The Great Historical, Geographical, Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary

Angermund

, a Town of Livonia, in the Dukedom of Curland, upon the shoar of the Baltic Sea, two Leagues from Wenden to the North. — Angerciems↗ Mund (law)↗

Wenden is Cēsis, mistaken for Windaw, Ventspils (Kies in Polish). We found Angermund, more properly, Angermünde, on an old map, on a river emptying into the Baltic north of Ventspils. We could not, however, match 1705 map showing Angermund to a town today. We then found a 1819 encyclopedia entry: "ANGERMUND, a town in the duchy of Courland, in the district of Piltene, 18 miles northeast of Piltene."1 Piltene was significant in that at one time the region was owned by the head of the Church of Courland, regarded as the bishop's private property. Sold to Denmark, it became an autonomous enclave within the Duchy of Courland. However, there is no town where specified NE of Piltene. Turning to a 1770 map of the Piltene district, we found Angermund depicted sufficiently accurately to map it to, unsurprisingly, Angerciems, where the Stende and Rinda rivers join to form the Irbe river, which winds and winds until it empties into the Baltic north of Ventspils. Had we originally kept following the Irbe all the way upstream, we would have found Angerciems much sooner. "Ciems" in Latvian denotes a (former) manor, so "mund" denoting ownership and protection is its translation in Germanic place names.

Angerciems appears unremarkable today. What was its significance then? The Stiftsburg Angermünde or Rinda was a vassal castle of the diocese of Courland from the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle was abandoned in 1720. Only the foundations and small wall fragments have survived to this day. The castle was built on the border of the old lands of Vanema and Wynda, which later formed the border between the Courland Bishopric and the Livonian Order.2

Baltick

, the name of a Sea between Germany, Denmark, Swedland, and Poland, it's called Oostzee and the Belt by them that live about it. It has a great many Islands, and is the Sinus Codanus of the Ancients ; It joyns to the Ocean or German Sea by that famous Channel called the Sund, and then stretching wider, it forms at last two great Gulphs, whereof one is called the Gulph of Boddes, or Botnia, and by them of that Countrey Bothenzee ; the other is the Gulph of Finland, which the Germans call Finnichzee ; besides the Gulphs of Riga and Dantzic which are less considerable. It is on the Coasts of the Sea, towards Prussen, that the Amber is found, which is believed to distill, or drop from the Pine and Fir-Trees that grow near the Sea-side, and are cast in Tempestuous weather upon the Shoar. It reaches S E. as far as the Island of Zeland, where the Sound or Belt, whence it takes its name of Baltick, is Commanded by the Castles of Elsenure and Elsembourg, which bring a great Tribute to the K. of Denmark ; thence it runs Southward by the Dukedoms of Mecklemburg and Pomerland, as far as Dantzick ; thence it turns Northward by Curland and Livonia, as far as Margen, where it forms the two Bays already mention’d ; and Northwards of 'em receives the River Severi, into which, fall the two vast Lakes, Ludoga and Onega, which part Megrena and Cornelia, and have some communication with the White Sea ; hence the Baltick runs N. as far as Weyburg, turns again, and runs S W. as far as the Isles of Alund, where it forms the Bodenzee which runs N. and S. having Finland and Bodia on the E. and Sweden on the W. at the most Northern Point lies Tornia a Sea-Port. — Baltic Sea↗

Borgo

, a Town of Swedeland, in the Province of Finland, called Nyland. It is situated upon the Gulph of Finland, betwixt Vibourg in Cavelia on one side, and Revel in Livonia on the other. — Porvoo↗

Braslaw

, a Town of Poland in Lithuania, with a pretty good Castle. It is situate below Wilna, about the Frontier of Curland and Livonia, upon a Lake, whence springeth a Brook, which discharges it self into the Duna, or Dwina, that is but five Leagues from it. Braslaw is the Capital of a Palatinate ; It stands 72 Miles East of Wilna. — Braslaw↗, Belarus

