intellectual disgrace

So, I'm kind of deep in the rabbit hole, reading the letters of Cardinal Piccolomini who went on to become Pope Pius II, but before that he was one of the tutors of little Ladislaus. From "Hungarian embassy to the emperor, Autumn 1445": Jiskra, the Bohemian, a man of many talents, had arrived in [Wiener] Neustadt before the emperor left for his campaign and had told what the Hungarians would do. He asked to see King Ladislaus, and when he met and saw him, he wept and said, “Alas! How much trouble I have had in your cause! How many dangers have I faced! How much blood have I spilt! But you are too young to understand this. I wish I shall live long enough to see you speak your mind and recognise those who have served you faithfully.” He brought the boy several gifts. Then Hans, the king’s Kammermeister, who happened to be present, said, “This man, Most Serene Prince, has long supported your cause in Hungary. He is your captain, your protector, your defender, and your helmsman. Why not give him something as payment?” Then the boy, guided by some divine spirit, opened the purse hanging beside Hans’ amulets and took out six coins that he gave to Jiskra. Jiskra hung them on a golden string around his neck and still carries them in memory of the boy’s liberality. <...> When [Újlaky] Miklos was invited to visit his king, who was staying in a place close to the travel route, he answered, “I do not yet know which king I shall have, and I will not honour this boy before I know him to be my lord.” Some of the Hungarians said they considered Ladislaus their king and that he could not be blamed since he was too young to speak [for himself]. Therefore, several of them went to see their king. They brought gifts to the boy, gazing at him as if he were a divinity, and, kneeling before him, they shed tears. The bishop of Vezprem said, “O, Most Noble Boy, will God grant me to see you in the kingdom before this old age shall fail? Grow up, boy, grow up, and nobody shall take the Kingdom of Hungary from you as long as you live.” Cardinal Dénes gave a big golden cup into his hands, and kissing the boy, he said, “Alas, how many troubles I have suffered on your behalf, how many losses, and how many dangers I have faced. But all will be fine if only I see you upon the throne.” Afterwards, he stayed for three days with the emperor. This is how things went with the Hungarians.