The “Divine Trial” in 12th Century Turaida in Historical Context
Volume 11 (2009): The Horse and Man in European Antiquity (Worldview, Burial Rites, and Military and Everyday Life), pp. 270–274
Pub. online: 30 August 2009
Type: Article
Open Access
Open Access
Received
15 February 2009
15 February 2009
Revised
20 March 2009
20 March 2009
Accepted
12 June 2009
12 June 2009
Published
30 August 2009
30 August 2009
Abstract
In The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia there is a description of “divine trial” in Turaida (Latvia), where the “horse of destiny” was used to decide the fate of Christian preacher in the Turaida brother Theodoric. The overall depiction of the trial bears strong likeness to Germanic traditions account of which comes from as early as the writings of Tacitus, in 98. However, the historical context shows similar patterns of mythological thought both with the Livs, the Balts and Germanic tribes. Also similar is the role of the horse in the mythology of these peoples.