Ansgar (801 – 865) was the archbishop of the Hamburg-Bremen and also the Apostle of the North and Patron of Scandinavia. He preached all over but primarily at the trading town of Birka (circa 830) and was not very effective that he earned his own “Vita.” That Life of Ansgar (Vita Ansgarii or Vita Anskarii) was written in the ninth century by his student and successor Rimbert and talks mostly about Scandinavians. Nevertheless, Slavs do feature in it and we present chapters mentioning them here in the Robinson translation with some revisions by Dutton (notes are Robinson’s).
One interesting aspect here it the mention of “Welanao.” Welanao (or Welnao) which, it is suggested below by Robinson, is now Münsterdorf on the part of the River Laba (Elbe) that is called the Stör (Sturia) in Schleswig-Holstein also hints at a Slavic “Weletabi” origin. The Sturia is the same Northalbingian river after which the Sturmarians or Sturmarii (always accompanied by the Holzati) are named, as here in the Slavic Chronicle:
Tres autem sunt Nordalbingorum populi, Sturmarii, Holzati, Thetmarzi, nec habitu nec lingua multum discrepantes, tenentes Saxonum iura et cristianum nomen, nisi quod propter barbarorum viciniam furtis et latrociniis operam dare consueverint
We read about them too in Adam of Bremen’s work. They do not appear to have been Slavs by this time (see map below which, of course, is someone’s approximation). On the other hand, Welanao may also have been called the Welna:
Another interesting aspect of this is that the Codex Monasteriensis (Codex archive publici Monasteriensis) is a 12th century manuscript that has a listing of peoples featuring the names “Siridevindum, Slavorum” (Chapter 13) and “Scridevindun, Slavorum” [or Scridiwindun or Scridewindin] (Chapter 23) suggesting that the Scritefinni were Wends but separate from Slavs. The Scritefinni are a mysterious people that have naturally been identified with Finns although they also (mysteriously) kept appearing in texts describing Central Europe presenting a bit of a puzzle that no one ever successfully addressed. The suggestion that they may have been Wends is fascinating. In effect, they would have been Scrite Veneti (The “Hidden” Veneti?). It is also possible that Siride-vindum refers to the Sorbs. Although these mentions appear to be later interpolations, the fact that even later scriveners made such connections is of interest.
With those thoughts in mind here are the Slavs of Ansgar (or, really, of Rimbert).
Chapter 13
“In order that these arrangements should be permanently established the emperor sent Ansgar to the apostolic see, and by his messengers the venerable bishops Bernold [Bishop of Strassburg] and Ratold [Bishop of Verona, ob. 874.] and the illustrious count Gerold, he caused the whole matter to be made known to Pope Gregory [I.e. Gregory IV, 827-844] so that it might receive his confirmation. The Pope confirmed this, not only by an authoritative decree, but also by the gift of the pallium, in accordance with the custom of his predecessors, and he appointed him as his legate for the time being amongst all the neighbouring races of the Swedes and Danes,* also the Slavs and the other races that inhabited the regions of the north, so that he might share authority with Ebbo the Archbishop of Rheims, to whom he had before entrusted the same office.** At the tomb of the holy apostle Peter*** he publicly committed to him authority to evangelize these races. And, for fear lest anything that he had done should prove ineffectual in time to come, he smote with his curse any who should resist, or contradict, or in any way attempt to interfere with the holy intentions of the emperor and committed such an one to everlasting vengeance and the companionship of devils.****”
“As we have already said, the same office of legate had before been entrusted by Pope Paschal [Paschal I 817-824] to Ebbo, the Archbishop of Rheims. Ebbo himself, inspired by the Spirit of God, burned with eager desire to draw to the Christian fold the nonChristian races and specially the Danes whom lie had often seen at the palace and who, as he grieved to see, had been led astray by the wiles of the devil. In order to promote their salvation he longed to sacrifice himself and all that be possessed. The emperor had given him a place situated beyond the river Elbe, which was called Welanao,***** so that whenever he went into those parts he might have a place in which to stay. Accordingly he frequently went to this place and distributed much money in the northern districts in order that he might win the souls of the people; and he attached many to the Christian religion and strengthened them in the catholic faith.”
