The Chronicle of Henry of LivoniaThe only English translation available of the most important first-hand account of the "Northern Crusades" in the Baltic states has finally been reprinted, with additional maps and a revised introduction by James A. Brundage. Henry ́s chronicle is the only surviving evidence for many episodes in the early stages of Christendom in the Eastern Baltic. In describing sights, sounds, and even the personal appearance and quirks of many of the people he encountered, Henry of Livonia provides us with an invaluable and deeply human history.The pope ́s call for a renewed holy war at the end of the twelfth century inspired not only the famous crusades in the Middle East but also a series of less celebrated yet decidedly more successful Northern Crusades. Scandinavian rulers and German military monks conquered and settled the Baltic world, spreading Western values and Christianity. At the time, the region of Livonia (present-day Estonia and Latvia) was a crossroads of Germanic, Scandinavian, and Russian trade, culture, and religion. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia provides insight into not only military operations in the East during this tumultuous period but also the conflicted attitudes of an eyewitness, revealing the complex melding of religious motives with political aims. |
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Common terms and phrases
abbot Alabrand Arbusow attack ballistarii ballistas Baltic baptism baptized battle Berthold besieged Bishop Albert bishop of Riga Brothers burned called captives captured Caupo Christ Christian faith crossed Crusade Danes despoiled Dorpat Dünamünde Dvina elders enemy escaped Estho Esthonians feared fight fire fled flocks followed forts fought gathered gave Germans Gerzika Gothland Harrien heard Henry Henry's chronicle History of Latvia Holm holy horses hostages Jerwan Jerwanians joyfully killed king of Denmark knights Kokenhusen Kurs lances land legate likewise Lithuanians Livo Livonian church Livonians and Letts loot Lord Meinhard merchants Militia nians Novgorod Oesel Oeselians pagans paterells peace pilgrims pirate ships Polozk Pope priest promised province Pskov received rejoiced rest returned to Livonia Reval Rigans river road Romanum Russians Saccalia Saxon Sedde Segeberg seized Semgalls sent messengers spoils sword Theodoric took translation Treiden Uexküll Ungannia villages Volquin vols Wenden Wierland William of Modena women words wounded