Bearslayer : $b A free translation from the unrhymed Latvian into English heroic versePumpurs, Andrejs
General
Bearslayer : $b A free translation from the unrhymed Latvian into English heroic verse
Pumpurs, Andrejs
Epic literature, Latvian -- Adaptations; Epic poetry
Gauja [Gow-yu]: The largest river entirely within Latvia.
Its course lies NE of Riga.
Henry: A Latvian who was educated in Germany and
became a Christian priest in Latvia. He
is remembered as "Henry of Livonia"
Holy Father: The Pope; Celestine III proclaimed the
third Northern Crusade (the Baltic Crusade) in
1193; Innocent III succeeded Celestine, and
appointed Bishop Albert in 1198.
Ikskile [Eeks-chill-e]: A Livian town on the northern bank of the
Daugava, SE of Riga; the Germans had already
built a fort there before the arrival of
Albert.
Kalapuisis [Kull-u-poo-iss-iss]: A gigantic Estonian warrior; more or less
the Estonian equivalent of Bearslayer.
Kangars [Kun-gars]: A Latvian holy man who had secretly made a
pact with the Devil.
Kaupa [Cow-pu]: A great Latvian Lord whose stockade was
at Turaida on the Gauja.
Kingdom of Dreams: A land in the east where sky and earth meet
and the gates of Heaven and Hell are found. It
is the home of the Sons of the Gods and the
Daughters of the Sun.
Koknesis [Kwock-ness-is]: A mighty youth who lived near the River
Perse; Bearslayer's close friend.
kokle [kwock-le]: Traditional Latvian musical instrument -
something like a zither.
Kegums [Chag-ums]: A town on the Daugava about 50 Km. SE of
Riga.
Laima [Lye-mu]: The Goddess of Destiny/of Happiness.
Laimdota [Lime-dwo-tu]: The beautiful, virtuous, learned and
wise daughter of Burtnieks.
Lake Peipus [Pay-puss]: A large lake along the border between Estonia
and Russia
Latvian Lords: Latvian chieftains or clan (family) heads who
lived in stockades (castles) behind wooden
palisades on higher ground along the
tributaries of the major rivers.
Lielvarde [Lee-ell-var-de]: A Latvian stronghold on the northern bank
of the Daugava, about 55 Km. SE of Riga;
home of Bearslayer and his foster father,
Lielvardis.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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