Autīne is a Latgalian land south of Tālava, usually placed round Rauna and Smiltene and reaching toward Cēsis, where Henry finds the Vends living at Wenden by 1206 (see Wenden).
Its site is debated. On 1 January 1200 it is a land of elders whose tie to Jersika is not pinned.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not pinned for 1200
- Title
- the elders of Autīne
- Since
- not applicable
- Born
- not applicable
- Family
- Waridote (Varidots) of Autīne is named in 1208 (en.wikipedia Tālava); not pinned for 1200.
- Confidence
- low
Henry of Livonia (Brundage tr.); see sources.
Overlord
Not pinned. In the settlement after 1209 Autīne is counted among the lands taken from the lord of Jersika (en.wikipedia Principality of Jersika, unsourced there), which suggests it paid tribute to Jersika at some time.
What it holds
- Latgalian villages round Rauna and Smiltene
- Wenden (Cēsis) at its western edge (town record Wenden)
How things stand that morning
Free under its elders; Jersika's claim not pinned.
Wealth
Farming and forest.
Military
Hillforts; levies. No numbers.
Threats
- Estonian raids
- Jersika's tribute claim
Law and courts
Elders of the land and its forts with the assembled men; Rus' tribute collectors come from Pskov or Novgorod in the north-east (not pinned for 1200). No written law.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- During 1200 (nothing dated for this land)No event in this land is recorded for 1200.
Places of note
- Rauna: village in the probable heart of Autīne
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Placement and bounds are reconstructions.
On the map: Placed between Cēsis, Rauna and Smiltene; the land's real position is debated.
Primary sources for The Latgalians
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- The Livonian Chronicle of Henry, Henry of Livonia (1225 to 1227). The chief source for the Baltic mission. Read online
- Charter book of Livonia, Estonia and Courland, volume 1, 1093 to 1300 (documents of 1093 to 1300, edited 1853). The documents of the Livonian mission: Innocent III's bull of 5 October 1199 calling for a crusade to protect the Livonian church, the privileges for Bishop Albert, Archbishop Hartwig of Bremen's acts for the see of Üxküll, and the later charters that settle who held what on the Düna.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.