NOTES
* The Codex Monasteriensis reads, Farriae, Gronlondon, Islondon, Siridevindum, Slavorum necnon onmium septerntrionalium et orientalium nationom quocumque modo nominatarum delegavit. Et posi to capite et pectore super corpus et confessionem sancti Petri apostoli, sibi suisque successoribus vicem suam perpetuo retinendam publicamque euvangelizandi tribuit auctoritatem. The names mentioned must have been interpolated at a later time as Gronlondon, i.e., Greenland, was unknown in the time of Ansgar.
** Ebbo was appointed as Archbishop of Rheims by Ludovic in 816, and about the year 820 he went on a missionary visit to Denmark. In 821 he was sent by Ludovic to Rome and received from Paschal I. a special commission to preach in the northern territories. In 822 he returned to Denmark accompanied by Bishop Wilderic of Bremen, and was the means of converting a number of Danes. In 825 he brought about a good understanding between Horic and Harald, and thereby prepared the way for the conversion of the country. In 833 he espoused the cause of Lothair, and was ordered by the Emperor to retire to the monastery of Fulda. Later on, at the request of Ansgar, he received the bishopric of Hildesheim. He died in 851.
*** Ante corpus et confessionem sancti Petri. There is still an underground chapel in the Vatican entitled The Chapel of the Confession of St. Peter, under the altar of which are what are reputed to be the bones of the Apostle. In this chapel, Boniface had stood more than a century before, 723. cf., Baronii Annales, ix. an. 723.
**** For use of this form of cursing, see Chapter xxiii. ad. fin.
***** Now called Münsterdorf, On the bank of the River Sturia. This took its name from the monastery Novum monasterium (Neumünster), founded by Vicelinus.
Chapter 15
“Meanwhile our lord and master diligently executed his office in the diocese that had been committed to him, and in the country of the Danes, and by the example of his good life he incited many to embrace the faith.* He began also to buy Danish and Slav boys and to redeem some from captivity so that he might train them for God’s service. Of these he kept some with him, whilst others he sent to be trained at the monastery of Turholt. There were also with him here belonging to your order some of our fathers and teachers, as a result of whose teaching and instructions the divine religion has increased amongst us.”
NOTES
* Adam of Bremen says that at this time a multitude of Danes and Northmen were converted as the result of Ansgar’s work: see Hist. I. 18, Beatis Anscharius nunc Danos nunc Transalbianos visitans, innumerabilem utriusque gentis multitudinem traxit ad fidem. Si quando vere persecutione barbarorum impeditus est ab studio praedicandi apud Turholt cum discipulis suis se retinuit.
Chapter 19
“‘…We must seek to ascertain therefore whether it is by the will of the gods that we are urged to make this attempt.’ As his words were in accord with their custom* they could not refuse to adopt the suggestion. Accordingly they sought to discover the will of the gods by casting lots and they ascertained that it would be impossible to accomplish their purpose without endangering their own welfare and that God would not permit this place to be ravaged by them. They asked further where they should go in order to obtain money for themselves so that they might not have to return home without having gained that for which they had hoped. They ascertained by the casting of the lot that they ought to go to a certain town** which was situated at a distance on the borders of the lands belonging to the Slavonians. The Danes then, believing that this order had come to them from heaven, retired from this place and hastened to go by a direct route to that town. Having made a sudden attack upon its people, who were living in quiet and peace, they seized it by force of arms and, having captured much spoil and treasure, they returned home. Moreover the king who had come with the object of plundering the Swedes, made peace with them and restored the money that he had recently received from them He remained also for some time with them as he wished to become reconciled to their nation. Thus did the good Lord, on account of the faith of his servant Herigar, free the people of this place from the attack of their enemies and restore to them their possessions. After these occurrences Herigar brought forward a proposal in a public assembly and advised that they should try more earnestly to ascertain who was God. ‘Alas, wretched people,’ he said, ‘ye now understand that it is useless to seek for help from demons who cannot succour those who are in trouble. Accept the faith of my Lord Jesus Christ, whom ye have proved to be the true God and who in His compassion has brought solace to you who have no refuge from sorrow. Seek not any more after superstitious worship, or to appease your idols by useless sacrifice. Worship the true God who rules all things in heaven and earth, submit yourselves to Him, and adore His almighty power.’ His own faith having been strengthened by the abounding goodness of the Lord, he was the more ready to come forward both publicly and otherwise, and at one time by reproach, at another time by persuasion, he declared unto them the power of the Lord and the benefits resulting from faith in Him. And thus he continued the good fight even to the end of his life.”
