De adventu marchionis Brandenburgensis.

The Margrave's Winter Campaign Thwarted

Margrave John of Brandenburg arrives in Prussia with a great force in winter, but a mild season leaves the marshes and roads unfrozen and impassable, forcing him to return home without engaging the enemy, yet he receives merit for his good intention.

In this year—or perhaps in the year of our Lord 1255—Lord John, margrave of Brandenburg, a man well trained in arms and warfare through both practice and experience, came to the land of Prussia with a great force of soldiers and the equipment of armed men in wintertime; but because the winter was mild, he was not able to cross over to the enemies of the faith nearby. For there are marshes in between and other dangers along the roads, which are not frozen solid except in the most intense cold; and since these were not hardened by such frost, no passage lay open to reach the enemy. So, compelled by necessity, he returned home; and in accordance with his good will he received the merit of the deed, although he did not complete the work he had set out to do.