CHARLES

the First, of the Latter House of the Dukes of Lorrain, was Son of John, who was Poison’d at Paris the 27th of September 1382. Charles Prosecuted those that had Poison’d his Father ; He was at the Battel of Rosebek in the same year, and assisted Philip the Hardy, Duke of Burgundy, at the Siege of Ghent ; He made likewise an Expedition into Prussia, where he himself took the Duke of Lithuania Prisoner, at a Battel near Vilna; and in his return, he assisted the Emperor Robert, his Father in Law at the Siege of Frankfort: The Princes of Bar, Juliers, and Nassaw, &c. attack’d him in his own Dominions with a great Army ; but Charles routed them, and took the Chief Commanders Prisoners. He was not so successful in his Attempts upon France, for, endeavouring to continue the Outrages begun by his Father, he was oblig’d to ask Pardon for them in 1412. He died in the year 1430 and besides other Children by his Dutchess Margaret of Bavaria, he had Isabeau who succeeded him, and was Married to Rene of Anjou, King of Sicily. Froissart, &c. — Charles II, Duke of Lorraine↗, son of John I, Duke of Lorraine↗

Courlande

or Curlande, a Dutchy between the Baltick-Sea, Samogitia, a Province of the Kingdom of Poland, and Livonia. Goldingen is its Capital, and the Town of Mittau the ordinary Residence of the Dukes. It was formerly part of Livonia, whence the River Dune separated it ; but that Province being destroyd by the Swedes and Muscovites, the Arch-bishop of Riga and the great Master of the Teutonick Order put themselves under the King of Poland's Protection, with what little was left them ; And it was then Sigismond August, King of Poland, erected Courlande into a Dutchy, and gave it to Godard Ketler of Nesselrat, last great Master of the Teutonick Order in Livonia, to hold as a Fief from the Crown of Poland. Godard died in 1587, leaving two Sons, Frederick who died Issueless, and William, who succeeded his Brother ; but being dispossess’d by Sigismond III. and the States of Poland, liv’d in Exile untill his re-establishment in 1610. The small Province Semigallia, wherein the Town of Mittau is, is a dependant of this Dutchy, which is the reason James, Wiliam's Son, took the Title of Duke of Courland, Livonia and Semigallia. Olearius. — Bishopric of Courland↗, Duchy of Courland and Semigallia↗

The full name of the duchy is that "of Courland and Semigallia", that is, Kurzeme and Zemgale, the territory of today's Latvia which lies south of the Daugava river.

Culm

, and Episcopal Town of Poland, in Royal Prussia, Capital of a small Country called Culmia, and by the Inhabitants Colmischsland. The Bishoprick was formerly suffragan to that of Riga in Livonia. This Town being almost ruined in the last Wars with the Swedes, the Bishoprick, at least the Bishop's Residence was removed to a neighbouring Borough. Culm is upon the Vistule, five Leagues below Thorn. — Chełmno↗, Poland

Curland

or Kurland, a Province of Livonia between Sweden and Poland, to the South of the Gulf of Riga and Dune, that parts it from Livonia, and has its particular Duke under the protection of Poland. Its Towns are Goldingen, Capital of the Country ; Mittaw, the Duke's Residence ; Winden or Wenden, which is also call’d Kies, Dalen, Selburg, Goldin, Liba, Argermund, Bauske, &c.

It's not clear why this is a separate entry in addition to the earlier, more complete one.

Dago

, Dagbe, Daghoa, an Island of Livonia, of Form Triangular, at the Mouth of the Gulph of Riga. It belongs to the Swede ; its Principal Towns are Dageroort and Paden. — Hiiumaa↗, Estonia

