D. U:? N D. F F. J:? C: L: J N. O F D. …
nvhnistzwarein …

Leeuwarden → Heidelberg · nine-cell shape grid with dots · spring 1620

Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, spring 1620

Go to the full text ↓

A stadtholder of Friesland advises his brother, who commands the defence of the Palatinate, to keep the command or step down, in letters whose key lies in the family key book.

Daniel Bourdeau · posted

Method: read with known key · Extent: partial (96% of the cipher) · On the map

Contributed by Brice Dudout (solution) · Also credited · Daniel Bourdeau (pointer to a source)

At a glanceKnown key applied · partial (96% of the cipher)

The letters
Three letters (1, 3 and 5) and a postscript from Willem Lodewijk of Nassau, stadtholder of Friesland, to his brother Johann VII of Nassau-Siegen, February to May 1620. The dates are in cipher and not broken.
Where
Hessisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Wiesbaden, Abt. 171 Nr. S 995, fols. 20r–21v, 41r–41v, 44r–44v (cipher part) and 53r. Not on DECODE.
The cipher
A letter is the shape of its cell in a 3×3 grid, with no, one or two dots; capitals and symbols stand for names. The grid is written in the family key book, Abt. 171 Nr. C 667, image 55.
How it was deciphered
The upper grid of the key book was frozen, then tested on eleven cipher words of the file that carry a contemporary gloss: 0.860 against 0.185 for the other grid and at best 0.442 for 20 permuted grids. Each page was transcribed sign by sign before decoding.
What it says
Johann is thinking of giving up his command. Willem Lodewijk urges him to keep it, or if age weighs on him to withdraw as an “emeritus miles” as he does himself, and answers Johann’s plan for defending the Lower Palatinate.
Still open
The nomenclator signs (names of persons and rivers), the ciphered dates, the end of the postscript, and 25 unresolved words.
Credit
Brice Dudout (Europe chiffrée) transcribed and read the letters, working with Claude Opus 5.5 agents. The entry comes from Daniel Bourdeau’s Archivportal-D sweep (catalogue no. 566).

01 The letters

In the spring of 1620 the Bohemian war was spreading into the Empire. Spinola was gathering in the Netherlands the army that would invade the Palatinate at the end of the summer, and the Protestant Union was preparing its defence. Willem Lodewijk of Nassau (1560–1620) wrote from Leeuwarden to his brother Johann VII of Nassau-Siegen (1561–1623), the theorist of defence by militia, who had been commissioned to defend the Palatinate. Willem Lodewijk died at the end of May 1620.

The four pieces are almost wholly in cipher. A neighbouring letter in the same channel (fols. 22r–23v) has “1620” in clear and answers a letter of Johann of 23 February, which dates the group to February–May. The signature is in clear: “E. L. trewer bruder Wilhelm Ludwig graff zu Nassaw”. Two letters of the file (fols. 22–23 and 42–43) are in clear and not part of this reading.

02 The key and its test

The cover of the file says “Die Schlüssel sind zu C. 667 gelegt”. Image 55 of C 667 holds two 3×3 grids, a worked example dated 1620 and the nomenclator. The upper grid (AKT·BLV·CMW / DNX·EOY·FPZ / GQ·HR·IS) reads the 1620 letters; the lower one reads the letters of 1606 and 1609. The key was therefore not reconstructed here, and it is not claimed.

The grid was frozen by SHA-256 and tested before any letter was decoded, on eleven cipher words of fols. 25 and 29 that carry a contemporary gloss (“vnion”, “werbung”, “monatlich”, “künfftig”, “feindt”…). Mean agreement was 0.860, against 0.185 for the second grid and at best 0.442 for 20 permuted grids. Each transcription was frozen before decoding as well, so the key was never adjusted to a reading.

03 The reading

The reading is counted by script on the published text, with the statuses certain, probable, restored and unresolved. All four pieces together come to 1,388 cipher words: 1,184 certain, 154 probable, 25 restored and 25 unresolved, which is 96.4% certain or probable and 98.2% with the restored words. Letters 1 and 5 and the postscript pass the 95% bar; letter 3 does not without its restored words (92.6%), so by the repository’s rule the group counts as partial.

Willem Lodewijk writes “[A] and I” for himself and a person left unresolved. In letter 1 he calls a plan for the command of the relief forces “nicht practicabel vnd gantz immature”. Letter 3 answers Johann’s defence plan for the Lower [Q], very probably the Lower Palatinate: militia plus a regular corps, muster by Circles rather than one assembly of the Union, no invasion towards the Weser expected that year, provisions first. Letter 5 hopes Johann will continue in his charge and finds it dangerous to write such things “ohne chifer”. The postscript concerns officers’ pay fixed by the late Elector and table money in the field. The German text and an English translation of each piece are under Full texts.

04 What remains uncertain

Full texts

The transcription and the decryption of every document on this page, so that the reading can be used and checked. Short files are shown here; all are in the repository.

Letter 1, fols. 20r-21v, Willem Lodewijk to Johann VII, spring 1620

Advice to keep the general command of the defence ("beim commendo maintenirt"); if age weighs, to withdraw as an "emeritus miles"; a plan for the command of the relief forces is "nicht practicabel vnd gantz immature".

Transcription

letter1_transcription.txt

# Letter 1, fols. 20r-21v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]
# Shapes of the grid cells, sign by sign, one manuscript line per line: <folio> L<line>: tokens.
# J=⌋ U=⊔ L=⌊ D=⊐ O=□ C=⊏ 7=⌉ N=⊓ F=⌈ ; "." = one dot in the cell, ":" = two dots ; "~" = abbreviation dot outside the cell ;
# [X] = nomenclator sign or capital (unresolved) ; [3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs ; "?" = doubtful sign or dot ; "#" = illegible.
# Each transcription was frozen by SHA-256 before any decoding with the key. Source: HHStAW Abt. 171 Nr. S 995 (scans 300 dpi, research only;
# no image is distributed). Clear passages of the letter are not transcribed here (see the reading file).

