A.Vesalius - September 2015 (3)
Maurits Biesbrouck, Theodoor Goddeeris, Omer Steeno
The letter Hubertus Languetus, a French diplomat, wrote on January 1, 1565, is the start of the inquisition-myth that still surrounds Vesalius's departure from Spain today: two dozen of lines that start with: "rumour has it ...", as if the gossiping diplomat doesn't believe the story himself.
Four letters discovered by the Spanish paediatrician J.B. Fernandez refute the inquisition-hoax even more efficiently.
A first letter is a laissez-passer by V's employer, Philip II; in the fourth message the Custodian of the Holy Places thanks AV, pious pilgrim and carrier of the letter, for bringing to Jerusalem the kings' royal gift. The letter reached its destiny and so exposes the shipwreck-myth. As Reinerus Solenander already wrote in May 1566: AV died of an unfortunate return voyage and of a general fatigue.
Thank you, Maurits Biesbrouck, Theodoor Goddeeris and Omer Steeno, for your continuous and most valuable research.