworben": `X 12? 22? 94 G 78 / 43 79 98 73 25 9 61 22` = sch p n t ei l / gewor 9 en; the 9 must be b; the
  word before "teil" is not carried.
- "hetten": `82 61 L? …` the l. 16-17 run is "he <H#> / en"; the crossed H here stands where tt is needed, as again in
  "he <H#> e" (= hette) in l. 27; elsewhere on the page it gives ll (wi<H#> = will, a<H#>e = alle, fo<H#>er = voller,
  wo<H#>en = wollen). Its value is not one letter pair, so the words that need tt are marked partly carried.
- "hette Hoff berichtet": `21 16 L 89 82 35 B 76 61 25 66 N 26 C 61 94` = he tt o hoff bericht mm et; o for e and a stray
  mm-sign.
- "Ambassadeur": `28 56 [blotted group] 10 39 W 55 32 79 58 65` = am [blot] bassadeur.
- "ziehen": `98 36 21 48 63` = wihen; w for z.
- "Golder": a payment term ("auf die Golder, vil weniger auf die abgeredete Termine"); partly understood.
- "würde" in "Schaden bringen [würde]" is supplied: the run ends at "bringen".
- f. 15 "in der […]": `27 16 30 37 70 10 61 97 71 44 48 72 55 / L` = der waberuneha tt; no word comes out.

HCP503_en.md

# HCPortal 503 (ff. 15-16), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, Wesel, Jan 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP503_reading.md` (22 Oct 2026, batch b08), with the same holes: `[120]` an unvalued code, `<H#>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[word]` supplied, `[…]` unread; {companies} = 273, {the States} = 188
valued from context. ⟨...⟩ = clear words. Partial reading: the document stays "decoded, not read".

## Translation

⟨… I have⟩ pressed [122] for a [?resolution] on [129]'s letter. But he is now, with [120], because of the loss before Hermanstein, in the […] ⟨and⟩ does not have his wits together.

⟨… because he has been taken into the States' protection,⟩ [120] will not yet hear of any [202]; he says he expects Beauregard back any day. ⟨And⟩ Hoff writes [?recently] that Beauregard has still had no audience. I have let [120] know that [129], after the opening of the treaty at Minden ⟨and⟩ <+> the notice ending the truce, to the 9 {companies} [193] ⟨and⟩ <f> ⟨and⟩ 9 {companies} [212], as also sch[…] {companies} of dragoons [?already] [?…] part [?recruited], ⟨and⟩ had already issued patents to recruit 2 parts. If they were now [?hindered] in their full recruiting, they would be checked in all their intention ⟨and⟩ action, which would bring more particular harm to the King ⟨and⟩ the common cause than to {the States} […].

Moreover Hoff [?reported] that he had been [?told] how the ambassador already had orders [XX], which on the last of [?December] appeared <4H#> <o>ch Reichs[…]taler should, since he still had [201] lying in Germany. But he would not commit himself anywhere ⟨and⟩ will soon [?leave] here. He fears, therefore, that one cannot rely on the payments, much less on the [?agreed] terms, ⟨and⟩ […] come to make.

⟨I wrote this … three days ago but did not want to close it until I could⟩ ⟨send Your Princely Grace my opinion a little; and it seems to me Your Princely Grace will not lose by it.⟩ But he speaks nowhere of making peace. He says he would give a finger [?of] his fist to have sent the [?said] letter away from here before [120]'s arrival; for it seemed to him that he could then serve {the States} with a much calmer mind. Moreover he will have to bring <e> horses with him of necessity. But he sees no opportunity at present to get to [129].

## Notes

- Beauregard: the French envoy expected at The Hague; Hoff: the Hessian agent whose reports are in HStAM 4 f Frankreich.
- "Golder": rendered "payments" (sums in gulden); the word is not certain.

hcp504.txt

79 74 77 Y 31 60
70 76 16 97 27 36 84 212? G 31 Z Y 78 68 74 73 79 97 23 25 93 97 84 83 46 39 13 S N 48 26 99 36 D 49 40 58 51 97 35 81?
12 61 78 31 18 35 97 27 16 22 61 94 99 66 N 79 29 15 95 32 27 84 25 21 39 76 48 83 57 58 W 16 22 55 10 99 35 13 16
44 78 28 P 61 63 74 73 13 G_ 22 26 F N 58 11 61 15 72 79 25 31 39 N 29 49 O 45 97 10 48 44 L?
40 71 25 16#? 72 79 18 73 30 27 16 22 46 55 74 27 11 79 97 Y 60 16 25 G 83 35 N 18 93 15 13 35 76 70 15 26 92 Y 22 16 44
46 36 22 O 37 11 30 26 41 72 71 22 92 73 M 16 31 74 73 71 61 25 O 16 30 38 92 84 22 77 11 N F D 27 11 16 273
90 88 23 24 74 31 73 N J? 78 79 N 26 37 11 79 S N 27 36 79 22 79 37 79 31 18 84 30 76 79 30 74 37 11 16 F D 76 Y
78 36 54 79 31 26 52 71 74 79 72 16 31 77 84 30 122 72 70 H 37 16 54 16 22 32 61 W 61 22 29? 28 77
120 46 11 61 73 10 99 36 29 70 26 66 35 31 74 73 79 30 18 16 54 79 44 27 79 74 71 16 30 15 88 O 77 73 74 11 N 79 60
18 55 S 50 46 48 97 25 Y 74 79 31 70 D 72 16 30 56 70 22 Z Y 31 90 71 26 30 55 54 79 22 42 73 N 60 84
58 35 31 74 11 N 54 16 29 61 10 79 31 27 11 74 12 24 26 11 25 79 26 31 11 60 83 70 N 32 79 56 123 92 73 R 16 31
51 73 C 16 31
31 70 N 9#? 148? 52 71 54 16 72 84 31 70 22 30 16 54 61 44 37 36 H 37 36 37 35 H 79 30
29 16 37 39 99 26 11 54 79 39 25 29 71 57 16 83 26 28 32 36 77 71 39 74 35 25 36 39 36 22 260 90 88 71
16 30 72 16 25 97 16 22 71 73 30 10 25 11 22 29 16 26 18 79 30 84 36 72 56 16 27 93 N 36 60 52 73
27 71 30 N 40 88 92 73 E 44 24 22 42 73 29 99 11 N
27 70 77 71 78 79 97 69 43 61 37 30 15 11 N 39 44 29 73
15 41 90 88 56 Y 22 16 30 54 99 88 38 51 78 11 N 16 22 24 10 16 25 51 71 22 50 60 42
11 L 76 25 11 44 54 79 31 95 N 74 73 30 29 16 H 72 55 10 16 22 74 36 D 27 61 77 V? 70 22 10
16 37 88 Z 16 56 73 25 26 83 11 60 90 24 88 84? 97 74 11 N 61 30 44_? 46 70 22 16 25 77 36 N 1? 18 15
30 99 66 Z? 37 11 30 60 Y 22 X 99 11 16 W 61 83 99 28 P 49 31

f018.txt

# scan 0018 (folio number "13" at top right), letter to the Landgrave ("Durchleuchtiger Hochgeborner Gnädiger
# Fürst und Herr"); marginal date "Febr. 1637"; dated at the foot "Datum ... den 14/24 Februarij Ao 1637";
# subscribed only "E. F. G. Dr:" (no name written; the hand is Malsburg's).
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign. The ordinary H sign is written with a crossbar (as in f. 3) and is given as H.
# block 1 (after "... nicht weit zu sehen /")
{zu sehen /} 79 74 77 Y 31 60
70 76 16 97 27 36 84 212? G 31 Z Y 78 68 74 73 79 97 23 25 93 97 84 83 46 39 13 S N 48 26 99 36 D 49 40 58 51 97 35 81?
12 61 78 31 18 35 97 27 16 22 {Und} 61 94 99 66 N 79 29 15 95 32 27 84 25 21 39 76 48 83 57 58 W 16 22 55 10 99 35 13 16
44 78 28 P 61 63 74 73 13 G_ 22 26 F N 58 11 61 15 {ffreundt?} 72 79 25 31 39 N 29 49 O 45 97 10 48 44 {Und} L?
40 71 25 16#? 72 79 18 73 30 27 16 22 46 55 74 27 11 79 97 Y 60 16 25 G 83 35 N 18 93 15 13 35 76 70 15 26 92 Y 22 16 44
46 36 22 O 37 11 30 26 41 72 71 22 92 73 M 16 31 74 73 71 61 25 O 16 30 38 92 84 22 77 11 N F D 27 11 16 273
90 88 23 24 74 31 73 N J? 78 79 N 26 37 11 79 S N 27 36 79 22 79 37 79 31 18 84 30 76 79 30 74 37 11 16 F D 76 Y
78 36 54 79 31 26 52 71 74 79 72 16 31 77 84 30 122 72 70 H {bis dato} 37 16 54 16 22 32 61 W 61 22 29? 28 77
120 46 11 61 73 10 99 36 29 70 26 66 35 31 74 73 79 30 18 16 54 79 44 27 79 74 71 16 30 15 88 O 77 73 74 11 N 79 60
18 55 S 50 46 48 97 25 Y 74 79 31 70 D 72 16 30 56 70 22 Z Y 31 90 71 26 30 55 54 79 22 42 73 N 60 84
58 35 31 74 11 N 54 16 29 61 10 79 31 27 11 74 12 24 26 11 25 79 26 31 11 60 83 70 N 32 79 56 123 92 73 R 16 31
51 73 C 16 31 {so hat er aber ... nunmehr etliche tage abreisen und bald wieder kommen werden, gestalt}
{ich ihr das fleissig} 31 70 N 9#? 148? 52 71 54 16 72 84 31 70 22 30 16 54 61 44 37 36 H 37 36 37 35 H 79 30
29 16 37 39 99 26 11 54 79 39 25 29 71 57 16 83 26 28 32 36 77 71 39 74 35 25 36 39 36 22 260 90 88 71
16 30 72 16 25 97 16 22 71 73 30 10 25 11 22 29 16 26 {Und} 18 79 30 84 36 72 56 16 27 93 N 36 60 52 73
27 71 30 N 40 88 92 73 E 44 24 22 42 73 29 99 11 N {weil der Gen: Zeugmeister ...}
# block 2 (after "... Und Oberst Steins Regiment ... gegenwärtig geschickt /")
27 70 77 71 78 79 97 69 43 61 37 30 15 11 N 39 44 29 73
15 41 90 88 56 Y 22 16 30 {gottlob} 54 99 88 38 51 78 11 N 16 22 24 10 16 25 51 71 22 50 60 42
11 L 76 25 11 44 54 79 31 95 N 74 73 30 29 16 H 72 55 10 16 22 74 36 D 27 61 77 V? 70 22 10
16 37 88 Z 16 56 73 25 26 83 11 60 90 24 88 84? 97 74 11 N 61 30 44_? 46 70 22 16 25 77 36 N 1? 18 15
30 99 66 Z? 37 11 30 60 Y 22 X 99 11 16 W 61 83 99 28 P 49 31 {Thue E. F. G. hiermit in gottes gn. ...}
# note: "84? 97" = 84 apparently overwritten by 97; "V?" = a triangle-like sign (open V with a top bar);
# "1?" = a lone single stroke after N.

HCP504_reading.md

# HCPortal 504 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, f. 18), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 14/24 Feb 1637 — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f018.txt` (Bourdeau's transcription of scan 0018, one cipher line per scan line) decoded with `key.txt`
unchanged (`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the breaks checked on the HCPortal original scan hstam_4_h_1411_0018
(fetched 23 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch r2b, log `HCP497-506_reread_log.md`). No contemporary
decipherment, clear copy or edition (NOTES, Escalation). Code values: `{Compagnien}` = 273 (grade I, `codes.txt`).

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[212]` an unvalued code; `<V>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[x]` a letter or word no figure carries; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it (u/v, i/j merged by the
key); nouns capitalised and punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words. The plain H sign stands for ll (wil, wol er) and tt
(hatt), as in the sibling letters. The writer's mm-signs stand where "können" is needed ("thun kommen"); those words are
marked.

## Reading

⟨… nicht weit zu sehen /⟩ es seint aber die [212] ein Teils so erfroren, das auch etliche zu Kroppeln worden, ⟨und⟩ etliche Glidder haben mussen ablosen lassen; so seint auch viel ⟨ffreundt?⟩ hernach gestorben, ⟨und⟩ <L> zur <16#> he worden, das die Reiterei noch wol sobalt keinen Dinst wirt thun [?konnen]. So verstercken sich auch die {Compagnien} zu Fus noch schlecht, wie auch die newen Werbers, wie auch Beiligentz zu sehen. [?…] [122] hatt ⟨bis dato⟩ wegen dessen [?das] [120] die Obligation, so er wegen des Verlust, so sich etwa auf der Reise nach Hermanstein zutragen mochte, von sich gegeben, disputiret, nit nach dem [123] kommen [?konnen]. ⟨so hat er aber … nunmehr etliche tage abreisen und bald wieder kommen werden, gestalt ich ihr das fleissig⟩ nach <9#> [148] zu gehen anregen will, wiewol er gewaltige argumenta disuasoria in [260] zu verherren vorbringet ⟨und⟩ were ihme doch itzo durchzukommn unmoglich. ⟨weil der Gen: Zeugmeister …⟩

⟨… Und Oberst Steins Regiment … gegenwärtig geschickt /⟩ das [?übrige] [?wirklich] an Golt zu meiner ⟨gottlob⟩ glucklichen Uberkunft mitt bringen. Ich sorge, <H> haben sich des <V> an bewustem Ort nit zu versichern, dan er sich [?…] wirt einschliessen lassen. ⟨Thue E. F. G. hiermit in gottes gn. …⟩

## Notes

- "Kroppeln" (Krüppeln): `51 97 35 81? | 12 61 78 31` = k r o p | p e l n.
- "<L> zur <16#> he worden": after the clear "Und" a lone L-sign (tt) and a crossed 16 that give no word; the clause
  is open.
- "das die Reiterei noch wol": `27 11 79 97 Y 60 16 25 G 83 35 N` = d i e r ei t e r ei n o ch, checked on the scan:
  Reiterei, then noch (the September segmentation had split it "Reiter ein noch").
- "thun [?konnen]", "kommen [?konnen]": the figures give k o mm e n; the sense needs "können". Marked partly carried.
- "Beiligentz" = the enclosure (beiliegends): `76 Y | 78 36 54 79 31 26 52` = b ei | l i g e n t z.
- "[?…] [122] hatt": `77 84 30` = s e r before the code gives no word; `72 70 H` = h a <H>, read "hatt" (H = tt).
- "[?das]": `22 29? 28 77`: the scan has a g-shaped 29 where a d-group is needed.
- "wiewol er": `37 36 37 35 H 79 30` = w i w o <H> e r.
- "zu verherren" = zu verharren (the writer's e).
- "das [?übrige] [?wirklich] an Golt" (checked on the scan: 78, not 10): `27 70 77 71 78 79 97 69 43 61 37 30 15 11 N 39 44 29 73 | 15 41` = d a s u l e r
  i g e w r l i ch a n g o | l t: "ulerige" for "übrige" (78 l where a b-group is needed) and "wrlich" have no
  certain reading; "an Golt" is carried.
- "Ich sorge, <H> haben": the H stands alone, no word; "an bewustem Ort" = `70 22 10 | 16 37 88 Z 16 56 73 25 26` = a n b | e w u st e m o r t.
- "dan er sich [?…]": `1? 18 15 | 30 99 66 Z?` = a lone stroke, w l r l i st: no word.

HCP504_en.md

# HCPortal 504 (f. 18), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 14/24 Feb 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP504_reading.md` (23 Oct 2026, batch r2b), with the same holes: `[212]` an unvalued code, `<V>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {companies} = 273 valued from context. ⟨...⟩ = clear words.
Partial reading: the document stays "decoded, not read".

## Translation

⟨… not far to see /⟩ but some of the [212] are so frozen that several have become cripples, ⟨and⟩ several have had to
have limbs taken off; and many ⟨friends?⟩ have died afterwards, ⟨and⟩ <L> to <16#> [...] become, so that the cavalry
will hardly be able to do any service soon. The {companies} on foot are also filling up badly, as are the new
recruiters, as the enclosure shows. [?…] [122] has ⟨until now⟩, because [?of the fact that] [120] disputes the
obligation he gave concerning the loss that might occur on the journey to Hermanstein, not [?been able] to come to the
[123]. ⟨but he has … now leave for some days and come back soon, so that I urge her diligently⟩ to go to <9#> [148],
although he puts forward powerful dissuasive arguments for staying in [260] ⟨and⟩ it would in any case be impossible
for him to get through now. ⟨because the General Master of the Ordnance …⟩

⟨… And Colonel Stein's regiment … sent at present /⟩ [to] bring with me [?the rest] [?really] in gold at my ⟨thank
God⟩ happy arrival. I fear <H> [they] cannot make sure of the <V> at the known place, for he will let himself be shut
in [?…]. ⟨Commend Your Princely Grace herewith to God's grace …⟩

hcp505.txt

98 79 78 N 16 84 25 39 10 48 30 31 58 22 56 61 97 S 13 27 49 42 23 58 83 27 70 57 16 44 60 27 55 77
72 84 97 42 28 83 O Y 31 83 11 94 48 B 49 80 94 95 71 84 42 61 63 41 81 30 35 88 11 70 22 46? 66 97 16 94 13 G_ 27 66 74 81 64 96 11
30 61 60 44 36 D 26 13 79 48 O 61 21 49 63 18 95 99 98 11 25 55 10 61 30 47 84 97 42 Y 44 49 22 27 55 W 46 70 77 18 73
97 L 79 T 16 19 96 66 71 84 42 61 22 60 83 58 97 27 66 16 24 79_ 97 43 16 15 60 24 83 43 48 47 89 97 27 36 49 10 84 50
61 15 13 72 55 91 16 65 62 31 43 61 82 61 98 Y 99 77 G_ 22 49 82 55 44 41 J? 30 11 23 60 f_ 29_ 16_ 15_ 66_ 27 32 16 97 21 61 A 16
27 55 31 P 71 48 30 12 23 15 11 N 26 61 94 79 25 13 66 D 39 H 49 74 73 37 35 78 97 Y 26 39 15 13 37 48 29 16 22 12 50
16 30 60 84 74 35 36 57 72 66 44 72 16 25 90 66 82 61 31 32 30 F 50 54 48 72 49 83 90 58 76 16 40 55 15 79 22
O? 62 H 79 29 16 50 70 22 54 61 31 84 52 71 15 35 74 48 83 f 71 79 30 16 72 25 71 22 54 61 44 52 58 29 61 10 49 44
28 22 27 11 84 91 48 50 49 15 13 21 55 91 49 97 77 93 27 55 77 95 30 11 43 61 S 86 27 16 30 25 Y 13 84 26 21 24 83 37 58
97 22 61 83 16 30 11 Z 39 76 84 97 83 66 30 29 16 83 94 13 52 58 90 58 10 30 11 22 29 61 63 74 73 83 27 61 65 22 98
Y 74 48 26 32 66 61 71 22 29 16 Z 11 56 61 23 58 30 15 G_ 60 61 90 24 76 16 90 70 15 16 44 88 44 74 39 83 77 Y 42 49 30
76 Y 60 74 66 N 90 18 55 97 1_ 60 25 Y D 74 26 F 50 30 16 38 72 44 58 63 43 82 61 30 90 58 54 16 10 84 83 3?
35 N 27 48 25 54 16 Z 70 15 60 27 55 13 18 16 22 27 49 30 92 73 44 11 54 27 66 49 51? 73 O 61 83 83 66 41 10 16
52 55 15 79 31 37 35 99 26 49 79 84 15 10 11 54 16 39 15 13 27 70 22 55 44 67 84 31 48 30 X 66 49 22 16 44 26 61 31
5? 60 25 G_ N 13 94 39 91 43 61 92 58 25 94 90 61 26 18 84 30 32 84 83 77 35 99 94 49 22 98 66 97 10 10 16 25 24 23 40 11 16
37 Y 13 84 77 73 15 X 61 83 11 60 39 31 22 61 57 48 22 46 35 23 50 79 22 77 93 22 32 49 30 83 21 70 15 60 79 83 32 55 71 93 97
46 28 74 61 25 58 61 75 29 48 24 16 30 J? 97 Y 10 58 63 29 39 H 16 22 X 39 27 49 44 90 58 40 70 15 16 83 X 58
99 27 11 29 13 G_ O 16 38 51 16 22 55 15 74 73 11 49 32 61 25 76 25 71 72 84 98 11 P 16 22 44 36 26 18 35 56 11 26 37 66 25
36 72 83 90 18 95 83 29 84 83 37 73 H 16 83 76 84 50 11 22 27 84 44 83 71 83 11 31 52 16 25 94 72 70 41 27 55 74 18 95 97
42 36 60 G_ 44 16 57 23 30 70 22 60 52 93 13 84 83 54 16 72 70 83 40 61 15 94 72 28 76 49 44
76 Y 120 67 24 30 N 27 16 83 122 J? 79 B 84 25 22 58 56 10 79 25 15 16 29 58 83 43 32 61 97
95 42 88 84 30 23 15 35 W 48 83 16 22 27 16 38 49 56 76 86 84 H 11 43 43 79 37 16 74 61 83 61 H#? 60 25 Y D 13 60
27 70 56 11 26 57 55 83 46 66 49 39 83 43 16 22 84 31 16 18 49 98 48 30 76 24 22 29 61 83 42 35 N 26 84 63 S P 50 58
97 49 63 70 H 16 30 21 55 83 60 51 30 11 16 51 77 31 73 L_ 71 25 23 26 95 83 52 Y 94 84 63 82 48 30 10 G X 62
67 16 22 73 73 25 11 O 16 44 18 70 30 32 84 22 76 61 25 54 56 11 26 77 Y 22 61 57 191 F N 22 16 57 16 44 92
35 22 60 84 46 55 63 188 16 Z# 70 60 S 50 27 36 16 54 79 15 32 84 25 29 61 42 70 N 26 J? 35 63 73 30 32 30 16
37 73 52 71 74 11 16 39 83 54 16 37 61 22 32 27 26 19 61 25 27 79 83 74 73 15 60 48 22 29 61 43 16 10 84 83 21 16
A? 48 83 27 16 97 39 W 11 29 31 55 26 66 73 83 58 73 83
15 6? 36 72 31 23 25 70 29 60 73 10 56 55 22 32 39 44 F D S 86 27 61 83 51 71 31 23
41 95 43 48 63 79 25 O 84 44 42 39 25 94 33 27 49 25 S 60 25 Y N 77 26 54 79 37 11 74 56 16 38 72 60 66 54
74 Y 22 92 73 83 26 16 77 35 52 11 72 79 94 56 70 83 32 36 84 X 71 15 27 48 30 44 77 35 97 29 49 39 15 19? 73
42 70 22 S 23 32 66 79 54 84 99 27 16 30 92 G_ 31 29 16 37 11 P_ 84 44 79 O 39 94 52 58 56 70 N 84 44 21 55
10 16 28 15 13 37 70 84 G_ G_ Y 22 48 83 Z#? 11
H O 39 83 41 S 23 n? 57 73 83 39 26 29 84 56 55 N 94 72 16 L_ 48 46 70 77 F F 189 90 58
39 30 26 25 79 94 36 83 12 95 38 19 28 97 46 69 90 58 77 70 R 16 44 92 73 E 79 31 27 55 13 16 15 10 O 50 30
36 61 32 84 83 94 97 89 80 96? 66 25 48 44 13 35 15 26 84 83 32 70 22 52 58 128 72 73 30 16 26 56 55 44 58 35 44
92 Y 22 48 42 29 49 77 62 83 60 16 44 27 61 30 67 79 74 18 84 29 84 83 27 70 21 11 83 92 35 R 16 22 13 35 15 94 49
76 39 74 12 73 83 74 32 84 99 55 34 58 70 30 44? 61 90 24 O 61 A 11 44 87 83 51 35 R 84 44 77
G_ 31 80 73 E 11 W 66 73 63 F_ 23 56 70 30 29 54 97 28 T_ 13 11 43 42 47 44 41 48 22 58 89 44 91 30 70 22 27 49 83
76 88 97 29 18 16 29 61 83 27 84 30 140 42 66 26 46 16 44 92 Q W 84 25 15 11 N 48 44 80 35 R 11 P 70
25 11 49 83 28 15 13 27 49 42 137 163 177 Y 44 61 83 86 97 11 84 27 48 44 39 12 70 30 60 90
88 94 97 28 80 96 69 65 61 63 42 66 A 91 65 28 N 60 82 70 10 16 83 13 45 99 94 49
58 83 W 79 30 79 29 39 97 83 69 77 45 83 48 44 13 G_ 44 94
28 15 68 93 58 16 97 46 48 30 76 61 60 67 55 68 67 11 49 200 83 35 94 98 49 63 96 66 43 18 49 29 43 84
82 16 83 42 70 22 46 79 31 13 89 15 46 39#? 60 61 83 80 45 R 95 68 82 55 99 91 202 82 11 83
50 97 45 43 84 10 16 22 42 58 13 67 55 97 90 88 39 91 48 97 Y 63 43 65 45 P_ 49 65 58 61 65 99 87 29
54 49 210? 93 97 48 96
98 Y [blot] 15 16 13 56 11 60 32 61_ 25 G_ 46 84 97 99 70 22 41
44 11 96 39 83 29 48 82 49 31 18 66 30 60 31 36 26 62 38 19 35 E 89 46 11 65 79 31 51 93 M 16 63
79 97 37 Y 13 83 11 60 98 11 16 61 30 73 83 84 J? 62 46 84 22 42 11 A
43 58 94 48 31 97 49 67 61 83 S 77 86 30 70 22 60 40 73 74 11 X 79 63 67 95 49 63 O 48 31 51 35 R 16 63 18 11 99
46 66 79 X 18 49 67 16 83 0? 191 39 22 32 61 30 269
69 63 16 19 92 48 15 76 24 97 43 47 22 41 49 97 82 55 15 96 79 83 18 73 99 99 94 49 83
87 15 82 36 84 79 95 22 52 58 J? 11 8 61 44 90 88 37 36 44 13 49 63
18 11 27 61 30 55 83 27 70 74 78 28 83 96 40 24 77 49 60 52 84 83 63 70 N 13 G_ 63 49 44 17 58 55 30
26 11 30 16 83 93 32 48 25 67 84 97 X 98 16 27 11 J? 61 63 62 97 42 79 49 49 43 48 82 49 63 90 47 99 70 V? 84
63 77 93 78 N 61 30 29 49 7 55 99 60 92 35 44 26 48 56 39 83 S D 27 69 49 48 217? 83 70 N 27 16 30 269
18 16 83 77 11 61 S 23 22 84 98 48 22 10 71 30 43 27 58 97 N 27 28 68 231 18 84 29 49 44 27 49 97
99 Y 63 48 39 H 79 65 44 69 26 92 35 R 61 83 92 35 83 94 84 22 76 97 11 63 29 49 83 J?