## fol. 20r (T02, SHA f1681f5f)
20r L01: [A] U:D.D FLN NJUOD. O~ U.~ F.LNN.OFUOD.
20r L02: L.FJ: CU.OFF. U:D.D JD.DJLNJ: 7OU.OF.OD. [ℰ] U:D.D
20r L03: N.OFCU.FLN U:UON.U.O7J: [3] L:JFF. [⁘] O~ U.~ FD.F.O.U. //
20r L04: LNOD. L:FLNJ:F7OD. F.JLNOD. C:U:L. UOF.J:OD. N.JJ:NOD.
20r L05: J.O.D.J:OD. [ω] NJU.J:OD.F. CU:N.F. ON.F.J:O DJCU:N. [3] DJF.
20r L06: D.FOL.JD.DJ: C:U: F.O.U.LNOL. DFOD.F.J: UO7.U:OL.ON.U:D.D
20r L07: F.U:CCFF.JD.J:ON. F.OFO [ℰ] JU.F. OUUOD.? O~ U.~ [ω] DFO //
20r L08: L:OFU. F.FO DJF. U.JD.DJ:N.OJ:J:U:D.7F. L:ON.LJ. 7N.U:D.DJ:
20r L09: U.FLN U:ON.F.J:ONOD. [3] U:D.D U:FOU. FJNN.OD. JU.U.=
20r L10: DJF. N.U:NL.U?U.FLN [ℰ] U:D.D F.ONN. CO.N.J:NOFU.NJCJ:F7
20r L11: FD.F. L:ON.LJ. 7OF.J:OU.J: NJUOD. [3] DFO 7OU.O7OD. =
20r L12: NOFJ: DOF. U.JD.DJ:F. U:D.D NU:L.O.N.D? DOF. 7JD.J:C:OD.
20r L13: JU:F.C:U:7F. UOF.F.ON. JU.F. L:O.NU. J.OFD.ON. DON. OD:?JJ:~?
20r L14: J.O.D.D.OD. [ω] U:D.D JD.DON. JU:F.C:U:7J. [3] U:C L:OU.LNOD.
20r L15: J:NOFU.F. DFO LO.D.F.ON.U:JJ:FO.D. DON. U:D.J:ON.
20r L16: [Q]~ L:FN.DJ: JND.J.O.L.L.OD. L.U:F.F.OD. [ℰ] O.ND.O DON.O.
20r L17: C.N.OF.OD.J:C: [ω] JND.L:OFF.? [3] U:D.D N.O7FN.U:D.7
20r L18: L:OD.F7 C:U:JLNJ:OD. [ω] U:D.D DJDU:N.LN DJF.
20r L19: 7OL.OFD.O UOF.J:O [3] U:D.D FD.F.O.D.DON.NOFJ:
20r L20: DON. [B] OFD.OD. FN.N.OC.JN.JUFU.OD. F.LNJDOD.
20r L21: U.OFDOD. L.O.LNJ:OD. [ℰ] L:OU.LNON. O~ U~ [ω]
20r L22: F.OU.UF.J: F.O.U.J:O J.?O.D.D.OD. U:?ON.L:FOF.OD.
20r L23: L:ON.DOD. [3] JU.F. L:JD. DFOF.OU.UO FD. DON.
20r L24: D.O.J:N JND. DOL. 7OL.OFD.OD. UOF.J:OD.
20r L25: DOF.C.ON.FN.J: [ℰ] U:D.D C.JN.J:FLU:U.FON.OD. N.O //
20r L26: F.C.OLJ:F.? NJU.UOD. DOD. [B] U:ON.U.JF.F.OD.
20r L27: NOJ:J:OD. [ω] L:OU.LNOF. L:FN. DJD. O.ONN.O.D.7ON.J:
20r L28: F.ONNOD. L:O.U.J:OD. [3] L:OFU. [A] U:D.D FLN FD.
20r L29: DON. NO.#D.U:D.7 F.J:ONOD. [ℰ] DJF. OF. DOF.
20r L30: [B] 7ON.FD.7F.J:O 7ODJD.LJ.?OD. F.OFD.DJ: [ω]
20r L31: DJF. O~[ℰ]U.~ [3] FD. JUF.OD.J:C: DON? [A̅] U:D.D [A.]
20r L32: DJF. 7OD.ON.JU. LO.L.L.OD.DO. [3] [3] D.JLNDOL.
20r L33: F.FO O~[3]U.~[ℰ]~ F.OU.UF.J: FD. DON.O. LO.L.L.FF.F.FO.D.
20r L34: JU.F. [∇] ON.J.U.ON.J: NJUOD. [ℰ] F.O.U.J:O OD.J:C:O. //
20r L35: 7OD. L:ON.DOD. [ω] D.FLNJ: JU.U.OFD. FD. JD.F.O //
20r L36: NU:D.7 DON. UFU.U.F7J.OFJ: F.OU.UF.J: [3] U:D.D
20r L37: DOF. 7N.O.F.F.OD. U:D.DON.F.LNFODJ:F. DON.
## fol. 20v (T03L, SHA f9cef4b0)
20v L01: ON.CJNN.OD.NOFJ: FD. DOL. J.N.FLNF.L:OF.OD. [ℰ] C:L:FF. //
20v L02: F.LNOD. O~ [ℰ] U.~ [3] U:?O.D? DOD. JD.DON.OD. [ω] F.O. DFOF.D?U.UO
20v L03: U:ON.L.U:J:NOD. FNN. C.N.OCON.FN.J: C:?U: L:ON.DOD. [3]
20v L04: F.O.D.DON.D. JU:LN CU:N.D.OL:UU.FLN [ℰ] FD. UOJ:N.J =
20v L05: LNJ.?U:D.7 DON. D.O.J:N.U:CJ: [ω] DJF. [B] OF7OD. DFO =
20v L06: D.F.J: U:D. DD.U:J:C:O C:U:L. JU.U.?ON.NO.LNF.J:OD. DJN.JD.
20v L07: 7OUO7OD. FF.J: [3] DJF. O~ [ω] U.? [3] UOF L.? LO.L.L.OD.7?O.
20v L08: L.JFD.J:OD.FN.J: L:ON.DOD. [ℰ] U:ON.L.OFD.OD. JU:LN
20v L09: DJF.F. [A] U:D.D [A°] L:O7OD. FNN.OF. C.JN.J:FLU: =
20v L10: U.FN.OD. FD.J:ON.OF.J:F. [3] DFOL:OFU. F.FO DFLNJ:
20v L11: DON.L. JF.F.OD. U:O.D. FL.J D.DJ:F. JD.DON.F. [ℰ] JU.F.
20v L12: L:O.NU. U:O.D. O~ [3] U. [ω] L:O7OD. U:O.N.NFD. 7OL.OU. //
20v L13: J:ON. U:N.F.JLNOD. J.O.D.?D.OD. JF.F.FF.J:FN.J: L:ON.DOD. [3]
20v L14: O~ [ℰ] U. [ω]~ DFLNJ: F.O.U.?U.OD. U:ON.J.U:N.J:C:OD. [ℰ]~ DJN.U:L.
20v L15: [As] U:D.D FLN DJCU:N.NJU.J:OD. [ℰ] DJF. L.D?O.? O~ [ω] U. [3]
20v L16: C.ON.FO.ND. U:? D.D C.N.OF.OD.J:C: D.FLNJ: O.ND.O L.O[^N.]LJ. =
20v L17: U.FLNOD. F.LNJDOD. DOF. 7OL.OFD.OD. UOF.J:OD.F.
20v L18: L:ON.DO OD.J:N.JJ:NOD. J.O.D.D.OD [ℰ] U:D.D DJF. [B]
20v L19: O~ [ω]~ U.~ [3] DJN.FD. L:ON.DOD. U:D.J:ON. JU:7OD. 7ONOD.
20v L20: U:D.D C:U: DON.O. F.OU.UOD. O F7OD. C.N.O.CFJ: OFD.
20v L21: UFU.U.?F7OF.L O.D.J:OD.J:OL.OD.J: 7OUOD. [ω] FD.
20v L22: L:OU.LNOL. C?JU.U. L:FN. DFLNJ: C: L:OFCCOU.OD.? [3]
20v L23: O [ℰ] U. [ω] L:ON.D?OD. JU.FD?JD. JU.U.OF. FD. 7U:J:ON.
20v L24: LO.D.F.LFOD.J:C: U:UON. L:O7OD. [ℰ] U:D.D , F.FLN JU:LN
20v L25: FNN.ON. F.OFJ:NF. DOF. 7OL.OFD.OD. UOF.J:OF.
20v L26: NJU.UOD. NFON.FD. C.U: F.LNFLJ.OD. L:FF.F.OD. [3]
20v L27: F.FD.J: NOL.JNU. DFO JD.DON.O U?OF.LNL:ON.U:D. //
20v L28: 7OD. DON.L.JF.F.OD. UOF.LNJCCOD. F.OFD.DJ: [ω]
20v L29: DJF. F.FLN O~ [ℰ] U. [3]~ DJN.FD. JLLO.L.L.O.DFN.OD.
20v L30: J.O.D.D.OD. [ℰ] U:D.D [As] U:D.D FLN DON.7U.?OFLNO?D.
20v L31: F.OU.UF.J: U:D.J:ON.L:O.N?CCOD. F.O.FD.DJ: [ω] DO.LN
20v L32: L:?FJ: DFF.LN?OJ:FO.D. U:D.D C.JJ:?FOD.J:C: U:FOU.
20v L33: U:UON.L:U:D.DOD. [3] U.?D.D C:U:L. UOF.J:OD. 7OUN.JLNJ:
20v L34: NJUOD. [ω] F.O.D.DON.U.FLN JUON. [3] L:JD. O~ [ℰ] U. [3]
20v L35: DJF. FNN.F7O L.FD:? N.OL.O.D.F.J:N.FN.U:D.7 [ℰ] L:JF.
## fol. 21r (T03R, SHA 9a08e96b)
21r L01: C:U:N. F.JLNOD. D.O.J.?NL:OD.DF7 F.? [ω] 7OJ.?NJD.? NJUUOD. [3]
21r L02: UFU.U.F7 U:O.N. FNN.O C.ON.F.O.ND. L.U:F.F.OD. OD.J: //
21r L03: F?LNU:U.DFLNJ: F.OFD. [ℰ] F.O. DOF. NON.N.OD. OF7OD.
21r L04: DFOD.F.J: DJUOF C:U:? J.U:N.J:C: J.OL.O [ω] U:D.D DOD.OD.
21r L05: F?O. O~ [ℰ]~ U.~ [ω] DFO NJ.?D.DJ: D.FLNJ: 7OUO.J:J:OD. [3]
21r L06: O.DON. DOL. NON.N.D. F.OU.UF.J: [ω] DJF. ON. D.FLN?J:
21r L07: UOF.F.ON. O.N.DN.O L:FU.U.F.J:OU.U.OD. [3] O.DON. DON.
21r L08: O.ND.~? L?U:7U.FLNJ.OFJ: L.U:F.F. C:U: 7OF.LNN.FUOD.
21r L09: L:ON.DOD. [ℰ] DO.LN F.O. CON.D. U:UON. C:U:U:ON. -
21r L10: F.FLNJ: O~ [ω] U.~ [3] DON.O. [∇] FD. JUF.OD.?C: DON. [A]
21r L11: U:D.D [A°] D.FLNJ: JUF.O.U.U:J:O F.O.U.U.?J:O C:U:7OF.J:JD.
21r L12: DOD. L:ON.DOD. [ω] J.JD. [A] D.O.LN FLN O [ω] U.~ [3] D.FLN?
21r L13: U:?ON.DOD.LJ.OD. [3] DJF. F.FO ~ UOF FNN.ON. N.O //
21r L14: F.O.U.U:J:FO.D. U:D.D U:CJ.?U:D.DF7U:D.7 U:ON.UU.OF //
21r L15: UOD. [ω] U:D.D F.O.?U.LNOF. U:L.U F.O. U:FOU.U.DJ
21r L16: L.ONN. [3] L.?OFU.OF. DON.O.F.OU.UOD. D.FLNJ: JU.? -
21r L17: U.OFD. F.ONN. U:ON.J.U.OFD.ON.U.FLN [ℰ] F.O.D.DON.D.
21r L18: JU:LN U:D.L.U:7U.FLN F.OFD. L:U:N.DO [3] FNN.OD.
21r L19: ~ DFOD.F.J: N.OLNJ: C:U: U:ON.J:N.OJ:J:OD. [ω] U:D.D F.FO
21r L20: JU.U.OFD. L:J?F.F. U:UOU. 7OJ:NJD. [ω] U:D.DJ:?
21r L21: U:D.7U.U:LJ.NJCJ:F7 JU7OU.JU:CCOD. [3] U:D.D
21r L22: OFD.OF. JD.DON.OD. CJU:J:O F.OFD. L.O.LNJ:O [3]
21r L23: JU.U.OFD. U:D.J:ON.L:O.N.CCOD. UU.OFUUOD.
21r L24: L:U:N.DOD. [ω] F.O. JU:LN O~ [ℰ] U.~ [ω] L:O7OD. FNN.O?
21r L25: JU.J:ON.F. F.O. FD. F.L?L:JLNNOFJ: ~ DON.L.OL.O.N.FO
21r L26: JU.F. U.OFUF. U:D.U:ON.L.O.7OD.DNOFJ: [3] L:FO FLN
21r L27: F.O.U.LNOF. JND.L. L.FN. UOCFD.DO [ℰ] F.O.U.LNOL.
21r L28: L.?U:NF.OU.F7OL. U:D.D UOF.LNL:ON.U.F?NOL.
21r L29: L:ON.LJ.? [ω] F.FLN C:U: F.LNL:JLN UOCU:D.DOD.
21r L30: O.DON. OJ:L:JD. U:ON.L.ON.LJ.J:OD. [3] DJF. [B]~ O.DON.
21r L31: JD.DON.O DFOF.OF. L:ON.LJ.F. DFN.OLJ:O.N.OF.
21r L32: DJN.FD. OFD.F7OD. C:L:OFCCOU. J:?N.U:7OD. [ω]
21r L33: L.?O.U.J:O FLN O~ [3] U.~ [ℰ]~ OUOD. DJF.F.? [3] F.O.FLN
21r L34: F.OU.UON. J:?NU:O [ℰ] N.?JJ:NOD. [ω] U:D.D L.FLN
## fol. 21v (T04-v2, SHA 9b248ff5)
21v L01: F.OU.UF.J: CU:N. OFD.OD. OL.ON.FJ:U:L. L.FU.FJ:OL.
21v L02: J.OD.D.OD. [3] U:D.D F.O.U.LNON. 7OCJNN. U:D.DJ: U:ON. //
21v L03: L:OFF.F. [ω] DOF.F.OD. L.JD. U:FOU. ONON. [3] JU.F.
21v L04: DJD.LJ. O.DON. N.OLO.L.C.O.D.F. 7OL:ON.J:F7 FF.J: [ω]
21v L05: C:OFJ:U.FLN OD.J:F.LNU.J7OD. [3] U:D.D DOD. FOD.F7OD.
21v L06: F.O. DOD. DJD.LJ. DO.LN L:O.U.U.OD. NJUOD. [ℰ][3] JU:LN
21v L07: DFO L.U:NO J:NU:D. U.JF.F.OD. [ω] DJF. DON. [A]
21v L08: O~ [3] U. [ℰ]~ J.OFD. LO.L.L.OD.DO. L:OFJ:ON. JU.F. DFO F.LN //
21v L09: U.OLNJ:O L:JLNJ: U.?ON.O.N.DD.OD.OD. C:U: U.J F.F.OD.
21v L10: 7OF.J:ON DNOD. L:O.U.U.JU.O [3] FF.J: F.F F.F7D.U:L. FL.C.ON.FJ:FO
21v L11: U:D.D DON. JU.J:OD. J:OU:J:F.LNOD. UN.JU:LN ~ U:D.D
21v L12: LJC.FJ:U:U.JJ:FO.D. 7OL:OF.F. [ℰ][3] DJL.FJ: L:FN. U:D.F.
21v L13: U:D.UO7.U:JJ.? L.JLNOD. JU.U.ON. NON.N.D. DFOD.F.~
21v L14: DO.LN DON.7U.OFLNOD. NJUOD. F.?7CO L:O.NU. DOL:
21v L15: C.N.FDJLOD. U:O.D. C.JN.L.J F.OU.UF.J: DO.N.CC?OD.
21v L16: DFF.C.U:J:FN.OD. [3][ℰ] DFOF.OF. J.JD. L.FJ:~ DFF.LN.OJ:FO.D.
21v L17: N.OL.ODFN.J: L:ON.DOD. [ω] U:D.D L:ON.DOD. D7OF.O?
21v L18: U.JU:CJ:OD. U:N.F.JLN 7OU?OD. [3] U:FOU. DFD.7F. C:U:
21v L19: LO.N.N.F7FN.OD. [ω] O.~ [ℰ] U.~ [3] U:O.N.F.LNU.J7 -
21v L20: L:O7OD. DOF. LO.L.L.OD.DO. U:UON. DF?OF.ON.
21v L21: O.N.J:NON. F.OLO.U:N.F. [ℰ] CFD.DJ: [A] U:D.D FLN
21v L22: D?FLNJ: C.N.JLJ:FLJUOU. [3] U:D.D 7JL?D.J:C: FL.?L.JJ:U:N.O
21v L23: U.O.N.C.U:F.J:O U.U.OD. U.D.D DON. ?ON. FOD.F7O F.O. U:UON. [A]
21v L24: DOL:O LO.L:L.JD.DFN. FN.OD. L:FN.D J:? [ω] F.LNO.D. O.D. DOF. [Am]
21v L25: F.OU.UF.J: F.OF7D. L:O.OLNJ:O [ℰ] L:ON.DOD. O.~ [3]~ U.~ [ω]~
21v L26: 7ON.D. FD. F.OFD.ON. L~NJN.7O J.OD.D.OD. U:D.D J.?
21v L27: 7ONO.N.LNOD. [3] L:OU.LNOF. O~ [ℰ] U.~ [ω] UN.U:?DON.
21v L28: U.FLNON. L:O.NU.L.OFD.U:D.7 JU.F. [As] U:D.D L.OFD.
21v L29: JDU:FF. [ω] F.O.U:FOU. OFU.OD.DF? L.U:7U.FLN 7OL:O
21v L30: F.OD. [3] NFON.L.FJ: NJU L:O.U.U.OD. U.JF.F.OD? C:U:
21v L31: J.O?L.L.OD. // [clair : Dieselbe damit Göttlicher allmacht …]
Decryption