Demetrius Griska Utropoja

, a Moscovite Monk descended of a Noble Family in Gereslau, was very handsome and witty, having left his Convent, he went to Lithuania, where he put himself into the Service of a great Lord calld Adam Wesnewetski, who being one Day angry with him, treated him harshly. Griska laying hold on the Occasion, fell a weeping, and told his Master, That if he knew his Quality, he would not deal so by him, which awakening his Master's Curiosity, he pressed him to declare who he was. The Impostor answer’d, That he was the Legitimate Son of the Great Duke of Muscovy John Basilovitz, whom Boris Goudenou thought to have caus’d to have been murder’d ; but the Misfortune fell upon another who resembled him, his Friends having substituted him in his room, while they found means for his Escape. At the same time, he showed his Master a Golden Cross garnish’d with precious Stones ; which he pretended was hung about his Neck at Baptism, adding, That the fear of falling into Boris his hands, had hindered him hitherto from discovering himself ; And having finished this Discourse, threw himself at his Lord's Feet demanding his Protection, and recounted to him so many feigned Circumstances, that he believed him and put him in Equipage answerable to his supposed Quality. The News of this coming Abroad, the Grand Duke Boris offered a great Reward to any who should bring him the Counterfeit Demetrius Dead or Alive. This Lord thereupon thinking him not safe with him, sent him to the Vaivode of Sandomir in Poland, who Promised him a sufficient Force to re-throne him, on Condition that he would suffer the Exercise of the Romish Religion in Muscovy. Which he not only agreed to, but caused himself to be instructed in the said Religion, and promised to Marry the Vaivod's Daughter, when re-established. The said Vaivode being elevated with hopes of this, raised a Powerful Army, entered Muscovy, and declared War against Duke Boris ; he forthwith took many Towns, and most of Boris's Officers joyn’d him, who thereupon died for Grief, An. 1605. The Knez and Bojares did forthwith acknowledge Prince Theodore Boris his Son for their Soveraign, being yet very young. But perceiving the Success of the Counterfeit Demetrius, they resolved to give him the Crown, which they believed his due. The People being therewith pleased, did forthwith make the young Grand Duke and his Mother Prisoners in the Castle, and in the mean time, Demetrius was sent to and supplicated to take the crown. Upon which, the Impostor sent a Secretary to Strangle the Young Prince and his Mother, and to give out that they were Poisoned ; which was accordingly Executed June 10. 1605. On the 16th. Demetrius arrived at Moscow with his Army, which increased wonderfully by the Way. He was received with extraordinary Joy, and on the 21st of July, was Crown’d with abundance of Ceremony ; and that there might be no doubt of his Birth, he sought out the Mother of the true Demetrius, whom Duke Boris had immured in a Cloister remote from Moscow, demean’d himself with great respect toward her, and assign’d her an Apartment in the Castle, and treated her with great Magnificensce. This good Princess knew well enough that her Son Demetrius was really kill’d ; but she dissembled the same very handsomly, for fear of ill treatment from the Impostor, being also well-pleased to see Boris so punish’d for his Perfidy, and to enjoy a more Comfortable Life than she had done in the Cloister. In the mean time, the Muscovites examin’d the Actions of this New Prince, and perceiving that he esteemed the Poles more than the Muscovites, kept foreign Guards, and design’d to Marry the Vaivode of Sandomir's Daughter, who was of the Latin Church, they began to suspect him. One of the principal Knez, called Basili Zuski, conferring on this Head with other Lords, they designed to cut off the Impostor. But the Conspiracy was discovered, and Zuski condemned to Death, who, nevertheless was Pardoned as going to Execution, the duke thinking thereby to gain the Affection of the Muscovites ; which kept all in Peace till his Marriage-Day, which was the 8th. of May 1606, when the Polish Princess being arrived with a great Number of Armed Poles, the Muscovites begun to open their Eyes again. Whereupon Zuski assembling many Knez and Bojares, engaged them to rid themselves of the Impostor. On the 9th. Day of the Nuptial Ceremonies, being the 17th. of May, they found a fit Opportunity, the Grand Duke and those of his Company being drunk and asleep, the Muscovites rung the Allarm with all the Bells