“When at length his good deeds were complete and his weakness had increased, having been commended to the mercy of God in the presence of the priest Ardgar, and having received the Holy Communion, he departed this life happily in Christ.*** Much more might be said concerning the constancy of his faith, but this must suffice, inasmuch as we desire our narrative to be brief.”
NOTES
* For reference to the custom of casting lots in order to ascertain the will of the gods, see Tacitus Germania Chapter X., see also Vita Willehadi, chap. iii. In casting lots the Danes were accustomed to cut a branch from a fruitbearing tree from which they broke off a number of small sticks. Having cut certain marks on these, they placed them on a spreadout cloth. The priest, or chief then picked up three of these sticks and, in accordance with the marks that he found on them, answered “yes” or ” no” to the question addressed to him.
** Dreves (p. 70 n.), suggests that this may have been Bineta [Vineta] in the island of Wollin. This town was destroyed by Northmen in the ninth century. Kruse suggests that the town was in the district of Novgorod. Geschichte des Ethnischen Volksstamms, p. 457
*** Herigar’s death apparently occurred towards the end of the year 851.
Chapter 23
“…From the contents of his written statement we find that matters are even as the pious king made known to us by his trusty messenger Bishop Salomon. We therefore, following in the steps of our predecessor, the great Bishop Gregory, and recognising that the arrangements made by his foresight were deserving of divine approval, have decided to sanction the wish expressed by the great chiefs, viz., the Emperor Ludovic, of sacred memory, and his most excellent son, who bore the same name, by a writing bearing apostolic authority and by the presentation of the pallium in accordance with the custom of our predecessors. In order that Ansgar may he authoritatively established as the first archbishop of the Northalbingians, and that his successors, who strive for the salvation of the nations, may be strong to resist the attack of the evil one, we appoint our son Ansgar as our legate* amongst all the surrounding races of Swedes, Danes** and Slavs, and amongst all others living in those parts, whichever the grace of God may open a way, and we grant him authority to preach the gospel openly…”
NOTES
* Codex Monasteriensis adds “et successoress ejus legatos.“
** Codex Monasteriensis reads, Sueonum, Danorurn, Farriae, Norweorurn, Gronlondon, Islondon, Scridevindun, Slavorum necnon septentrionalium et orientalium naponurn quocumque modo nominatarum delegamus et sibi suisque successoribus vicem nostram perpetuo retinendam publicamque evangelizandi tribuimus auctoritatem.
Chapter 26
“When he awoke from this dream which he had three years before he was invited to rule over the Church at Bremen, he was assured by what had been said that it was his duty to go somewhere in the Lord’s name, but whither he knew not. When later on he came by order of the king to this church and learnt that it was consecrated in honour of St. Peter and found some there who would not willingly receive him, he remembered his vision, and because of it he agreed to undertake the charge of this diocese for, as he solemnly declared, he would not otherwise have been willing to do this. At the time when he had the abovementioned monastery at Turholt, and the calling of the heathen was his care, in order that he might be able to help them he caused some boys whom he had bought from the Northmen or Slavs to be brought up in the same monastery so that they might be trained for the holy warfare. When this monastery was given to Raginar he took some of these boys and sent them out as his servants, and on this account the bishop was specially distressed. In a vision which he had soon afterwards, he appeared to have come to a certain house and to have found there King Charles and Raginar. It seemed to him that he reproached them in regard to these boys and said that be had arranged to train them for the service of Almighty God and not to act as servants to Raginar. When he said this, it seemed to him that Raginar lifted his foot and kicked his mouth, and when this happened he thought that the Lord Jesus Christ stood by him and said to the king and to Raginar, “To whom does this man whom ye treat so shamefully belong? Know that he has a Master and because of this you will not go unpunished.” When he said this they were terrified and affrighted, whereupon the bishop awoke. The divine vengeance which overtook Raginar showed how true was the revelation. For a little later he incurred the displeasure of the king and lost the monastery and everything that he had received from the king, nor did he ever regain his former favour.”
Birka
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