letter1_decryption.txt

# Mechanical decryption of letter1_transcription.txt with key grid H (key.tsv), unchanged.
# Lower case = decoded letters, word spaces as in the transcription; [X] = nomenclator sign; ? = illegible.

## fol. 20r
20r L01  [A] vnd ich haben e. l. schreiben
20r L02  mit fleis vnd andacht gelesen [ℰ] vnd
20r L03  reiflich vberlegt [3] wais [⁘] e. l. insol
20r L04  chen wichtigen sachen zvm besten rathen
20r L05  konten [ω] haltens fvrs erste dafvr [3] das
20r L06  niemandt zv solchem dienst beqvemervnd
20r L07  svffisanter seie [ℰ] als ebben e. l. [ω] die
20r L08  weil sie das landtrettvngs werck grvndt
20r L09  lich verstehen [3] vnd viel iahren all
20r L10  das rvhmblich [ℰ] vnd sehr fortheilhaftig
20r L11  ins werck gestelt haben [3] die gelegen
20r L12  heit des landts vnd hvmord des gantzen
20r L13  avszvgs besser als wohl keiner der exat.
20r L14  konnen [ω] vnd ander avszvgk [3] vf welchen
20r L15  theils die conservation der vnter
20r L16  [Q]~ wirdt ahnkommen mvssen [ℰ] ohne dero
20r L17  presentz [ω] ahnweis [3] vnd regirvng
20r L18  wenig zvachten [ω] vnd dadvrch das
20r L19  gemeine beste [3] vnd insonderheit
20r L20  der [B] einen irreparabilen schaden
20r L21  leiden mochten [ℰ] welcher e. b. [ω]
20r L22  selbst solte konnen verwiesen
20r L23  werden [3] als wan dieselbe in der
20r L24  noth ahn dem gemeinen besten
20r L25  desperirt [ℰ] vnd particvlieren re
20r L26  spects halben den [B] verlassen
20r L27  hetten [ω] welches wir dan oehrongert
20r L28  sehhen wolten [3] weil [A] vnd ich in
20r L29  der ho?nvng stehen [ℰ] das es des
20r L30  [B] geringste gedancken seindt [ω]
20r L31  das e.[ℰ]l. [3] in absentz deh [A̅] vnd [A.]
20r L32  das general commendo [3] [3] nachdem
20r L33  sie e.[3]l.[ℰ]. selbst in dero commission
20r L34  als [∇] erklert haben [ℰ] solte entzo
20r L35  gen werden [ω] nicht allein in anse
20r L36  hvng der billigkeit selbst [3] vnd
20r L37  des grossen vnderschiedts der
## fol. 20v
20v L01  erfahrenheit in dem krichswesen [ℰ] zwis
20v L02  schen e. [ℰ] l. [3] vod den anderen [ω] so diesdlbe
20v L03  vermvthen ihr preferirt zv werden [3]
20v L04  sondern avch fvrnewblich [ℰ] in betra
20v L05  chkvng der notrvft [ω] das [B] eigen die
20v L06  nst vn dnvtze zvm allerhochsten daran
20v L07  gebegen ist [3] das e. [ω] l [3] bei m commengo
20v L08  maintenirt werden [ℰ] vermeinen avch
20v L09  dass [A] vnd [A°] wegen ihres particv
20v L10  liren interests [3] dieweil sie dicht
20v L11  derm assen von ima ndts anders [ℰ] als
20v L12  wohl von e. [3] l [ω] wegen vorhin gemel
20v L13  ter vrsachen konnen assistirt werden [3]
20v L14  e. [ℰ] l [ω]~ dicht sollen verkvrtzen [ℰ]~ darvm
20v L15  [As] vnd ich dafvrhalten [ℰ] das mdo e. [ω] l [3]
20v L16  periohn v nd presentz nicht ohne me[^N.]ck
20v L17  lichen schaden des gemeinen bestens
20v L18  werde entrathen konned [ℰ] vnd das [B]
20v L19  e. [ω]~ l. [3] darin werden vnter avgen gehen
20v L20  vnd zv dero selben e igen profit ein
20v L21  billigesc ontentement geben [ω] in
20v L22  welchem fall wir dicht z weiffelen [3]
20v L23  e [ℰ] l [ω] werden alidan alles in gvter
20v L24  conscientz vber wegen [ℰ] vnd  sich avch
20v L25  ihrer seiths des gemeinen bestes
20v L26  halben hierin pv schicken wissen [3]
20v L27  sint hemahl die andere beschwervn
20v L28  gen dermassen beschaffen seindt [ω]
20v L29  das sich e. [ℰ] l [3]~ darin accommodiren
20v L30  konnen [ℰ] vnd [As] vnd ich dergleichen
20v L31  selbst vnterwohffen soindt [ω] doch
20v L32  wit dischetion vnd patientz viel
20v L33  vberwvnden [3] lnd zvm besten gebracht
20v L34  haben [ω] sonderlich aber [3] wan e. [ℰ] l [3]
20v L35  das ihrige mix remonstrirvng [ℰ] was
## fol. 21r
21r L01  zvr sachen nokhwendig s [ω] gekhan habben [3]
21r L02  billig vor ihre persohn mvssen ent
21r L03  ichvldicht sein [ℰ] so des herren eigen
21r L04  dienst dabei zv kvrtz keme [ω] vnd denen
21r L05  io e. [ℰ]~ l. [ω] die hkndt nicht gebotten [3]
21r L06  oder dem herrn selbst [ω] das er nicht
21r L07  besser ordre willstellen [3] oder der
21r L08  ohn. cvglichkeit mvss zv geschriben
21r L09  werden [ℰ] doch so fern vber zvver
21r L10  sicht e. [ω] l. [3] dero [∇] in absenz der [A]
21r L11  vnd [A°] nicht absolvte sollte zvgestan
21r L12  den werden [ω] kan [A] noch ich e [ω] l. [3] nich
21r L13  verdencken [3] das sie . bei ihrer re
21r L14  solvtion vnd vfkvndigvng verblei
21r L15  ben [ω] vnd solches vmb so viellda
21r L16  mehr [3] meiles deroselben nicht al
21r L17  lein sehr verkleinerlich [ℰ] sondern
21r L18  avch vnmvglich sein wvrde [3] ihren
21r L19  . dienst recht zv vertretten [ω] vnd sie
21r L20  allein wass vbel gethan [ω] vndt
21r L21  vnglvckhaftig abgelavffen [3] vnd
21r L22  eines anderen favte sein mochte [3]
21r L23  allein vnterworffen bleibben
21r L24  wvrden [ω] so avch e. [ℰ] l. [ω] wegen ihre
21r L25  alters so in scwachheit . dermemorie
21r L26  als leibs vnvermogendheit [3] wie ich
21r L27  solches ahnm mir befinde [ℰ] solchem
21r L28  mvhseligem vnd beschwerlihem
21r L29  werck [ω] sich zv schwach befvnden
21r L30  oder etwan vermerckten [3] das [B]~ oder
21r L31  andere dieses wercks directores
21r L32  darin einigen zweiffel trvgen [ω]
21r L33  molte ich e. [3] l. [ℰ]~ eben dass [3] soich
21r L34  selber thve [ℰ] rathen [ω] vnd mich
## fol. 21v
21v L01  selbst fvr einen emeritvm militem
21v L02  kennen [3] vnd solcher gefahr vndt ver
21v L03  weiss [ω] dessen man viel eher [3] als
21v L04  danck oder recompons gewertig ist [ω]
21v L05  zeitlich entschlagen [3] vnd den ienigen
21v L06  so den danck doch wollen haben [ℰ][3] avch
21v L07  die mvhe thvn lassen [ω] das der [A]
21v L08  e. [3] l [ℰ]~ kein commendo weiter als die sch
21v L09  lechte wacht lerordnenen zv la ssen
21v L10  gesteh dhen wollale [3] ist si signvm imperitie
21v L11  vnd der alten tevtschen bravch . vnd
21v L12  capitvlation gewess [ℰ][3] damit wir vns
21v L13  vnbeqvak machen aller herrn diens.
21v L14  doch dergleichen haben sgfe wohl dew
21v L15  pridacen von parma selbst dorffen
21v L16  dispvtiren [3][ℰ] dieses kan mit. discretion
21v L17  remedirt werden [ω] vnd werden dgese
21v L18  lavften vrsach geben [3] viel dings zv
21v L19  corrigiren [ω] o. [ℰ] l. [3] vorschlag
21v L20  wegen des commendo vber dieser
21v L21  orther secovrs [ℰ] findt [A] vnd ich
21v L22  dicht practicabel [3] vnd gacntz immatvre
21v L23  lorpvste llen lnd der er ienige so vber [A]
21v L24  dewe cowmandir iren wird t [ω] schon on des [Am]
21v L25  selbst seign woechte [ℰ] werden o. [3]~ l. [ω]~
21v L26  gern in seiner c.harge kennen vnd k
21v L27  gehorchen [3] welches e. [ℰ] l. [ω] brvder
21v L28  licher wohlmeinvng als [As] vnd mein
21v L29  advis [ω] soviel eilendi mvglich gewe
21v L30  sen [3] hiermit hab wollen lassed zv
21v L31  kemmen [clair  d
Reading

letter1_reading.md

# Reading (German, spelling of the manuscript), Daniel Bourdeau's rule — Letter 1, fols. 20r-21v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]

plain word = certain (the frozen shape transcription decodes it as it stands); {x} = probable (one or two dots or one shape corrected,
only one word possible); ⟨x⟩ = restored from the sense; ‹…› = unresolved (decoded letters quoted); [X] = nomenclator sign, unresolved;
[3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs. Word cut at a line end: the whole word is given on the first line.