in the Town at Midnight ; and having taken Arms, did forthwith cut off the Polish Guards, and forcing open the Doors, entred the Duke's Chamber, who endeavoured to leap out at a Window amongst the Guards, who were yet in Arms, but he was taken, and Zuski forthwith addressing himself to his pretended Mother, demanded her Oath upon the Cross, whether he were really her Son? upon her answering No, and that he was unfortunately murder’d by order of Boris Gudenou, they shot the Impostor in the Head with a Pistol ; his Body was stript quite naked, and dragg’d out before the Castle ; where it lay three Days, exposed to the Insults of the Rabble. Afterwards he was buried ; but the Mobile forthwith digg’d him up, and burnt him to Ashes. The Grand Duchess his Widow, with her Father and brother, and the Polish Embassadour, were put in Prison. Outrages were committed upon the Ladies, and about 1700 Men killed in the Tumult. Zuski, the Captain of the Enterprise, was afterwards Chosen Grand Duke, and Crowned June 1, 1606. (Olearius's Voyage of Muscovy.) Grisca's Widow, to obtain better Treatment, declar’d that she was with Child, and found means to save the Life of her Son as soon as born ; having agreed with a Cossack, whose Wife was to Lye-in about the same time, who brought his Infant secretly, and carry’d away hers. The young Prince was Baptized by a Graecian priest, who imprinted on his Shoulders, with Aquafortis prepared on purpose, Characters in form of a Cross, signifying that he was of Royal Birth. After which Demetrius (for so he was call’d) being carry’d by the Cossack into his own Country, was bred up with very great Care, a vast Summ being given for his Education. A little after his Mother died as she was about to return to Poland, having imparted before-hand to some of her Friends how she had saved her Son ; bit the Cossack died, without being able to discover what he had done with the young Prince, But, as Fortune would have it, young Demetrius, An. 1632. going to bathe himself. at a little Town of Black Russia, call’d Samburg, 12 Miles from Lovenburg ; and the Marks being perceiv’d on his Back, John Nicolas Damelonski, Treasurer of the Kingdom, having Notice thereof, sent fr him, and viewing his Characters, caused a Russian Priest who understood the Language, to decipher them, and found that they imported, Demetrius, Son of Tzaar (that is, Emperor) Demetrius. Whereupon there were great Expressions of Joy, and the Treasurer equipp’d him like a Prince, sending Notice at the same time to Vladislaus, the Fourth King of Poland. He order’d the Prince to be brought to his Court, and furnish’d him with a splendid Equipage. He was then about 28 Years of age, and his Majestick Mien inspir’d his Beholders with Veneration. The Nephew of the Great Cham of Tartary being in Disgrace with his Uncle, was at the same time in that Court ; so that the two young Princes contracted a great Familiarity. This News being sent to Moscow, the Great Duke Alexis Michaelouitz sent and Embassadour to Poland, to demand Demetrius ; which was refused. After the Death of Uladislaus, Anno 1648. the face of Affairs were chang’d ; for John Casimir, his Successor, found himself oblig’d to make use of the Great Duke of Muscovy's Friendship ; which obliged Demetrius to retire to Revel, in Livonia, a little Republick under the Protection of the Swede ; and from thence to Riga, whence he went to Sweden ; but thinking himself not secure enough there, he went to the Duke of Holstein's Court. where he was forthwith well received. But quickly after there happen’d a fatal Conjunctune, which ruin’d this poor Prince. The Duke having sent two Embassadors to Muscovy ; one of them, named Murchman, had borrowed, in the Name of the Duke, 100000, some say 300000 Crowns from the Duke of Muscovy. Whereupon a Moscovian Factor being then at Lubeck, offer’d to acquit the Duke of Holstein from Payment of said Summ, if he would send Prince Demetrius to the Great Duke of Moscovy, alledging that he was an Impostor. The Affair was concluded, and the unfortunate Prince forced aboard a Vessel which carry’d him to Moscow. Where as soon as he was arrived, they suborn’d and brib’d a poor Woman to declare her self his Mother ; Demetrius, his Mouth being gagg’d, so that he could not speak, turn’d away his Head, and lifted his Eyes up to heaven. That same Day, being the Last of December, 1653. he was Beheaded, and his four Quarters set up before the Castle of Moscow, his Trunk being exposed to the Fury of the Dogs. De Rocoles les Impsteurs Insignes. — False Dmitry I↗

