De vastacione territorii Salsenicke.
The March into Unknown Lithuania
Brother Henry leads a strong force of Teutonic brothers and foot soldiers into the previously uncharted Lithuanian territory of Salsenicka, capturing and interrogating scouts who confirm the land is unaware of their approach.
In that same year, Brother Henry, the same great commander, and the other brothers, with a strong force and two thousand foot soldiers, directed their march toward Lithuania, to a territory called Salsenicka — where no Christian army had ever been seen before. And as they approached the castle of Garthe, they captured some men, scouts of the king; after three of them were killed, the fourth, upon being questioned, said that no one in the land of Lithuania knew anything about the brothers' approach. And to put them further at ease, he added that on that same day fifty men were on their way, who were supposed to make hunts and drives for their king.
Crossing the Memel
After killing the scouts, the brothers cross the Memel river, leaving a rearguard of ten brothers and two thousand men to guard the ships and baggage.
When the brothers had killed them, they crossed the Memel, leaving behind about ten brothers and two thousand men to guard the ships and baggage.
Devastation of Salsenicka
On foot, the brothers enter the territory on a feast day, burning three castles and laying waste with fire and plunder before withdrawing with immense spoils and seven hundred captives.
On foot, they entered the said territory on the feast of the Procession and of Martin, laying waste on every side with fire and plunder; and after burning three castles there, they spent the night. On the following day, besides those killed — whose number God alone knows — the brothers withdrew with the greatest plunder and seven hundred men.
Read the original Latin
Eodem anno idem frater Henricus corinnendator magnus* et cl fratres cum valido exercitu et duobus milibus peditum direxerunt viam suam versus Lcthowiam ad territorium dictum1' Salsenickamcl, ubi nunquam visus fuitd exercitus Cristianorum, et dum appropinquarent Castro Garthe, ceperunt im viros exploratores regis, et occisis tribus quartus interrogatus, dixit: quod de adventu fratrum nullus in terra Lethowie quidquame sciret et ad majorem securitatem addidit, quod eodem die quinquaginta viri essent venturi, qui pro venacione debebant facere indagines regi suo. Quos cum fratres interfccissent, transiverunt Memelam, et relictis circa naves et sarcinas xu fratribus et duobus mi. juiilibus peditum, intraverunt dictum territorium in die Processif et Martiniani, vastantes undique per incendium et rapinam, et exustis eciam tribus castris ibidem pernoctabant, sequPnti dieh preter occisos quorum numerum novit deus solus, fratres cum preda maxima et septingentis hominibus recesserunt.
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