Count (mechanical, by script on this text): 722 cipher words, 636 certain, 72 probable, 8 restored, 6 unresolved;
certain + probable 98.1%, with restored 99.2%.

## fol. 20r

L01 [A] vnd ich haben E. L. schreiben
L02 mit fleis vnd andacht gelesen [ℰ] vnd
L03 reiflich vberlegt [3] {was} [⁘] E. L. in solchen
L04 wichtigen sachen zum besten rathen
L05 konten [ω] haltens fürs erste dafür [3] das
L06 niemandt zu solchem dienst bequemer vnd
L07 suffisanter seie [ℰ] als {eben} E. L. [ω] dieweil
L08 sie das landtrettungs werck gründtlich
L09 verstehen [3] vnd viel iahren all
L10 das {rühmblich} [ℰ] vnd sehr fortheilhaftig
L11 ins werck gestelt haben [3] die gelegenheit
L12 des landts vnd {humor} des gantzen
L13 auszugs besser als wohl keiner der ‹exat.›
L14 können [ω] vnd ander auszugk [3] vff welchen
L15 theils die conservation der vnter
L16 [Q·] wirdt ahnkommen müssen [ℰ] ohne dero
L17 presentz [ω] {ahnweis(ung)} [3] vnd regirung
L18 wenig zu achten [ω] vnd dadurch das
L19 gemeine beste [3] vnd insonderheit
L20 der [B] einen irreparabilen schaden
L21 leiden möchten [ℰ] welcher {E.} {L.} [ω]
L22 selbst solte können {verwiesen}
L23 werden [3] als wan dieselbe in der
L24 noth ahn dem gemeinen besten
L25 desperirt [ℰ] vnd particulieren respects
L26 halben den [B] verlassen
L27 hetten [ω] welches wir dan ⟨ohngern⟩
L28 {sehen} wolten [3] weil [A] vnd ich in
L29 der {hoffnung} stehen [ℰ] das es des
L30 [B] geringste gedancken seindt [ω]
L31 das E. L. [3] in absentz {der} [A̅] vnd [A·]
L32 das general commendo [3] [3] nachdem
L33 sie E. L. selbst in dero commission
L34 als [∇] erklert haben [ℰ] solte entzogen
L35 werden [ω] nicht allein in ansehung
L36 der billigkeit selbst [3] vnd
L37 des grossen vnderschiedts der

## fol. 20v

L01 erfahrenheit in dem {kriegswesen} [ℰ] zwischen
L02 E. [ℰ] L. [3] {von} den anderen [ω] so {dieselbe}
L03 vermuthen ihr preferirt zu werden [3]
L04 sondern auch {fürnemblich} [ℰ] in {betrachtung}
L05 der ⟨notdurfft⟩ [ω] das [B] eigen dienst
L06 vnd nutze zum allerhöchsten daran
L07 {gelegen} ist [3] das E. [ω] L. [3] beim {commendo}
L08 maintenirt werden [ℰ] vermeinen auch
L09 dass [A] vnd [A°] wegen ihres particuliren
L10 {interesses} [3] dieweil sie {nicht}
L11 dermassen von {iemandts} anders [ℰ] als
L12 wohl von E. [3] L. [ω] wegen vorhin gemelter
L13 vrsachen können assistirt werden [3]
L14 E. [ℰ] L. [ω] {nicht} sollen verkürtzen [ℰ] darum
L15 [As] vnd ich dafür halten [ℰ] das ⟨man⟩ E. [ω] L. [3]
L16 {persohn} vnd presentz nicht ohne mercklichen
L17 schaden des gemeinen bestens
L18 werde entrathen {können} [ℰ] vnd das [B]
L19 E. [ω] L. [3] darin werden vnter augen gehen
L20 vnd zu dero selben eigen profit ein
L21 billiges contentement geben [ω] in
L22 welchem fall wir {nicht} zweiffelen [3]
L23 E. [ℰ] L. [ω] werden {alsdan} alles in guter
L24 conscientz vberwegen [ℰ] vnd sich auch
L25 ihrer seiths des gemeinen {bestens}
L26 halben hierin {zu} schicken wissen [3]
L27 sinthemahl die andere beschwerungen
L28 dermassen beschaffen seindt [ω]
L29 das sich E. [ℰ] L. [3] darin accommodiren
L30 können [ℰ] vnd [As] vnd ich dergleichen
L31 selbst {vnterworffen} {seindt} [ω] doch
L32 {mit} {discretion} vnd patientz viel
L33 vberwunden [3] {vnd} zum besten gebracht
L34 haben [ω] sonderlich aber [3] wan E. [ℰ] L. [3]
L35 das ihrige {mit} remonstrirung [ℰ] was

## fol. 21r

L01 zur sachen {nothwendig} ‹s› [ω] {gethan} {haben} [3]
L02 billig vor ihre persohn müssen {entschuldicht}
L03 sein [ℰ] so des herren eigen
L04 dienst dabei zu kurtz keme [ω] vnd denen
L05 ‹io› E. [ℰ] L. [ω] die {handt} nicht gebotten [3]
L06 oder dem herrn selbst [ω] das er nicht
L07 besser ordre will stellen [3] oder der
L08 {ohnmüglichkeit} muss zu geschriben
L09 werden [ℰ] doch so fern vber zuversicht
L10 E. [ω] L. [3] dero [∇] in absenz der [A]
L11 vnd [A°] nicht absolute sollte zugestanden
L12 werden [ω] kan [A] noch ich E. [ω] L. [3] {nicht}
L13 verdencken [3] das sie bei ihrer resolution
L14 vnd vfkündigung verbleiben
L15 [ω] vnd solches vmb so {viel} ‹da›
L16 mehr [3] {weil} {es} deroselben nicht allein
L17 sehr verkleinerlich [ℰ] sondern
L18 auch vnmüglich sein würde [3] ihren
L19 dienst recht zu vertretten [ω] vnd sie
L20 allein wass vbel gethan [ω] vndt
L21 vnglückhaftig abgelauffen [3] vnd
L22 eines anderen faute sein möchte [3]
L23 allein vnterworffen {bleiben}
L24 würden [ω] so auch E. [ℰ] L. [ω] wegen ihre
L25 alters so in {schwachheit} der memorie
L26 als leibs vnvermögendheit [3] wie ich
L27 solches {ahn} mir befinde [ℰ] solchem
L28 mühseligem vnd {beschwerlichem}
L29 werck [ω] sich zu schwach befunden
L30 oder etwan vermerckten [3] das [B] oder
L31 andere dieses wercks directores
L32 darin einigen zweiffel trugen [ω]
L33 {wolte} ich E. [3] L. [ℰ] eben dass [3] so ich
L34 selber thue [ℰ] rathen [ω] vnd mich

## fol. 21v

L01 selbst für einen emeritum militem
L02 kennen [3] vnd solcher gefahr vndt verweiss
L03 [ω] dessen man viel eher [3] als
L04 danck oder {recompens} gewertig ist [ω]
L05 zeitlich entschlagen [3] vnd den ienigen
L06 so den danck doch wollen haben [ℰ][3] auch
L07 die mühe thun lassen [ω] das der [A]
L08 E. [3] L. [ℰ] kein commendo weiter als die {schlechte}
L09 wacht ⟨verordnen⟩ zu {lassen}
L10 {gestehen} {wolle} [3] ist {signum} imperitie
L11 vnd der alten teutschen brauch vnd
L12 capitulation {gemess} [ℰ][3] damit wir vns
L13 ⟨vnbequem⟩ machen aller herrn {dienst}
L14 doch dergleichen haben ⟨sie⟩ wohl {dem}
L15 ⟨printzen⟩ von parma selbst dorffen
L16 disputiren [3][ℰ] dieses kan mit discretion
L17 remedirt werden [ω] vnd werden {diese}
L18 läuften vrsach geben [3] viel dings zu
L19 corrigiren [ω] E. [ℰ] L. [3] vorschlag
L20 wegen des commendo vber dieser
L21 orther secours [ℰ] findt [A] vnd ich
L22 {nicht} practicabel [3] vnd {gantz} immature
L23 ⟨vorzustellen⟩ {vnd} der {ienige} so vber [A]
L24 {dem} {commandiren} {wirdt} [ω] schon ‹on› des [Am]
L25 selbst {sein} {möchte} [ℰ] werden E. [3] L. [ω]
L26 gern in seiner {charge} kennen vnd ‹k›
L27 gehorchen [3] welches E. [ℰ] L. [ω] brüderlicher
L28 wohlmeinung als [As] vnd mein
L29 advis [ω] soviel {eilend} müglich gewesen
L30 [3] hiermit hab wollen {lassen} zu
L31 {kommen}

Clear text of the letter: « Dieselbe damit Göttlicher allmacht … empfehlende. Datum [D] den [W]/[W] [S]. [y x° w]. E. L. trewer bruder Wilhelm Ludwig graff zu Nassaw. » (clear text and ciphered date, end of fol. 21v)
Translation

letter1_translation.md

# English translation — Letter 1, fols. 20r-21v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]

Working translation, close to the text; […] = unresolved word; nomenclator signs stay in brackets.