f023.txt

# scan 0023 (folio number "16" at top right), letter to the Landgrave ("Durchleuchtiger Hochgeborner Gnädiger
# Fürst und Herr"); marginal date "Febr. 1637".
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# block 1 (after "... durch beygelegte verpflichtung heraus gegeben,")
{heraus gegeben,} 98 79 78 N 16 84 25 39 10 48 30 31 58 22 56 61 97 S 13 27 49 42 23 58 83 27 70 57 16 44 60 {,} 27 55 77
72 84 97 42 28 83 O Y 31 83 11 94 48 B 49 80 94 95 71 84 42 61 63 41 81 30 35 88 11 70 22 46? 66 97 16 94 13 G_ 27 66 74 81 64 96 11
30 61 60 {Und} 44 36 D 26 13 79 48 O 61 21 49 63 18 95 99 98 11 25 55 10 61 30 47 84 97 42 Y 44 49 22 27 55 W 46 70 77 18 73
97 L 79 T 16 19 96 66 71 84 42 61 22 60 83 58 97 27 66 16 24 79_ 97 43 16 15 60 24 83 43 48 47 89 97 27 36 49 10 84 50
61 15 13 72 55 91 16 65 62 31 43 61 82 61 98 Y 99 77 G_ 22 49 82 55 44 41 J? 30 11 23 60 f_ 29_ 16_ 15_ 66_ 27 32 16 97 21 61 A 16
27 55 31 P 71 48 30 12 23 15 11 N 26 61 94 79 25 13 66 D 39 H 49 74 73 37 35 78 97 Y 26 39 15 13 37 48 29 16 22 12 50
16 30 60 84 74 35 36 57 72 66 44 {Und} 72 16 25 90 66 82 61 31 32 30 F 50 54 48 72 49 83 90 58 76 16 40 55 15 79 22
O? 62 H 79 29 16 50 70 22 54 61 31 84 52 71 15 35 74 48 83 f 71 79 30 16 72 25 71 22 54 61 44 52 58 29 61 10 49 44
28 22 27 11 84 91 48 50 49 15 13 21 55 91 49 97 77 93 27 55 77 95 30 11 43 61 S 86 27 16 30 25 Y 13 84 26 21 24 83 37 58
97 22 61 83 16 30 11 Z 39 76 84 97 {bis dato} 83 66 30 29 16 83 94 13 52 58 90 58 10 30 11 22 29 61 63 74 73 83 27 61 65 22 98
Y 74 48 26 32 66 61 71 22 29 16 Z 11 56 61 23 58 30 15 G_ 60 61 90 24 76 16 90 70 15 16 44 88 44 74 39 83 77 Y 42 49 30
76 Y 60 74 66 N 90 18 55 97 1_ 60 25 Y D 74 26 F 50 30 16 38 72 44 58 63 43 82 61 30 90 58 54 16 10 84 83 3?
35 N 27 48 25 54 16 Z 70 15 60 27 55 13 18 16 22 27 49 30 92 73 44 11 54 27 66 49 51? 73 O 61 83 83 66 41 10 16
52 55 15 79 31 37 35 99 26 49 79 84 15 10 11 54 16 39 15 13 27 70 22 55 44 67 84 31 48 30 X 66 49 22 16 44 26 61 31
5? 60 25 G_ N 13 94 39 91 43 61 92 58 25 94 90 61 26 18 84 30 32 84 83 77 35 99 94 49 22 98 66 97 10 10 16 25 24 23 40 11 16
37 Y 13 84 77 73 15 X 61 83 11 60 39 31 22 61 57 48 22 46 35 23 50 79 22 77 93 22 32 49 30 83 21 70 15 60 79 83 32 55 71 93 97
46 28 74 61 25 58 61 75 {struck: 42? 73} 29 48 24 16 30 J? 97 Y 10 58 63 29 39 H 16 22 X 39 27 49 44 90 58 40 70 15 16 83 X 58
99 27 11 29 13 G_ O 16 38 51 16 22 55 15 74 73 11 49 32 61 25 76 25 71 72 84 98 11 P 16 22 44 36 26 18 35 56 11 26 37 66 25
36 72 83 90 18 95 83 29 84 83 37 73 H 16 83 {Und} 76 84 50 11 22 27 84 44 83 71 83 11 31 52 16 25 94 72 70 41 27 55 74 18 95 97
42 36 60 G_ 44 16 57 23 30 70 22 60 52 93 13 84 83 54 16 72 70 83 40 61 15 94 72 28 76 49 44 {; Aufsatz?}
{Befehl habe ich auch} 76 Y 120 67 24 30 N 27 16 83 122 {Und} J? 79 B 84 25 22 58 56 10 79 25 15 16 29 58 83 43 32 61 97
95 42 88 84 30 23 15 35 W 48 83 16 22 27 16 38 49 56 76 86 84 H 11 43 43 79 37 16 74 61 83 61 H#? 60 25 Y D 13 60
{:} 27 70 56 11 26 57 55 83 46 66 49 39 83 43 16 22 84 31 16 18 49 98 48 30 76 24 22 29 61 83 42 35 N 26 84 63 S P 50 58
97 49 63 70 H 16 30 21 55 83 60 51 30 11 16 51 77 31 73 L_ 71 25 23 26 95 83 52 Y 94 84 63 82 48 30 10 G X 62 {struck: B 49 44}
{Und} 67 16 22 73 73 25 11 O 16 44 18 70 30 32 84 22 76 61 25 54 56 11 26 77 Y 22 61 57 191 F N 22 16 57 16 44 92
35 22 60 84 46 55 63 188 16 Z# 70 60 S 50 27 36 16 54 79 15 32 84 25 29 61 42 70 N 26 {Und} J? 35 63 73 30 32 30 16
37 73 52 71 74 11 16 39 83 54 16 37 61 22 32 27 26 19 61 25 27 79 83 74 73 15 60 48 22 29 61 43 16 10 84 83 21 16
A? 48 83 {gefangen gehalten, darauf gibt er gar antwort, dass er} {struck: erstlich?} {tage} 27 16 97 39 W 11 29 31 55 26 66 73 83 58 73 83
15 6? {gegenwärtig werden?, Und wenn man} 36 72 31 23 25 70 29 60 73 10 56 55 22 32 39 44 F D S 86 27 61 83 51 71 31 23
41 95 43 48 63 79 25 O 84 44 42 39 25 94 33 27 49 25 S 60 25 Y N 77 26 54 79 37 11 74 56 16 38 72 60 66 54
74 Y 22 92 73 83 26 16 77 35 52 11 72 79 94 56 70 83 32 36 84 X 71 15 27 48 30 44 77 35 97 29 49 39 15 19? 73
42 70 22 S 23 32 66 79 54 84 99 27 16 30 92 G_ 31 29 16 37 11 P_ 84 44 79 O 39 94 52 58 56 70 N 84 44 21 55
10 16 {Und solches Und so viel destomehr weil ein starck geraidt gehet} 28 15 13 37 70 84 G_ G_ Y 22 48 83 Z#? 11
H O 39 83 41 S 23 n? 57 73 83 39 26 29 84 56 55 N 94 72 16 L_ 48 {Und} 46 70 77 F F {Und} 189 90 58
39 30 26 25 79 94 36 83 12 95 38 19 28 97 46 69 90 58 77 70 R 16 44 92 73 E 79 31 {Und} 27 55 13 16 15 10 O 50 30
36 61 32 84 83 94 97 89 80 96? 66 25 48 44 13 35 15 26 84 83 32 70 22 52 58 128 72 73 30 16 26 56 55 44 58 35 44
92 Y 22 48 42 29 49 77 62 83 60 16 44 27 61 30 67 79 74 18 84 29 84 83 27 70 21 11 83 92 35 R 16 22 13 35 15 94 49 {60?}
{Will man auch sagen} 76 39 74 12 73 83 74 32 84 99 55 34 58 70 30 44? 61 90 24 O 61 A 11 44 87 83 51 35 R 84 44 77
G_ 31 {Und} 80 73 E 11 W 66 73 63 F_ 23 56 70 30 29 54 97 28 T_ 13 11 43 42 47 44 41 48 22 58 89 44 91 30 70 22 27 49 83
# end of the scan (the letter continues on the next leaf; no date or signature on this page).
# notes: "n?" (line H O 39 ...) is a small lower-case n-like sign; "E" is a capital E-like sign with a stroke;
# "{60?}" at the end of the R 16 22 ... line is a faint 60/6o written after the line; "L_ G_ T_ F_" have a bar/underline.
# "{struck: ...}" = groups crossed out by the writer (not counted as text).

f024.txt

# scan 0024 (verso, continuation of the letter on scan 0023): to the Landgrave; dated at the foot
# "Datum ... 7/17 Februarij Ao 1637" (7 with 17 written beneath: old/new style), signed "Unterthäniger gehorsamer
# Diener Otto von der Malsburgk"; clear postscript at lower left ("... gesinde ist gantz abgerissen ...", asks for orders).
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# block 1 (top of page, continuing the cipher from scan 0023)
76 88 97 29 18 16 29 61 83 27 84 30 140 42 66 26 46 16 44 92 Q W 84 25 15 11 N 48 44 80 35 R 11 P 70
25 11 49 83 28 15 13 27 49 42 137 163 {Und} 177 Y 44 61 83 86 97 11 84 27 48 44 39 12 70 30 60 90
88 94 97 28 80 96 69 65 61 63 42 66 A 91 65 28 N 60 82 70 10 16 83 13 45 99 94 49 {Da das aber}
{E. F. G. die beste nachricht haben werden,} 58 83 W 79 30 79 29 39 97 83 69 77 45 83 48 44 13 G_ 44 94
28 15 68 93 58 16 97 46 48 30 76 61 60 67 55 68 67 11 49 200 83 35 94 98 49 63 96 66 43 18 49 29 43 84
82 16 83 {Und} 42 70 22 46 79 31 13 89 15 46 39#? 60 61 83 80 45 R 95 68 {Und} 82 55 99 91 202 82 11 83
50 97 45 43 84 10 16 22 42 58 13 67 55 97 90 88 39 91 48 97 Y 63 43 65 45 P_ 49 65 58 61 65 99 87 29
54 49 210? 93 97 48 96 {Dessen wegen wir auch des Obristen Wartenberg ... 6000 Rthlr. 1500 ... auf E. F. G. discretion mitbringen wolle,}
98 Y [blot] 15 16 13 56 11 60 32 61_ {struck: 57} 25 G_ 46 84 97 99 70 22 41
44 11 96 39 83 29 48 82 49 31 18 66 30 60 {/} 31 36 26 62 38 19 35 E 89 46 11 65 79 31 51 93 M 16 63
{das unsere guarnisonen gar überlegt, und alle newe werber ausserhalb ...}
# block 2 (after "... ist er zwar nicht abgeneigt, allein")
{allein} 79 97 37 Y 13 83 11 60 98 11 16 61 30 73 83 84 J? 62 46 84 22 {Und} 42 11 A
43 58 94 48 31 97 49 67 61 83 S 77 86 30 70 22 60 40 73 74 11 X 79 63 67 95 49 63 O 48 31 51 35 R 16 63 18 11 99
{Seiner Obristlieutenant so ein redlicher ... Soldat sein solle, wird vielleicht der Herr Gen. Lieut. zu seinem Obristlieutenant machen, weil aber E. F. G. noch keinen der werben, Und immittels bis man}
{weiter quartier haben könte,} 46 66 79 X 18 49 67 16 83 {, oder} 0? 191 39 22 32 61 30 269 {oder}
69 63 {struck: 57} 16 19 92 48 15 76 24 97 43 47 22 41 49 97 82 55 15 96 79 83 18 73 99 99 94 49 83 {So könte man}
{Kaspar Ruh? oder Lodels Regiment} 87 15 82 36 84 79 95 22 52 58 J? 11 8 61 44 90 88 37 36 44 13 49 63
18 11 27 61 30 55 83 27 70 74 78 28 83 96 40 24 77 49 60 52 84 83 {Und} 63 70 N 13 G_ 63 49 44 17 58 55 30
26 11 30 16 83 93 32 48 25 67 84 97 X 98 16 27 11 J? 61 63 62 97 42 79 49 49 43 48 82 49 63 90 47 99 70 V? 84
63 77 93 78 N 61 30 29 49 7 55 99 60 92 35 44 26 48 56 39 83 S D 27 69 49 48 217? 83 70 N 27 16 30 269
18 16 83 77 11 61 S 23 22 84 98 48 22 10 71 30 43 {Und} 27 58 97 N 27 28 68 231 18 84 29 49 44 27 49 97
99 Y 63 48 {Und} 39 H 79 65 44 69 26 92 35 R 61 83 92 35 83 94 84 22 76 97 11 63 29 49 83 J?
# clear from here to the date: "Gleich im schreiben werde ich berichtet, das ... wieder ..."
# notes: "0?" before 191 is a small o/0; "7" (line 63 77 93 ...) is a lone 7-shaped sign; "8" (after 11 on the
# Kaspar line) is a single figure 8 written larger; "J?" = a long j-like sign (as in f. 23); "V?" = a V/W-like sign;
# "217?" read from "z17"; "231" from "z31"; "269" from "z69"; 200/202 on the top block read from "zoo"/"zo2".

HCP505_reading.md

# HCPortal 505 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, ff. 23-24), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 7/17 Feb 1637 — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f023.txt` and `f024.txt` (Bourdeau's transcription of scans 0023 and 0024, one cipher line per scan line)
decoded with `key.txt` unchanged (`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the breaks checked on the HCPortal original
scans hstam_4_h_1411_0023 and 0024 (fetched 23 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch r2b, log
`HCP497-506_reread_log.md`). No contemporary decipherment, clear copy or edition (NOTES, Escalation). Code values:
`{Cöln}` = 128, `{die Staaten}` = 188 (grade I, `codes.txt`).

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[120]` an unvalued code; `<f>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[x]` a letter or word no figure carries; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it (u/v, i/j merged by the
key); nouns capitalised and punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words. The crossed signs: Z# = st (Estat, Stillstant), as
the plain Z; 7 = st (gestalt), as in f. 28. "1 t. Reichst." = 1 thousand Reichsthaler (t = tausend, as written).

## Reading

⟨… durch beygelegte verpflichtung heraus gegeben,⟩ welche er aber nunmer aus dem Fundament, das Hermanstein nit effectivement proviandiret sei, disputiret ⟨und⟩ nichts [?gestehen] wil. Wir aber vermeinen, dass das Wort effectivement nur die Vergeltunge vor die Befelshaber angehe, weil seine Hantschrift <f> Gelidder hette; dan[?n] verpflichtet er sich, alles, sowol Reit- als wegen Pferte, so im hin ⟨und⟩ herzihen drauf gehen, zu bezalen, [?alle] Gefangene zu losen, <f> Verehrungen zu geben an die Befelshaber, so das irige auf der Reise thun wur[d]en. Er ist aber ⟨bis dato⟩ nirgents zuzubringen, sondern weiset die ungestime Furleite zu bezalen uns an. [?…] beit sich zwar 1 t. Reichst. auf Rechnung herzugeben, [?doch] der Gestalt, das, wen der Konig die Kosten nit bezalen wolte, [?selbige] alsdan an den erschienenten 5 t. Reichst. abgekurtzet werden solten. Wir [?…] weise solsche nit annemen do[r]ffen, sondern halten davor, das er [?vermoge] Verschreibung allen Schaden zu zalen schuldig sei. Stecken also [?in der] Bruhe, wissen nit, womit wir ihn zwingen wollen, ⟨und⟩ befinden nun in [d]er That, das wir mit einem Frantzosen gehan[d]elt haben.

⟨Befehl habe ich auch⟩ bei [120] durch den [122] ⟨und⟩ Scheffern umb Erlegung der im verflossenen Decemb. fellig gewesene <H#> t. Reichst. ⟨:⟩ damit man die [?angenomene] [?newe] Werbungen mochten aussfuren, aller Hant Krieksnotturft in Zeiten herbeischa[ffen] ⟨und⟩ den O[b]risten Wardenberg mit seinem [191] auch nemen konte; dan {die Staaten} Estat auf die Gelder gemacht ⟨und⟩ schon Ordre, wozu sie angewend[e]t [w]erden solten, gegeben hetten. ⟨gefangen gehalten, darauf gibt er gar antwort, dass er … tage⟩ der Assignation von [?…] ⟨gegenwärtig werden?, Und wenn man⟩ ihn fragt, ob man dan auch auf den kunftigen ersten Marte der <S> t. Reichst. gewis mechtig sein konte, so zihet man die Schuldern; sorge al[?s]o, man auf die Gelder kein gewissen Estat zu machen habe ⟨Und solches Und so viel destomehr weil ein starck geraidt gehet⟩, als [?…] einen Stillstant auf <n> Monat gemacht hette ⟨und⟩ das <F> <F> ⟨und⟩ [189] zu [?Artret] in Piccardi zusammen kommen ⟨und⟩ daselbst Frieden tr[a]ctiren solten; dan zu {Cöln} horet man von keinem Gesanten, der deswegen dahin kommen solte.

