The chief Selonian fort on the left bank of the Daugava, facing Koknese; Henry calls it a base for Lithuanian raids, besieged and taken by the Germans in 1208 (en.wikipedia: 1207), after which the stone castle of Selburg replaced it.
The site is partly under the Pļaviņas reservoir.
Who holds it
- Name
- None named
- Title
- the elders of Sēlpils
- Since
- not applicable
- Born
- not applicable
- Confidence
- low
See sources.
Lord in 1200
The Selonian elders.
How things stand that morning
A free Selonian fort.
Charter
None: an unwritten customary community.
Council
The elders of the land; no town council.
Communities
Selonians; Lithuanian war parties pass.
Fairs and markets
None recorded.
Militia
The men of the fort and its villages.
Walls and castle
Earth and timber hillfort.
Trade and crafts
The Daugava; farming.
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.
- 1208 (later; en.wikipedia 1207)Besieged and taken by the Germans; the Selonians accept baptism.Depends on: The crusade's advance.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Henry from 1208; position approximate.
Primary sources for The Selonians
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
Sources and studies
- Selonians (en.wikipedia)
- Henry of Livonia, Chronicon Livoniae, tr. J. A. Brundage, The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia (1961): Books I-III, chapters I-IX read for this record
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.