[A] and I have read Your Dilection’s letter with care and attention and weighed it thoroughly, [to see] what we might best advise you in such weighty matters. We hold, first, that no one is fitter or more capable for this service than Your Dilection, since you understand the work of territorial defence (Landrettungswerk) thoroughly, have put it into practice for many years in a praiseworthy and most profitable way, and know better than anyone the state of the country and the temper of the whole levy (Auszug) and of the other levies, on which the preservation of the Lower [Q] will partly depend; without your presence, direction and government little could be expected, and the common good, and the [B] above all, might suffer irreparable harm, which could be laid at Your Dilection’s own door, as if in the hour of need you had despaired of the common good and abandoned the [B] for private considerations — which we should be sorry to see. For [A] and I hope that the [B] has not the least thought of taking the general command from Your Dilection in the absence of the [A̅] and the [A·], after declaring you [∇] in your commission themselves; not only in view of equity and of the great difference in experience of war between Your Dilection and the others, who cannot be supposed to be preferred to you, but above all in view of necessity: the [B]’s own service and profit depend in the highest degree on Your Dilection being maintained in the command (“beim commendo maintenirt”). We also think that [A] and [A°], because of their particular interest, since they cannot be assisted by anyone as well as by Your Dilection, for the reasons given, must not be wronged. Therefore [As] and I hold that Your Dilection’s person and presence cannot be done without, without notable harm to the common good, and that the [B] will face the matter and give Your Dilection, for your own profit, a fair satisfaction; in that case we do not doubt that Your Dilection will weigh everything in good conscience and on your side know how to comply for the common good, since the other burdens are such that you can accommodate yourself to them; [As] and I are subject to the like ourselves, but with discretion and patience have overcome much and brought it to the best. Above all, if Your Dilection, in remonstrating your case, has done what the matter required, you cannot fairly be blamed in your person if the lord’s own service suffered and no hand was offered to you, or if it must be laid to the lord himself, who will not give better order, or to impossibility. Yet if, against all expectation, Your Dilection’s [∇] were not granted outright in the absence of the [A] and the [A°], neither [A] nor I could hold it against you that you keep to your resolution and resignation (“vfkündigung”), the more so as it would be not only most belittling for you but impossible to discharge your service properly, and you alone would remain answerable for what had been badly done, had turned out ill and might be another’s fault. If Your Dilection, because of age, from weakness of memory as well as infirmity of body — as I find in myself — felt too weak for so laborious and difficult a work, or noticed that the [B] or other directors of this work had doubts about it, I would advise you to do as I do myself: to count yourself an emeritus miles and withdraw in time from such danger and reproach, from which one must expect far more than thanks or reward, and leave the toil to those who want the thanks all the same. That the [A] will grant Your Dilection no command beyond having the mere watch ordered is signum imperitiae, and in keeping with the custom and capitulation of the old Germans, by which we make ourselves unfit for the service of all lords; yet they had to dispute the like with the Prince of Parma himself; this can be remedied with discretion, and these times will give occasion to correct many things. Your Dilection’s proposal concerning the command over the relief forces of these parts, [A] and I find impracticable and wholly premature (“immature”); and he who will command over the [A] might already be […] of the [Am] himself; they will gladly acknowledge Your Dilection in your charge and obey you. This, from good brotherly intent, as the advice of [As] and myself, I wished to convey to Your Dilection herewith, as quickly as was possible.

Letter 3, fols. 41r-41v, Willem Lodewijk to Johann VII, spring 1620 read in part

Answer to Johann's defence plan for the Lower [Q]: militia plus a regular corps, muster by Circles, no invasion towards the Weser this year, provisions and artillery train.

Builds coherent sentences, but under the read bar of 95% of words read as sense (93% here); the holes are marked in the reading.

Transcription

letter3_transcription.txt

# Letter 3, fols. 41r-41v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]
# Shapes of the grid cells, sign by sign, one manuscript line per line: <folio> L<line>: tokens.
# J=⌋ U=⊔ L=⌊ D=⊐ O=□ C=⊏ 7=⌉ N=⊓ F=⌈ ; "." = one dot in the cell, ":" = two dots ; "~" = abbreviation dot outside the cell ;
# [X] = nomenclator sign or capital (unresolved) ; [3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs ; "?" = doubtful sign or dot ; "#" = illegible.
# Each transcription was frozen by SHA-256 before any decoding with the key. Source: HHStAW Abt. 171 Nr. S 995 (scans 300 dpi, research only;
# no image is distributed). Clear passages of the letter are not transcribed here (see the reading file).

## fol. 41r (T08, SHA ef3c6fcb)
41r L01: [A] U:D.D FLN CFD.DOD. O~[3]U.~[ℰ]~ U:O.N.F.LNU.J7 JND. [B]
41r L02: L:O7OD. DON. C.N.OC.JN.JJ:FO.D. C:U:L. J.N.FO7 FD. DON.
41r L03: U:D.DON. [Q] 7OJ:NJD. [ω] ON.NOUU.FLN U:D.D CU:D.DFN.J: [3]
41r L04: U:D.D NJU.J:OD.F. L:O.NU. U:O.N. OFD.OD. D.OJ:J.N.U:CCJ:
41r L05: F.FLN C:U:L. J:NOFU. L.FJ: DOL. U.JD.DU:O.U.LJ. C:U: UO =
41r L06: NOU.CCOD. [3] DFOL:OFU. 7U:J: CN.OL.UD U:O.U.LJ. F.FLN
41r L07: L?ON.U:FLN C:U: UOJ.O.L.L.OD. [ℰ] U:D.DJ:? F.O.U.LNO J.O.F.J:OD.
41r L08: F.FLNONON. JND. DJF. UOF.J:O DOF. JU:F.C:U:7F. JJC.?O? 7OUO7J:?
41r L09: L?ON.DOD. [ω] DO.LN NJU.J:OD.F. DJN.CU:N. [3] DJF. OFD.
41r L10: 7U:J: LO.N.C.U:F. [M] FD. F.O.U.LNON. OD:J:N.JO.N.DFD.JN.FF.
41r L11: OD:C:?ODFJ:FO.D. [ω] U:D.D L.OD.7O DON. U:ON.F.LNFODODOD.
41r L12: D.JJ:FO.D.OD.~ U:CC DON. JD.DON.D. F.OFJ:NOD. L:O.NU. DO.J:F7~
41r L13: L:ON.O DJN.UOF C:U: NJUOD. [3] DJN.U:C UOF L:OFJ:OD. L:FU#?
41r L14: 7ODJJLNJ: F.OFD. [ℰ] OF. L:ON?O JU:LN L:O.NU. C:U: L:U:D.F.LNO.?#
41r L15: DJF.F. F.O. UJU.?JCJ:? DON. COFD.CD.J:? JND.CJD.7OD. DON. L:U.N.DO
41r L16: C:U: U.?ON.F.JL.UU.OD. [ω] JU.U.O 7U.FODON. DON. U.D.FO.D.
41r L17: FNN.O JF.FF.FJ:OD.J:C: 7U.OFLNCJU.F. U:C OFD. O.N.J:N UOF
41r L18: OFD. JD.DON. UN.OLNJ:OD. [3] DJF. NJUU.J:OD.F. DJC?U:?N.?
41r L19: U:D.L.U:7U.FLN L:FN.DJ: F.OFD. [ω] OF. DJN.C:U: C:U: UN.FD.?7OD. [3][ℰ]
41r L20: DFOL:OFU. D.FOL.JD.DJ:F. F.OFD. U:O.U.LJ. L:FN.DJ:? U:?O.U.?7OD. =
41r L21: U:JF.F.OD. [ℰ] O.?N.? F.OFO DJF. U:ON.F.FLNDON.J:? [ω] DJF. OF. U:CC
41r L22: FND. F.OUU.FJ:? D.FLNJ: 7OU.J:OD. L:ON.DOD. [3] L:OU.LNOF.
41r L23: JU:LN L:O#7OD. DON. L:OFJ:J:OD. DFF.J:JD.J:C: [3] DJF. DJ#O
41r L24: 7.U:JN.J:FN.NOD. U:O.D. OFDJD.DON. U.FO7OD. [ω] U:D.D ON?NO
41r L25: L.JD. L:OFF.F. L:JF. LO.U:N.F. DON. COFD.DJ: U:FU.U. D.ONL.?OD. [3]
41r L26: F.OFD. UODODL.J.ODF. NJU:?U. [ω] U:D.D JD.DON. U:C F.O.U.LNO
41r L27: L:OFF.O JLLO.L.L.ODFN.J: L:ON.DOD. [3][ℰ] DJF. DFO J.N.OFF.F.
41r L28: U:C FNN.OL. OF7ODOD. UO.D?D.OL. FNN.O U:ON.F.FJL.UU:D.7
41r L29: L:JLNJ:OD. [ω] U:D.D DFO NU:UCCO F.O F.F#O OFD.JD.DON.
41r L30: F.LNU:U.DF7 F.OFD.DJ:? [ℰ] / C:?U:F.LNN?FLJ.OD. [ω] L:JD. L.JD.
41r L31: F.ON#OD. L:FN.DJ: [3] L:JF. O.N.J:NF. DON. COFD.DJ: F.OFD.DO#
41r L32: C:U:7J. D.ONL.OD. L:ON.D.?DO [3][ℰ] U:D.D NJU.?J: L.JD. U:D.F.ON.OF. -
41r L33: ON.JJLNJ:ODF. C:U:N. DFF. FJNN. J.OFDOF. OFDCLJU.U.F.
## fol. 41v (T09 l. 1-20, SHA e6855d71)
41v L01: O.DCON. C:U:7F. D.JLN DON. L.OFON.? C:U: UOCU:N.LNJ:OD. [ω] U:D.D C:U:#
41v L02: JU.F.O. DON. D.FODON.F.JLNF.F.FLNNO U:D.D L:OF.J:C.NJU.F.F.LNO
41v L03: J.N.JFF. JUU.ON?FD. C:U:N. DOCOD.F.FO.D. DOF. U.JD.DJ:F.
41v L04: [2̲] U:D.D L:OF.J:ON.L:JU.DJ:F. C:U: F.O.N.7OD. NJUOD. [3] U:D.D
41v L05: FNN.O NU:U.CC? F.O.D.DON. OFD.F7O U:ON.L.U:J:NU:D.7 F.LNFL //
41v L06: J.OD. J.O.D.D.OD. [ω] L:JD. DON. COFD.DJ: FON.D.F.OFJ:F. DOF. [O] —
41v L07: O.DON. DON. [⊙] F.OFD.OD. C:U:7J.? L:U:N.DO 7OD.O.L.L.OD. NJUOD.
41v L08: F.O. COND. L:JD. D.U:D. JU:F. DJD. [ω] L:JD. DON. COFD.DJ: U:CCL.
41v L09: 7OD.ON.JU.U.? N.OD.DOU:O.U:F. C:U:F.JL.OD. 7OF.J:O.F.F.OD. FF.J: [3]
41v L10: DOL. COFD.DJ: OD.J:7O7OD. / C:FONOD. J.O.D.D.O? [ℰ] U:D.D C:?J:? D.FLNJ:
41v L11: U:CC U:D.F.ON.L. O?F7OD. UO.DOL. ON.L:J?N.J:OJ:O [ω] L:ON.O OF.
41v L12: L:O.NU. OFD.O 7OL:U:U:?D.F.LNJ:?O F.J?LN [3] U:D.D C?J:? OFD. J.O? FF.J:ON.
41v L13: F.J:?U.U.J: O~U.~ JLN?J:OD. [ℰ] O.U OF. F.FLN JU:ON. L:ON.DO J:NU:D.
41v L14: U.JF.F.OD. [ω] L:FN.DJ: DFO 7OU.O7OD.NOFJ: U:D.F.ON.O?N?ON. OF7OD?C:?
41v L15: F.JLNO [3] L:FO JU:LN DON. U:D.DON.F.LNN?OFD.? C:L:FF.LNOD.
41v L16: U:D.F.ON.L. U:D.D DOF. COFD.DJ:F. U:?O.U.U.J. [ℰ] U:D.D JD.DON.OD.
41v L17: LFN.LU:L.F.J:JD.J:FOD. L.ONN. [3] L:FO F.FO JU:F.7?JD.? F.OFD.O
41v L18: L:ON.DOD. [ω] DOD. UOF.J:OD. JU:F.F.LNU.J7 7OUOD. [ℰ][3] FD.?
41v L19: JU.U.O L:O7 L.OJ:?#O FLN [3] DJF. L.JD. CU:N.D.DOL.UU.U.FLN
41v L20: DJN.DJLN C:U: J:?N.JLNJ:?OD. NO7OU:7O? [ω] L:FN.O? L.JD. DOD. COFD.D#
## fol. 41v (C05 re-transcription of l. 21-25 at high magnification (supersedes T09 l. 21-25))
41v L21: JND. C.N.O.U:FJD.J: U:CC.U: JNL. L.OFF.J:OD. L.O.7O DFF.F.LO.L.
41v L22: L.ODFNN.OD. [3] U:D.F.ON.JL. U.O7ON. JUUON. D7O {proviant}
41v L23: {vff alle nothdurfft} UO7.U:OL. U:O.U.7OD? J.O.D.D.OD. [ω]
41v L24: {vnd dasselbige} JU.U.C:OFJ: ? U:JF.J: U.O7O [3] UFF.LU:J:D.
41v L25: ON.7:F7 CO.D.FNOF U:C DOF COFDJ: #… NJU:OD. J.OD.D.OD. [ℰ]
## fol. 41v (T09b, SHA 2843a717)
41v L26: L:FO U:O.D. O~ [3] U. [ω] JU:LN CU:N.F.FLNJ:F7 JN?D.L.JND.U:D.7
41v L27: FNN.? 7OJ:NJD. [ℰ] DJF. L.JD. UOF L:ON.DOD. U:CC OFD.O [∇]
41v L28: U:UON. [O]~ [3] U:D.D J:N.JFD. U:O.D. JN.J:FU.U.ON.FO [ω] O.N.DN.O?
41v L29: U:CC DFO U:FU:N.OF. [ℰ] U:D.D L:?JF. C:U:L. U.O7ON. L.ONN.
41v L30: D.O.J:F7 [ω] UODJLNJ: F.OFO [3] U:CC DJF. L.JD. C:U: U?OJ:C:
41v L31: D.FLNJ: U:UON.OFU.OJ.? U:D.D U:O.?N.JU:N.J:C:OJ: L:ON.D?O
Decryption