⟨Will man auch sagen⟩ Baspons de la Guarne zu Stettin ankommen sein ⟨und⟩ Commission auf Marggraff Sigmunten von Brandenburg wegen der [140] mit den Kaisserlichen Commissarien, als dem [137] [163] ⟨und⟩ [177], einen Frieden apart zu tractiren, mitt bracht haben solte. ⟨Da das aber … E. F. G. die beste nachricht haben werden,⟩ unssere Garnisonen seint also verderbet, das die [200] notwentig weggehen ⟨und⟩ man den Soldaten Commis ⟨und⟩ halb [202] hinfro geben mus; darzu aber ein grosser Verlag ge[?h]oret. ⟨Dessen wegen wir auch des Obristen Wartenberg … auf E. F. G. discretion mitbringen wolle,⟩ weil es mit de[m] Reiderlant nit angehen wirt ⟨/⟩ nit accommodiren [?konnen]. ⟨das unsere guarnisonen gar überlegt, und alle newe werber ausserhalb …⟩

⟨… ist er zwar nicht abgeneigt, allein⟩ er weis nit, wie er one Schaden ⟨und⟩ mitt guten Reden aus frantzosischen Diensten kommen wil. ⟨… weiter quartier haben könte,⟩ die Schweden ⟨, oder⟩ <0> [191] ander [269] ⟨oder⟩ in [M]eckelburg unterhalten wollten. ⟨So könte man … Regiment⟩ alhie einzuschi<8>en, zu Winsen wider an das Lant zu setzen ⟨und⟩ nach seinen Cuartiren oder der Schwedischen Armee gehen zu la<V>en. Solcher Ge7alt konte man auch die e[217] nach der [269], wen sie auf Newenburg ⟨und⟩ durch das [231] wegen der Leine ⟨und⟩ aller nit kommen konten, bringen [?…] ⟨Gleich im schreiben werde ich berichtet …⟩

## Notes

- f. 23 block 1 follows "… durch beygelegte verpflichtung heraus gegeben,"; the cipher runs on to the top of f. 24
  ("…burg wegen der [140] …"); f. 24 block 2 follows "… ist er zwar nicht abgeneigt, allein".
- "[?gestehen]": `13 79 48 O 61 21 49 63` = (nicht)s e e st e h e n: an e-group where g is needed.
- "<f> Gelidder": the underlined f-sign, no value (also before "Verehrungen").
- "dan[?n] verpflichtet": `55 31 P 71 48 30 12 23` = a n ss u e r p f: the ss-sign after "dan" gives no word.
- "[?alle] Gefangene": `O? 62 H 79` = st a ll e (the st-sign doubtful in the transcription): "stalle" gives no word.
- "uns an. [?…] beit sich": `88 44 74 39 83 77 Y 42 49 30 | 76 Y 60 74 66 N` = u n s a n s ei m e r | b ei t s i ch,
  checked on the scan: "seimer" gives no word ("er beut sich" is the sense; the letters do not give it). "1 t. Reichst."
  = `1 60 25 Y D 74 26` on the scan.
- "[?doch]": the line-final `3` (on the scan a 3 with a blot) then `35 N` = o ch: a 3 where a d-group is needed.
- "[?selbige]": `37 35 99 26 49 79 84 15 10 11 54 16` = w o l t e e e l b i g e, checked on the scan: an e-group
  where s is needed.
- "Wir [?…] weise": `18 66 97 10 10 16 25 24 23 40 11 16 | 37 Y 13 84` = w i r b b e r u f z i e | w ei s e,
  checked on the scan; "aber auf die Weise" would need a, a and d where the figures give b, (none) and z (the writer
  puts a z-group for d also in "zer" and "gehanzelt" in this letter). Left open.
- "[?vermoge] Verschreibung": `58 61 75 {struck 42? 73} 29 48` = u e o (struck m o) g e: the writer struck two groups;
  "vermoge" needs an r.
- "[?in der] Bruhe": `11 49 32 61 25` = i e d e r: no n-group.
- "in [d]er That", "gehan[d]elt": `11 31 52 16 25`, `83 40 61 15 94`: a z-group (52, 40) stands where d is needed.
- "fellig gewesene <H#> t. Reichst.": `… 61 H#? 60 25 Y D 13 60`: the crossed H before "t Reichst" is a figure sign, no value read.
- "[?angenomene] [?newe] Werbungen": `70 63 43 16 22 84 31 16 18 49 98 48 30 76 …` = a n g e n e n e w e w e r b …:
  the letters give "angenene wewerbungen".
- "angewend[e]t [w]erden": `61 22 32 27 26 19 61 25 27 79 83` = e n d d t c e r d e n.
- "Estat" = `79 Z# 70 60`; "Stillstant" = `Z# 66 H Z 70 63 26` (crossed Z = st as the plain Z).
- "als [?…] einen": `39 15 13 37 70 84 G G Y 22 48 83` = a l s w a e ei ei ei n e n: no word before "einen".
- "[?Artret]": `39 30 26 25 79 94` = a r t r e t, perhaps a place in Picardy; not identified.
- "tr[a]ctiren": `94 97 89 80 96?` = t r o c t: an o-group where a is needed.
- "Schuldern, sorge al[?s]o": `X 71 15 27 48 30 44 77 35 97 29 49 39 15 19? 73`; the c-group 19 is doubtful.
- "<S> t. Reichst.", "das <F> <F>": the au-signs S and F stand alone where no "au" fits.
- "Soldaten": the crossed 39 (a) between d and t.
- "weil es mit de[m] Reiderlant": `98 Y [blot] 15 16 13 56 11 60 32 61 {struck 57} 25 G 46 84 97 99 70 22 41` = w ei
  [blot] l e s m i t d e (struck m) r ei d e r l a n t: the writer struck the m of "dem"; the Reiderland (East
  Frisia) is named again on f. 28.
- "[M]eckelburg": the writer struck a 57 (m) and wrote "eckelburg"; the m is supplied.
- "einzuschi<8>en": a large 8 where ff is needed (sense "einzuschiffen"), left as the sign.
- "la<V>en": the triangle sign stands where ss is needed.
- "bringen [?…]": the cipher ends with an sch-sign before the clear text.

HCP505_en.md

# HCPortal 505 (ff. 23-24), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 7/17 Feb 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP505_reading.md` (23 Oct 2026, batch r2b), with the same holes: `[120]` an unvalued code, `<f>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {Cologne} = 128, {the States} = 188 valued from context.
⟨...⟩ = clear words. Partial reading: the document stays "decoded, not read".

## Translation

⟨… given out by the enclosed undertaking,⟩ which he now disputes on the ground that Hermanstein was not effectively
provisioned, ⟨and⟩ he will [?admit] nothing. But we hold that the word "effectivement" concerns only the reward for
the commanders, because his written undertaking had <f> articles; for he binds himself to pay for everything spent on
riding and on horses in going to and fro, to ransom [?all] prisoners, to give <f> gratuities to the commanders who do
their part on the journey. But ⟨until now⟩ he cannot be brought to anything, but refers us to paying the importunate
carters. [?…] he offers indeed to advance 1 thousand Reichsthaler on account, [?but] on condition that, if the King
will not pay the costs, [?the same] shall then be deducted from the 5 thousand Reichsthaler that have fallen due. We
[?…] may not accept that in this way, but hold that he is bound [?by] his undertaking to pay all the damage. So we are
[?in the] soup, and do not know how we are to compel him, ⟨and⟩ find now in fact that we have dealt with a Frenchman.

⟨I have also an order⟩ by [120] through the [122] ⟨and⟩ Scheffer, for payment of the <H#> thousand Reichsthaler that
fell due last December, ⟨:⟩ so that the [?recruitments] [?undertaken] might be carried out, all kinds of war supplies
brought in in good time ⟨and⟩ Colonel Wardenberg with his [191] also taken on; for {the States} had made an estimate
on the money ⟨and⟩ had already given orders for what it should be used for. ⟨held prisoner; to which he gives the
answer that he … days⟩ of the assignment of [?…] ⟨present?, and when one⟩ asks him whether one could be sure of the
<S> thousand Reichsthaler on the first of March next, they put off the debts; [I] fear therefore that one can make no
sure estimate on the money ⟨and this all the more because a strong rumour goes round⟩, as [?…] had made a truce for
<n> months ⟨and⟩ that the <F> <F> ⟨and⟩ [189] were to meet at [?Artret] in Picardy ⟨and⟩ negotiate peace there; for
at {Cologne} one hears of no envoy who was to come there for that purpose.

⟨It is also said⟩ that Baspons de la Guarne has arrived at Stettin ⟨and⟩ is said to have brought a commission for
Margrave Sigmund of Brandenburg on behalf of the [140], to negotiate a separate peace with the imperial commissaries,
namely the [137] [163] ⟨and⟩ [177]. ⟨Since Your Princely Grace will have the best information of it,⟩ our garrisons
are so ruined that the [200] must necessarily leave ⟨and⟩ one must from now on give the soldiers bread ⟨and⟩ half
[202]; but that requires a large outlay. ⟨For that reason we also … Colonel Wartenberg … would bring at Your Princely
Grace's discretion,⟩ because with the Reiderland it will not work ⟨/⟩ [they] [?cannot] be accommodated. ⟨that our
garrisons are greatly overburdened, and all new recruiters outside …⟩

⟨… he is indeed not unwilling, only⟩ he does not know how he can come out of French service without loss ⟨and⟩ with
good words. ⟨… could have further quarters,⟩ the Swedes ⟨, or⟩ <0> [191] other [269] ⟨or⟩ would maintain in
Mecklenburg. ⟨So one could … regiment⟩ embark here, land again at Winsen ⟨and⟩ let them go to their quarters or to
the Swedish army. In that way one could also bring the [217] to the [269], if they could not come by Neuenburg ⟨and⟩
through the [231] because of the Leine ⟨and⟩ everything [?…] ⟨While writing I am told …⟩

hcp506.txt

120 82 39 A 77 66 N 31 71
22 56 79 25 97 16 74 35 99 58 11 65 84 94 46 95 48 23 58 97 78 Y 94 49 90 47 80 35 44 26 61 44 41 36
30 79 83 18 39 13 62 91 16 65 46 70 74 50 58 25 15 73 72 63 28? 22 38 11 73 22 58 89 25 32 11 16
43 61 86 87 31 54 84? 31 79 55 44 27 49 30 49 71 31 51 73 Z 16 22 70 44 29 48 21 16 60 46 55 30
90 88 98 36 H 61 25 13 36 N 83 73 D 63 11 26 47 16 30 O 84 21 16 22 74 73 31 32 16 30 22 98 Y W
79 60 47 22 74 S 86 46 11 16 16 56 91 86 87 83 43 48 44 49 9 60 97 G D 77 26 68 73 143 F 13
40 84 99 48 22 15 62 D 49 63 H X 97 Y 91 79 63 39 22 V 71 73 56 L? 1? 36 55 44 58 70 95 O
31 24 22 56 84 25 4#0? 71 56 88 11 16 30 60 61 44 12? 55 78 67 16 57 122 40 71 51 93 R 16 22
81 58 W 36 30 16 69 N 11 82 63 94 84 43 99 36 D 67 70 13 61 25 44 55 N 68 G 22 84 56 91 30 71 27
16 30 36 44 46 48 44 123 43 16 21 61 44 68 Y 22 16 81 65 69 47 70 26 74 55 N 84 63
95 86 Y 22 16 83 O 39 31 94 97 11 D 60 49 63 98 73 99 44 79 27 70 56 11 60 18 16 83 74 36 N 43 79 99
61 43 16 22 72 G_ 94 32 71 30 D 83 39 N 128 40 58 51 73 E 84 22 39 22 43 48 10 16 49 30
87 15 13 32 70 22 31 11 41 55 H Y 44 J? 99 G_ 22 36 29 86 73 30 60 54 16 72 79 31
G_ 83 90 Y 41 78 62 44 43 74 36 N 11 22 36 44 72 84 W 48 63 S 23 21 55 99 60 16 22 51? 73
44 41 16 18 11 15 32 70 30 S 23 52 37 55 30 98 73 72 78 90 88 188 51 73 R 16 22 39 10 61 25
46 55 74 79 97 52 71 148 47 48 65 91 99 Y 70 49 83 68 35 15 26 49 27 55 40 71 22 19_ 51 16
60 56 11 N 72 70 10 61 16 25 18 16 22 11 54 78 71 Z 90 58 37 66 25 60 X X 67 62 30 F 86
74 36 D 37 73 72 78 22 11 L_ 40 71 58 84 97 99 39 W 16 31 21 55 76 16 31
M 79 25 X 36 16 22 61 44 84 83 26 16 30
56 11 63 84 22 18 66 H 128 22 73 D 92 Y 63 16 37 48 N 74 61 78 76 30 11 16 T 16 76 16 51 35
R 84 83 21 55 76 79 31

f025.txt

# scan 0025 (folio number "17" at top right), letter to the Landgrave ("Durchleuchtiger Hochgeborner Gnädiger
# Fürst und Herr"); marginal date "23 Feb. 1637"; dated at the foot "Datum ... den 5 Martij / 23 Februarij Ao 1637"
# (both styles), subscribed "E. F. G." and signed "Unterthäniger gehorsamer Diener Otto von der Malsburgk".
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# V = the triangle-like sign (an inverted triangle with a top bar), also seen on ff. 18 and 24.
# block 1 (after "... stehet zu erwarten,")
{zu erwartten,} 120 82 39 A 77 66 N 31 71
22 56 79 25 97 16 74 35 99 58 11 65 84 94 46 95 48 23 58 97 78 Y 94 49 90 47 80 35 44 26 61 44 41 36
30 79 83 18 39 13 62 91 16 65 46 70 74 50 58 25 15 73 72 63 {struck: 25} 28? 22 38 11 73 22 58 89 25 32 11 16
43 61 86 87 31 54 84? 31 79 {Und} 55 44 27 49 30 49 71 31 51 73 Z 16 22 70 44 29 48 21 16 60 46 55 30
90 88 98 36 H 61 25 13 36 N 83 73 D 63 11 26 47 16 30 O 84 21 16 22 74 73 31 32 16 30 22 98 Y W
79 60 47 22 74 S 86 46 11 16 16 56 91 86 87 83 43 48 44 49 9 60 97 G D 77 26 68 73 143 F 13
40 84 99 48 22 15 62 D 49 63 H X 97 Y 91 79 63 39 22 V 71 73 56 L? 1? 36 55 44 58 70 95 O
31 24 22 56 84 25 4#0? 71 56 88 11 16 30 60 61 44 12? 55 78 67 16 57 122 40 71 51 93 R 16 22 {Und}
81 58 W 36 30 16 69 N 11 82 63 94 84 43 99 36 D 67 70 13 61 25 44 55 N 68 G 22 84 56 91 30 71 27
16 30 {Und} 36 44 46 48 44 123 43 16 21 61 44 {Und} 68 Y 22 16 81 65 69 47 70 26 74 55 N 84 63
95 86 Y 22 16 83 O 39 31 94 97 11 D 60 49 63 98 73 99 44 79 27 70 56 11 60 18 16 83 74 36 N 43 79 99
61 43 16 22 72 G_ 94 32 71 30 D {Und} 83 39 N 128 40 58 51 73 E 84 22 39 22 43 48 10 16 49 30
87 15 13 32 70 22 31 11 41 55 H Y 44 J? 99 G_ 22 36 29 86 73 30 60 54 16 72 79 31 {Und was auch}
G_ 83 90 Y 41 78 62 44 43 74 36 N 11 22 36 44 72 84 W 48 63 S 23 21 55 99 60 16 22 51? 73
44 41 16 18 11 15 32 70 30 S 23 52 37 55 30 98 73 72 78 90 88 188 51 73 R 16 22 39 10 61 25
46 55 74 79 97 52 71 148 47 48 65 91 99 Y 70 49 83 68 35 15 26 49 27 55 40 71 22 19_ 51 16
60 56 11 N 72 70 10 61 16 25 18 16 22 11 54 78 71 Z 90 58 {Und} 37 66 25 60 X X 67 62 30 F 86
74 36 D 37 73 72 78 22 11 L_ 40 71 58 84 97 99 39 W 16 31 21 55 76 16 31 {; Was schreibet}
{... Und wirdt dort nun nicht} M 79 25 X 36 16 22 61 44 84 83 26 16 30
56 11 63 84 22 18 66 H 128 22 73 D 92 Y 63 16 37 48 N 74 61 78 76 30 11 16 T 16 76 16 51 35
R 84 83 21 55 76 79 31 {Thue E. F. G. hiermit in gottes gnädige ...}
# notes: "51?" end of the "G_ 83 90 Y" line read from "5 u" (5 with a small stroke); "M" = a large M-like sign
# (written like a capital M with a looped first stroke); "X X" = two X signs written close (cf. XX in f. 3);
# 128 read from "iz8" (twice); 143/148/188 read as written; 120 = "izo"; "L? 1?" (line 40 84 99 ...) = a looped
# L/l-like sign followed by a dotted stroke; "4#0?" = a crossed 4 fused with 0 (possibly 40 struck through).

HCP506_reading.md

# HCPortal 506 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, f. 25), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 5 Mar / 23 Feb 1637 — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f025.txt` (Bourdeau's transcription of scan 0025, one cipher line per scan line) decoded with `key.txt`
unchanged (`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), the breaks checked on the HCPortal original scan hstam_4_h_1411_0025
(fetched 23 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch r2b, log `HCP497-506_reread_log.md`). No contemporary
decipherment, clear copy or edition (NOTES, Escalation). Code values: `{Cöln}` = 128, `{die Staaten}` = 188 (grade I,
`codes.txt`).

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[120]` an unvalued code; `<V>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[x]` a letter or word no figure carries; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it (u/v, i/j merged by the
key); nouns capitalised and punctuation added. ⟨...⟩ = clear words. "9 t. Reichst." = 9 thousand Reichsthaler.

## Reading

⟨… stehet zu erwartten,⟩ [120] hatt sich nunmer resolviret, die Furleite zu contentiren; was aber das Furlohn, [R]ancion vor die Gefangene ⟨und⟩ andere Unkosten angehet, darzu will er sich noch nit verstehen, sondern weisset uns auf die embfangene 9 t. Reichst., so [143] auszelen la[?ss]en. <H#> Schreiben an <V> vom <L> 1 Ianua ist nunmer um vierten mal dem [122] zu kommen, ⟨und⟩ pussire ich ihn teglich, das er nach seinem Bruder ⟨und⟩ in den [123] gehen ⟨und⟩ seine Privatsachen i[n] einen Stant richten wol[l]e, damit, wen sich Gelegenheit durch ⟨und⟩ nach {Cöln} zu kommen angebe, er alsdan nit allein schleinig fortgehen ⟨und was auch⟩ ein Zeitlang sich in Hessen aufhalten konte. Wil darauf zwar wohl zu {die Staaten} kommen, aber das er zu [148] verblei[b]en solte, dazu [du]ncket mich habe er wenig Lust zu, ⟨und⟩ wirt <XX> darauf sich wohl nitt zu verlassen haben. ⟨Was schreibet … Und wirdt dort nun nicht⟩ <M> erschienenen Terminen will {Cöln} noch keine Wechselbrieffe bekommen haben. ⟨Thue E. F. G. hiermit in gottes gnädige …⟩

## Notes

- The cipher follows "… stehet zu erwartten," and runs to "… bekommen haben" before the closing formula.
- "hatt": `82 39 A` = h a tt.
- "[R]ancion": `… 72 63 {struck 25} 28? 22 38 11 73 22` = (Furloh)n (struck r) a n c i o n: the writer struck the r of
  "Rancion" (ransom); it is supplied.
- "la[?ss]en": `15 62 D 49 63` = l a ch e n: a ch-sign where ss is needed.
- "<H#> Schreiben an <V> vom <L> 1 Ianua ist": on the scan a crossed H stands alone before "schreiben"; the looped L
  and the stroke after "vom" may be a day of January, not read. "Ianua" = `36 55 44 58 70`, the writer's abbreviation.
- "um vierten mal": checked on the scan (line "31 24 22 56 84 25 …"): the "4#0?" of the transcription is a 40 (z)
  struck through by the writer, and the "12?" before "55 78" is 42 (m): `71 56 88 11 16 30 60 61 44 42 55 78` = u m u
  i e r t e n m a l.
- "pussire" (pousser, to press him) = `81 58 W 36 30 16`.
- "i[n] einen Stant": `95 86 Y 22 16 83 O 39 31 94` = i f ei n e n st a n t: an f-group where n is needed.
- "wol[l]e": `98 73 99 44 79` = w o l n e.
- "sich in Hessen": the figures give "in in" (`11 22 36 44`), the second written twice.
- "verblei[b]en": `47 48 65 91 99 Y 70 49 83` = v e r b l ei a e n: an a-group where b is needed.
- "dazu [du]ncket mich": `27 55 40 71 22 19 51 16 | 60 56 11 N` = d a z u n c k e | t m i ch.
- "<XX>": the doubled sch-sign, as in f. 3 and f. 12, a name sign.
- "<M> erschienenen Terminen": `M 79 25 X 36 16 22 61 44 84 83 26 16 30 | 56 11 63 84 22`; the mm-sign before
  "erschienenen" gives no word ("im" would need an i).

HCP506_en.md

# HCPortal 506 (f. 25), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 5 Mar / 23 Feb 1637 — English

Translation of `HCP506_reading.md` (23 Oct 2026, batch r2b), with the same holes: `[120]` an unvalued code, `<V>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {Cologne} = 128, {the States} = 188 valued from context.
⟨...⟩ = clear words.

