Spārnene is the westernmost Semigallian land named in the 13th-century documents, usually placed round Saldus, Brocēni and Auce, on the border with the Curonian land of Bandava.
On 1 January 1200 it is free and pagan.
Who holds it
- Name
- None named for 1200
- Title
- the elders of Spārnene
- Since
- not applicable
- Born
- not applicable
- Family
- No elder is named.
- Confidence
- low
Henry of Livonia (Brundage tr.); see sources.
What it holds
- Semigallian villages round Saldus and Auce
How things stand that morning
Free and pagan.
Wealth
Farming.
Military
Hillforts; levies. No numbers.
Threats
- Lithuanian raids
- Feud with the Livs
- The papal and merchants' ban on the Semigallian harbour (1200, likely course)
Law and courts
Elders of each land and fort with the assembled men; in 1205 the Germans took one hostage from each Semigallian fort, which shows the forts as the units of the people. 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
- Saldus: town in the probable heart of Spārnene
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Name from 13th-century documents; placement and bounds are reconstructions.
On the map: Very approximate; Saldus may have lain on the Curonian side.
Primary sources for The Semigallians
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.