letter3_decryption.txt

# Mechanical decryption of letter3_transcription.txt with key grid H (key.tsv), unchanged.
# Lower case = decoded letters, word spaces as in the transcription; [X] = nomenclator sign; ? = illegible.

## fol. 41r
41r L01  [A] vnd ich finden e.[3]l.[ℰ]. vorschlag ahn [B]
41r L02  wegen der preparation zvm krieg in der
41r L03  vnder [Q] gethan [ω] erheblich vnd fvndirt [3]
41r L04  vnd haltens wohl vor einen netkrvfft
41r L05  sich zvm theil mit dem landvolck zv be
41r L06  helffen [3] dieweil gvt frembd volck sich
41r L07  cervich zv bekommen [ℰ] vndt solche kosten
41r L08  sicheher ahn das beste des avszvgs aape gebegt
41r L09  cerden [ω] doch haltens darfvr [3] das ein
41r L10  gvt corpvs [M] in solcher extraordinaris
41r L11  exzedition [ω] vnd menge der verschiededen
41r L12  nationen. vff der andern seithen wohl dotig.
41r L13  were darbei zv haben [3] darvf bei weiten wib?
41r L14  gedaacht sein [ℰ] es wehe avch wohl zv wvnscho?
41r L15  dass so balaft der feinfnt ahnfangen der wlrde
41r L16  zv lersamblen [ω] alle glieder der lnion
41r L17  ihre asisitentz gleichfals vf ein orth bei
41r L18  ein ander brechten [3] das habltens dafvr
41r L19  vnmvglich wirdt sein [ω] es darzv zv bringen [3][ℰ]
41r L20  dieweil niemandts sein volck wirdt volgen
41r L21  vassen [ℰ] or seie das versichdert [ω] das es vff
41r L22  ihn seblit nicht gelten werden [3] welches
41r L23  avch we?gen der weitten distantz [3] das da?e
41r L24  qvartirhen von eidander liegen [ω] vnd ehhe
41r L25  man weiss was covrs der feindt vill nehmen [3]
41r L26  sein bededmkeds havl [ω] vnd ander vf solche
41r L27  weise accommedirt werden [3][ℰ] das die kreiss
41r L28  vf ihrem eigeden bodnem ihre versiambvng
41r L29  wachten [ω] vnd die hvbffe se si?e einander
41r L30  schvldig seindt [ℰ]  zvschhicken [ω] wan man
41r L31  seh?en wirdt [3] was orths der feindt seinde?
41r L32  zvgk nehmen wernde [3][ℰ] vnd halt man vnseres
41r L33  eraachteds zvr dis iahr keides eidfcalls
## fol. 41v
41v L01  odfer zvgs nach der meier zv befvrchten [ω] vnd zv?
41v L02  also der niedersachssichhe vnd westphalssche
41v L03  krais ablehin zvr defension des landts
41v L04  [2̲] vnd westerwaldts zv sorgen haben [3] vnd
41v L05  ihre hvlff sonder einige vermvthvng schic
41v L06  ken konnen [ω] wan der feindt iernseits des [O] 
41v L07  oder der [⊙] seinen zvgk wvrde genommen haben
41v L08  so fehn wan nvn avs dan [ω] wan der feindt vffm
41v L09  generall rendevovs zvsamen gestossen ist [3]
41v L10  dem feindt entgegen  ziehen konne [ℰ] vnd zt nicht
41v L11  vff vnserm eigen bodem erwartete [ω] were es
41v L12  wohl eine gewvvnschte sach [3] vnd ft ein ke ister
41v L13  stllt e.l. achten [ℰ] ob es sich aver werde thvn
41v L14  lassen [ω] wirdt die gelegenheit vnsereher eigedz
41v L15  sache [3] wie avch der vnderschhein zwischen
41v L16  vnserm vnd des feindts vollk [ℰ] vnd anderen
41v L17  circvmstantien mehr [3] wie sie avsgan seine
41v L18  werden [ω] den besten avsschlag geben [ℰ][3] in
41v L19  alle weg met?e ich [3] das man fvrndembllich
41v L20  dardach zv trachten hegevge [ω] wire man den feind?
## fol. 41v
41v L21  ahn proviant vfpv ahm meisten moge disscom
41v L22  medihren [3] vnseram leger abber dge proviant
41v L23  vff   beqvem volged konnen [ω]
41v L24  vnd  allzeit  vast lege [3] biscvtn
41v L25  erqig fonihei vf dei feidt ? haven kennen [ℰ]
## fol. 41v
41v L26  wie von e. [3] l [ω] avch fvrsichtig ahnmahnvng
41v L27  ihr gethan [ℰ] das man bei werden vff eine [∇]
41v L28  vber [O]~ [3] vnd train von artillerie [ω] ordre
41v L29  vff die vivres [ℰ] vnd was zvm leger mehr
41v L30  notig [ω] bedacht seie [3] vff das man zv betz
41v L31  nicht vbereilek vnd voravrtzet werde
Reading

letter3_reading.md

# Reading (German, spelling of the manuscript), Daniel Bourdeau's rule — Letter 3, fols. 41r-41v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]

plain word = certain (the frozen shape transcription decodes it as it stands); {x} = probable (one or two dots or one shape corrected,
only one word possible); ⟨x⟩ = restored from the sense; ‹…› = unresolved (decoded letters quoted); [X] = nomenclator sign, unresolved;
[3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs. Word cut at a line end: the whole word is given on the first line.

Count (mechanical, by script on this text): 430 cipher words, 348 certain, 50 probable, 16 restored, 16 unresolved;
certain + probable 92.6%, with restored 96.3%.

## fol. 41r

L01 [A] vnd ich finden E. L. vorschlag ahn [B]
L02 wegen der preparation zum krieg in der
L03 vnder [Q] gethan [ω] erheblich vnd fundirt [3]
L04 vnd haltens wohl vor einen ⟨notturfft⟩
L05 sich zum theil mit dem landvolck zu behelffen
L06 [3] dieweil gut frembd volck sich
L07 ⟨schwerlich⟩ zu bekommen [ℰ] vndt solche kosten
L08 sicherer ahn das beste des auszugs ‹aape› {gelegt}
L09 werden [ω] doch haltens darfür [3] das ein
L10 gut corpus [M] in solcher {extraordinari}
L11 expedition [ω] vnd menge der {verschiedenen}
L12 nationen vff der andern seithen wohl nötig
L13 were darbei zu haben [3] darvf bei weiten ‹wib?›
L14 {gedacht} sein [ℰ] es ‹wehe› auch wohl zu {wünschen}
L15 das so ⟨baldt⟩ der ⟨feindt⟩ ahnfangen würde
L16 zu versamblen [ω] alle glieder der vnion
L17 ihre {assistentz} gleichfals vf ein orth bei
L18 ein ander brechten [3] das {haltens} dafür
L19 vnmüglich wirdt sein [ω] es darzu zu bringen [3][ℰ]
L20 dieweil niemandts sein volck wirdt volgen
L21 lassen [ℰ] ⟨es⟩ seie das {versichert} [ω] das es vff
L22 ihn {selbst} nicht gelten werden [3] welches
L23 auch {wegen} der weitten distantz [3] das ‹da?e›
L24 {quartiren} von einander liegen [ω] vnd {ehe}
L25 man weiss was cours der feindt {will} nehmen [3]
L26 sein ⟨bedenckens⟩ {halb} [ω] vnd ander vf solche
L27 weise {accommodirt} werden [3][ℰ] das die kreiss
L28 vf ihrem eigenen {bodem} ihre ⟨versamblung⟩
L29 machten [ω] vnd die hülffe {so} ⟨sie⟩ einander
L30 schuldig seindt [ℰ] {zuschicken} [ω] wan man
L31 {sehen} wirdt [3] was orths der feindt {seinen}
L32 zugk nehmen {werde} [3][ℰ] vnd halt man vnseres
L33 erachtens für dis iahr keines {einfalls}

## fol. 41v

L01 {oder} zugs nach der Weser zu befürchten [ω] vnd ‹zu?›
L02 also der {niedersächsische} vnd {westphalische}
L03 krais ⟨allein⟩ zur defension des landts
L04 [2̲] vnd westerwaldts zu sorgen haben [3] vnd
L05 ihre hülff sonder einige vermuthung schicken
L06 können [ω] wan der feindt {jenseits} des [O]
L07 oder der [⊙] seinen zugk würde genommen haben
L08 so fern wan nun aus dan [ω] wan der feindt vffm
L09 generall rendevous zusamen gestossen ist [3]
L10 dem feindt entgegen ziehen könne [ℰ] vnd ‹zt› nicht
L11 vff vnserm eigen bodem erwartete [ω] were es
L12 wohl eine {gewünschte} sach [3] vnd ⟨ist⟩ ein {mei}⟨ster⟩ ‹stllt›
L13 E. L. achten [ℰ] ob es sich {aber} werde thun
L14 lassen [ω] wirdt die gelegenheit {vnserer} ⟨eigenen⟩
L15 sache [3] wie auch der ⟨vnderschied⟩ zwischen
L16 vnserm vnd des feindts volck [ℰ] vnd anderen
L17 circumstantien mehr [3] wie sie ⟨ausgan(gen)⟩ {seind}
L18 werden [ω] den besten ausschlag geben [ℰ][3] in
L19 alle weg meine ich [3] das man {fürnemblich}
L20 darnach zu trachten ‹hegevge› [ω] {wie} man den {feindt}
L21 ahn proviant ‹vfpv› ahm meisten möge {discommodiren}
L22 [3] {vnserm} {leger} {aber} {die} proviant
L23 vff alle nothdurfft bequem {volgen} können [ω]
L24 vnd dasselbige ⟨allzeit⟩ ⟨vast⟩ ‹lege› [3] ‹…›
L25 ‹…› ‹fourn…?› vff ‹…› ‹…› ‹…› {haben} {können} [ℰ]
L26 wie von E. [3] L. [ω] auch fürsichtig {ahnmahnung}
L27 {ihr} gethan [ℰ] das man bei werden vff eine [∇]
L28 vber [O.] [3] vnd train von artillerie [ω] {ordre}
L29 vff die vivres [ℰ] vnd {was} zum leger mehr
L30 nötig [ω] bedacht seie [3] vff das man zu {letz}
L31 nicht {vbereilet} vnd {verkurtzet} {werde}

Clear text of the letter: « Welchs ich E. L. in kurtzem zur antwort nicht hab wollen [verhalten] … » and signature (clear, end of fol. 41v; no date)
Translation

letter3_translation.md

# English translation — Letter 3, fols. 41r-41v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]

Working translation, close to the text; […] = unresolved word; nomenclator signs stay in brackets.