## Translation

⟨… is to be expected,⟩ [120] has now resolved to satisfy the carters; but as for the carriage money, the ransom for the
prisoners ⟨and⟩ other costs, he will not yet agree to that, but refers us to the 9 thousand Reichsthaler received,
which [143] [?has had] paid out. The <H#> letter to <V> of <L> January has now come to the [122] for the fourth time,
⟨and⟩ I press him daily to go after his brother ⟨and⟩ into the [123] ⟨and⟩ put his private affairs in order, so that,
when an opportunity offers to come through ⟨and⟩ to {Cologne}, he may not only leave quickly ⟨and what also⟩ could
stay for a while in Hesse. He is indeed willing to come to {the States}, but to remain at [148] - he has, it seems to
me, little desire for that, ⟨and⟩ <XX> will hardly be able to rely on it. ⟨What … writes … And there now …⟩ at the
terms that have fallen due, {Cologne} claims not yet to have received any bills of exchange. ⟨Commend Your Princely
Grace herewith to God's gracious …⟩

hcp507.txt

18 73 78 41 79 56 66 D 44 88 22 90 37 70 30 98 35 21 99 74 93 76 55 15 60 42 11 A H# 26 30 Q 31 58 35 83 82 66 16 25 S 86 42 39 N 61 65 40 24 99 55
22 60 98 Y H#? 27 71 22 51 79 30 38 51 84 25 71 73 30 48 60 15 36 N 60 70 43 84 44 F 23 46 49 22 37 70 L_ 61 44 39 M 35 D 43 16 99 61 29 84 63 67 88 30
N 235 28 31 10 48 7 36 56 26 16 31? 73 30 26 56 11 41 54 73 A 16 77 72 71 99 B 49 55 44 15 70 22 43 79 63 98 Y 78 36 N 70 10 16 30 193 212 O 88
38 51 197 42 36 L 76 30 11 22 16 31 13 73 V 27 16 25 86 G_ 60 55 10 16 97 37 16 99 N 61 30 31 73 D 52 37 11 X 61 44 149 65 71 72 30 39 44 32 11
84 6 273 193 e n 273 200 1? 273 94 25 70 54 73 22 77 99 Π? 54 79 83 72 55 A S D 31 73 N K 253 212 F W 99 73 A 30 11 22 54 16 22 79 60 37 70 M? 4#?
81 23 79 30 66 O 55 30 38 51 67 55 90 71 51 73 R 61 44 36 52 73 40 71 77 55 E 16 44 43 16? 72 16 A 40 88 86 16 15 60 37 36 99 77 73 66 O 47 76 84 65
15 55 44 69 40 58 29 61 72 16 83 31 11 L_ 94 58 31 15 66 N 40 88 37 55 W 48 30 55 10 61 30 78 39 31 29 37 Y 99 11 43_ 92 39 22 13 73 J? 78 G_ 44 11
43 83 11 A 40 88 37 16 30 38 51 43 16 30 11 D 50 16 26 37 61 30 27 48 83 67 70 22 84 13 79 97 23 35 25 32 79 30 41_ 1? 71 11 61 H 90 Y 60 84 72 16
42 39 31 X 93 43? L? 84 68 35 40 58 97 68 79 72 16 43 48 82 61 22 55 78 82 11 25 31 11 60 40 71 76 79 92 89 E 61 83 68 G 44 91 16 Z 61
99 60 98 93 82 78 55 44 67 36 11 e 98 61 22 L 273 200 68 73 31 73 26 37 61 22 27 36 29 58 35 83 72 11 16 30 28 76 43 16 86 88 30 60 98 61 30 32
11? 22 42 58 D 61 63 40 37 35 78 B 273 213 M 80 39 22 73 44 77 42 11 A 43 16 82 73 25 11 29 16 30 208 XX 94 30 Q 44 67 55 30
S? 26? 43 16 99 55 67 61 22 42 36 L 22 73 A 71 25 B 60 36 43 79 31 194 86 88 A 16 30 88 22 43 61 44 58 16 30 13 16 72 61 22 98 16 30
32 16 22 68 93 78 26 61 44 74 Y 22 42 58 O 61 22 67 16 74 43 97 35 W 16 22 58 22 92 35 Z 61 44 74 43 16 22 60 40 99 11 N 16 22 40 71 43
16 X 98 Y 43 16 22 92 70 22 38 73 22 60 30 70? 25 11 37 36 44 26 92 73 R 61 63 67 55 D_ 42 55 44 66 63 f K 98 45 N 61 44 22 11 A
G_ 22 16 44 X 97 36 26 37 Y 60 82 36 44 67 79 25 35 67 61 25 58 93_ 97 68 36 N 92 73 E 84 44 92 55 22 40 88 67 79 42 61 77 73 42 71 Z 16 22
67 36 16 168 58 42 91 Y 83 16 44 86 30 G 61 22 81 39 W 84 30 74 88 N 41 98 61 30 32 16 22 46 70 44 92 G 31 43 55 30 22 11 13 73 22 35 44
61 79 20 12 25 84 W 16 22 76 61 23 79 15 D Y 44 68 73 99 N 39 22 40 70 99 X 66 61 T 49? 98 71 30 32 16 81 70 W 11 30 16 22 99 70 W 84 63
88 73 25 74 27 25 36 A 16 98 71 97 32 16 67 16 30 Y 22 41 129 36 44 26 16 44 94 11 93 44 67 55 30 S D 99 Y N 96 55 76 63 16 42
84 22 40 71 24 73 97 92 73 R 84 83 47 11 16 30 60 61 22 77 74 35_ 92_ 39_ 22 F D 58 10 16 30 67 36 16 74 61 13 S 68 67 66 13 61 63
85 71 39 30 41 11 30 16 44 92 G_ 83 193 37 Y H 32 36 39 99 94 84 83 273 X 37 39 N 77 Y 22 27 36 16 31 61 37 16 44 83 11
A S B 51 73 R 16 22 37 36 F D O 71 38 51 79 43 79 61 35 E 61 44 98 61 30 32 16 22 67 70 C 46 66 16 80 73 R 48 22 46 70 22
60 16 22 94 39 29 78 36 N 27 16 30 61 44 76 Y 32 16 30 99 G_ 42 16 21 25 91 79 43 16 25 61 44 79 W 77 Y 44 60 40 98 55 30 27 36
0? 63 16 37 16 40 37 73 78 50 53 23 71 22 27 11 43 16 Z 88 38 51 16 71 35 44 220 55 15 72 11 30 55 10 61 25 22 73 N 44 11 A 99 55
88? 16 A 11 30 61 41 68 73 72 70 L? 42 70 22 S N 92 Y 22 16 51 71 43 16 15_ 197 98 39 43 61 44 80 73 31 O 70 76 16 99 13
39 A 11 78 39 54 61 36 F 37 70 30 26 16 22 10 16 30 43 39 76 43 16 67 55 22 38 51 79 26 37 11 30 60 F N 22_ 71_ 31_ 56 16 30
42 36 4#? 25 70 22 60 40 73 68 95 N 98 11 27 16 30 Y 44 99 70 W 16 44 27 55 72 61 30 S 86 36 72 22 73 32 16 30 77 Y 83 253
24 44 60 27 11 16 73 91 25 11 O 16 22 71 B 16 99 92 70 30 81 86 S W 36 30 16 44 81 93 Z 16 22 37
Y H 67 16 30 23 G_ 22 60 23 79 71 25 42 73 25 77 16 H O 24 38 51 16 S D 42 181 83 70 N 37 39 25 61 22 67 73 25 B 29 84
50 98 30 16 60 13 Y 44 16 11 22 60 16 22 41 30 73 44 55 76 49 30 42 55 22 39 M 89 N 63 66 L_ 18 G D 63 11 41 52 71 31 16 42
84 83 77 G 31 77 73 76 16 54 61 30 66 S N 88 B 48 H 37 Y 99 13 36 63 260 36 90 73 77 73 J? 78 16 N 60 F 61 72 16 60 31 11 41
39 10 40 88 40 39 22 38 51 16 44 S D 37 11 30 60 16 30 58 22 29 16 30 22 36 44 215? 88 22 60 16 30 43 71 22 60 16 30 73 26 61 22
O 61 72 16 44 37 73 J? 79 63 37 16 54 61 22 S W 44 84 42 88 31 43
27 16 30 71 73 99 38 51 16 30 128 11 32 16 30 76 16 Z 61 H 48 22 43 67 84 25 38 73 R 61 44 46 39 22 26 16 22 98 61 22 71 B 16 H Z_?
80 39 30 53 50 91 G 32 16 42 11 H 43 16 82 61 22 13 35 78 26 79 31 42 11 L 32 16 56 V 28 H 61 74 79 30 Z 58 76 79 25 99 16 29 26 55 10 43 16
30 16 27 16 26 37 16 30 32 16 22 71 83 26 65 16 74 73 78 88
60 11 73 31 58 73 22 32 16 56 38 73 44 38 78 71 74 73 37 39 W 126_ 153 27 36 74 16 22 77 73 R 61 97? 41 72 71 22 37 36 16 76 70 99
41 13 11 26 40 71 50 16 99 26 54 61 72 16 22 37 16 30 27 16 22 2? 45 76 74 36 16 188 42 36 A 95 63 66 21 25 79_ 39_ H_ 11 55 22 38 16
31 16 56 16 22 3? 56 88 Z 16 30 53 78 70 26 52 84 36 56 38 78 16 71 11 X 84 63 88 48 30 O 55 L 16 49 4#? XX 76 G 78 79 72
25 73 28? 97 26 40 61 22 81 39 W 97 16 53 70 W 71 10 79 97 174 43 16 10 84 22 27 70 30 90 88 Y 22 61 76 30 71 38 51
16 72 61 30 99 G 72 16 44 98 73 H 79 83 42 11 A 76 25 36 22 43 16 44 98 11 J? H 27 73 N 73 72 63 55 H 61 74
42 39 W 43 16 10 61 22 37 61 44 16 13 31 71 30 67 79 D 73 76 36 54 16 44 86 Y 22 60 77 82 70 15 10 79 65 95 Z 16 30 43 16 X
16 21 61 44 92 39 63 13 11 N 44 11 A 90 88 71 76 16 25 Y 99 16 22 77 73 22 32 16 25 44 79 30 Z 46 16 77 122 37 11 32 16 30
92 71 22 23 26 F W 42 214 67 16 30 27 55 44 77 73 76 55 15 60 79 30 39 78 72 36 25 37 11 46 16 30 39 22 43 16 99 70 22 43 26 36 Z
67 36 79 200 63 16 42 61 22 40 47 188 43 61 21 16 83 37 11 H 98 93 72 66 44 74 36 N 32 16 30 86 Y 22 60 98 16 99 D 49
97 91 Y 13 55 E 22 36 70 44 32 37 16 30 60 68 89 90 71 42 S 86 76 30 88 N 68 11 D 40 37 11_ X_ 61 44 65 71 72 30
268 43 16 86 70 Z 42 70 D 49 60 13 36 N 37 16 22 32 16 44 98 16 30 32 61 44 79 30 O 52 88 77 16 72 61 22 90 24 98 70 30
60 16 22 72 16 A 79 44 67 70 C 27 36 61 38 73 22 36 71 38 60 11 73 22
83 36 30 43 16 22 60 74 79 72 16 30 86 71 54 78 11 N 16 30
55 99 13 10 Y 25 1? 80 78 73 81 72 16 22 76 88 30 43 93 27 16 25 71 79 N 60 61 43 61 J? 79 72 16 83 67 55 44 77 11 16 16 72 84 65
24? 73 44 42 11 22 32 16 44 40 88 85 71 55 80 92 16 22 91 30 36 61 29 16 H 87 99 77 40 88 64 84 65 67 16 22 28 44 67 61
30 55 H 16 30 13 Y 83 51 73 22 16 44 82 55 91 16 22 68 11 16 46 W 22? 62 76 25 71 80 92 28 31 46 16 30 77 Y 60 61 63
92 87 83 S N 71 73 42 23 G_ 44 60 36 72 25 92 Y 22 X 55 67 16 43 48 J? 49? 82 79 83 67? [hole] 70? 44 80 99 73 81 53 16 22 10 88 30 43
58 48 N 41 49 37 11 15 60 90 72 S 13 61 22 88 44 96 67 16 81 82 73 78 60 X 99 16 N 41 76 48? 13 49 26 52 13 Y 22 86
73 30 Z 16 22 S 98 55 16 61 30 36 O 42 36 A oo s 57 28 M 193 o 273 212 91 79 15 16 43 26 79 W 66 Z 55 10 16
25 67 11 61 72 70 74 16 67 70 40 98 36 X 16 22 67 55 P 13 36 16 87 15 77 73 71 73 22 32 61 42 86 Y 44 60 67 16 30
67 28 11 22 43 71 70 30 22 36 77 73 44 66 O 13 11 N 84 25 Z 86 216 98 73 21 78 43 61 72 84 22 40 55 W
30 Y 32 49 97 99 55 31 26 40 71 16 30 Z 37 11 16 32 61 30 42 70 22 P 23 16 15 94 84 65 43 16 26 39 72 44 G_ 44 43 16 22
73 R 16 22 37 16 30 32 16 83 92 62 22 67 39 44 67 11 16 86 30 36 16 W 16 22 36 60 40 73 1? 273 193 71 73 44 o 60?
92 73 53 B 61 83 98 16 30 10 84 63 S N Y 31 79 J? 70 22 60 90 16 40 37 11 X 16 44 O 88 38 51 82 S W 16 44 [line-filler]
91 73 P 84 42 39 22 67 16 42 81 39 W 67 55 42 62 83 88 76 79 97 43 16 21 61 44 92 70 22 S 50 37 61 30 B 16 22
68 79 30 T 16 22 68 73 H 16 63 S D 13 G_ 22 41 67 11 79 37 84 43 61 55 M 34 N 74 73 76 73 74 67 70 W 42 55
44 42 11 L_ 98 62 43 48 31 81 86 79 30 32 48 83 83 73 D 22 36 A 67 39 25 11 22 86 73 30 26 51 73 R 61 83
92 39 22 27 37 P 36 N 37 16 54 84 44 67 79 W 86 Y 22 60 13 40 88 77 70 R 84
M 43 16 72 61 22 27 84 P 160 39 76 18 16 77 61 83 21 G_ 26 92 Y 44 193 212 Z 88 38 51 16 S W 67 61 31 43
55 25 31 36 74 73 31 16 22 31 16 72 56 79 31 S N 27 70 P 38 73 E 16 83 27 73 58 16 30 79 22 27 16 30 44 92 70 22 X 99 Y
63 95 43 68 73 76 70 15 26 39 76 16 25 67 49 97 122 92 73 42 76 26 77 73 H 188 S T 39 H 61
81 71 31 38 26 16 22 71 22 60 16 30 41 72 F W 23 88 25 78 11 N 91 61 55 22 60 18 73 25 60 84 26 67 48 65
V 13 66 D J? 99 Y 44 66 29 67 88 30 N G_ 22 16 44 40 84 44 55 22 32 16 30 22 37 49 43 52 88 129 90 71 16
30 72 16 10 16 22 81 71 W 11 30 48 26 37 61 30 32 61 44 73 76 11 D 55 10 79 25 42 99 Y N 14 73 72 78
31 73 N 71 73 25 77 122_ 18 11 32 49 30 51 71 31 50 26 42 36 A 188 26 30 Q 22 39 H Y 44 S 80? 147 43 16 72 16
22 74 73 H 67 39 30 S 23 79 30 37 70 30 41 16 11 D 76 61 23 79 78 N 37 11 H 42 11 N S 23 77 73 78 N 79 31 86
39 78 39 15 40 Y 60 43 16 23 70 Z 82 62 99 94 79 31 J?
93 76 30 36 Z 16 25 82 73 72 26 22 27 89 30 23 36 O 92 35 E 84 83 91 61 30 11 D 60 16 41
67 70 W 84 25 32 48 44 65 40 Z 88 73 83 77 Y 22 16 42 191 61 26 98 70 M 4H? 42 62 22 18 11 32 16 30 72
73 99 41 48 44 36 22 27 16 22 86 16 43 61 77 70 38 51 43 84 J? 36 38 51 16 26 72 79 L 84 37 16 15 N 61 25
71 48 65 42 Y 22 60 49 42 36 A 13 G_ 44 61 22 71 73 15 38 51 79 30 22 83 88 22 57 16 21 30 67 70 W
99 70 22 26 71 73 C 72 70 27 16 99 61 22 77 73 13 70 D 74 48 22 78 S 84 83 10 71 97 43 90 71 O 16 22
46 11 29 36 O G_ 83 40 71 22 16 42 84 31 46 70 13 16 15 76 Z 85 58 28 30 60 11 16 25 90 88 77 71 N
16 22 66 Z S D 22 62 N 56 123 40 88 25 70 27 60 90 73 43 16 52 73 29 16 22

f028.txt

# scan 0028 (folio number "19" at top right), letter to the Landgrave ("Durchleuchtiger Hochgeborner Gnädiger
# Fürst und Herr"); later pencil date at top left "28 März 1637". Almost the whole page is cipher.
# Opening clear: "Ich bin gestern abent [in] Stadt Lobalstein? wieder glücklich angelangt Und habe E. F. G. gnädiges
# schreiben vom 1. [sign] Und 5. [sign] huius vet. [...] das erste den 10. [sign] in duplo, das ander aber den 24.
# [sign] huius vet. in simplo ankommen, dort mich funden,"
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# {/:} and {:/} are the writer's parenthesis marks. Lower-case e, n = small lower-case signs as written.
18 73 78 41 79 56 66 D 44 88 22 90 37 70 30 98 35 21 99 74 93 76 55 15 60 42 11 A H# 26 30 Q 31 58 35 83 82 66 16 25 S 86 42 39 N 61 65 {Und} 40 24 99 55
22 60 98 Y H#? 27 71 22 51 79 30 38 51 84 25 71 73 30 48 60 15 36 N 60 70 43 84 44 F 23 46 49 22 37 70 L_ 61 44 39 M 35 D 43 16 99 61 29 84 63 67 88 30
N 235 28 31 10 48 7 36 56 26 16 31? 73 30 26 56 11 41 54 73 A 16 77 72 71 99 B 49 55 44 15 70 22 43 79 63 98 Y 78 36 N 70 10 16 30 193 212 O 88
38 51 {Und} 197 42 36 L 76 30 11 22 16 31 13 73 V 27 16 25 86 G_ 60 55 10 16 97 {/:} 37 16 99 N 61 30 31 73 D 52 37 11 X 61 44 149 {Und} 65 71 72 30 39 44 32 11
84 6 273 193 e n 273 200 {Und} 1? 273 94 25 70 54 73 22 77 99 Π? 54 79 83 72 55 A S D 31 73 N K 253 212 F W 99 73 A 30 11 22 54 16 22 79 60 37 70 M? 4#?
81 23 79 30 66 O 55 30 38 51 67 55 90 71 51 73 R 61 44 {:/} 36 52 73 40 71 77 55 E 16 44 43 16? 72 16 A {Und} 40 88 86 16 15 60 37 36 99 77 73 66 O 47 76 84 65
15 55 44 69 40 58 29 61 72 16 83 31 11 L_ 94 58 31 15 66 N 40 88 37 55 W 48 30 55 10 61 30 78 39 31 29 37 Y 99 11 43_ {Und} 92 39 22 13 73 J? 78 G_ 44 11
43 83 11 A 40 88 37 16 30 38 51 43 16 30 11 D 50 16 26 37 61 30 27 48 83 67 70 22 84 13 79 97 23 35 25 32 79 30 41_ 1? 71 11 61 H 90 Y 60 84 72 16
42 39 31 X 93 43? L? 84 68 35 40 58 97 68 79 72 16 43 48 82 61 22 {Und} 55 78 82 11 25 31 11 60 40 71 76 79 92 89 E 61 83 68 G 44 91 16 Z 61
99 60 {Und} 98 93 82 78 55 44 67 36 11 e 98 61 22 L 273 200 68 73 31 73 26 37 61 22 27 36 29 58 35 83 72 11 16 30 28 76 43 16 86 88 30 60 98 61 30 32
11? 22 42 58 D 61 63 40 37 35 78 B 273 213 M 80 39 22 73 44 77 42 11 A 43 16 82 73 25 11 29 16 30 208 {Und} XX 94 30 Q 44 67 55 30
S? 26? 43 16 99 55 67 61 22 {Und} 42 36 L 22 73 A 71 25 B 60 36 43 79 31 194 {Und} 86 88 A 16 30 88 22 43 61 44 58 16 30 13 16 72 61 22 98 16 30
32 16 22 68 93 78 26 61 44 {)} 74 Y 22 42 58 O 61 22 67 16 74 43 97 35 W 16 22 58 22 92 35 Z 61 44 74 43 16 22 60 40 99 11 N 16 22 40 71 43
16 X 98 Y 43 16 22 {Und} 92 70 22 38 73 22 60 30 70? 25 11 37 36 44 26 92 73 R 61 63 67 55 D_ 42 55 44 66 63 f {oder?} K 98 45 N 61 44 22 11 A
G_ 22 16 44 X 97 36 26 37 Y 60 82 36 44 67 79 25 35 67 61 25 58 93_ 97 68 36 N 92 73 E 84 44 92 55 22 40 88 67 79 42 61 77 73 42 71 Z 16 22
67 36 16 168 58 42 91 Y 83 16 44 86 30 G 61 22 81 39 W 84 30 74 88 N 41 98 61 30 32 16 22 46 70 44 92 G 31 43 55 30 22 11 13 73 22 35 44
61 79 20 12 25 84 W 16 22 76 61 23 79 15 D Y 44 68 73 99 N 39 22 40 70 99 X 66 61 T 49? 98 71 30 32 16 81 70 W 11 30 16 22 99 70 W 84 63
88 73 25 74 27 25 36 A 16 98 71 97 32 16 67 16 30 {struck: 23} Y 22 41 129 36 44 26 16 44 94 11 93 44 67 55 30 S D 99 Y N 96 55 76 63 16 42
84 22 {Und} 40 71 24 73 97 92 73 R 84 83 47 11 16 30 60 61 22 77 74 35_ 92_ 39_ 22 F D 58 10 16 30 67 36 16 74 61 13 S 68 67 66 13 61 63
85 71 39 30 41 11 30 16 44 92 G_ 83 193 {/:} 37 Y H 32 36 39 99 94 84 83 273 X 37 39 N 77 Y 22 {Und} 27 36 16 31 61 37 16 44 83 11
A S B 51 73 R 16 22 {:/} 37 36 F D O 71 38 51 79 43 79 61 35 E 61 44 98 61 30 32 16 22 67 70 C 46 66 16 80 73 R 48 22 46 70 22
60 16 22 94 39 29 78 36 N 27 16 30 61 44 76 Y 32 16 30 99 G_ 42 16 21 25 91 79 43 16 25 61 44 79 W 77 Y 44 60 40 98 55 30 27 36
0? 63 16 37 16 40 37 73 78 50 53 23 71 22 27 11 43 16 Z 88 38 51 16 71 35 44 220 55 15 72 11 30 55 10 61 25 22 73 N 44 11 A 99 55
88? 16 A 11 30 61 41 68 73 72 70 L? 42 70 22 S N 92 Y 22 16 51 71 43 16 15_ {Und} 197 98 39 43 61 44 80 73 31 O 70 76 16 99 13
{Und} 39 A 11 78 39 54 61 {Und} 36 F 37 70 30 26 16 22 10 16 30 43 39 76 43 16 67 55 22 38 51 79 26 37 11 30 60 F N 22_ 71_ 31_ 56 16 30
42 36 4#? 25 70 22 60 40 73 68 95 N 98 11 27 16 30 Y 44 99 70 W 16 44 27 55 72 61 30 S 86 36 72 22 73 32 16 30 77 Y 83 253
{Hinnestadt?, Zumarkes?,} 24 44 60 27 11 16 73 91 25 11 O 16 22 71 B 16 99 {Und} 92 70 30 81 86 S W 36 30 16 44 81 93 Z 16 22 {/:} 37
Y H 67 16 30 23 G_ 22 60 23 79 71 25 42 73 25 77 16 H {Und} O 24 38 51 16 S D 42 181 83 70 N 37 39 25 61 22 67 73 25 B 29 84
50 98 30 16 60 13 Y 44 16 11 22 60 16 22 41 30 73 44 55 76 49 30 42 55 22 39 M 89 N 63 66 L_ 18 {struck: 44} G D {:/} 63 11 41 52 71 31 16 42
84 83 77 G 31 77 73 76 16 54 61 30 66 S N 88 B 48 H 37 Y 99 13 36 63 260 36 90 73 77 73 J? 78 16 N 60 F 61 72 16 60 31 11 41
39 10 40 88 40 39 22 38 51 16 44 S D 37 11 30 60 16 30 58 22 29 16 30 22 36 44 215? 88 22 60 16 30 43 71 22 60 16 30 73 26 61 22
O 61 72 16 44 37 73 J? 79 63 {; Aber das alles so muss zu fordern? Und sonderlich} 37 16 54 61 22 S W 44 84 42 88 31 43
27 16 30 71 73 99 38 51 16 30 {Und} 128 11 32 16 30 76 16 Z 61 H 48 22 43 67 84 25 38 73 R 61 44 46 39 22 26 16 22 98 61 22 71 B 16 H {Und} Z_?
80 39 30 53 50 91 G 32 16 42 11 H 43 16 82 61 22 13 35 78 26 79 31 42 11 L 32 16 56 V 28 H 61 74 79 30 Z 58 76 79 25 99 16 29 26 {Und} 55 10 43 16
30 16 27 16 26 37 16 30 32 16 22 {welches das seinen zu schreiben nach mässig lagers wieder alhier sein} 71 83 26 65 16 74 73 78 88
60 11 73 31 58 73 22 32 16 56 38 73 44 38 78 71 74 73 37 39 W 126_ {Und} 153 27 36 74 16 22 77 73 R 61 97? 41 72 71 22 {Und} 37 36 16 76 70 99
41 13 11 26 40 71 50 16 99 26 54 61 72 16 22 37 16 30 27 16 22 2? 45 76 74 36 16 188 42 36 A 95 63 66 21 25 79_ 39_ H_ 11 55 22 38 16
31 16 56 16 22 3? 56 88 Z 16 30 53 78 70 26 52 84 36 56 38 78 16 71 11 X 84 63 88 48 30 O 55 L 16 49 4#? XX 76 G 78 79 72
25 73 28? 97 26 40 61 22 81 39 W {Und} 97 16 53 70 W 71 10 79 97 174 43 16 10 84 22 {Und} 27 70 30 90 88 Y 22 61 76 30 71 38 51
16 72 61 30 99 G 72 16 44 98 73 H 79 83 42 11 A 76 25 36 22 43 16 44 98 11 J? {des Bauern? gros} H 27 73 N 73 72 63 55 H 61 74
42 39 W 43 16 10 61 22 {/:} 37 61 44 16 13 31 71 30 67 79 D 73 76 36 54 16 44 86 Y 22 60 77 82 70 15 10 79 65 95 Z 16 30 43 16 X
16 21 61 44 92 39 63 {/:} 13 11 N 44 11 A 90 88 71 76 16 25 Y 99 16 22 77 73 22 32 16 25 44 79 30 Z 46 16 77 122 37 11 32 16 30
92 71 22 23 26 F W 42 214 67 16 30 27 55 44 77 73 76 55 15 60 79 30 39 78 72 36 25 37 11 46 16 30 39 22 43 16 99 70 22 43 26 36 Z
67 36 79 200 63 16 42 61 22 {Und} 40 47 188 43 61 21 16 83 37 11 H {Und} 98 93 72 66 44 74 36 N 32 16 30 86 Y 22 60 98 16 99 D 49
97 91 Y 13 55 E 22 {weil auch} 36 70 44 32 37 16 30 60 68 89 90 71 42 S 86 76 30 88 N 68 11 D 40 37 11_ X_ 61 44 65 71 72 30 {Und}
268 43 16 86 70 Z 42 70 D 49 60 13 36 N 37 16 22 32 16 44 98 16 30 32 61 44 79 30 O 52 88 77 16 72 61 22 {Und} 90 24 98 70 30
60 16 22 72 16 A 79 44 {;} 67 70 C 27 36 61 38 73 22 36 71 38 60 11 73 22 {meines dort Verhaltens Und unsers jüngsten ...}
{... abschreiben nach, so in duplo ... zu erfordern} {/} 83 36 30 43 16 22 60 74 79 72 16 30 {Und} 86 71 54 78 11 N 16 30
55 99 13 10 Y 25 1? 80 78 73 81 72 16 22 76 88 30 43 93 27 16 25 71 79 N 60 61 43 61 J? 79 72 16 83 67 55 44 77 11 16 16 72 84 65
24? 73 44 42 11 22 32 16 44 40 88 85 71 55 80 92 16 22 91 30 36 61 29 16 H 87 99 77 40 88 64 84 65 67 16 22 28 44 67 61
30 55 H 16 30 13 Y 83 51 73 22 16 44 {Und} 82 55 91 16 22 68 11 16 46 W 22? 62 76 25 71 80 92 28 31 46 16 30 77 Y 60 61 63
92 87 83 S N 71 73 42 23 G_ 44 60 36 72 25 92 Y 22 X 55 67 16 43 48 J? 49? 82 79 83 67? [hole] 70? 44 80 99 73 81 53 16 22 10 88 30 43
# end of the scan (hole in the paper after "83 67?"; the duplicate f. 30 reads "83 67 70 44" here; below the last line only show-through from the verso). No date or
# signature on this page; the letter presumably continues on scan 0029.
# notes: "e n" (line 84 6 273 ...) = two small lower-case signs; "Π?" = a gate/pi-like sign; "K" = a K-like sign;
# "88?" at a line start is blotted (the duplicate f. 30 has 88); "0?" = a small circle at line start; "2? 3? 4?" = lone single figures;
# 3-digit groups as written: 126_ 128 129 149 153 168 174 181 188 193 194 197 200 208 212 213 214 215? 220 235 253 260 273.

