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The Obotrites (, Abodritorum, Abodritos) or Obodrites, also spelled Abodrites (), were a confederation of medieval West Slavs tribes within the territory of modern Mecklenburg and Holstein in northern Germany (see Polabian Slavs). For decades, they were allies of Charlemagne in his wars against the Germanic Saxons and the Slavic Veleti. The Obotrites under Prince Thrasco defeated the Saxons in the Battle of Bornhöved (798). The still-Pagan Saxons were dispersed by the emperor, and the part of their former land in Holstein north of Elbe was awarded to the Obotrites in 804, as a reward for their victory. This however was soon reverted through an invasion of the Danes. The Obotrite regnal style was abolished in 1167, when Pribislav was restored to power by Duke Henry the Lion, as Prince of Mecklenburg, thereby founding the Germanized House of Mecklenburg.
Other tribes associated with the confederation include:
German missionaries such as Vicelinus converted the Obotrites to Christianity. In 1170 they acknowledged the suzerainty of the Holy Roman Empire, leading to Germanisation and assimilation over the following centuries. However, up to the late 15th century most villagers in the Obotritic area were still speaking Slavic dialects (Polabian language), although subsequently their language was displaced by German language. The Polabian language survived until the beginning of the 19th century in Hanoverian Wendland, eastern Lower Saxony (bordering modern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). Polabian language
The ruling clan of the Obotrites kept its power throughout the Germanisation and ruled their country (except during a short interruption in Thirty Years' War) as House of Mecklenburg until the end of monarchies in Germany in November Revolution 1918. Previously, the Obodrites were dominated by the Naconids; Eastern (Far) Pomerania was ruled by the Pomeranian House (Grifichi).
The rulers of Obotrite lands were later the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg.
History
As allies of the Carolingian kings and the empire of their Ottonian dynasty successors, the Obotrites fought from 808 to 1200 against the kings of Denmark, who wished to rule the Baltic region independently of the empire. When opportunities arose, for instance upon the death of an emperor, they would seek to seize power; and in 983 Hamburg was destroyed by the Obotrites under their king, Mstivoj. At times they levied tribute from the Danes and Saxons. Under the leadership of Niklot, they resisted a Christian assault during the Wendish Crusade.
List of Obotrite leaders
Witzlaus ?–ca. 795 Thrasco ?–ca. 795–810 Slavomir ?–810–819 Ally of the Frankish Empire. In 816, he joined the rebellion of the Sorbs. Eventually captured and abandoned by his own people, being replaced by Ceadrag in 818. Ceadrag 819–after 826 Ally of the Frankish Empire. He rebelled against the Franks with alliance with the Danes, but later was reconciled with Franks. Selibur Nako 954–966 Nako and his brother Stoigniew were defeated at the Raxa river (955) by Otto I, after which Stoigniew was beheaded and Nako accepted Christianity, resulting in thirty years of peace. Mstivoj and Mstidrag 966–995 Sons of Nako. They abandoned Christianity and revolted against the Germans (Great Slav Rising). Mieceslas III 919–999 in 995 defeated by Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor. Mistislaw 996–1018 Udo or Przybigniew 1018–1028 Ratibor 1028–1043 Gottschalk 1043 to 1066 Budivoj 1066 and 1069 Kruto 1066–1069 and 1069–1093 Henry 1093–1127 Canute & Sviatopolk 1127–1128 Sviatopolk 1128–1129 Zwinike 1129–1129 Canute Lavard 1129–1131 Great-great-great-great-grandson of Mstivoj Niklot 1131–1160 Born around 1090. Also ruled the subdued Polabian Slav tribes of Kessinians and . Pribislav 1160–1167 Last Obotrite prince. Accepted Saxon suzerainty in 1167.
See also
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Literature
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