[A] and I find the proposal that Your Dilection made to the [B] about preparing for war in the Lower [Q] weighty and well founded, and hold it a necessity to rely in part on the country militia (Landvolk), since good foreign troops are hard to get and such costs are more safely spent to the profit of the levy (Auszug). We think, however, that a good corps [M] would be most necessary in so extraordinary an expedition and against the multitude of different nations on the other side; this has been thought of […] from afar. It would also be desirable that, as soon as the enemy begins to assemble, all members of the Union should likewise bring their assistance together in one place; but we hold it impossible to achieve, because no one will let his troops go unless assured that it will not fall on himself, and also because of the great distance between the quarters, and before one knows which course the enemy will take. Things should therefore be arranged so that the Circles hold their muster on their own ground and send one another the help they owe, once it is seen where the enemy is marching. In our opinion no invasion and no march towards the Weser is to be feared this year; so the Lower Saxon and Westphalian Circles will have only the defence of the country [2̲] and the Westerwald to provide for, and can send their help without any suspicion once the enemy has taken his route beyond the [O] or the [⊙]. If, when the enemy has joined at the general rendezvous, one could march against him instead of awaiting him on our own ground, that would be a thing to wish for, and Your Dilection is [master] […]; but whether it can be done will be decided by the state of our own affairs, the difference between our troops and the enemy’s, and other circumstances besides, as they turn out. In any case I think one must above all seek […] how to hamper the enemy most in his provisions, and that provisions can follow our camp conveniently for all its needs, and that this be always almost […]; […] can have; as Your Dilection has also prudently reminded, that provision be made, for a [∇], for the crossing of the [O], the artillery train and its order, the victuals and whatever else the camp needs, so that in the end one is neither taken by surprise nor cut short.

Letter 5, fols. 44r-44v (cipher part), Willem Lodewijk to Johann VII, spring 1620

Hopes Johann will continue in his charge; dangerous to write such matters "ohne chifer"; [V] Portuguese coming into the [Q].

Transcription

letter5_transcription.txt

# Letter 5, cipher part, fols. 44r-44v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]
# Shapes of the grid cells, sign by sign, one manuscript line per line: <folio> L<line>: tokens.
# J=⌋ U=⊔ L=⌊ D=⊐ O=□ C=⊏ 7=⌉ N=⊓ F=⌈ ; "." = one dot in the cell, ":" = two dots ; "~" = abbreviation dot outside the cell ;
# [X] = nomenclator sign or capital (unresolved) ; [3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs ; "?" = doubtful sign or dot ; "#" = illegible.
# Each transcription was frozen by SHA-256 before any decoding with the key. Source: HHStAW Abt. 171 Nr. S 995 (scans 300 dpi, research only;
# no image is distributed). Clear passages of the letter are not transcribed here (see the reading file).

## fol. 44r (T12, SHA 52521202)
44r L01: D. U:? N D. F F. J:? C: L: J N. O F D. [ω]
44r L02: F. O. U. L N O F. L. F N. [ℰ] C J F. J:? U: U O N. [3]
44r L03: J U. U. O C:? U: U: O N. F. F L N J: C N. O L? U J: [ω]
44r L04: C U: N. J? O. L. L. O D. [3] L. O F U. [⁘] F. F L N U U? F
44r L05: D O N. O. U. O J: C: J? O L. F. L N N. O F U N? D.
44r L06: U: F O U. O F D. O N. J D. D O N. O N. L. O F =
44r L07: D. U: D. 7 U: O N. D. O N L. O D. U. J F. F. O D. [ω]
44r L08: U: D. D J:? O. U L. O. N U. D. J L N J U. U. O N. [3]
44r L09: O U: L: O N. U N. F F? O C U: D. D J: U O D O D. =
44r L10: L J. O D. U O F [A] U: D. D J: L. F N. 7 O J: N J D? O N.
44r L11: U: O N. U. O F. U: D. 7 [⁘] D F O F. O U. U O [ω]
44r L12: D. F L N J: U: O N. D O D. L J? O D. J. O. D. D. O D.
44r L13: D J F. F. F. F O J: N. J L N J: O D. F. F L N J U: F.
44r L14: F. O. U. L N O L. C: L: O F C C O U. N J C C J: F =
44r L15: 7 O D. N J D. D O U. C: U: U O 7 O U O D. [ω]
44r L16: D F O L: O F U: J U O N. D O L. 7 O L. O F D. O D.
44r L17: L: O F. O D. [ℰ] D O L. [B] U: D. D J: O U: L: O N.
44r L18: N. O C. U: J: J J: F O. D. L. O N. L J.? U. F L N
44r L19: D J N. J N D. 7 O U. O 7 O D. [ω] J U. F [3]
44r L20: F. O. U. J: O D. L: F N. 7 O N. D. F. O N O D. [ℰ]
44r L21: D J F. F. O U: L N F. J J: F F. C J L J: F O. D. 7 O =
44r L22: F. L N O N O U: D. D J: D F O F. O U. U O [ω]
44r L23: F D. D O L. [⁘] U: C 7 O J: N. J 7 O D. O D. U O U: O U. =
44r L24: L O. D. J: F D. U: F N. N.? O D. [ℰ] L: O U. L N O F. L: F N.
44r L25: D J D. J L N J: O D. C: U: D O F. [B] L. O F F.? J: O D.
44r L26: D F O D F. J:? [3] J U: L N U F U. U. F L J. C: U:
44r L27: F. O F D? [ω] D J F. F. F. F O O U: L N D J N. F D.
44r L28: U O 7 O 7 O D? O D. U: D. D D F O F. O U. U O D O N.
## fol. 44v (T13, SHA a1ed0548)
44v L01: C N. U: L N J: O D. U: O. D. [⁘] D. U: # L. O N N. [W] F J N N.
44v L02: N O N. O.? J: N. O L: U. F L N 7 O U:? O F F. J: O J: O D. D F O D.
44v L03: F. J: O D. 7 O D. F O F. F. O D. [ω] L: O. U. U. O D. D.? F L N F.? J: O.
44v L04: L: O D. F 7 O N. D O N. F. J L N O D. L: O F J: O N. D? J L N
44v L05: D O D. L J. O D. [3] U: D. D O U: L N U: D. F. O N. J D? U: F F.
44v L06: D O D. D. O L N F. J: O D. C: U: J.? O. L. L. O D. U. J F. F. O D. [ℰ]
44v L07: C F D. D O D. F.~ J U O N. 7 J N. 7 O C O N N. U. F L N
44v L08: D O N. 7 U. O F L N O L: F L N J: F 7 O U: D. D L: O F J:
44v L09: J U: F. F. O N O D. D O F. J L N O D. O. N D. O L N F C? O N.
44v L10: N O N. U: U O N. C: U: F. L N N. O F U O D. [ω] F. O. D. F. J: O D.
44v L11: F. J: O N O J:? J U. U. O F. N F O N. U: D.? J: O N. F D.
44v L12: U: O. N. F 7 O D. J: O N. L. F D. F F.
44v L13: 7 O L: F F. F. O.? D. J L N N. F L N J: U: D. 7
44v L14: U: O. N. F 7 O D. 7 O D J L N J: O [V] C. O. N. J: U: =
44v L15: 7 O F. O D. F D. F. [Q] J. O. L. L. O D.
44v L16: [B] F. F L N J U: L N
44v L17: U O F C: O F J: L. F J: U: O. U. L J. U: O N. F.? J: O N. L
44v L18: J. O D. [3] U: D. D D O L. C O F D. D J: 7 O L: J L N F.? O D.
44v L19: F. O F D. J. O. D. D. O D.
Decryption

letter5_decryption.txt

# Mechanical decryption of letter5_transcription.txt with key grid H (key.tsv), unchanged.
# Lower case = decoded letters, word spaces as in the transcription; [X] = nomenclator sign; ? = illegible.

## fol. 44r
44r L01  nvhnistzwarein [ω]
44r L02  solchesmir [ℰ] fastvber [3]
44r L03  allezvversichtfrecbt [ω]
44r L04  fvraommen [3] meil [⁘] sichbbi
44r L05  deroletzaemschreibhn
44r L06  vieleineranderermei
44r L07  nvngvernehmenlassen [ω]
44r L08  vndtobmohlnachaller [3]
44r L09  evwerbriiefvndtbeden
44r L10  ckenbei [A] vndtmirgethader
44r L11  verlesvng [⁘] dieselbe [ω]
44r L12  nichtverdencaenkonnen
44r L13  dasssietrachtensichavs
44r L14  solchemzweiffelhaffti
44r L15  genhandelzvbegeben [ω]
44r L16  dieweivaberdemgemeinen
44r L17  wesen [ℰ] dem [B] vndtevwer
44r L18  repvtationmercklich
44r L19  darahngelegen [ω] ali [3]
44r L20  soltenwirgernsehen [ℰ]
44r L21  dassevchsatisfactionge
44r L22  schehevndtdieselbe [ω]
44r L23  indem [⁘] vfgetragenenbevel
44r L24  continvirren [ℰ] welcheswir
44r L25  danachtenzvdes [B] meisten
44r L26  diedst [3] avchbillickzv
44r L27  seid [ω] dasssieevchdarin
44r L28  begegedenvnddieselbeder
## fol. 44v
44v L01  frvchtenvon [⁘] nv?mehr [W] iahr
44v L02  herotrewlichgeveistetendien
44v L03  stengeniessen [ω] wollennichsto
44v L04  wenigerdersachenweiterdach
44v L05  dencken [3] vndevchvnseradvis
44v L06  dennechstenzvkommenlassen [ℰ]
44v L07  findens.abergargefehrlich
44v L08  dergleichewichtigevndweit
44v L09  avssehendesachenohnechifer
44v L10  hervberzvschreiben [ω] sonsten
44v L11  stehetalleshiervnterin
44v L12  vorigenterminis
44v L13  gewissonachrichtvng
44v L14  vorigengedachte [V] portv
44v L15  gesenins [Q] kommen
44v L16  [B] sichavch
44v L17  beizeitmitvolckversterc
44v L18  ken [3] vnddemfeindtgewachsen
44v L19  seinkonnen
Reading

letter5_reading.md

# Reading (German, spelling of the manuscript), Daniel Bourdeau's rule — Letter 5, cipher part, fols. 44r-44v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]

plain word = certain (the frozen shape transcription decodes it as it stands); {x} = probable (one or two dots or one shape corrected,
only one word possible); ⟨x⟩ = restored from the sense; ‹…› = unresolved (decoded letters quoted); [X] = nomenclator sign, unresolved;
[3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs. Word cut at a line end: the whole word is given on the first line.

