De quibusdam navibus bellicis et recessu marchionis.
The Wisdom of Forethought
The wise act prudently, guarding against future dangers.
The wise person always acts wisely and guards against many dangers in the future.
The Two Warships: Pilgerim and Vridelant
The margrave orders two warships named Pilgerim and Vridelant, whose names signify a peaceful pilgrimage in a foreign land, and they bring peace to the faithful of Prussia.
Accordingly, the same lord margrave, as a provident and prudent man, ordered two warships to be prepared for himself, of which the smaller was called Pilgerim and the larger was called Vridelant, which means in Latin: 'peaceful pilgrimage in a foreign land.' And truly, the name 'ha' they had from the thing itself. For they did many good works of peace for the faithful of the land of Prussia.
Ships as Instruments of Defense and Peace
Through the warships, two forts were built and the Vistula Lagoon was cleared of infidel attacks.
Through the aforementioned ships, two forts — Elbing and Ralga — were built, and the Vistula Lagoon was cleared of the attack of the infidels, because after that no one dared to appear in it again.
The Ships' End and the Margrave's Return
After many years the ships were submerged in Lake Drusine, and the margrave, having fulfilled his pilgrimage vow, left a military force for Elbing and returned home.
These ships, after many years, were submerged in the lake of Drusine. Therefore, having completed his pilgrimage vow, the same prince, leaving behind a great military force in Prussia for the building of the fort of Elbing, returned to his own lands.
Read the original Latin
Sapiens semper sapienter agit, et multis periculis precavet in futurum. Unde idem dominus marchio tanquam vir providus et prudens mandavit sibi parari duas naves bellicas, quarum minor dicebalur Pilgerim, major Vridelant vocabatur, quod sonat in latino: peregrine pacifica terrama. Et vere nomen ha bebant'1 a re. Fecerunt enim multa bona pacis fidelibus terrePrussie. Per dictas naves duo castra Elbingus et Ralga edificata fuerunt, et recens mare purgatum fuit ab insultu infidelium, quod in eo nullus audebat de cetero comparere. Hee naves post multos annos in stagnum Drusine sunt submerse. Completo itaque peregrinacionis sue voto, idem princeps, relinquens in Prussia multam miliciam pro edificacione castri de Elbingo, ad propria est reversus.
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