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
While they were talking in this way, my messengers
arrived at the court with the Zeeland gentlemen. Here you must
observe how Friso understood deceiving everybody, to the satisfaction
of both parties, and to the accomplishment of his own ends. To the
Zeelanders he promised that they should have yearly fifty ships of a
fixed size for a fixed price, fitted with iron chains and crossbows,
and full rigging as is necessary and useful for men-of-war, but that
they should leave in peace the Jutlanders and all the people of Frya's
race. But he wished to do more; he wanted to engage all our sea rovers
to go with him upon his fighting expedition. When the Zeelanders
had gone, he loaded forty old ships with weapons for wall defences,
wood, bricks, carpenters, masons, and smiths, in order to build
citadels. Witto, or Witte, his son, he sent to superintend. I have
never been well informed of what happened; but this much is clear to
me, that on each side of the harbour a strong citadel has been built,
and garrisoned by people brought by Friso out of Saksenmarken. Witto
courted Siuchthirte and married her. Wilhem, her father, was chief
Alderman of the Jutmen--that is, chief Grevetman or Count. Wilhem
died shortly afterwards, and Witto was chosen in his place.
WHAT FRISO DID FURTHER.
Of his first wife he still had two brothers-in-law, who were very
daring. Hetto--that is, heat--the youngest, he sent as messenger to
Kattaburgt, which lies far in the Saxsenmarken. Friso gave him to take
seven horses, besides his own, laden with precious things stolen by
the sea-rovers. With each horse there were two young sea-rovers and
two young horsemen, clad in rich garments, and with money in their
purses. In the same way as he sent Hetto to Kattaburgt, he sent
Bruno--that is, brown--the other brother-in-law, to Mannagarda oord,
Mannagarda oord was written Mannagarda ford in the earlier part of
this book, but that is wrong. All the riches that they took with them
were given away, according to circumstances, to princes, princesses,
and chosen young girls. When his young men went to the tavern to
dance with the young people there, they ordered baskets of spice,
gingerbread, and tuns of the best beer. After these messengers he let
his young people constantly go over to the Saxsenmarken, always with
money in their purses and presents to give away, and they spent money
carelessly in the taverns. When the Saxsen youths looked with envy
at this they smiled, and said, If you dare go and fight the common
enemy you would be able to give much richer presents to your brides,
and live much more princely. Both the brothers-in-law of Friso had
married daughters of the chief princes, and afterwards the Saxsen
youths and girls came in whole troops to the Flymeer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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