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Chronicon Terrae Prussiae (Chronicle of the Prussian Land)/Book 4 · Tercia pars: De bellis fratrum domus Theutonice contra Pruthenos
Chapter 244ChrP.4.244

De adventu peregrinorum.

Nobles Arrive for the Prussian Crusade

In 1205, a company of German nobles arrives in Prussia and musters an army against the Lithuanians, but soft winter ice prevents them from advancing.

In the first year of this master's term — that is, in the year of our Lord 1205 — a group of noble men came to the land of Prussia: Lord John of Spanheim, Count Adolphus of Winthimel, Theodoric of Einer the younger and the elder with their brothers Arnold and Rutger, and Arnold and James of Pomerania, knights of the Rhine, and many other nobles from the Rhine. A massive army was mustered in winter to avenge the injury done to the Crucified One against the people of the Lithuanians, yet because the ice was too soft and tender, they were unable to advance.

Read the original Latin

Hujus magistri anno primo, anno videlicet domini mcccvh nobiles viri, dominus Joannes de Spanheim h, comes Adolphus de Winthimel, Theodoricus de Einer junior et senior cum fratribus suis Arnoldo et Rutgero, et Arnoldus et* Jacobus de Pomerio milites de Reno et multi alii nobiles de Reno venerunt ad terram Prussie, et fuit tempore hyemali ordinatus maximus exercitus ad vindicandam injuriam crucifixi contra gentem Lethowinorum, tarnen propter teneritudinem glaciei procedere non valebat.

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