f029.txt

# scan 0029 (verso), letter to the Landgrave; dated "... den 28. Martij vet. 1637" at the end of the text,
# subscribed "E. F. G." and signed "Unterthäniger gehorsamer Diener Otto von der Malsburgk"; a clear postscript at
# lower left (the 12000? Rthlr sent to Bremen for recruit money ... 3500 ducats ... bill of exchange on Ludwig ...).
# The page continues the cipher of scan 0028 (begins mid-text).
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# "oo" = a long looped ("ooo"/infinity-like) sign; lower-case o, s = small signs as written.
58 48 N 41 49 37 11 15 60 90 72 S 13 61 22 88 44 96 67 16 81 82 73 78 60 X 99 16 N 41 76 48? 13 49 26 52 13 Y 22 86
73 30 Z 16 22 S 98 55 16 61 30 36 O 42 36 A oo s 57 28 M 193 {Und} o 273 212 91 79 15 16 43 26 79 W 66 Z 55 10 16
25 67 11 61 72 70 74 16 67 70 40 98 36 X 16 22 67 55 P 13 36 16 87 15 77 73 71 73 22 32 61 42 86 Y 44 60 67 16 30
67 28 11 22 43 71 70 30 22 36 77 73 44 66 O 13 11 N 84 25 Z 86 216 98 73 21 78 43 61 72 84 22 {Und} 40 55 W
30 Y 32 49 97 99 55 31 26 40 71 16 30 Z 37 11 16 32 61 30 42 70 22 P 23 16 15 94 84 65 43 16 26 39 72 44 G_ 44 43 16 22
73 R 16 22 37 16 30 32 16 83 92 62 22 67 39 44 67 11 16 86 30 36 16 W 16 22 36 60 40 73 1? 273 193 71 73 44 o 60?
92 73 53 B 61 83 98 16 30 10 84 63 S N Y 31 79 J? 70 22 60 90 16 40 37 11 X 16 44 O 88 38 51 82 S W 16 44 {Und} [line-filler]
91 73 P 84 42 39 22 67 16 42 81 39 W 67 55 42 62 83 88 76 79 97 43 16 21 61 44 92 70 22 S 50 37 61 30 B 16 22
68 79 30 T 16 22 68 73 H 16 63 S D 13 G_ 22 41 67 11 79 37 84 43 61 55 M 34 N 74 73 76 73 74 67 70 W 42 55
44 42 11 L_ 98 62 43 48 31 {Und} 81 86 79 30 32 48 83 83 73 D 22 36 A 67 39 25 11 22 86 73 30 26 51 73 R 61 83
92 39 22 {Habe darwartens? dieser verantwort} 27 37 P 36 N 37 16 54 84 44 67 79 W 86 Y 22 60 13 40 88 77 70 R 84
M 43 16 72 61 22 {Und} 27 84 P 160 39 76 18 16 77 61 83 21 G_ 26 92 Y 44 193 212 {Und} Z 88 38 51 16 S W 67 61 31 43
55 25 31 36 74 73 31 16 22 31 16 72 56 79 31 S N 27 70 P 38 73 E 16 83 27 73 58 16 30 79 22 27 16 30 44 92 70 22 X 99 Y
63 95 43 {über gütliches? vollers,} 68 73 76 70 15 26 39 76 16 25 67 49 97 122 92 73 42 76 26 77 73 H 188 S T 39 H 61
81 71 31 38 26 16 22 71 22 60 16 30 41 72 {Und} F W 23 88 25 78 11 N 91 61 55 22 60 18 73 25 60 84 26 {Und} 67 48 65
V 13 66 D J? 99 Y 44 66 29 67 88 30 N G_ 22 16 44 {oder} 40 84 44 55 22 32 16 30 22 37 49 43 52 88 129 90 71 16
30 72 16 10 16 22 81 71 W 11 30 48 26 37 61 30 32 61 44 73 76 11 D 55 10 79 25 42 99 Y N 14 73 72 78 {Und}
31 73 N 71 73 25 77 122_ 18 11 32 49 30 51 71 31 50 26 42 36 A 188 26 30 Q 22 39 H Y 44 S 80? 147 43 16 72 16
22 74 73 H 67 39 30 S 23 79 30 37 70 30 41 16 11 D 76 61 23 79 78 N {Und} 37 11 H 42 11 N S 23 77 73 78 N 79 31 86
39 78 39 15 40 Y 60 43 16 23 70 Z 82 62 99 94 79 31 J? {Herr Junger Lappe? hat schön? trabitt, Kollert?, Und ist}
{... Und die Calesche seint auch fertig, habe dan Und damit aufhalten ..., stehet bey demselben,}
93 76 30 36 Z 16 25 82 73 72 26 22 27 89 30 23 36 O {Unterweges bey mich} 92 35 E 84 83 91 61 30 11 D 60 16 41
67 70 W 84 25 32 48 44 65 40 Z 88 73 83 77 Y 22 16 42 191 61 26 98 70 M 4H? 42 62 22 18 11 32 16 30 72
73 99 41 48 44 36 22 27 16 22 86 16 43 61 77 70 38 51 43 84 J? 36 38 51 16 26 72 79 L 84 37 16 15 N 61 25
71 48 65 42 Y 22 60 49 42 36 A 13 G_ 44 61 22 71 73 15 38 51 79 30 22 83 88 22 57 16 21 30 67 70 W
99 70 22 26 71 73 C 72 70 27 16 99 61 22 77 73 13 70 D 74 48 22 78 S 84 83 10 71 97 43 90 71 O 16 22
46 11 29 36 O G_ 83 40 71 22 16 42 84 31 {Und} 46 70 13 16 15 76 Z 85 58 28 30 60 11 16 25 90 88 77 71 N
16 22 66 Z S D 22 62 N 56 123 40 88 25 70 27 60 90 73 43 16 52 73 29 16 22 {; Ew. fürstl. Gn. Thun gar wohl, dass sie dabey ...}
# clear to the end: "... Cassel den 28. Martii vet. 1637", "E. F. G.", signature "Unterthäniger gehorsamer Diener Otto
# von der Malsburgk"; clear postscript at lower left ("Die 12000? Rthaler so nach Bremen ... 3500 ducaten ... Ludwig ...").
# notes: line 1 "S 13": the 13 is written small above the S (the duplicate f. 30 has it inline);
# "oo" = a long infinity/loop sign; "o" and "s" = small lower-case signs; 
# "4H?" = a sign like 4 joined to H;
# "E" = the E-like sign with a stroke; "[line-filler]" = a long flourish ending the line.

HCP507_reading.md

# HCPortal 507 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, ff. 28-29), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 28 Mar 1637 (old style) — reading of the cipher

Rests on: `f028.txt` and `f029.txt` (transcription agents, checked by Bourdeau) decoded with `key.txt` unchanged
(`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`), read against the writer's own "Duplicat" of the letter, ff. 30-31 (HCPortal
508, `f030.txt`, `f031.txt`), which was enciphered separately with the same key and line breaks of its own; where the
two copies differ the reading follows the copy whose figures give a word (`HCP507_corrections.tsv`). Breaks looked at
on the HCPortal original scans (hstam_4_h_1411_0028-0031; fetched 22 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch b08).
No contemporary decipherment, no clear copy, no edition. Code values: `{Compagnien}` = 273, `{Regiment}` = 253,
`{die Staaten}` = 188 (grade I, `codes.txt`).

State (22 Oct 2026, batch b08): decoded, not read; clean-sentence share of the reading body 0.437 (before 0.271); holes: open codes and signs, place names outside the word list. Log: `HCP496-509_reread_log.md`. 23 Oct 2026 (batch r2k): read (B) on the German explicit-hole measure, 0.662 (47/71), after a reader's review on the decode and scan 0028 (log `HCP507-509_reread_log.md`); one word re-spelt from the figures (nitt).

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[193]` an unvalued code; `<V>` an unvalued sign (V = the triangle);
`[?word]` partly carried; `[word]` supplied; `[…]` unread. Spelling as the cipher gives it: the b08 normalisation (`research/reading_audit/b08_norm.py`) was undone on 23 Oct 2026 (batch r2b, `research/reading_audit/r2b_mals_denorm.py`: each word restored to the form its figures or the transcribed clear words give, e.g. alhir, Feint, schleinig, hette, dan, one); modern spelling only in the English file. punctuation added; the
writer's own parentheses (/: … :/) kept as ( ). Bare figures (6, 1, 2, 3) are written in the cipher as figures.
⟨...⟩ = clear words written in the letter around the cipher.

## Reading

⟨Ich bin gestern abent … wieder glücklich angelangt und habe E. F. G. gnädiges Schreiben … dort mich funden,⟩ wolte mich nun zwar wohl sobalt mit <H#> Train von hier [?aufmachen] ⟨und⟩ zu Land, weil Dunkercker vor etlich Tagen auf den Watten annoch gelegen, durch [235] an bestimmten Ort mit Gottes Hülffe anlangen. Weil ich aber [193] [212] Stück ⟨und⟩ [197] mit bringen so <V>, der Feit aber (welcher noch zwischen [149] ⟨und⟩ Ruhr an die 6 {Compagnien} [193] <e> <n> {Compagnien} [200] ⟨und⟩ 1 {Compagnien} Tragons [?ligen] hat, auch noch <K> {Regiment} [212] auss Lottringen etwa <4#> [?Pferde] starck dazukommen) itzo zusammengehett ⟨und⟩ zu Felt will, so ist uberlant zu gehen nit tunlich; zu Wasser aber langweilig, ⟨und⟩ kan so schleinig nit zu Werck gerichtet werden, damm es erfordert viel Zeit, ehe man Schieffe, so zur See gehen ⟨und⟩ alhier nit zu bekommen sein, bestelt; ⟨und⟩ wohl an die <e> […] {Compagnien} [200] so notwendig von hier abgefurt werden muchen, zwölff {Compagnien} [213] Canons mit gehoriger [208] ⟨und⟩ [XX] Train darauf geladen ⟨und⟩ mit notturfftigen [194] ⟨und⟩ Futterungen versehen werden solten, sein musten, des grossen Unkostens gentzlichen zu geschweigen.

⟨Und⟩ kan contrari Wint kommen, dass man in <f> ⟨oder⟩ <K> Wochen nit einen Schrit weit hinder oder vor sich kommen kan. Zudem so musten die [168] umb einen freien Pass ersucht werden, damm kein Garnison ohn expressen Befehl ein solch Anzal Schieffe würde passiren lassen. Vors dritte würde der Feit [129] Intention darauch leicht abnemen ⟨und⟩ zuvorkommen. Viertens so kan auch über dieses aus disen Quartiren kein [193] (weill di alten {Compagnien} schwach sein ⟨und⟩ die newen nitt auff kommen), wie auch Stücke genommen werden, damm die Commendanten täglich deren beiderlei mehr begeren.

Es sein zwar di <0> newe zwölfpfündige Stücke von [220] alhir, aber noch nitt lavettiret; so hatt man auch keine Kugel ⟨und⟩ [197] Wagen, Constabels ⟨und⟩ Attilage. ⟨Und⟩ i<au> Wartenberg abgedancket, wirt auch nunmer mit [?Frantzosen] sich wider einlassen. Daher auf ihn oder sein {Regiment} ⟨…⟩ unt die Obristen Uffel ⟨und⟩ Karpf aus iren Posten (weill der Feint Feurmorsell ⟨und⟩ Stücke auch m[181] nach Warendorff gefwret, seine Intention aber man annoch nitt [?weiss]) nit zu nemen sein. So begert auch Uffell, weil sin [260] izo so schlecht [?aussehet], nit abzuzancken; auch wirt er ungern in [215] unter[…] stehen [?wollen].

⟨Aber das alles so muss zu fordern und sonderlich⟩ wegen Aussnemung der Völcker ⟨und⟩ wider Bestellung der Commendanten, wen Uffell ⟨und⟩ Carpf [?beide mitgehen] solten, mitt dem <V> alles erst uberlegt ⟨und⟩ abgeredet werden, ⟨welches damm seinen Zuschreiben nach in wenig Tagen alhier sein wird, erfahren⟩ unt Resolution von dem Concluso, wass [126] ⟨und⟩ [153] disen Sommer thun ⟨und⟩ wie balt sie zu Felt gehen werden; 2 ob sie {die Staaten} mitt in ihre Alliance nemen; 3 Musterplatz im Clevischen verstatte, <4#> [XX] bei Lehrort zen Pass ⟨und⟩ Repass über [174] geben ⟨und⟩ darzu eine Brücke herleihen wollen, mitt bringen [?will]. […] doch ohn alles Massgeben (wen es nur dech obigen Feintshalber ist geschehen kan) sich nitt zu übereilen, sondern erst des [122] Widerkunft auss m[214], der dan, sobalt er alhir wider angelangt ist, die [200] nemen ⟨und⟩ zu {die Staaten} gehen will, ⟨und⟩ wohin sich der Feint, welcher beisammn, ⟨weil auch⟩ Jan de Wert so zum Aufbruch sich zwischen Ruhr ⟨und⟩ [268] gefast machet, sich wenden werden, erst zu sehen ⟨und⟩ zu warten hetten.

Dan die Coniuction ⟨…⟩ nirgent eher ⟨und⟩ füglicher als bei Cloppenburg oder Vechte geschehen, damm sie eher von Minden zu Quackenbriegell als zu Verden anderall sein können, ⟨und⟩ haben sie Ossnabruck ander Seiten; kan auch vom Feint ihr kein Schade geschehen, damm Cloppenburg, Vechte, Wiltzhausen und Depholt schlecht besetz sein. Forstenau aber ist mit [oo] <s> […] [193] ⟨und⟩ <o> {Compagnien} [212] belegt; es ist aber die Hase dazwischen, dass sie also von dem Feit, der da in Garnison ist, sicher [?…] [216] wohl gehen ⟨und⟩ dass Reiderlant zuerst, wie der Manssfelter getahn, eingenommen werden kan. Damm die Friessen itzo 1 {Compagnien} [193] von <o>tkopffen werben, auch eine Schantze zwischen Stuckhaussen ⟨und⟩ Bossem an dem Pass, da man ubergehen kan, aufwerffen. […] sollen auch sein die Wege […] so bos, dass man mit Wagen ⟨und⟩ Pferden noch nit darin fortkommen kan.

⟨Habe dar … dieser verantwort,⟩ d[a]ss ich wegen dess Feints Zusammengehen ⟨und⟩ dess [160] Abwesenheit kein [193] [212] ⟨und⟩ Stücke auss den Garnisonen nehmen, auch dass Commendo verendern kan schleinig. ⟨…⟩ Sobalt aber der [122] kombt, soll {die Staaten} auf alle Puncten unterth ⟨unt⟩ aussfurlich beantwortet ⟨und⟩ der <V> sich schleinig durch einen ⟨oder⟩ den andern Weg zu [129] zu erheben pussiret werden. Ob ich aber [?gleichwohl] ⟨und⟩ <+> noch vor s[122] Widerkunft mit {die Staaten} Train allein auf [147] gehen soll, darauf erwarte ich Befehl, ⟨und⟩ will mich auf solchen Fall all Zeit gefast halten.

⟨… stehet bey demselben,⟩ Obrister Hohendorf ist ⟨unterweges bey mich⟩ kommen, berichtet, dass er den Rest von seinem [191] etwa <4H> man widerholten in den Fegesack geschicket hette, welcher vermeinte, mit seinen Völckern nunmehr dass Land vom Hadelen, so Sachsen-Lauenburg zustendig ist, einzunemen ⟨und⟩ daselbst Quartier zu suchen; ist auch nach m[123] zu [?Rantzo] gezogen.

