De vastacione terriiorii Pograude.
Bold Incursion into Pograude
Gevehardus of Mansfeld leads a bold raid into Pograude, trusting in divine aid despite Lithuanian preparedness.
That summer, Gevehardus of Mansfeld, commander of Brandenburg, and many brothers with fifteen hundred men rode to the territory of Pograude. Although they knew the Lithuanians were fortified and armed for defense, they entrusted themselves to God, who does not abandon those who hope in him. Entering the territory boldly, they killed many men, took captives, and devastated with fire and plunder in many ways.12
Merciless Treatment of Captives
On their retreat, the Teutonic forces slaughter all captives and livestock to prevent recapture.
And as they were leaving the land, seeing the faithless ones prepared for war, they killed all the captive men and every living thing the spoil had sustained.345
Lithuanian Counsel and Restraint
Lithuanian nobles, initially eager to pursue, are dissuaded by Mansto's wise counsel suspecting an ambush.
Mansto, however, along with Masio, Sudargus, and other nobles, seeing their presumptuous audacity, were amazed beyond measure. Though they wished to attack the brothers in battle, Mansto—a man wise and learned by experience—dissuaded them, asserting that the brothers had doubtless set an ambush. And so they ceased from pursuing the brothers.67
The Commander Revealed
The Lithuanians inquire about the Teutonic commander and learn it is the young and valiant leader of Brandenburg.
Afterward, the Lithuanians asked who had been the captain of that army. They were told in answer that the commander of Brandenburg was a young and manly man.
A Curse of Defiance
The Lithuanians curse Gevehardus, vowing he will not reach old age if he dares raid again.
But they said: Tell him, therefore, that he will never reach his due age if he wishes to plunder our lands so presumptuously in our presence with so few fighters.89
Read the original Latin
Hoc anno in estate Gevehardus de Mansfelt commendator de Brandenburgk11311 et multi fratres cum mille et quingentis viris equitaverunt ad territorium Po graude, et licet scirent Lethowinos premunitos et paratos in armis ad defensionem, tarnenb commiserunt se deo, qui non deserit sperantes in se, et audacter intrantes dictum territorium, interfecerunt multos homines et ceperunt, incendio et rapina multipliciter devastantes. Et dum exjrent terram, videntes infi deles paratos ad bellum, omnes captivos homines, et quicquid de spolio vitam habuit, extinxerunt. Mansto autem Masio et Sudargus et alii nobiles, videntes eorum presumptuosamc audaciam, ammirati sunt ultra modumd, et dum vellente eos in bello aggredi, Mansto predictus vir sapiens et experiencia doctus dissuasit, asserens sine dubio fratres insidias posuisse, et sic a persecucione fratrum cessaverunt. Postea Lethowini quesiverunt, quis fuerit capitaneus dicti exercitus. Quibus responsum fuit, quod commendator de Brandenburgk homo juvenis et virilis. At illi: dicatis ergo ei, quod nunquam veniet ad etatem debitam, si sic presumptuose nobis presentibus cum tarn paucis pugnatoribus nostras terras voluerit depredare.
Notes
- 1 ↩tarnenb: manuscript reading uncertain; possibly tamen. Translated as concessive-adversative force ('yet... nevertheless').
- 2 ↩commiserunt se deo: literally 'they entrusted themselves to God.' The idiom carries both military trust and devotional surrender.
- 3 ↩exjrent: manuscript reading uncertain; possibly exirent or egressi sunt. Translated as 'they were leaving'.
- 4 ↩infi deles: manuscript reading uncertain; possibly infideles. Translated as 'the faithless ones.'
- 5 ↩quicquid de spolio vitam habuit: literally 'whatever of the spoil had life.' The sense is that they destroyed even the livestock or goods taken as plunder.
- 6 ↩presumptuosamc modumd: manuscript readings uncertain. Translated as 'presumptuous audacity... beyond measure.'
- 7 ↩vellente: form uncertain; possibly vellent. Translated as 'they wished.'
- 8 ↩tarn: manuscript reading uncertain; possibly tamen. Rendered as concessive force absorbed into the conditional clause.
- 9 ↩ad etatem debitam: 'to his due age' — a curse-formula meaning he will not live to reach the age he was destined for.
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