The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
History
The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
Frisian language -- Texts
was that the Gauls or Truwenden (Druids) took possession of our lands
as far as the Scheldt, and the Magy as far as the Wesara. How this
happened my mother has explained, otherwise this book would not have
been written, although I have lost all hope that it would be of any
use. I do not write in the hope that I shall win back the land or
preserve it: in my opinion that is impossible. I write only for the
future generations, that they may all know in what way we were lost,
and that each may learn that every crime brings its punishment.
My name is Apollonia. Two-and-thirty days after my mother's death
my brother Adelbrost was found murdered on the wharf, his skull
fractured and his limbs torn asunder. My father, who lay ill, died of
fright. Then my younger brother, Apol, sailed from here to the west
side of Schoonland. There he built a citadel named Lindasburgt, in
order there to avenge our wrong. Wr-alda accorded him many years for
that. He had five sons, who all caused fear to Magy, and brought fame
to my brother. After the death of my mother and my brother, all the
bravest of the land joined together and made a covenant, called the
Adelbond. In order to preserve us from injury, they brought me and my
youngest brother, Adelhirt, to the burgt--me to the maidens, and him to
the warriors. When I was thirty years old I was chosen as Burgtmaagd,
and my brother at fifty was chosen Grevetman. From mother's side my
brother was the sixth, but from father's side the third. By right,
therefore, his descendants could not put "overa Linda" after their
names, but they all wished to do it in honour of their mother. In
addition to this, there was given to us also a copy of "The Book of
Adela's Followers." That gave me the most pleasure, because it came
into the world by my mother's wisdom. In the burgt I have found other
writings also in praise of my mother. All this I will write afterwards.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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