Other accounts appear to indicate that Utropoja's identity was more an accusation by Boris Gudonov. As the Wikipedia article title implies, Utropoja was only one of several pretenders to the throne, although the most successful.

Derpt

, a Town of Livonia, formerly nam’d Torpatum, situat’d between the Lakes of Peipis and Worzer, on the River Eimbic. The Moscovites call it Juriogorod, and possess’d it till 1230. Then it was taken by the Great Master of the Teutonick Order, who erect’d it into a Bishoprick suffragan to Riga. It was re-taken by the Moscovites, in 1558. And by the Peace in 1582. it was yield’d with the rest of Livonia, to the Polanders ; and Gustavus Adolphus found’d and University there, in 1632. Olearius's Travels. — Tartu↗, Estonia

Duna

, or Dzwina, Lat. Duina, a River of Poland, taken by some for the Ruhe of Ptolemy. It springs near Volga, in Moscovy, and runs through Lithuania and Livonia, into the Baltick Sea, near Riga. — Daugava↗

Ensiferi

, an Order of Knights, who enter’d into a Solemn Vow to oppose the Infidels in Livonia. This Order was Confirm’d by Innocent III. and join’d to the Teutonick Order, in 1237. and their first Master was Vinno. Afterwards they separat’d from the Teutonick Order again in 1525, and had for their Master Walter Pletembergh, to whom Succeed’d William of Furstenbergh, in 1535. They wore a White Coat and a Black Gown, with a Red Sword embroider’d over with Black upon the Left Shoulder, and two Swords across upon their Breasts, with the Points downward. — Pope Innocent III↗, Northern Crusades↗, Wenno von Rohrbach↗, Wolter von Plettenberg↗

The Schwertzbrüder (Ensiferi, or Swordbearers) are the Livonian Sword Brotherhood founded in 1202. They were ultimately decimated in battle, their remnants joining the Teutonic Knights as the Livonian Order (from 1237 on). Some accounts indicate the Sword Brotherhood were an order of the Knights Templar↗. This dictionary entry, present in the 1695 edition, was removed in the 1701 edition.

The entry is incorrect regarding Plettenberg's immediate appointed successor, although von Fürstenberg did eventually head the Order. The last six heads of the Livonian Order were:

• Wolter von Plettenberg, 1494–1535
• Hermann Hasenkamp von Brüggeneye, 1535–1549
• Johann von der Recke, 1549–1551
• Heinrich von Galen, 1551–1557
• Johann Wilhelm von Fürstenberg, 1557–1559
• Godert (Gotthard) Kettler, 1559–1561

Estonia

, Esten, a Province of Livonia, now under the King of Sweden. It lyes to the North upon the Bay of Finland, and comprehends Estonia Proper, Harnland, and Wicland. The Chief Cities of it are Nerva, Revel, Derpt, Pernaw, Haspel, &c. — Estonia↗

Felin

, or Velin, Lat. Felinum, a City of Livonia, in the Province of Estonia. It has a strong Fort belonging to it, whither Wiliam of Furstenburg, Grand Master of the Teutonick Order, retiring in his Old Age, was deliver’d up by his own People to the Muscovites. It belongs to the King of Sweden, and lies 14 Leagues from Revel to the South, and 15 from Pernaw. — Viljandi↗, Estonia

FIDELITY

, or Danebrow, the Name of an Order of Knight-hood, instituted by Frederick III. King of Denmark in 1670. This Order consists of Nineteen of the Principal Lords and Officers of the Kingdom, who are bound to wear about their Necks a White Cross, in a Red and White Ribband, in Memory of the Cross which is said to have appear’d to Valdemar II when he made War against the Pagans in Livonia. — Order of the Dannebrog↗, Valdemar II of Denmark↗, Frederick III of Denmark↗

Frederick II died in 1670. The order was established by his successor, Christian V of Denmark↗.3

Frederick II.

succeed’d Christian III. in 1559. He reduc’d the Province of Ditmarsen, and defend’d Livonia, and the Liberty of the Baltick Sea, against Lubeck and Erick, Kings of Sweden. Pius IV. desir’d him to send some Person in his Behalf to the Council of Trent. But he return’d him for Answer, That neither his Father nor He had held any Correspondene with the Roman Pontiffs. He enlarg’d the Academy of Coppenhagen ; was a great Favourer of Learn’d Men, and dy’d in 1588. — Frederick II of Denmark↗

Furstemberg

(William) Grand-Master of the Order in Livonia, call’d the Porteglaives ; He oppos’d the Muscovites in Livonia, and took the Archbishop of Riga Prisoner. But in the Year 1560. the Muscovites took the Fortress of Velin, and carry’d away the Grand-Master Prisoner into Muscovy, where he died. — Livonian Sword Brotherhood↗, Teutonic Order↗, Livonian Order↗, Johann Wilhelm von Fürstenberg↗↗it

The Porteglaives is an artefact of the dictionary having been translated from French, in which the Livonian Sword Brotherhood is called Les chevaliers Porte-Glaive. The Livonian Order was a successor to the Livonian Sword Brotherhood.