## Notes

- Word division, i/j and u/v as the sense needs; "Feit" (= Feind, l. 12, 'ferEIt' in both copies), "dach" (= dass),
  "seher" (= eher), "zen" (= den), "dech" (= des), "darauch" (= daraus) are the writer's slips as the figures give them,
  kept.
- "ligen": f. 28 `99 Π? 54 79 83` (a gate-like sign), f. 30 `limen`; partly carried.
- "Pferde": f. 28 `pferi`, f. 30 `pnert`; "Pferd(e) starck".
- "bestimten": both copies write `be 7 imten`, the lone 7 standing for st.
- "wohl an di <e> […]": f. 28 `wohlandii [e] wen tt`, f. 30 `… [e] len tt`; no word comes out.
- "wider Bestellung": f. 28 has `[128] iderbeSTeLLeng`; f. 30 has `widerbeSTeLLung`, so the "128" of f. 28 is a w-group
  and is not read as the code for Cöln (corrections file).
- "i<au> Wartenberg abgedancket": `i S` in both copies; "ist" would need a t; open.
- "Frantzosen": `miTT rantzosiCH` in both copies; the F is not written and the ending is "sich"; partly carried.
- "weiss": `w EICH` (f. 30), struck 44 in f. 28; "aussehet": `AU e het`; "wollen": f. 28 `wo SCH en`, f. 30 `wo [U?] en`.
- "beide mitgehen": `bEI de mi LL gehen` in both copies; the ll-sign stands where t is needed.
- "will": f. 28 `wi SCH`, f. 30 `wi [U?]`, followed by clear words read differently in the two transcriptions.
- "gleichwohl": `m lEICH uohl` in both copies, m for g.
- "Rantzo": f. 29 `zu radt zo gezogen`, f. 31 `zu rantz o gezogen`.
- "Hohendorf", "Rest", "Forstenau aber" follow f. 31/f. 30 where f. 29 has `hohtndorf`, `rz st`, `AU waeer`.
- Place names: Lehrort (Lerort, the Rhine-Lippe ford by Wesel), Quakenbrück, Verden, Osnabrück, Cloppenburg, Vechta,
  Wildeshausen, Diepholz, Fürstenau, the Hase, the Reiderland, Stickhausen, Vegesack, Hadeln (Saxe-Lauenburg).

HCP507_en.md

# HCPortal 507 (ff. 28-29, with the duplicate 508, ff. 30-31), Malsburg to Landgrave Wilhelm V, 28 Mar 1637 (old style) — English

Translation of `HCP507_reading.md` (22 Oct 2026, batch b08), with the same holes: `[193]` an unvalued code, `<V>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[…]` unread; {companies} = 273, {regiment} = 253, {the States} = 188 valued
from context. ⟨...⟩ = clear words. Partial reading: the document stays "decoded, not read".

## Translation

⟨I arrived back safely yesterday evening … and found Your Princely Grace's gracious letter … there,⟩ I would indeed like to set out from here with <H#> train as soon as possible ⟨and⟩ by land, since Dunkirkers were lying on the Watten a few days ago, and arrive by [235] at the appointed place with God's help. But since I am to bring [193] [212] guns ⟨and⟩ [197] <V>, and the enemy (who, between [149] ⟨and⟩ the Ruhr, has about 6 {companies} [193] <e> <n> {companies} [200] ⟨and⟩ 1 {company} of dragoons [?lying], and besides <K> {regiment} [212] from Lorraine, about <4#> [?horse] strong, coming to join) now gathers ⟨and⟩ wants to take the field, it is not advisable to go overland; by water, though, it is slow ⟨and⟩ cannot be put in hand so quickly, for it takes a great deal of time before ships that go to sea ⟨and⟩ are not to be had here are ordered; ⟨and⟩ […] {companies} [200] have to be taken away from here so necessarily, twelve {companies} [213] cannons, with proper [208] ⟨and⟩ [XX] train loaded on them ⟨and⟩ provided with the necessary [194] ⟨and⟩ fodder, would have to be, to say nothing of the great cost.

⟨And⟩ a contrary wind can come, so that in <f> ⟨or⟩ <K> weeks one cannot move a step backward or forward. Moreover, the [168] would have to be asked for a free passage, for no garrison would let such a number of ships pass without express orders. Thirdly, the enemy would easily guess [129]'s intention from it ⟨and⟩ forestall it. Fourthly, besides this, no [193] can be taken from these quarters (because the old {companies} are weak ⟨and⟩ the new ones are not coming up), nor guns either, since the commanders daily demand more of both.

There are indeed the <0> new twelve-pounder guns from [220] here, but not yet mounted on carriages; nor does one have any shot ⟨or⟩ [197] wagons, gunners ⟨and⟩ equipment. ⟨And⟩ Wartenberg [has been] discharged, and will now take service again with the [?French]. Therefore it is not possible to take him or his {regiment} ⟨…⟩ and the colonels Uffel ⟨and⟩ Karpf from their posts (because the enemy has brought fire-mortars ⟨and⟩ guns m[181] to Warendorf, but one does not yet [?know] his intention). Uffel also asks, since his [260] now looks so bad, not to be wrangled with; and he will not willingly [?want] to stand under […] in [215].

⟨But all this must be demanded, and especially⟩ about the withdrawal of the troops ⟨and⟩ the re-appointment of commanders, if Uffel ⟨and⟩ Karpf were [?both to go along], everything must first be considered ⟨and⟩ agreed with the <V>, ⟨which, according to his letter, will be here in a few days, to learn⟩ and the resolution of the conclusum, what [126] ⟨and⟩ [153] will do this summer ⟨and⟩ how soon they will take the field; 2, whether they will take {the States} into their alliance; 3, whether they will allow a muster place in the Cleves country, <4#> [XX] give passage ⟨and⟩ repassage at Lehrort over [174] ⟨and⟩ lend a bridge for it, [?will] bring along. […] yet, without any presumption (if it can only be done on account of the enemy above), not to rush, but first to wait for the return of [122] from m[214], who, as soon as he has arrived here again, wants to take the [200] ⟨and⟩ go to {the States}, ⟨and⟩ to see first where the enemy, who is together, will turn ⟨since⟩ Jan de Werth is also getting ready to march between the Ruhr ⟨and⟩ [268].

For the conjunction ⟨…⟩ could happen nowhere sooner ⟨and⟩ more conveniently than at Cloppenburg or Vechta, since they could be sooner from Minden to Quakenbrück than to Verden or elsewhere, ⟨and⟩ they have Osnabrück on the other side; nor can the enemy do them any harm, since Cloppenburg, Vechta, Wildeshausen and Diepholz are poorly garrisoned. Fürstenau, however, is occupied with [oo] <s> […] [193] ⟨and⟩ <o> {companies} [212]; but the Hase lies between, so that they can go safely [?…] [216] from the enemy who is in garrison there, ⟨and⟩ that the Reiderland can be taken first, as the Mansfelder did. For the Frisians are now recruiting 1 {company} [193] from <o>tkopffen, and are throwing up a sconce between Stickhausen ⟨and⟩ Bossem at the pass where one can cross. […] the roads are also said to be […] so bad that one cannot yet get through them with wagons ⟨and⟩ horses.

⟨I have … answer for this,⟩ that, because of the enemy's gathering ⟨and⟩ the absence of [160], I cannot take any [193] [212] ⟨or⟩ guns out of the garrisons, nor change the command quickly. ⟨…⟩ But as soon as [122] comes, {the States} shall be answered on all points humbly ⟨and⟩ in detail, ⟨and⟩ the <V> urged to set out quickly by one ⟨or⟩ the other road to [129]. Whether I [?nevertheless] ⟨and⟩ <+> should go to [147] alone with {the States}' train even before the return of [122], on that I await orders, ⟨and⟩ will keep myself ready for that case at all times.

⟨… stands with him,⟩ Colonel Hohendorf came ⟨to me on the way⟩ and reports that he had sent the rest of his [191], some <4H> men, back to the Vegesack, who intended now to take the Land of Hadeln, which belongs to Saxe-Lauenburg, with his troops ⟨and⟩ to seek quarters there; he has also gone to m[123] at [?Rantzau].

## Notes

- Lehrort: the Rhine crossing below Wesel. Mansfelder: Count Ernst von Mansfeld, who occupied East Frisia in 1622-1624.

hcp508.txt

18 73 78 41 79 56
66 D 44 88 22 90 37 70 30 98 35 21 99 74 93 76 55 15 60 42 11 A H# 26 30 Q 31 58 35 83 82 66 16 25 S 86 42 39 N 61 65 40 24 99 55 22
60 98 Y H# 27 71 22 51 79 30 38 51 84 25 71 73 30 48 60 15 36 N 60 70 43 84 44 F 23 46 49 22 37 70 L 61 44 39 M 35 D 43 16 99 61 29 84
63 67 88 30 N 235 25 31 10 48 7 36 56 26 16 31 73 30 26 56 11 41 54 73 A 16 77 72 71 99 B 49 55 44 15 70 22 43 79 63 98 Y 78 36 N 70 10 16 30
193 212 O 88 38 51 197 42 36 L 76 30 11 22 16 31 13 73 V 27 16 25 86 G 60 55 10 16 97 37 16 99 N 61 30 31 73 D 52 37 11 X 61 44 149
65 71 72 30 39 44 32 11 84 6 273 193 e n 273 200 1 273 94 25 70 54 73 22 77 99 11 57 79 83 72 55 A S D 31 73 N K 253 212 F W
99 73 A 30 11 22 54 16 22 79 60 37 70 M 4H? 81 22 79 30 60 O 55 30 38 51 67 55 90 71 51 73 R 61 44 36 52 73 40 71 77 55 E 16 44 43 16 72 16 A
40 88 86 16 15 60 37 36 99 77 73 66 O 47 76 84 65 15 55 44 60 40 58 29 61 72 16 83 31 11 L 94 58 31 15 66 N 40 88 37 55 W 48 30 55 10 61 30
78 39 31 29 37 Y 99 11 43 92 39 22 13 73 J? 78 G_ 44 11 43 83 11 A 40 88 37 16 30 38 51 43 16 30 11 D 60 16 26 37 61 30 27 48 83 67 70 22
84 13 79 97 23 35 25 32 79 30 41 1? 71 11 61 H 90 Y 60 84 72 16 42 39 31 X 95 49 T 84 68 35 40 58 97 68 79 72 16 43 48 82 61 22 55 78
82 11 25 31 11 60 40 71 76 79 92 89 E 61 83 68 G 44 91 16 Z 61 99 60 98 93 82 78 55 44 67 36 11 e 99 61 22 L 273 200 68 73 31 73 26 37 61 22
27 36 29 58 35 83 72 11 16 30 28 76 43 16 86 88 30 60 98 61 30 32 16 22 42 58 D 61 63 40 37 35 78 B 273 213 M 80 39 22 73 44 77 42 11 A
43 16 82 73 25 11 29 16 30 208 X X 94 30 Q 44 67 55 30 S 86 43 16 99 55 67 61 22 42 36 L 22 73 A 71 25 B 60 36 43 79 31 194
86 88 A 16 30 88 22 43 61 44 58 16 30 13 16 72 61 22 98 16 30 32 16 22 68 93 78 26 61 44 74 Y 22 42 58 O 61 83 67 16 77 43 97 35
W 16 22 58 44 92 35 Z 61 44 74 43 16 31 60 40 99 11 N 16 22 40 71 43 16 X 98 Y 43 16 22 92 70 22 38 73 22 60 30 70 25 11 37 36
44 26 92 73 R 61 63 67 55 D 42 55 44 66 63 f K 98 45 N 61 44 22 11 A G 22 16 44 X 97 36 26 37 Y 60 82 36 44 67 79 25 35
67 61 25 58 93 97 68 37 N 92 73 E 88? 44 92 55 22 40 88 67 79 42 61 77 73 42 71 Z 16 22 67 36 16 168 58 42 91 Y 83 16 44 86 30
G 61 22 81 39 W 84 30 74 88 N 41 98 61 30 32 16 22 46 70 44 92 G 31 43 55 30 22 11 13 73 22 35 44 61 79 20 12 25 84
W 16 22 76 61 23 79 15 D Y 44 68 73 99 N 39 22 40 70 99 X 66 61 T 49 98 71 30 32 16 81 70 W 11 30 16 22 99 70 W 84 63 88
73 25 74 27 25 36 A 16 98 71 97 32 16 67 16 30 23 Y 22 41 129 36 44 26 16 44 94 11 93 44 67 55 30 S D 99 11 N 90 55 76 63 16
42 84 22 40 71 24 73 97 92 73 R 84 83 47 11 16 30 60 61 22 77 74 35 92 39 22 F D 88 10 16 30 67 36 16 74 61 13 S 68 67 66 13 61 63 85
71 39 30 41 11 30 16 44 92 G 83 193 37 Y H 32 36 39 99 94 84 83 273 X 37 39 N 77 Y 22 27 36 16 31 61 37 16 44 83 11 A S B
51 73 R 16 22 37 36 F D O 71 38 51 79 43 79 31 35 E 61 44 98 61 30 32 16 22 67 70 C 46 66 16 80 73 R 48 22 46 70 22 60 16
22 94 39 29 78 36 N 27 16 30 61 44 76 Y 32 16 30 99 G 42 16 21 25 91 79 43 16 25 84 44 79 W 77 Y 44 60 40 98 55 30 27 36
0? 63 16 37 61 40 37 73 78 50 53 23 71 22 27 11 43 16 Z 88 38 51 16 71 35 44 220 55 15 72 11 30 55 10 61 25 22 73 N 44 11 A 99 55
88 16 A 11 30 61 41 68 73 72 70 L 42 70 22 S N 92 Y 22 16 51 71 43 16 15 197 98 39 43 61 44 80 73 31 O 70 76 16 99 13 39 A 11 78 39
54 61 36 F 37 70 30 26 16 22 10 16 30 43 39 76 43 16 67 55 22 38 51 79 26 37 11 30 60 F N 22 71 31 56 16 30 42 36 L 25 70 22 60 40 73
68 95 N 98 11 27 16 30 Y 44 99 70 W 16 44 27 55 72 61 30 S 86 36 72 22 73 32 16 30 77 Y 83 253 24 44 60 27 11
16 73 91 25 11 O 16 22 71 B 16 99 92 70 30 81 86 S W 36 30 16 44 81 93 Z 16 22 37 Y H 67 16 30 23 G 22 60 23 79 71 25 42 73
25 77 16 H O 24 38 51 16 S D 42 181 83 70 N 37 39 25 61 22 67 73 25 B 29 84 50 98 30 16 60 13 Y 44 16 11 22 60 16 22 41 36 73 44
55 76 49 30 42 55 22 39 M 89 N 63 66 L 18 G D 63 11 41 52 71 31 16 42 84 83 77 G 31 77 73 76 16 54 61 30 60 S N 88 B 48 H 37 Y 99 13
36 63 260 36 90 73 77 73 J? 78 16 N 60 F 61 72 16 60 31 11 41 39 10 40 88 40 39 22 38 51 16 44 S D 37 11 30 60 16 30 58 22 29 16 30 22 36 44 215 88 22
60 16 30 43 71 22 60 16 30 73 26 61 22 O 61 72 16 44 37 73 U? 79 63 37 16 54 61 22 S W 44 84
42 88 31 43 27 16 30 71 73 99 38 51 16 30 18 11 32 16 30 76 16 Z 84 H 88 22 43 67 84 25 38 73 R 61 44 46 39 22 26 16 22 98 61 22 71 B 16 H
80 39 30 53 50 91 G 32 16 42 11 H 43 16 82 61 22 13 35 78 26 79 31 42 11 L 32 16 56 V 28 H 61 74 79 30 Z 58 76 79 25 99 16 29 26 55 10 43
16 30 16 27 16 26 37 16 30 32 16 22 71 83 26 65 16 74 73 78 88 60
11 73 31 58 73 22 32 16 56 38 73 44 38 78 71 74 73 37_ 39_ W 126 153 27 36 74 16 22 77 73 R 61 97 41 72 71 22 37 36 16 76 70 99 41 13
11 16 40 71 50 16 99 26 54 61 72 16 22 37 16 30 27 16 22 2 45 76 74 36 16 188 42 36 A 95 63 66 21 25 79 39 H 11 55 22 38 16 31 16 56 16 22
3 56 88 Z 16 30 53 78 70 26 52 84 36 56 38 78 16 71 11 X 84 63 88 48 30 O 55 L 16 49 4#? XX 76 G 78 79 72 25 73 21 97 26 40 61
22 81 39 W 97 16 53 70 W 71 10 79 97 174 43 16 10 84 22 27 70 30 90 88 Y 22 61 76 30 71 38 51 16 72 61 30 99 G 72 16 44
98 73 H 79 83 42 11 A 76 25 36 22 43 16 44 98 11 U? H# 27 73 N 73 72 63 55 H 61 74 42 39 W 43 16 10 61 22 37 61 44 16
13 31 71 30 67 79 D 73 76 36 54 16 44 86 Y 22 60 77 82 70 15 10 79 65 95 Z 16 30 43 16 X 16 21 61 44 92 39 63 13 X? 11 N 44 11 A 90 88 71 76
16 25 Y 99 16 22 77 73 22 32 16 25 44 79 30 Z 46 16 77 122 37 11 32 16 30 92 71 22 23 26 F W 42 214 67 16 30 27 55 44 77 73 76 55
15 60 79 30 39 78 72 36 25 37 11 46 16 30 39 22 43 16 99 70 22 43 26 36 Z 67 36 79 200 63 16 42 61 22 40 47 188 43 61 21
16 83 37 11 H 98 93 72 66 44 74 36 N 32 16 30 86 Y 22 60 98 16 99 D 49 97 91 Y 13 55 E 22 36 70 44 32 37 16 30 60 68 89 90 71 42 S 86 76 30 88 N
68 11 D 40 37 11 X 61 44 65 71 72 30 268 43 16 86 70 Z 42 70 D 49 60 13 36 N 37 16 22
32 16 44 98 16 30 32 61 44 79 30 O 52 88 77 16 72 61 22 90 24 98 70 30 60 16 22 72 16 A 79 44 67 70 C 27 36 61 38
73 22 36 71 38 60 11 73 22
83 36 30 43 16 22 60 74 79 72 16 30 86 71 54 78 11 N 16 30 55 99 13 10 Y 25 1? 80 78 73 81 12? 16 22 76 88 30 43 93 27 16 25 71 79
N 60 61 43 61 J? 79 72 16 83 67 55 44 77 11 16 48? 72 84 65 24 73 44 42 11 22 32 16 44 40 88 85 71 55 80 92 16 22 91 30 36 61 29 16 H 87 99 77 40
88 64 84 65 67 16 22 28 44 67 61 30 55 H 16 30 13 Y 83 51 73 22 10 44 82 55 91 16 22 68 11 16 45 W 22 62 76 25 71 80 92 28 31 46 48
30 77 Y 60 61 63 92 87 83 S N 71 73 42 23 G 44 60 36 72 25 92 Y 22 X 55 67 16 43 48 J? 49 82 79 83 67 70 44 80 99 73 81 53 16 22 10 88
43 58 48 N 41 49 37 11 15 60 90? 72 S 13 61 22 88 44 96 67 16 81 82 73 78 60 X 99 16 N 41 76 48 13 49 26 52 13 Y 22 86 73 30 Z 16 22 S 98
55 10 61 30 36 O 42 36 A oo s 57 28 M 193 o 273 212 91 79 15 16 43 26 79 W 66 Z 55 10 16 25 67 11 61 72 70 74 16 67 70 40
98 36 X 16 22 67 55 P 13 36 16 87 15 77 73 71 73 22 32 61 42 86 Y 44 60 67 61 30 67 28 11 22 43 71 70 30 22 61 77 73 44 36 O 13 11 N 84 25 Z
86 216 98 73 21 78 43 61 72 84 22 40 55 W 30 Y 32 49 97 99 55 31 26 40 71 16 30 Z 37 11 16 32 61 30 42 70 22 P 23 16 15 94
84 65 43 16 26 39 72 44 G_ 31 43 16 22 73 R 16 22 37 16 30 32 16 83 92 62 22 67 39 44 67 11 16 86 30 36 16 W 16 22 36 60
40 73 1 273 193 71 73 44 o 6 60? 92 73 53 B 61 83 98 16 30 10 84 63 S N Y 31 79 J? 70 22 60 90 16 40 37 11 X 16 44 O 88
38 51 82 S W 16 44 91 73 P 84 42 39 22 67 16 42 81 39 W 67 55 42 62 83 88 76 79 97 43 16 21 61 44 92 70 22 S 50 37
61 30 B 16 22 68 79 30 T 16 22 68 73 H 16 63 S D 13 G_ 22 41 67 11 79 37 84 43 61 55 M 34 N 74 73 76 73 74 67 70 W 42 55 44 42 11 L 98
62 43 48 31 81 86 79 30 32 48 83 31 73 D 22 36 A 67 39 25 11 22 86 73 30 26 51 73 R 61 83 92 39 22
27 37 P 36 N 37 16 54 84 44 67 79 W 86 Y 22 60 13 40 88 77 70 R 84 M 43 16 72 61 22 27 84 P 160
39 76 18 16 77 61 83 21 G_ 26 92 Y 44 193 212 Z 88 38 51 16 S W 67 61 31 43 55 25 31 36 74 73 31 16 22 31 16 72 56
79 31 S N 27 70 P 38 73 E 16 83 27 73 58 16 30 79 22 27 16 30 44 92 70 22 X 99 Y 63 95 43
68 73 76 70 15 26 39 76 16 25 67 49 97 122 92 73 42 76 26 77 73 H 188 S T 39 H 61 81 71 31 38 26 16 22 71 22 60 16
30 41 72 F W 23 88 25 78 11 N 91 61 55 22 60 18 73 25 60 84 26 67 48 65 V 13 66 D J? 99 Y 44 66 29 67 88 30
N G_ 22 16 44 40 84 31 55 22 32 16 30 22 37 49 43 52_ 88 129 90 71 16 30 72 16 10 16 22 81 71 W 11 30 48 26 37 61 30
32 61 44 73 76 11 D 55 10 79 25 42 99 Y N 14 73 72 78 + 31 73 N 71 73 25 77 122 18 11 32 49 30 51 71 31 50 26 42 36 A
188 26 30 Q 22 39 H Y 44 S 86 147 43 16 72 16 22 74 73 H 67 39 30 S 23 79 30 37 70 30 41 16 11 D 76 61 23 79 78 N f?
37 11 H 42 11 N S 23 77 73 78 N 79 31 86 39 78 39 15 40 Y 60 43 16 23 70 Z 82 62 99 94 79 31 J?
188 26 30 Q 22 39 H Y 44 S 86 147 43 16 72 16 22 74 73 H 67 39 30 S 23 79 30 37 70 30 41 16 11 D 76 61 23 79 78 N f?
37 11 H 42 11 N S 23 77 73 78 N 79 31 86 39 78 39 15 40 Y 60 43 16 23 70 Z 82 62 99 94 79 31 J?
93 76 30 36 Z 16 25 82 73
72 16 22 27 89 30 23 36 O 92 35 E 84 83 91 61 30 11 D 60 16 41 67 70 W 84 25 32 48 44 65
49 Z 88 73 83 77 Y 22 16 42 191 61 26 98 70 M 42 62 22 18 11 32 16 30 72 73 99 41 48 44 36 22 27 16 22 86
16 43 61 77 70 38 51 43 84 J? 36 38 51 16 26 72 79 L 84 37 16 15 N 61 25 71 48 65 42 Y 22 60 49 42 36 A
13 G 44 61 22 71 73 15 38 51 79 30 22 83 88 22 57 16 21 30 67 70 W 99 70 22 26 71 73 C 72 70 27 16 99 61 22
77 73 13 70 D 74 48 22 78 S 84 83 10 71 97 43 90 71 O 16 22 46 11 29 36 O G 83 40 71 22 16 42 84 31
46 70 13 16 15 76 Z 85 58 28 30 60 11 16 25 90 88 77 71 N 16 22 66 Z S D 22 62 N 56 123 40 88 25 70 22 60 90
73 43 16 52 73 29 16 22

