The chief source for the Baltic mission. Its first book covers Meinhard's death in 1196, Berthold's killing by the Livs in July 1198, Albert of Buxhoeveden's consecration in 1199 and his crusade preaching in Saxony and Gotland, and then his first voyage in 1200 with twenty-three ships to the Düna, the submission of the Livs of Holme and Ikšķile, the taking of hostages and the decision to build Riga in 1201. It names the Liv elders, the Lithuanian and Semigallian raiders, and the princes of Polotsk and Jersika. Written by a missionary for the mission.
About this source
- Title
- Chronicon Livoniae (Heinrici Chronicon Lyvoniae)
- Author
- Henry of Livonia
- Author's dates
- about 1188 to after 1259; a priest from Lower Saxony serving in Livonia from 1205
- Written
- 1225 to 1227
- Language
- Latin
- Covers
- 1184 to 1227
- Kind
- Chronicle
Arndt's German translation of 1853 was not located; Pabst's of 1867 serves. The dates for 1198 to 1200 are reconstructed and Albert's arrival is placed in spring or summer 1200.
Where to read it
Editions
Translations
- E. Pabst (trans.), Heinrich's von Lettland Livländische Chronik (Reval 1867), German
- J. A. Brundage (trans.), The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia (Madison 1961; New York 2003), English; under copyright (not freely online)