Galen

, (Christopher Bernard de) the Son of Theodore de Galen, Hereditary Marshal of Curland, was elected Bishop of Munster in 1650. not without great opposition of his Competitors, and in 1857. he Besieg’d the City of Munster and took it by Composition in 1657. In 1660. he Besieg’d it a second time. In 1665. he joyn’d with the King of England against the Hollanders, to whom he gave no small Trouble. In 1672. he Quarrelled again with the States of Holland, for the Signiory of Borklo, and joyning with the French, took several Places from the Dutch, and the Elector of Brandenburgh who took their parts ; but the Imperial Forces constrain’d him to make a Peace in 1674. The next Year he allied himself with the King of Denmark against the King of Sweden ; from whom he took several Places in the Dutchy of Bremen and Principality of Ferden. He died in 1678. in the 74th. Year of his Age, leaving behind him the Character of a Restless Prelate. Memoirs du Temps. — Christoph Bernhard von Galen↗

HANSE-TOWNS

, certain Towns of Germany, confederate for the benefit of Trade, and enjoying great Privileges. Some say, that they were so called from the Word Hanse, signifying Alliance ; and others, from An-Ze, which signifies upon the Sea, because the first Towns that entred into this fort of Incorporation, were Seated near the Baltick. The City of Bremen, in the Lower Saxony, is said to have been the Founder of this Confederacy, about the Year 1154, to encourage the Trade, which it, and many other Maritime Towns, drove in Livonia. How many Associated at first, is not certainly known ; But the Design did so visibly prosper, that many In-land Cities, and some of no great Trading, joined with ’em in a League, for their common Defence and Preservation. And at last it grew to that height, that most of the Chief Places of Trade in Europe, entred into the Confederacy. As, in the Low-Countries ; Antwerp, Dort, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Ostend and Dunkirk. In France ; Calais, Rouen, St. Malo, Bourdeaux, Bayonne and Marseille. In Spain ; Barcelona, Sevil and Cadiz. In Portugal ; Lisbon. In Italy ; Leghorn, Naples and Messina. In England ; London, besides many other Sea-Port Towns, reckon’d in all, to the Number of 72. But these Foreign Hanse-Towns, quitted the League, when the Princes and States, under whole Dominion they lived, erected Companies, to promote and encourage the Trade of their respective Subjects. In the most flourishing Times of the Confederacy, the Hanse-Towns had Four general Staples, for the Sale of their Merchandise, viz. London in England ; Bruges in Flanders ( whence it was carried to Antwerp, and thence to Amsterdam ) Bergen in Norway ; and Navogrod in Russia. And this Confederacy, which was made at first only for the Security of their Trade, and their Mutual Defence against Princes, grew so Powerful at last, as to attempt a War against Waldemar III. King of Denmark, who Reign’d about 1348. Their Fleet went straight to Copenhagen, and put the King to flight ; who, to make Peace, yielded to them the Possession of Schonen, for the Space of 16 Years. Anno 1428. they set out another Fleet, of 250 Sail, against Eric King of Denmark, with Land Forces consisting of 12000 Men, and put him to very hard shifts. In 1615, with the Hollanders Assistance, they Relieved the Town of Brunswick, then Besieged by the Duke of that Name. After the Foreign Hanfe-Towns had withdrawn themselves from the League, by Order of their supreme Powers, still the German Hanse-Towns continued their Confederacy, and then Decreed, That none should be admitted, but such as were Situate in Germany, or had a Dependency on the Empire. Whereupon they reduced themfelves under Four Capital Hanfe-Towns, Lubeck, Cologne, Brunswick and Dantzick ; which last, though Subject, in some measure, to the King of Poland, is called to the German Diets. Lubeck has the Precedency, being impowered to call Genera! Assemblies, and intrusted with the Publick Treasure of the Society. The Assem¬blies Meet but once in three Years, unless upon some extraordinary and urgent Occasion. They had formerly for their Protector, the Great Master of the Teutonick Order ; Sometimes the King of Denmark, or the King of Sweden ; and also the King of Spain, as Soveraign of the Low-Countries. But they have been a long time without Protectors. At present, the Hanse-Towns are in a manner reduced to these Six, viz. Lubeck, Hamburg, Bremen, Rostock, Dantzick and Cologne ; the rest, having little or no Share, besides the Name, in their Confederacy. Heissius History of the Empire. — Hanseatic League↗

HAPSEL

, Lat. Hapselia, a Town of Esten in Livonia, under the Crown of Sweden. It stands upon a small Bay of the Baltick, 12 Leagues West of Revel ; and was formerly a Bishop's See, suffragan to the Arch-Bishop of Riga ; but since Transferred to Oesel. Hoffman. — Haapsalu↗, Estonia

HARNLAND

, a Province of Livonia, having Finland on the N. Wirland on the E. and Wike on the S. It is 16 German Miles in length, and eighth in Breadth. And together with Wirland makes a Dutchy, subject to the Crown of Sweden. Guagnus.