f030.txt

# scan 0030 (folio number "20" at top right), headed "Duplicat" at top left (later pencil date "28 März 1637"):
# the DUPLICATE of the letter on scans 0028-0029 (Malsburg to the Landgrave, 28 March 1637 old style), re-copied
# with different line breaks. Same opening clear text ("Ich bin gestern abent [in] Stadt ... wieder glücklich
# angelangt ...", "... in duplo, das ander aber den 24. [sign] huius vet. in simplo ankommen, dort mich funden,").
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
{... funden,} 18 73 78 41 79 56
66 D 44 88 22 90 37 70 30 98 35 21 99 74 93 76 55 15 60 42 11 A H# 26 30 Q 31 58 35 83 82 66 16 25 S 86 42 39 N 61 65 {Und} 40 24 99 55 22
60 98 Y H# 27 71 22 51 79 30 38 51 84 25 71 73 30 48 60 15 36 N 60 70 43 84 44 F 23 46 49 22 37 70 L 61 44 39 M 35 D 43 16 99 61 29 84
63 67 88 30 N 235 25 31 10 48 7 36 56 26 16 31 73 30 26 56 11 41 54 73 A 16 77 72 71 99 B 49 55 44 15 70 22 43 79 63 98 Y 78 36 N 70 10 16 30
193 212 O 88 38 51 {Und} 197 42 36 L 76 30 11 22 16 31 13 73 V 27 16 25 86 G 60 55 10 16 97 {/:} 37 16 99 N 61 30 31 73 D 52 37 11 X 61 44 149
{Und} 65 71 72 30 39 44 32 11 84 6 273 193 e n 273 200 {Und} 1 273 94 25 70 54 73 22 77 99 11 57 79 83 72 55 A S D 31 73 N K 253 212 F W
99 73 A 30 11 22 54 16 22 79 60 37 70 M 4H? 81 22 79 30 60 O 55 30 38 51 67 55 90 71 51 73 R 61 44 {:/} 36 52 73 40 71 77 55 E 16 44 43 16 72 16 A
{Und} 40 88 86 16 15 60 37 36 99 77 73 66 O 47 76 84 65 15 55 44 60 40 58 29 61 72 16 83 31 11 L 94 58 31 15 66 N 40 88 37 55 W 48 30 55 10 61 30
78 39 31 29 37 Y 99 11 43 {Und} 92 39 22 13 73 J? 78 G_ 44 11 43 83 11 A 40 88 37 16 30 38 51 43 16 30 11 D 60 16 26 37 61 30 27 48 83 67 70 22
84 13 79 97 23 35 25 32 79 30 41 1? 71 11 61 H 90 Y 60 84 72 16 42 39 31 X 95 49 T 84 68 35 40 58 97 68 79 72 16 43 48 82 61 22 {Und} 55 78
82 11 25 31 11 60 40 71 76 79 92 89 E 61 83 68 G 44 91 16 Z 61 99 60 {Und} 98 93 82 78 55 44 67 36 11 e 99 61 22 L 273 200 68 73 31 73 26 37 61 22
27 36 29 58 35 83 72 11 16 30 28 76 43 16 86 88 30 60 98 61 30 32 16 22 42 58 D 61 63 40 37 35 78 B 273 213 M 80 39 22 73 44 77 42 11 A
43 16 82 73 25 11 29 16 30 208 {Und} X X 94 30 Q 44 67 55 30 S 86 43 16 99 55 67 61 22 {Und} 42 36 L 22 73 A 71 25 B 60 36 43 79 31 194
{Und} 86 88 A 16 30 88 22 43 61 44 58 16 30 13 16 72 61 22 98 16 30 32 16 22 68 93 78 26 61 44 74 Y 22 42 58 O 61 83 67 16 77 43 97 35
W 16 22 58 44 92 35 Z 61 44 74 43 16 31 60 40 99 11 N 16 22 40 71 43 16 X 98 Y 43 16 22 {Und} 92 70 22 38 73 22 60 30 70 25 11 37 36
44 26 92 73 R 61 63 67 55 D 42 55 44 66 63 f {oder} K 98 45 N 61 44 22 11 A G 22 16 44 X 97 36 26 37 Y 60 82 36 44 67 79 25 35
67 61 25 58 93 97 68 37 N 92 73 E 88? 44 92 55 22 40 88 67 79 42 61 77 73 42 71 Z 16 22 67 36 16 168 58 42 91 Y 83 16 44 86 30
G 61 22 81 39 W 84 30 74 88 N 41 98 61 30 32 16 22 46 70 44 92 G 31 43 55 30 22 11 13 73 22 35 44 61 79 20 12 25 84
W 16 22 76 61 23 79 15 D Y 44 68 73 99 N 39 22 40 70 99 X 66 61 T 49 98 71 30 32 16 81 70 W 11 30 16 22 99 70 W 84 63 88
73 25 74 27 25 36 A 16 98 71 97 32 16 67 16 30 23 Y 22 41 129 36 44 26 16 44 94 11 93 44 67 55 30 S D 99 11 N 90 55 76 63 16
42 84 22 {Und} 40 71 24 73 97 92 73 R 84 83 47 11 16 30 60 61 22 77 74 35 92 39 22 F D 88 10 16 30 67 36 16 74 61 13 S 68 67 66 13 61 63 85
71 39 30 41 11 30 16 44 92 G 83 193 {/:} 37 Y H 32 36 39 99 94 84 83 273 X 37 39 N 77 Y 22 {Und} 27 36 16 31 61 37 16 44 83 11 A S B
51 73 R 16 22 {:/} 37 36 F D O 71 38 51 79 43 79 31 35 E 61 44 98 61 30 32 16 22 67 70 C 46 66 16 80 73 R 48 22 46 70 22 60 16
22 94 39 29 78 36 N 27 16 30 61 44 76 Y 32 16 30 99 G 42 16 21 25 91 79 43 16 25 84 44 79 W 77 Y 44 60 40 98 55 30 27 36
0? 63 16 37 61 40 37 73 78 50 53 23 71 22 27 11 43 16 Z 88 38 51 16 71 35 44 220 55 15 72 11 30 55 10 61 25 22 73 N 44 11 A 99 55
88 16 A 11 30 61 41 68 73 72 70 L 42 70 22 S N 92 Y 22 16 51 71 43 16 15 {Und} 197 98 39 43 61 44 80 73 31 O 70 76 16 99 13 {Und} 39 A 11 78 39
54 61 {Und} 36 F 37 70 30 26 16 22 10 16 30 43 39 76 43 16 67 55 22 38 51 79 26 37 11 30 60 F N 22 71 31 56 16 30 42 36 L 25 70 22 60 40 73
68 95 N 98 11 27 16 30 Y 44 99 70 W 16 44 27 55 72 61 30 S 86 36 72 22 73 32 16 30 77 Y 83 253 {Hinnestadt zu marckh?} 24 44 60 27 11
16 73 91 25 11 O 16 22 71 B 16 99 {Und} 92 70 30 81 86 S W 36 30 16 44 81 93 Z 16 22 {/:} 37 Y H 67 16 30 23 G 22 60 23 79 71 25 42 73
25 77 16 H {Und} O 24 38 51 16 S D 42 181 83 70 N 37 39 25 61 22 67 73 25 B 29 84 50 98 30 16 60 13 Y 44 16 11 22 60 16 22 41 36 73 44
55 76 49 30 42 55 22 39 M 89 N 63 66 L 18 G D {:/} 63 11 41 52 71 31 16 42 84 83 77 G 31 77 73 76 16 54 61 30 60 S N 88 B 48 H 37 Y 99 13
36 63 260 36 90 73 77 73 J? 78 16 N 60 F 61 72 16 60 31 11 41 39 10 40 88 40 39 22 38 51 16 44 S D 37 11 30 60 16 30 58 22 29 16 30 22 36 44 215 88 22
60 16 30 43 71 22 60 16 30 73 26 61 22 O 61 72 16 44 37 73 U? 79 63 {Aber das alles so muss zu fordern Und sonderlich} 37 16 54 61 22 S W 44 84
42 88 31 43 27 16 30 71 73 99 38 51 16 30 {Und} 18 11 32 16 30 76 16 Z 84 H 88 22 43 67 84 25 38 73 R 61 44 46 39 22 26 16 22 98 61 22 71 B 16 H {Und}
80 39 30 53 50 91 G 32 16 42 11 H 43 16 82 61 22 13 35 78 26 79 31 42 11 L 32 16 56 V 28 H 61 74 79 30 Z 58 76 79 25 99 16 29 26 {Und} 55 10 43
16 30 16 27 16 26 37 16 30 32 16 22 {welches dan seinen zu schreiben nach in wenig tagen alhier sein wird erfahren} 71 83 26 65 16 74 73 78 88 60
11 73 31 58 73 22 32 16 56 38 73 44 38 78 71 74 73 37_ 39_ W 126 {Und} 153 27 36 74 16 22 77 73 R 61 97 41 72 71 22 {Und} 37 36 16 76 70 99 41 13
11 16 40 71 50 16 99 26 54 61 72 16 22 37 16 30 27 16 22 2 45 76 74 36 16 188 42 36 A 95 63 66 21 25 79 39 H 11 55 22 38 16 31 16 56 16 22
3 56 88 Z 16 30 53 78 70 26 52 84 36 56 38 78 16 71 11 X 84 63 88 48 30 O 55 L 16 49 4#? XX 76 G 78 79 72 25 73 21 97 26 40 61
22 81 39 W {Und} 97 16 53 70 W 71 10 79 97 174 43 16 10 84 22 {Und} 27 70 30 90 88 Y 22 61 76 30 71 38 51 16 72 61 30 99 G 72 16 44
98 73 H 79 83 42 11 A 76 25 36 22 43 16 44 98 11 U? {dessen wegen?} H# 27 73 N 73 72 63 55 H 61 74 42 39 W 43 16 10 61 22 {/:} 37 61 44 16
13 31 71 30 67 79 D 73 76 36 54 16 44 86 Y 22 60 77 82 70 15 10 79 65 95 Z 16 30 43 16 X 16 21 61 44 92 39 63 {:/} 13 X? 11 N 44 11 A 90 88 71 76
16 25 Y 99 16 22 77 73 22 32 16 25 44 79 30 Z 46 16 77 122 37 11 32 16 30 92 71 22 23 26 F W 42 214 67 16 30 27 55 44 77 73 76 55
15 60 79 30 39 78 72 36 25 37 11 46 16 30 39 22 43 16 99 70 22 43 26 36 Z 67 36 79 200 63 16 42 61 22 {Und} 40 47 188 43 61 21
16 83 37 11 H {Und} 98 93 72 66 44 74 36 N 32 16 30 86 Y 22 60 98 16 99 D 49 97 91 Y 13 55 E 22 {weil auch} 36 70 44 32 37 16 30 60 68 89 90 71 42 S 86 76 30 88 N
68 11 D 40 37 11 X 61 44 65 71 72 30 {Und} 268 43 16 86 70 Z 42 70 D 49 60 13 36 N 37 16 22
32 16 44 98 16 30 32 61 44 79 30 O 52 88 77 16 72 61 22 {Und} 90 24 98 70 30 60 16 22 72 16 A 79 44 {;} 67 70 C 27 36 61 38
73 22 36 71 38 60 11 73 22 {meines dort Verhaltens Und unsers jüngsten Lamb schreibens nach, so in duplo übergeschickt}
{erfordern,} 83 36 30 43 16 22 60 74 79 72 16 30 {Und} 86 71 54 78 11 N 16 30 55 99 13 10 Y 25 1? 80 78 73 81 12? 16 22 76 88 30 43 93 27 16 25 71 79
N 60 61 43 61 J? 79 72 16 83 67 55 44 77 11 16 48? 72 84 65 24 73 44 42 11 22 32 16 44 40 88 85 71 55 80 92 16 22 91 30 36 61 29 16 H 87 99 77 40
88 64 84 65 67 16 22 28 44 67 61 30 55 H 16 30 13 Y 83 51 73 22 10 44 {Und} 82 55 91 16 22 68 11 16 45 W 22 62 76 25 71 80 92 28 31 46 48
30 77 Y 60 61 63 92 87 83 S N 71 73 42 23 G 44 60 36 72 25 92 Y 22 X 55 67 16 43 48 J? 49 82 79 83 67 70 44 80 99 73 81 53 16 22 10 88
43 58 48 N 41 49 37 11 15 60 90? 72 S 13 61 22 88 44 96 67 16 81 82 73 78 60 X 99 16 N 41 76 48 13 49 26 52 13 Y 22 86 73 30 Z 16 22 S 98
55 10 61 30 36 O 42 36 A oo s 57 28 M 193 {Und} o 273 212 91 79 15 16 43 26 79 W 66 Z 55 10 16 25 67 11 61 72 70 74 16 67 70 40
98 36 X 16 22 67 55 P 13 36 16 87 15 77 73 71 73 22 32 61 42 86 Y 44 60 67 61 30 67 28 11 22 43 71 70 30 22 61 77 73 44 36 O 13 11 N 84 25 Z
# end of the scan: the duplicate breaks off here (at "84 25 Z", = f. 29 line 4); its continuation is not on this leaf.
# The duplicate differs from the original in a few groups (e.g. f.29 "22 36 77 73 44 66 O" vs f.30 "22 61 77 73 44 36 O";
# f.28 "73 J? 79 63" vs f.30 "73 U? 79 63"); each copy is transcribed as it stands.
# notes: "oo" = the long looped sign; "o", "s", "e", "n" = small lower-case signs; "K" = K-like sign; "4H?" = a sign like
# 4 joined to H (f. 28 has "M? 4#?" at the same place); "U?" = a u/J-like hooked sign.

f031.txt

# scan 0031: continuation of the DUPLICATE (scan 0030) of the letter of 28 March 1637 (old style), Malsburg to the
# Landgrave; it re-copies the cipher of scan 0029 from "86 216 98 73 ..." onward, with different line breaks.
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
86 216 98 73 21 78 43 61 72 84 22 {Und} 40 55 W 30 Y 32 49 97 99 55 31 26 40 71 16 30 Z 37 11 16 32 61 30 42 70 22 P 23 16 15 94
84 65 43 16 26 39 72 44 G_ 31 43 16 22 73 R 16 22 37 16 30 32 16 83 92 62 22 67 39 44 67 11 16 86 30 36 16 W 16 22 36 60
40 73 1 273 193 71 73 44 o 6 60? 92 73 53 B 61 83 98 16 30 10 84 63 S N Y 31 79 J? 70 22 60 90 16 40 37 11 X 16 44 O 88
38 51 82 S W 16 44 {Und} 91 73 P 84 42 39 22 67 16 42 81 39 W 67 55 42 62 83 88 76 79 97 43 16 21 61 44 92 70 22 S 50 37
61 30 B 16 22 68 79 30 T 16 22 68 73 H 16 63 S D 13 G_ 22 41 67 11 79 37 84 43 61 55 M 34 N 74 73 76 73 74 67 70 W 42 55 44 42 11 L 98
62 43 48 31 {Und} 81 86 79 30 32 48 83 31 73 D 22 36 A 67 39 25 11 22 86 73 30 26 51 73 R 61 83 92 39 22 {Habe darwartens? diese}
{verantwort,} 27 37 P 36 N 37 16 54 84 44 67 79 W 86 Y 22 60 13 40 88 77 70 R 84 M 43 16 72 61 22 {Und} 27 84 P 160
39 76 18 16 77 61 83 21 G_ 26 92 Y 44 193 212 {Und} Z 88 38 51 16 S W 67 61 31 43 55 25 31 36 74 73 31 16 22 31 16 72 56
79 31 S N 27 70 P 38 73 E 16 83 27 73 58 16 30 79 22 27 16 30 44 92 70 22 X 99 Y 63 95 43 {über gütliches vollers,}
68 73 76 70 15 26 39 76 16 25 67 49 97 122 92 73 42 76 26 77 73 H 188 S T 39 H 61 81 71 31 38 26 16 22 71 22 60 16
30 41 72 {Und} F W 23 88 25 78 11 N 91 61 55 22 60 18 73 25 60 84 26 {Und} 67 48 65 V 13 66 D J? 99 Y 44 66 29 67 88 30
N G_ 22 16 44 {oder} 40 84 31 55 22 32 16 30 22 37 49 43 52_ 88 129 90 71 16 30 72 16 10 16 22 81 71 W 11 30 48 26 37 61 30
32 61 44 73 76 11 D 55 10 79 25 42 99 Y N 14 73 72 78 {Und} + 31 73 N 71 73 25 77 122 18 11 32 49 30 51 71 31 50 26 42 36 A
188 26 30 Q 22 39 H Y 44 S 86 147 43 16 72 16 22 74 73 H 67 39 30 S 23 79 30 37 70 30 41 16 11 D 76 61 23 79 78 N {Und} f?
37 11 H 42 11 N S 23 77 73 78 N 79 31 86 39 78 39 15 40 Y 60 43 16 23 70 Z 82 62 99 94 79 31 J? {Herr Junger Lappe? ...}
188 26 30 Q 22 39 H Y 44 S 86 147 43 16 72 16 22 74 73 H 67 39 30 S 23 79 30 37 70 30 41 16 11 D 76 61 23 79 78 N {Und} f?
37 11 H 42 11 N S 23 77 73 78 N 79 31 86 39 78 39 15 40 Y 60 43 16 23 70 Z 82 62 99 94 79 31 J? {Herr Junger Lappe? ...}
{... Und die Calesche seint auch fertig, habe dan Und damit aufhalten ..., stehet bey demselben,} 93 76 30 36 Z 16 25 82 73
72 16 22 27 89 30 23 36 O {Unterweges bey mich} 92 35 E 84 83 91 61 30 11 D 60 16 41 67 70 W 84 25 32 48 44 65
49 Z 88 73 83 77 Y 22 16 42 191 61 26 98 70 M {struck: 4H?} 42 62 22 18 11 32 16 30 72 73 99 41 48 44 36 22 27 16 22 86
16 43 61 77 70 38 51 43 84 J? 36 38 51 16 26 72 79 L 84 37 16 15 N 61 25 71 48 65 42 Y 22 60 49 42 36 A
13 G 44 61 22 71 73 15 38 51 79 30 22 83 88 22 57 16 21 30 67 70 W 99 70 22 26 71 73 C 72 70 27 16 99 61 22
77 73 13 70 D 74 48 22 78 S 84 83 10 71 97 43 90 71 O 16 22 46 11 29 36 O G 83 40 71 22 16 42 84 31 {Und}
46 70 13 16 15 76 Z 85 58 28 30 60 11 16 25 90 88 77 71 N 16 22 66 Z S D 22 62 N 56 123 40 88 25 70 22 60 90
73 43 16 52 73 29 16 22 {; Befehl. Thun gar wohl, dass sie ...}
# clear to the end: "... [Cassel] den 28. Martij vet. 1637", "E. F. G.", signed "Unterthäniger gehorsamer Diener Otto
# von der Malsburgk"; the same clear postscript as f. 29 at lower left ("Die 12000 Rthaler so nach Bremen gemacht
# waren, solten zu recrute gelder ... 3500 ducaten ... wechsel briefe an Ludwig ... ducaten Und dubloni mitbringen").
# Differences from the original f. 29 are kept as written (e.g. f.29 "65 40 Z 88" vs f.31 "65 49 Z 88";
# f.29 "25 70 27 60 90" vs f.31 "25 70 22 60 90"; f.31 strikes out the "4H?" sign after M).
# notes: "f?" at the end of the "188 26 30 Q" line = a small f/long-s-like mark; "+" = a cross sign; "J?" = long j-like
# sign; "E" = E-like sign with a stroke; "o" = small lower-case sign; "52_" = 52 with a bar beneath.

