Chronicon Livoniae

Hermann von Wartberge · c. 1378 (ed. 1863) · Latin

1/188

Chronicon Livoniae

Hermann von Wartberge’s Chronicle of Livonia

c. 1378 (ed. 1863) · Hermann von Wartberge · Latin · 188 pages

A Latin chronicle covering the history of the Teutonic Order in Livonia from 1196 to 1378. Written by Hermann von Wartberge, a priest of the Teutonic Order, it provides the most detailed contemporary account of the Order’s campaigns, the construction of castles, relations with Riga, and the period when Riga joined the Hanseatic League. The chronicle bridges the gap between Henry of Livonia’s account (ending 1227) and the later Reformation-era sources.

Folio p0011 of 188

Original (Latin)

[Front cover]

English Translation

Front cover of the bound volume. Marbled endpapers in brown and gold tones. Library stamp from the Widener collection (Harvard University Library) visible in the upper left corner, with shelf mark 'HN FUGA E'.

Folio p0022 of 188

Original (Latin)

[Blank endpaper]

English Translation

Blank endpaper, verso of front cover.

Folio p0033 of 188

Original (Latin)

[Blank page]

English Translation

Blank page preceding the title leaf.

Folio p0044 of 188

Original (Latin)

[Blank page]

English Translation

Blank page, verso.

Folio p0055 of 188

Original (Latin)

HERMANNI DE WARTBERGE CHRONICON LIVONIAE. HERAUSGEGEBEN VON ERNST STREHLKE. Seperatabdruck aus dem zweiten Bande der Scriptores Rerum Prussicarum, herausgegeben von TH. HIRSCH, M. TOPPEN und E. STREHLKE. LEIPZIG, VERLAG VON S. HIRZEL. 1863.

English Translation

Title page: 'Hermann von Wartberge's Chronicle of Livonia. Edited by Ernst Strehlke.' A separate printing from the second volume of the Scriptores Rerum Prussicarum (Writers on Prussian Affairs), edited by Theodor Hirsch, Max Toppen, and Ernst Strehlke. Published in Leipzig by S. Hirzel, 1863. [This is the standard critical edition of Wartberge's Latin chronicle, which covers the history of the Teutonic Order in Livonia from 1196 to 1378.]

Folio p0066 of 188

Original (Latin)

[Blank page]

English Translation

Blank page, verso of title.

Folio p0077 of 188

Original (Latin)

Vorwort. Die livländische Chronik Hermanns von Wartberge, welche auf den nächstfolgenden Blättern zum ersten Male an die Oeffentlichkeit tritt...

English Translation

Editor's Preface (Vorwort) by Ernst Strehlke. Strehlke introduces this chronicle as the first publication of Hermann von Wartberge's Livonian Chronicle. He situates it within the broader historiography of Livonia, noting that the study of the region's history rests on the foundation of Henry of Livonia's chronicle (to 1227), the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle (to c. 1290), and later Danish chronicles (to 1348). He observes that Balthasar Russow's 1578 chronicle, while important, provides only limited coverage of the intermediate period. The charter collections — particularly Napiersky's work and Bunge's monumental Liv-, Esth- und Curländisches Urkundenbuch — have filled many gaps, though chronicles remain essential for understanding the lived experience behind the documents.

Folio p0088 of 188

Original (Latin)

Kurschners Ausgabe, V. XCIX E, so dass er nach Kurland und Düreland mitbefasste... bis in weitere Sinne genommen...

English Translation

Continuation of the preface. Strehlke discusses the character of Wartberge's chronicle, noting it was written by a priest of the Teutonic Order who had access to the Order's archives. The chronicle is particularly valuable for the period 1290–1378, where few other contemporary sources exist for Livonian history. Strehlke describes how Wartberge's account fills the critical gap between the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle (ending c. 1290) and the 15th-century sources, making it the sole continuous narrative for nearly a century of Livonian history — including the period when Riga joined the Hanseatic League.

Folio p0099 of 188

Original (Latin)

Vorwort (continued). ... und eingehender Commentar zu der lateinischen Uebersetzung der verloren gegangenen Reimchronik Wigand's von Marburg, (a. a. O. S. 429 ff.) eines Autors, welcher Wartberge's livländische Chronik benutzte...

English Translation

Conclusion of the preface. Strehlke notes that Wigand of Marburg's lost Rhymed Chronicle (known only through a later Latin translation) made use of Wartberge's Livonian chronicle as a source, establishing Wartberge's importance in the chain of medieval Baltic historiography. Signed: 'Berlin, April 1863. Dr. Ernst Strehlke, Member of the Society for History and Antiquarian Studies of the Russian Baltic Provinces.'

Folio p01010 of 188

Original (Latin)

[Blank page]

English Translation

Blank page following the preface.

Loading more pages… (10 of 188 loaded)