Map detail

Harnland is along Estonia's northern coast. We found a 1636 Mercator et al. map showing the locations of Wik[k]e, Harnland (centered on today's Tallinn), and Wirland.

JAMAGOROD

, Lat. Java, a strong Castle, built by the Moscovites, upon a steep Rock, over the River Nava, which parts Livonia from Moscovy. It was accounted the Key of the Kingdom, and thought impregnable, until taken by Gustavus Adolphus, in 1617. Long. 50. 52. Lat. 59. 8. — Kingisepp↗

Another source describes Jamagorod as being a strong town of [Swedish] Ingria, twelve miles northeast of Narva. An 1856 map shows Jamagorod almost due east, slightly to the south, making it Kingisepp (Кингисепп) on the Luga River in Russia. Trivia: There was a long line of Scottish governors in Swedish Ingria, including William Wallace at Jamagorod, later westernized in name by Peter the Great to Jamaburg.

KIRCHOLM

, a Town of Livonia, near unto which Charles King of Sweden received a great Overthrow in 1605, by Charles Chotkevicz, General for Vladislaus King of Poland. Thuan. — Battle of Kircholm↗, Salaspils↗, Latvia

LITHUANIA

, a Province belonging to the Kingdom of Poland, which hath the Title of a Great Dukedom, and is called by the Inhabitants Lithuna, by the Germans Littawen, by the Poles Litewsky, and was heretofore a part of Sarmatia Europea. It is bounded to the East, with Smolensko and the Dutchy of Novogrod in Russia. To the N. with Livonia. To the West, with Prussia and the Gulph of Dantzick. To the South, with Volhinia and the Upper Podolia. In the Year 1382, Jagello Great Duke of Lithuania having married Hedwiges sole Heir of the Family of Piastus, was by her Interest and upon turning Christian, chosen King of Poland. Soon after his Coronation, he went with some Christian Priests into Lithuania, and in a Twelve months time, converted all that Nation. Before this time, the Lithuanians were miserable Idolaters, exceeding the Egyptians in their Folly and Superstition ; They paid Divine Adoration to Fire, and kept it always alight, in some of their considerable Towns ; They had also divers Groves, where they pray’d to tall straight Trees, which they held it Sacrilege but to touch ; They likewise worship’d Serpents, for their Lares or Domestick Deities, and therefore each Family kept one in their House, to which they Sacrificed, Milk, Fowls, &c. And if any one happen’d to disoblige the Serpent, they look’d upon’t as a Prognostication of destruction to their whole Family. When Jagello attempted the Conversion of these People, He first Order’d the Sacred Fire to be extinguish’d, then he proceeded to kill the Serpents, to Fell their Groves, and pull down their Altars. This Sacrilegious Freedom the Lithuanians were mightily surpriz’d at, and expected some Miracle of Vengeance would immediately follow ; But when they saw their Deities suffer themselves to be outraged without Resentment; they begun to understand ’em, and believ’d ’em to be no better than Idols; upon which, they, unanimously deserted their Worship, and embrac’d Christianity. In 1501, in the beginning of the Reign of Alexander King of Poland, the Poles and Lithuanians united their Respective Dominions, and by the Articles of this Union, It was agreed, that Poland should always be the Place for chusing their Kings, and that the Lithuanians shonld have a Right of Voting in the Election ; That all the Offices of the Dukedom of Lithuania should continue, and That each People should live according to their ancient Laws and Customs. The Dukedom of Czernichow, did heretofore belong to this Province but is now under the Russ. Lithuania is divided into Eight Palatinates, viz. Breslaw, Minsco, Mscizlaw, Novogrodeck, Polozk, Troki, Wilna, Witebsk ; besides which, the Dukedoms of Smolensk, Novogrod and Czernickow, before mentioned, with the Territories of Robaczew and Rzecyick, are Parts of this Dukedom, Wilna, or Vilna, is the Capital of Lithuania, and a Bishop’s See ; the other Cities, besides those already mentioned under the Notion of Palatinates are, Kouno, Grodno, Mohileu, Orsssa, Vilcomirz, Novogrodeck, Seviersky and Sluckz. Lithuania is the greatest Province belonging to Poland, being in length from the River Pelota, in the Confines of Livonia and Moscovy, to the City of Dassow towards the Euxine Sea, 260 German Miles, and in breadth, between Niemen, or Memel, and the Nieper 80 or as Morery Represents it 150 Leagues in length, and 150 in breadth. It is a Country full of Woods, Forests and Marshes, yet very fruitful, and abounding with Corn and Honey, of which they make Meath, which is their ordinary and most delicious Drink. The Air is very cold, and the Inhabitants rude and barbarous. Their Language is a Dialect of the Sclavonick, and their Frontiers have been often desolated by the Incursions oi the Tartars amd Muscovites. Connor's History of Poland. — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth↗, Lithuania↗, Poland↗