hcp509.txt

46 79 31 97 16 39 42 76 39 W 28 46 97 48 20 60 65 87 35 30 67 11 63 C? 97 49 34 71 66 48 Z 39 99 31 46 25 16 68
67 79 15 62 17 88 84 76 79 58 93 38 80 14 99 70 19 93 81 36 79
39 42 73 31 68 77 84 83 29 49 99 55 15 73 22 32 30 84 13
39 R 91 55 W 62 27 Y 30 78 49 27 36 38 26 68 61 22 43 16 H
S 27 36 38 94 Z 76 70 39 67 79 71 25
70 56 10 28 D 39 27 91 79 24 16 30
115 S 13 15 35 22 48 63
248 56 G 22 O 16 26 21 24 22 129 27 79 30 12 50 70 15 90 32 16 65 22 48 N Z_
OO
22 11 D 26 24 69 16 15 13 48 19 K 97 77 90 58 21 35 B 63 70 N? G 44 52 64 37 70 W 16
65 47 22 26 79 30 57 10 16 15 Y? 94 24 35 42 155 13 48 15 10 Z_ 148 13 16 22 54 48 78 63 24 B
188 AA
12 30 N' 22 26 90 30 73 91 48 25 60 XX [square] GG
155 CC 129 28 30 57 16 48 90 24
64 22 26 16 30 21 70 15 16 44 12 70 15 90
133 16 22 26 15 11 D 10 30 48 D 79 63 155
69 42 28 12? 30 57 66 26 X 69 B 90 126 O 93 D
27 48 30 19 21 24 30 86 56 11 26 27
16 63 Y T 48 63 40 64 32 69 13 12 93 22 11 30 83 13 11 N GG AA KK
V F_? 13 123
22 73 O 13 48 21 30 27
24 63 51 79 15 77 61 15 90 70 57 48 46 11 83 29 16 24 42 10 LL
11 O 28 H 16 13 24 57 77 89 31 Z
21 73 B 24 35 156

f032.txt

# scan 0032 (folio number "21" at top right): a DIFFERENT letter, in French, "Hault et Puissant Seigneur /
# Monseigneur", dated at the foot "Zinca? 3e d'Avril 1637" (place name uncertain), subscribed "de V.re Alt.ze /
# Treshumble, Tresobeissant et tres fidel serviteur" and signed only with the code number "232" (sender not named).
# Opening: "Monseigneur, combien que la retraicte de Gallas de France, comme aussy l'accord porté par le Roy
# Treschrestien au mariage de Monsieur ...". Below it a German "Extract" in another hand (same page), with cipher.
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# French letter: cipher runs (same kind of numeric cipher)
{... en mon opinion par la lettre} 46 79 31 97 16 39 42 {struck: 7?} 76 39 W 28 46 {struck: 30? 71} 97 48 20 60 65 87 35 30 67 11 63 C? 97 49 34 71 66 48 Z 39 99 {struck: 73?} 31 46 25 16 68
67 79 15 62 17 88 84 {struck: 4} 76 79 58 93 38 80 14 99 70 19 93 81 36 79 {Il me faict l'honneur de tenir estroicte correspondence avec}
{moy, aussy j'ay addressé toutes mes lettres} 39 42 73 31 68 77 84 83 29 49 99 55 15 73 22 32 30 84 13 {Laissant tousjours mes}
{que je sers audict} 39 R 91 55 W 62 27 Y 30 {, a cachet volant afin que} 78 49 27 36 38 26 68 61 22 43 16 H {soit informé entie-}
{rement de ce qui passe icy, Il est fort content que je l'ay bydomme addressé} S 27 36 38 94 {struck: 28} Z 76 70 {struck: D} 39 67 79 71 25
{... (clear French to the date and signature)}
# Extract (German, lower half of the page; heading and first line)
{Extract} 70 56 10 28 D 39 27 91 79 24 16 30 {schreiben}
{aus} 115 S 13 15 35 22 48 63 {vom 16/26 Mart. 1637.}
{Ist Frankreich ... Hertzog von Parma ... Medina ... Landgraf ... (clear, 9 lines) ... zu bezeugen, als nichts}
248 {solte billich das} 56 G 22 O 16 26 21 24 22 {weil} 129 27 79 30 12 50 70 15 90 32 16 65 22 48 N Z_ {Und also}
{durch denselben directe etwas solte Ihm können, dahin das} OO {am meisten geneigt, ob}
{ist aber vor erst das hier} 22 11 D 26 24 69 16 15 13 48 19 K 97 77 90 58 21 35 B 63 {als} 70 N? G 44 52 64 37 70 W 16
65 47 22 26 79 30 57 10 16 15 Y? 94 24 35 42 155 13 48 15 10 Z_ {gleich solle helt} 148 13 16 22 54 48 78 63 24 B {bis}
{sicherheit vom schluss mit Frankreich könte, Immittelst überlegt man wie jeg-} 188 {Und} AA {contentement zu geben}
{Und wohin} 12 30 N' 22 26 90 30 73 91 48 25 60 {Ihr? feindes, ob Herr ...} XX {oder} [square] {nach} GG {scheinet}
{abzuführen, doch ist gut zu apparent, das} 155 {mit hülffe} CC {soll ahnnehmen} 129 28 30 57 16 48 90 24
64 22 26 16 30 21 70 15 {struck: 26} 16 44 {Und damit bringt ex parte nach} 12 70 15 90 {zu thun; das ...}
{Liance geschlossen, wirdt} 133 16 22 26 15 11 D 10 30 48 D 79 63 {müssen,} 155 {soll dermög ... hanstat}
69 42 28 12? 30 57 66 26 {Und:} X 69 B 90 126 O 93 D {Und das demselben seine Commission ...}
# notes: the French letter's cipher uses the same group style; groups struck through by the writer are given as
# {struck: ...}. In the Extract the signs "O O", "A A", "X X", "G G", "C C" are paired letter signs written large
# (cf. XX in f. 3), and "[square]" is a drawn square sign. "N'" = N with two dots above; "Y?" = a dotted y-like sign;
# "N? G" = an N-like sign followed by G. The French letter's lines are the scan lines; the Extract is in a second hand.
# 28 Sept: paired large letter signs ("O O", "A A" ...) joined into one code token each (OO, AA ...), per the note above.

f033.txt

# scan 0033 (upper half of a leaf, torn/cut; lower half blank with show-through): news extracts in German (with a
# Dutch phrase: "Metter tijt compt Herman met wambas en de broeck, Staet te hopen dat metter tijt ock sal volgen"),
# in the hand of the Extract on f. 32. Three short pieces, each closed by a line of cipher signs + a date, which stand
# where a sender would be named:
#   piece 1 ends "V F_? 13 123  5 April / 26 Mart. 1637"; piece 2 ends "21 73 B 24 35 156  17/27 Martij 1637";
#   piece 3 ("Zu Paris hat man mit abfertigung Hertzog Bernhards ... la Valette ...") has no closing line.
# Groups separated by spaces; capital letters are letter signs; clear words in {braces}; ' = dot above the group;
# ? = doubtful reading; # = crossed sign; _ = underlined. The ordinary H sign has a crossbar and is given as H.
# piece 1 (continues an extract begun on f. 32)
{Da aber gleich die alliance nicht geschlossen wirdt, hat gleichwohl} 27 48 30 19 21 24 30 86 56 11 26 27
16 63 Y T 48 63 40 64 32 69 13 12 93 22 11 30 83 13 11 N {mit} GG AA {oder} KK
{In Engellandt gehet man damit umb eine Comp. nach Ost Indien zu schicken, ... (clear, 4 lines) ... wirdt balt heraus kommen;}
V F_? 13 123 {5 April / 26 Mart. 1637}
# piece 2
{Sonsten stehen die handlungen mit Schweden, Frankreich Und Engellandt} 22 73 O 13 48 21 30 27
24 63 51 79 15 {gehen} 77 61 15 90 70 57 48 46 11 83 29 16 24 42 10 {mit} LL {habe ich auch bewegten anhaltens}
{sache gewust?} 11 O 28 H 16 13 24 57 77 89 31 Z
{Hat der Pass durch Graubünden ... (clear, 7 lines, la Valette, 20000 man in Italien, St. Chaumond ...) ... als Königl. König;}
21 73 B 24 35 156 {17/27 Martij 1637}
# piece 3: clear only ("Zu Paris hat man mit abfertigung Hertzog Bernhards von Sachsen und la Valette ... 1200 man
# erlegt und 2000 gefangen ... der Obrist Rosa hat vor wenig tagen ein Gallasisch Regiment geschlagen"); no cipher.
# notes: "V" = the triangle-like sign (inverted triangle with a bar); "F_?" = an F-like sign with a bar;
# the 24 at the start of the piece-2 second line has a long 4-crossbar (recheck: not a strike; reads "dunkel"); paired large signs "G G", "A A", "K K", "L L"
# as on f. 32. The lower half of the leaf has only faint show-through from the verso (not transcribed).

HCP509_reading.md

# HCPortal 509 (HStAM 4 h Nr. 1411, ff. 32-33): the French letter of "232", 3 Apr 1637, and German news extracts — partial reading

Rests on: `f032.txt`, `f033.txt` (transcription agents, checked by Bourdeau) decoded with `key.txt` unchanged
(`research/reading_audit/b08_dec.py`); the clear French letter on f. 32 transcribed here from the HCPortal original scan
(hstam_4_h_1411_0032, 2114 x 2512, fetched 22 Oct 2026 into the session scratchpad; batch b08) and the cipher runs set
in it. The German extracts (lower half of f. 32 and f. 33, a second, fast hand) are given only as far as the 28 Sept
transcription carries their clear words; their clear text was not re-transcribed in this pass. No contemporary
decipherment, no clear copy, no edition. One label corrected on the scan (`HCP509_corrections.tsv`,
`f032_corrected.txt`). Code values: `{die Staaten}` = 188 (grade I, `codes.txt`).

State (22 Oct 2026, batch b08): decoded, not read (French letter read; German extracts not). 23 Oct 2026 (batch r2k): the German extracts' clear text (second hand, lower f. 32 and f. 33, three pieces) transcribed line by line on 2x crops of the HCPortal scans 0032-0033 and set around the decoded cipher runs; see the Notes. Still decoded, not read: explicit holes 0.667 overall, but the German extracts alone 0.50 (log `HCP507-509_reread_log.md`). Log `HCP496-509_reread_log.md`.

Conventions: `{...}` a code with a context value; `[129]` an unvalued code; `<GG>` an unvalued sign; `[?word]` partly
carried; `[word]` supplied; `[…]` unread or not transcribed. Cipher words are in *italics*; everything else is clear
text in the letter. Spelling as written; punctuation added.

## Reading

Monseigneur, combien que la retraicte de Gallas de France, comme aussy l'accord porté par le Roy Treschrestien au mariage de Monsieur et le retour de Madame sa femme, qu'on croid qui s'ensuivra bientost, et le passage de nouveau ouvert pour les lettres et correspondences par la [?Brabande], donnent quelque soupçon a quelques uns qu'il y pourroit estre bonne correspondence entre les Couronnes France et Espagne, si est ce que je suis a present d'un contraire advis, et espere que tout ira mieulx qu'on ne s'est proposé n'agueres, estant confirmé grandement en mon opinion par la lettre *de nre Ambassadeur extraordinaire qui est a Londres, de la […] [?veu] […] la copie*. Il me faict l'honneur de tenir estroicte correspondence avec moy; aussy j'ay addressé toutes mes lettres *a Mons Sengel a Londres*, laissant tousjours mes [lettres] que je [?sers] *audict Ambassadeur* a cachet volant, afin que *ledict Sengell* soit informé entierement de ce qui passe icy. Il est fort content que je l'ay [?…] addressé *audict [?Ambassadeur]*, et honore sa personne selon que ses dignes qualitez le meritent aussy. Une chose me desplaist neantmoins, c'est a scavoir que [?Anger] tarde tant en France. Car puis qu'il est asseuré qu'il porte plus de contentement de Angleterre au Roy Treschrestien que le Roy mesme n'avoit demandé, je trouve estrange qu'on le traisne tant a Paris. Peut estre que c'est a quelque bonne fin. Mes lettres du 27e de Mars de Paris disent que six armées du Roy marcheront dans peu de jours, dont quatre sont composées une chascune de dix mille hommes et les deux aultres une chascune de douze mille hommes, tellement que la guerre y commence a bons escient. J'espere aussy que Vre Altze par la desmarche desdittes armées sera bien soulagée, et j'espere aussy qu'on faira de ce costé icy une bonne diversion. Et n'ayant aultre chose pour le present, je remettray les nouvelles que nous attendons de jour a aultre du traicté conclu entre les deux couronnes au prochain messager, me signant tousjours, Hault et Puissant Seigneur, Monseigneur, de Vre Altze treshumble, tresobeissant et tres fidel serviteur, 232.

Extract *[?Ambassadeur]* schreiben aus *[115] aus [?London]* vom 16/26 Mart. 1637.

In Franckreich ist man nicht wohl zufrieden, dass der Hertzog von Parma, wie man [?nicht] vermeinet, gehabt eine neutralitet gehandelt zu haben, sich auch verpflichtet [?Saindetta], den besten importanten Platz, dem Hertzog von Medina, Viceroy von [?Sicilien], in handen zu stellen, Und dass in Piacenza Und Parma [?Hochdeutsche] Und Italianer unter [?] mit [?einigen] officirern in guarnison gelegt werden sollen. Herr [?] Landtgraff [?] das [?wesen] thut wohl seine sache in acht zu nehmen Und Franckreich, dass er ihm darin die hand [?bieten]; [?verspricht] auch dass demselben [?widerumb] eine gute [...]. Es ist ein Werck das [?gar] viel meritiret, Und da er nit will, solten [?ihr] [?selbst] das encouragiren, so viel [?bey] der [?Zustandt] leiden will; ob ist allzeit besser etwas gethan Und dadurch seine gewogenheit zu bezeugen, als nichts. *[248]* solte billich das *meinste thun*, weil *[129] der Pfalz der nechst*, Und also durch denselben [?directe] [?] [?oder] etwas solte ihm können, dahin das *<OO>* am meisten geneigt. Ob ist aber vor erst das hier *nicht viel sec<K>rs zu hoffen* als *[…] zu wasser unterm beleit vom [155] selbst*, gleich wohl helt *[148] Sengel nuff* bis sicherheit vom schluss mit Franckreich kömbt. Immittelst überlegt man wie *{die Staaten}* Und *<AA>* contentement zu geben, Und wohin *Printz Robert* [?] [?], ob [?sich] [?] *<XX>* oder *<▢>* nach *<GG>* scheinet abzuführen; doch ist gut zu apparent, das *[155]* mit hülffe *<CC>* soll ahnnehmen *[129] armee zu unterhal[t]en*, Und damit bringt [?ex] [?] nach *Palz* zu thun. Da das [?Al]liance [?ist] geschlossen, wirdt *[133] entlich brechen* müssen; *[155]* solle vermög derselben [?sonsten] *im Apr mit* Und *Schiff z [126] stoch* Und das demselben seine Commission [?empfangen].

Da aber gleich die alliance nicht geschlossen wirdt, hat gleichwohl *der Churf mit denen [?eiffen] zu disponirn sich* mit *<GG> <AA>* oder *<KK>*. In Engellandt gehet man damit umb eine Comp. nach Ost Indien [?aufzurichten], dann der König die gerechtigkeit der Admiralitet Und acten seinem Siegel zu geben [?versprochen], wie auch die [?bey] [?ihren] Congnesten zu maintenieren; Metter tijt compt Herman met wambas en de broeck, Staet te hopen dat metter tijt ock sal volgen; das Pfältzische manifest so ziemblich weitleuffig, wirdt balt heraus kommen. *<V> aus [123]*, 5 April / 26 Mart. 1637.

Sonsten stehen die handlungen mit Schweden, Franckreich Und Engellandt *noch sehr dunkel*; gehen *selzame dinge umb* mit *<LL>*; habe ich auch [?beweglichst] anhalten [?sache] [?gewust], *ist alles umsonst*. Hat der Pass durch [?] [?offen], [?] sagt man [?frey] [?dass] der Kauffleut zu [?Andorff] [?geschehen]; ob wirdt berichtet, dass la Valette mit einem Heer die Mosell herab kommt Und 20000 man in Italien geschickt werden. Es hat es mit dem bündt zwischen Franckreich Und Engellandt [?schwer] [?zu] [?haben] sein, darumb weil Franckreich will, dass man [?Schweden] Und Hollandt mit lassen begreiffen solle; Schweden will itzo von St. Chaumond etliche erklerung wissen, ob Franckreich offenbar feindt sein wolle mit dem Kayser; Franckreich will den König in Ungarn nicht kennen als Königl. König. *Hoff vo[n] [156]*, 17/27 Martij 1637.

Zu Paris hat man mit abfertigung Hertzog Bernhards von Sachsen Und la Valette so viel zu thun, dass andere verrichtungen Und expeditiones verschoben werden. Der Hertzog von Rohan hat eine gute victori wider die Spanier erhalten, so haben die Frantzosen [?] [?Landtgrund] Und [?] 1200 man erlegt Und 200 gefangen, [?dessen] die relation des Curirers [?gemeldet]; der Obrist Roß hat vor wenig tagen ein Gallasisch Regiment geschlagen.

## Notes

- French letter: the clear text is transcribed here from the scan; the 28 Sept transcription gave only the words next
  to the cipher. [?Brabande] (perhaps "la Brabande"/"le Brabant"), [?Anger] (a person's name, "Anger" or "Augier") and
  the word before "addressé" ("bydomme") are uncertain in the clear hand.
- Cipher runs of the French letter: `46 79 31 97 16 | 39 42 76 39 W 28 46 [struck] 97 48 20 60 65 87 35 30 67 11 63 Q
  97 49 34 71 66 48 Z 39 99 [struck] 31 46 25 16 68` = de nre ambassad[e]r extraordinaire qui est a l[o]ndres (Q = ai on the
  scan; the transcription's "MM" is a misread, corrections file); `67 79 15 62 17 88 84 [struck] 76 79 58 93 38 80 14
  99 70 19 93 81 36 79` = de la cue … beu occu la copie: "de la[quelle]" and "veu" (b for v) are guesses, so the clause
  stays holed; `39 42 73 31 68 77 84 83 29 49 99 55 15 73 22 32 30 84 13` = a mons sengel a londres; `39 R 91 55 W 62
  27 Y 30` = ambassadeir; `78 49 27 36 38 26 68 61 22 43 16 H` = ledict sengell; `S 27 36 38 94 Z 76 70 39 67 79 71 25`
  = audict st ba adeur (the ambassador again, with struck groups).
- "Sengel": the Hessian correspondent in London; "232" signs the letter (sender not identified).
- German extracts (23 Oct 2026, r2k): the clear text of the second hand transcribed on the scan (crops of hstam_4_h_1411_0032
  y 1420-2500 and 0033 y 220-1500 at 2-3x, session scratchpad reread/r2k/); the fast Kurrent hand leaves single words
  uncertain ([?word]) or unread ([?]); the decoded cipher runs (italics) are unchanged from b08. Spelling as written; the
  Dutch proverb on f. 33 kept as written. 'Saindetta' is probably Sabbioneta, 'Congnesten' conquests, 'Roß' Colonel
  Rosen; 'Andorff' Antwerp. 'secKrs' = secours (K sign), 'Palz' = Pfalz as the figures give it.

HCP509_en.md

# HCPortal 509 (ff. 32-33): the French letter of "232", 3 Apr 1637, and German news extracts — English

Translation of `HCP509_reading.md` (22 Oct 2026, batch b08; German extracts re-transcribed 23 Oct 2026, batch r2k), with the same holes: `[129]` an unvalued code, `<GG>` an
unvalued sign, `[?word]` partly carried, `[word]` supplied, `[…]` unread or not transcribed; cipher in *italics*;
{the States} = 188 valued from context. Partial reading: the document stays "decoded, not read".

## Translation

My lord, although the retreat of Gallas from France, as also the agreement brought by the Most Christian King to the marriage of Monsieur and the return of Madame his wife, which it is believed will follow soon, and the passage newly opened for letters and correspondence through the [?Brabant], give some people some suspicion that there might be good understanding between the Crowns of France and Spain, yet I am now of a contrary opinion, and hope that all will go better than was proposed not long ago, being greatly confirmed in my opinion by the letter *of our ambassador extraordinary who is in London, of the […] [?seen] […] the copy*. He does me the honour of keeping close correspondence with me; I have also addressed all my letters *to Monsieur Sengel in London*, always leaving my [letters] that I [?send] *to the said ambassador* under flying seal, so that *the said Sengel* may be fully informed of what passes here. He is very content that I have [?…] addressed it *to the said [?ambassador]*, and honours his person as his worthy qualities also deserve. One thing displeases me, however, namely that [?Anger] is so long delayed in France. For since it is certain that he brings more satisfaction from England to the Most Christian King than the King himself had asked, I find it strange that he is kept dragging on so long in Paris. Perhaps it is for some good end. My letters of 27 March from Paris say that six armies of the King will march in a few days, four of them of ten thousand men each and the other two of twelve thousand men each, so that the war there is beginning in earnest. I also hope that Your Highness will be much relieved by the march of the said armies, and I also hope that a good diversion will be made on this side. And having nothing else for the present, I shall leave the news we expect from day to day of the treaty concluded between the two crowns to the next messenger, signing myself always, High and Mighty Lord, my lord, Your Highness's most humble, most obedient and most faithful servant, 232.

Extract of the *[?ambassador's]* letter from *[115] from [?London]* of 16/26 March 1637.

In France they are not well pleased that the Duke of Parma, as one [?did not] expect, is said to have negotiated a neutrality and also bound himself to put [?Sabbioneta], the best and most important place, into the hands of the Duke of Medina, Viceroy of [?Sicily], and that in Piacenza and Parma [?High Germans] and Italians under [?] with [?some] officers are to be put in garrison. Lord [?] Landgrave [?] the [?affair] does well to look to his business, and France [hopes] that he [?will offer] him his hand in it; [?it promises] also that [?in return] a good [...] to him. It is a work that deserves [?much], and if he will not, [?they] [?themselves] should encourage it as far as the [?situation] will allow; for it is always better to have done something and thereby shown one's goodwill than nothing. *[248]* should rightly *do the most*, because *[129] of the Palatinate the next*, and so through him [?directly] [?] [?or] something should be able to [do] for him, to which the *<OO>* is most inclined. But for the present there is *not much succour to hope for* here other than *[…] by water under the escort of [155] himself*; nevertheless *[148] Sengel* holds [back] until security comes from the conclusion with France. Meanwhile they consider how to give *{the States}* and *<AA>* satisfaction, and where *Prince Rupert* [?] [?], whether [?] *<XX>* or *<▢>* seems to lead towards *<GG>*; yet it is quite apparent that *[155]* with the help of *<CC>* is to undertake *to maintain [129] army*, and so bring [?] to do towards the *Palatinate*. When the alliance [?is] concluded, *[133] will finally have to break*; *[155]* is by virtue of it [?otherwise] *in April with*, and *ship z [126] stoch*, and that he has [?received] his commission.

But even if the alliance is not concluded, *the Elector* has nevertheless *to dispose himself with those [?]* with *<GG> <AA>* or *<KK>*. In England they are about [?setting up] a Company for the East Indies, for the King has [?promised] to give the right of the Admiralty and the acts under his seal, as also to maintain [?their] conquests; "In time comes Herman with doublet and breeches; it is to be hoped that in time it will follow too" (Dutch proverb); the Palatine manifesto, fairly long, will soon come out. *<V> from [123]*, 5 April / 26 March 1637.

Otherwise the negotiations with Sweden, France and England stand *still very dark*; *strange things are going on* with *<LL>*; I have also [?urgently] pressed [?] [?], *it is all in vain*. Whether the pass through [?] [?is open], [?] they say [?freely] [?that] of the merchants at [?Antwerp] [?happened]; it is reported that La Valette is coming down the Moselle with an army and that 20,000 men are to be sent into Italy. The league between France and England [?is hard to obtain], because France wants [?Sweden] and Holland to be included in it; Sweden now wants a declaration from Saint-Chaumont whether France will be the Emperor's open enemy; France will not recognise the King of Hungary as King [of the Romans]. *Court of [156]*, 17/27 March 1637.

In Paris they have so much to do with the dispatch of Duke Bernhard of Saxony and La Valette that other business and dispatches are put off. The Duke of Rohan has won a good victory against the Spaniards; the French have [?] [?] and [?] killed 1,200 men and taken 200 prisoner, [?as] the courier's report [?says]; Colonel Rosen a few days ago beat a regiment of Gallas.