Count (mechanical, by script on this text): 165 cipher words, 141 certain, 22 probable, 1 restored, 1 unresolved;
certain + probable 98.8%, with restored 99.4%.

## fol. 44r

L01 {nun} ist zwar ein [ω]
L02 solches mir [ℰ] fast vber [3]
L03 alle zvversicht ‹frecbt› [ω]
L04 {fvrkommen} [3] {weil} [⁘] sich {bei}
L05 dero {letztem} {schreiben}
L06 viel einer anderer meinvng
L07 vernehmen lassen [ω]
L08 vndt ob {wohl} nach aller [3]
L09 evwer {brief} vndt bedencken
L10 bei [A] vndt mir {gethaner}
L11 verlesvng [⁘] dieselbe [ω]
L12 nicht {verdencken} können
L13 dass sie trachten sich avs
L14 solchem zweiffelhafftigen
L15 handel zv begeben [ω]
L16 {dieweil} aber dem gemeinen
L17 wesen [ℰ] dem [B] vndt evwer
L18 reputation mercklich
L19 darahn gelegen [ω] {als} [3]
L20 solten wir gern sehen [ℰ]
L21 dass evch satisfaction geschehe
L22 vndt dieselbe [ω]
L23 in dem [⁘] vfgetragenen bevel
L24 {continviren} [ℰ] welches wir
L25 dan achten zv des [B] meisten
L26 {dienst} [3] avch {billich} zv
L27 {sein} [ω] dass sie evch darin
L28 {begegnen} vnd dieselbe der

## fol. 44v

L29 frvchten von [⁘] {nvnmehr} [W] iahr
L30 hero trewlich {geleisteten} diensten
L31 geniessen [ω] wollen ⟨nichtsdestoweniger⟩
L32 der sachen weiter {nachdencken}
L33 [3] vnd evch vnser advis
L34 den nechsten zvkommen lassen [ℰ]
L35 finden aber gar gefehrlich
L36 {dergleichen} wichtige vnd weitavssehende
L37 sachen ohne chifer
L38 hervber zv schreiben [ω] sonsten
L39 stehet alles hier vnter in
L40 vorigen terminis
L41 {gewisse} nachrichtvng
L42 vorigen gedachte [V] portvgesen
L43 ins [Q] kommen
L44 [B] sich avch
L45 bei zeit mit volck verstercken
L46 [3] vnd dem feindt gewachsen
L47 sein können

Clear text of the letter: Opening in clear: « … E. L. schreiben de dato [D] den 12 dieses sampt dem in Chiffer gesetztes brieff … »; closing in clear: « E. L. damit Göttlicher Almacht empfehlendt. Datum [D] den [W]/[W+W] [S]. »
Translation

letter5_translation.md

# English translation — Letter 5, cipher part, fols. 44r-44v: Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, [spring 1620]

Working translation, close to the text; […] = unresolved word; nomenclator signs stay in brackets.

Now this has come to me almost against all expectation […], because in your last letter you made known quite a different opinion; and although, after [A] and I had read your letter and your reflections, one cannot blame you for seeking to free yourself from so doubtful an affair, yet since the common good, the [B] and your reputation are notably concerned, we should like satisfaction to be given you and you to continue in the charge entrusted to you, which we consider to be for the greatest service of the [B], and right too that they should meet you fairly in it and that you enjoy the fruits of the services faithfully rendered for [W] years now. We will nevertheless think further about the matter and send you our advice at the earliest. We find it very dangerous, however, to write such important and far-reaching matters over here without cipher (“ohne chifer”); otherwise everything here stays on the former terms; sure news that the [V] Portuguese mentioned before are coming into the [Q]; [that] the [B] also strengthens himself with troops in time, to be a match for the enemy.

Postscript "Post dat.", fol. 53r, Willem Lodewijk to Johann VII, spring 1620

Officers' yearly pay fixed by the late Elector; table money in actual service in the field, in the absence of the Margrave.

Transcription

ps_transcription.txt

# Postscript "Post dat.", fol. 53r, to a letter not identified [spring 1620]
# Shapes of the grid cells, sign by sign, one manuscript line per line: <folio> L<line>: tokens.
# J=⌋ U=⊔ L=⌊ D=⊐ O=□ C=⊏ 7=⌉ N=⊓ F=⌈ ; "." = one dot in the cell, ":" = two dots ; "~" = abbreviation dot outside the cell ;
# [X] = nomenclator sign or capital (unresolved) ; [3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs ; "?" = doubtful sign or dot ; "#" = illegible.
# Each transcription was frozen by SHA-256 before any decoding with the key. Source: HHStAW Abt. 171 Nr. S 995 (scans 300 dpi, research only;
# no image is distributed). Clear passages of the letter are not transcribed here (see the reading file).

## fol. 53r (T15-v3, SHA c7b03c53)
53r L01: O~ [3ℰ] U. [ω] F.LNN.OFUOD. L.JLNJ: L.FN.
53r L02: C:L:OFCCOU. [ω] O.U F.FO JU:LNOJ:L:JF.
53r L03: L.ONN? [3] JU.F. DFO [∇] 7U:UDOD. U:O.L.
53r L04: U:?ON.F.J:O.N.UOD?DD. LNU:N.CU:N.F.J:OD. [⁘]
53r L05: C:U:N. FJNN.U.FLNOD. UOF.O.U.DU:D.7 J:?ON.
53r L06: O.N.DD.OJ: CU.O.N.OD. C:U: J:N.JLJ:OL.OD.J:
53r L07: NJUOD. [ω] FD. L:OU.LNOL. CJU.U. F?LN
53r L08: DJN.CU:N. NJU.J:O [3] L:OD. F.FJO [X:] U: [X] OU:D?
53r L09: FD. L:U:N.LJ.U.FLNOL. DFOD.F.J: F.FLN
53r L10: UOCFD.DOD. L:U:N.DOD. [ω] DJF.F. [⁘] JU.U.
53r L11: C:ON.J: F.O. U:FOU. [3] DJ[J]N.U:O.N. F.FO FNN.OD.
53r L12: J:FF.LN FNN.ON. 7.U:JU.FJ:OJ: U:D.DJ: J:N.J
53r L13: 7OD. DOL. JL.UJ: D.JLN CN.OF NJU.J:OD.
53r L14: J.O.D.D.J:OD. [ω] FD. F.O.D.DON.NOFJ: JUL:OF.OD.F.
53r L15: DOF NON.N.D. L.JN.77N.JCCOD. C:U:7OU.O7J:
53r L16: UONO.N.J: C:U: L:ON.DOD. [ℰ] U:C:? FD. U.F.?J:ON.FC.? #
Decryption

ps_decryption.txt

# Mechanical decryption of ps_transcription.txt with key grid H (key.tsv), unchanged.
# Lower case = decoded letters, word spaces as in the transcription; [X] = nomenclator sign; ? = illegible.

## fol. 53r
53r L01  e. [3ℰ] l [ω] schreiben macht mir
53r L02  zweiffel [ω] ob sie avchetwas
53r L03  mehh [3] als die [∇] gvbden vom
53r L04  verstorbeddn chvrfvrsten [⁘]
53r L05  zvr iahrlichen besoldvng ter
53r L06  ordnet floren zv tractement
53r L07  haben [ω] in welchem fall ich
53r L08  darfvr halte [3] wen siae [X:] v [X] evd
53r L09  in wvrcklichem dienst sich
53r L10  befinden wvrden [ω] dass [⁘] all
53r L11  zert so viel [3] da[J]rvor sie ihren
53r L12  tisch ihrer qvalitet vndt tra
53r L13  gen dem ambt nach frei halten
53r L14  konnten [ω] in sonderheit abwesens
53r L15  dei herrn marggraffen zvgelegt
53r L16  behort zv werden [ℰ] vz in lsterip ?
Reading

ps_reading.md

# Reading (German, spelling of the manuscript), Daniel Bourdeau's rule — Postscript "Post dat.", fol. 53r, to a letter not identified [spring 1620]

plain word = certain (the frozen shape transcription decodes it as it stands); {x} = probable (one or two dots or one shape corrected,
only one word possible); ⟨x⟩ = restored from the sense; ‹…› = unresolved (decoded letters quoted); [X] = nomenclator sign, unresolved;
[3] [ℰ] [ω] [⁘] = separator/punctuation signs. Word cut at a line end: the whole word is given on the first line.

Count (mechanical, by script on this text): 71 cipher words, 59 certain, 10 probable, 0 restored, 2 unresolved;
certain + probable 97.2%, with restored 97.2%.

## fol. 53r

L01 E. [3ℰ] L. [ω] schreiben macht mir
L02 zweiffel [ω] ob sie avch etwas
L03 {mehr} [3] als die [∇] {gulden} vom
L04 {verstorbenen} chvrfürsten [⁘]
L05 zur jährlichen besoldvng {verordnet}
L06 floren zv tractement
L07 haben [ω] in welchem fall ich
L08 darfür halte [3] wen {sie} {zu} {feld}
L09 in würcklichem dienst sich
L10 befinden würden [ω] dass [⁘] {allzeit}
L11 so viel [3] {darvor} sie ihren
L12 tisch ihrer qvalitet vndt tragen
L13 dem ambt nach frei halten
L14 könnten [ω] insonderheit abwesens
L15 {des} herrn marggraffen zvgelegt
L16 behört zu werden [ℰ] ‹vz› in ‹lsterip…›

Clear text of the letter: Heading in clear: « Post dat. » (postscript to a letter not identified).
Translation

ps_translation.md

# English translation — Postscript "Post dat.", fol. 53r, to a letter not identified [spring 1620]

Working translation, close to the text; […] = unresolved word; nomenclator signs stay in brackets.

Your Dilection’s letter makes me doubt whether [the officers] have, besides the [∇] florins fixed by the late Elector as yearly pay, florins for allowance as well; in which case I hold that, if they were in actual service in the field, they should always be allowed enough to keep their table according to their quality and office, especially in the absence of the Lord Margrave, as is fitting […] (the line runs to the edge of the leaf).

Key: key.tsv

05 Sources

Notes, transcriptions, decryptions and the key are in targets/nassau1620.

Cite this page

Brice Dudout and Daniel Bourdeau, “Willem Lodewijk of Nassau to Johann VII, cipher letters of spring 1620”, Cyphersolver, posted 5 November 2026, https://cyphersolver.com/nassau1620.html.