Contributions:texts:historiography:chronicles

Henricus Lettus

“Because the crops in his fields were quite abundant and in their own fields dying because of a flooding rain, the Livonians of Treiden prepared to sacrifice him to their gods. The people were collected and the will of the gods regarding the sacrifice was sought after by lot. A lance was placed in position and the horse came up and, at the signal of God, put out the foot thought to be the foot of life. Brother Theodoric prayed aloud and gave blessings with his hand. The pagan priest asserted that the Christian God was sitting on the back of the horse and was moving the horse’s foot forward; that for this reason the back of the horse had to be wiped off so that the God might slide off. When this was done, the horse again put forth the foot of life, as before, and Brother Theodoric’s life was saved.” p.28.

“During this peace, they killed several Germans who were seeking fodder for their horses. The lord bishop, when he saw this, sent back their lance and called off the peace. The Livonians shouted and yelled in pagan fashion. The Saxon battle lines were armed to fight against them and rushed headlong in an attack upon them. The bishop, restraining his horse badly, was carried by its speed into the midst of the fugitives.” p.33.

“Accordingly, they cooked mead, according to the rite, drank it together.. ” p.34.

“The king of Gerzika, also, proceeded to Riga with the Lithuanians, took the flocks of the citizens in the pastures…” p.44.

“…now tried a second time to lead away the flocks which they had seized from the fields. And since the few men who lived at that time in Riga feared ambush everywhere because of the woods all about, they dared not leave the city allat once. But about twenty courageous men from the city followed the enemy and searched for their flock.” p.45.

“…the Livonians and the Lithuanians departed, having obtained only three of the horses of the citizens. All the Germans returned joyfully to the city, praising God for the conservation of men and the recovery of the flocks.” p. 45.

“The men of thecity went out to meet them in peace, and a certain citizen named Martin offered them a honeyed drink.” p.47.

“At length the Lithuanians returned with numerous captives and indescribable booty in flocks and hourses, entered Livonia, and proceeded gradually from village to village.” p.48.

“Conrad, with his horse and himself well-armored, like a knight, attacked the Lithuanians with the few Germans who were on hand.” p.49.

“They took untold loot, both in horses and flocks, likewise in clothing and arms, and then all returned to their homes safe and unharmed…” p.50.

“…the lord bishop, wishing to acquire the friendship and intimacy of King Vladimir of Polozk, which the latter had shown to his predecessor, Bishop Meinhard, sent a war horse with armor to him…” p.54.

“…he spoke sweet words in the manner of a dove and did harm like a snake in the grass.” p.55.

“Certain of them, however, went out towards Riga, stole horses from the fields, killed the men whom they met, and did all the damage they could.” p.58.

“…others tried to escape byy swimming but did not escape the sting of the worms.” p.59.

“...hooks had everywhere gravely pierced both their horses’ feet and their own sides and posteriors.” p.64.

“They had burned all his goods, taken over his fields, broken up his bee trees, and, moreover, instigated many wars against the people of Riga.” p.65.

“…the Lithuanians rode here and there around the church on their swift horses. God, however, looked out for His own and kept them from entering the church. They, however, hastened to the priest’s house, seized horses and flocks, and put the clothes and food and everything else they found in their carts.” p.71.

“One of them entered the church without dismounting from his horse and, finding nothing to plunder and not knowing about those lurking in the corner, likewise hastily withdrew.” p.72.

“…summoning the king, honored him with gifts of many horses and many suits of precious garments.” p.76.

“After this the king sent the best German horses, ballistas, coats of mail, and similar things to the great King Vladimir…” p.77.

“As they came up on their horses, resplended in their armor, they were most kindly received by the Semgalls.” p.80.

“When the Lithuanians learned of this, they flew around them on their speedy horses.” p.80.

“At length they came together before Fort Odenpah, that is to say, Fort Bear’s Head, and burned the fort. After resting for three days, they returned on the fourth to their own country with the flocks, captives, and all the loot.” p.84.

“The Letts leaving the fort and bravely meeting them in battle, killed five of them and, taking their horses, ran back into the fort to their priest.” p.85.

“Since almost all their horses were limping, the Christians could not make contact with the enemy, for the latter, after having killed the flocks and let go the captives, did not wait for battle and fled down the road, each returning to his own country.” p.86.

Collecting many spoils from all the villages, they took back with them beasts of burden, many flocks, and a great many girls…” p.86.

“Finding the mountain deserted and, because of the filthiness of the former inhabitants, full of snakes and worms, he ordered and asked that it be cleansed and renovated, and strongly fortified.” p.88.

“…the people of Holm came on their horses to the Old Mountain, threatened the enemy with their swords, and descended to the city on the other side.” p.98.

“As they made a great show with their horses and arms, all those in the city came out to them and great joy was manifested among them.” p.99.

“...took horses and innumerable flocks; for of the latter there were four thousand oxen and cows, not counting horses, other flocks, and captives, of whom there was no count.” p.103.

“...killed men and innumerable beasts of burden in the fort.” p.106.

“…took many spoils, drove the cattle and other livestock to their base, and slaughtered the cattle and livestock, immolating to their gods, whose favor they sought. But the flesh which they cut off fell on the left side, which indicated that their gods were displeased: this was a sinister omen.” p.110.

“The trapping of the horses threw terror into the enemy.” p.111.

“They seized the horses, of whom there were many thousands there…” p.112.

“They turned, after this, toward the province of the Saccalians and journeyed for three days through forests and swamps by a very bad road. Their horses gave out on the road and about a hundred of them fell down and died. At length, on the seventh day, they came to the villages. …gathered the horses and flocks at the village of Lambit, where there was their maia, that is, their assemly place.” p.115.

“…took away the women, horses, and livestock, and came to Jerwan.” p.116.

“The Livonians left the fort from the rear and, after wounding some men in the army, they took their horses and loot and returned to the fort...” p.127.

“At this there was great noise and rejoicing in the fort and the Livonians sacrificed animals, paying honor to their gods according to their old customs. They immolated dogs and goats and, to mock Christianity, they tossed them from the fort, in the face of the bishop and the whole army.” p.127.

“...the Tartars (who are said by some to be Parthians and who do not eat bread, but feed on the raw flesh of their flocks)...” p.205.

References

The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia: A Translation with Introduction and Notes by James A. Brundage. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1961.