De fratre Hartmanno magistro Prussie.
The Name and Character of Hartmann
Hartmann's name is explained as meaning 'hard man,' reflecting his stubborn and unyielding character.
He got his name from the fact that he was most stubborn of neck. Hartman means 'hard man.'
Watmal and the Religious Habit
Hartmann earned the nickname Watmal from the woolen cloth he established for the brothers' religious habit.
This man was called Watmal after that woolen cloth called Watmal, which he established for the brothers to wear.
Punishment of Apostates and Papal Judgment
Hartmann ordered the execution of two apostate brothers, provoking the Pope to depose him and impose annual penance on all involved.
He also ordered two brothers of his own order, who had conspired with the Prussians in apostasy after a battle in Curonia — which will be described below — to be burned at Elbing before the eyes of the crowd of people standing around. When the lord Pope learned of this deed, he was so greatly disturbed that he ordered the master himself to be deposed from his office, and commanded both him and all those by whose counsel this had been done to be punished with annual penance.
Read the original Latin
Hic nomen habuit a re, quia durissime fuit cervicis. Interpretatur Hartman durus vir. Iste dictus fuit Watmal ab illo panno laneo, dicto Watmal, quem instituit fratribus deferendum. Ipse eciam duos fratres ordinis sui, qui conspiracionem fecerant cum Pruthenis in apostasia post conflictum in Curonia, de quo infra dicetur, jussit in Elbingo comburi in conspectu multitudinis populi circumstantis. De quo facto dominus papa tantum commotus fuit, quod ipsum magistrum mandavit deponi de officio suo, et eum et omnes, quorum consilio hoc actum fuita, puniri penitencia annualib.
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