LIVONIA

, or LIEFLAND, is a great Province of the European Sarmatia, annexed to the Kingdom of Poland, ever since it was taken from the Knights of the Teutonick Order, called The Knights of Prussia but the greatest part hath since been taken from it by the Swedes. It is bounded on the North by the Bay of Finland, on the West by the Bay of Riga, (both Parts of the Baltick) on the South by Samogitia and Lithuania, and on the East with Ingria and Pleskow, two Provinces belonging to the Russ, which are the Bounds of this Province in its largest extent, as divided into these four Parts, viz. Esten (Esthonia), Curland, Semigallen, and Letten ; for others divide it only into two Parts, viz. Esten and Letten, considering Curland and Semigallen, as Dukedoms, that, at present, have their own Soveraign Princes feudatary to the Crown of Poland. The Isles of Oesel and Dagho, in the Baltick Sea, do also belong to Lithuania, which were possessed by the Danes, till in 1645, they were, by a Treaty at Bromsbro, yielded to the Swedes. Esten is under the Swede, and also Letten, except a little part of it towards the East, which the Russes have ; so that the King of Poland, at present, retains very little of this Province, except it be the Town of Dunenburg. Riga is the Capital of Letten, the other Cities being Dunemund, Mariemburg, Greutsburg, &c. The other Cities of Esten, or Esthonia, are Derpt, Wolmer, Parnaw, Revel, Nerva, Felin, Hapfel, Lehal, Cockenhause, &c. Its length from Nerva to Memel, is 90. German Miles, its breadth from the Sea to Dodina 60. It produceth Wheat in abundance, which the Rivers Dwyna and Nerva bring down to Riga and Nerva for Transportation. The Forests abound with wild Boars, Bears, Foxes, &c. which come over the Nerva, out of Russia. The Livonians were converted to the Faith about 1161, or, as others say, about 1186. Meinradus, was their first Bishop in 1190, and Beltoldus, an Abbot of the Order of Livonia, about, this time, took great pains for their Conversion ; which Order of the Livonian Knights, was Instituted to promote the Conversion of the barbarous Inhabitants of the Country, who being somewhat dull and obstinate, it was thought fitting to make use of the more rough Way of the Swords of these Knights to convert them ; and if we will believe History, it vvas far more effectual than all the Remonstrances the Priests could make to them. This Order was united to the Teutonick Order, or the Knights of Prussia, in 1234, and aftec their Conjunction, obtained many signal Victories. But Albert of Brandenburg, Grand Master of this Order, in the XVIth Century, having embraced the Reformation, one Walter separated the Order of Livonia from that of Prussia, and was the Grand Master of it, being succeeded by William of Furstemberg but this Order was after abolished, by Sigismond King of Poland, in 1587. The Country People of Livonia, are generally all of them Slaves to the Nobility and Gentry. The Swedes made themselves Masters of the greatest part of this Country in 1617, and 1634, Ladislaus, King of Poland, agreed to the Treaty oi Stumsdorf with the Swedes, in which was concluded a Truce of 26 Years, viz. till 1661, during which time, the Swedes were peaceably to enjoy all the Land they were possessed of, on the North of the River Dwyna, which was since wholly yielded to them, by the Peace of Oliva, in 1660. Starovolscius Descript, Poln. Ortelius Geograph. Chytradus Hist. Saxon. Neugobaud. Hist. Polon. Spond in Annal. — Livonia↗