Balthasar Russow
Illustration — The Chronicle of Livonia by Balthasar Russow, published in 1578 Balthasar Russow (1536–1600) was one of the most important Livonian and Estonian chroniclers. Russow was born in Reval, Livonia (now Tallinn, Estonia). He was educated at an academy in Stettin, Pomerania (now Szczecin, Poland).
Balthasar Russow
Balthasar Russow · Eesti rahva ajalugu By Juhan Libe Tartu: Loodus, 1932. · Public domain
- Born
- 1536 · Tallinn.
- Died
- 1600 · Tallinn.
- Occupation
- writer · historian · cleric · chronicler · pedagogue · theologian
- Known for
- The Chronicle of Livonia
- Languages
- Estonian
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Illustration — The Chronicle of Livonia by Balthasar Russow, published in 1578 Balthasar Russow (1536–1600) was one of the most important Livonian and Estonian chroniclers. Russow was born in Reval, Livonia (now Tallinn, Estonia). He was educated at an academy in Stettin, Pomerania (now Szczecin, Poland).
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wikidata · Q495702 · wikipedia · Balthasar Russow
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Biography
He was the Lutheran pastor of the Estonian congregation at the Holy Spirit Church in Reval from 1566 until his death. Russow is most famous for his Low German-language chronicle Chronica der Provinz Lyfflandt describing the history of Livonia, especially the decline of the Livonian Order and the period of the Livonian War (1558–83). The chronicle was first printed in Rostock in Mecklenburg in 1578 and quickly sold out. The revised edition was printed in 1584. In his work Russow was highly critical of the squander and immorality of the Livonian upper classes. He also complained about the superstitious beliefs and pagan traditions of the Estonian peasants and the venality of mercenary armies during the wars. He praised the rule of the new regional power, Sweden. Russow is the main character in Kolme katku vahel (Between Three Plagues), a four-part historical novel by modern Estonian writer Jaan Kross, the first part published in 1970.
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scholarly publication
- Henry of Livonia and Balthasar Russow: The chronicler as literary artist, Journal of Baltic Studies, 1975
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 1975
reference work
- “Balthasar Russow”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
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- Wikidata, structured authority record Q495702: Balthasar Russow
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- 1.unsicher, nach anderen Quellen 1540 bzw. 1542.
- 2.nach gregorianischem Kalender 3. oder 4. Dezember 1600.
- 3.Chronica Der Provintz Lyfflandt, darinne vormeldet werdt: Wo datsülvige Land ersten gefunden, unde thom Christendome gebracht ys: Wol de ersten Regenten des Landes gewesen sint: Van dem ersten Meister Düdesches Ordens in Lyfflandt, beth up den lesten, unde van eines ydtliken Daden: Wat sick in der voranderinge der Lyfflendeschen Stende, unde na der tydt, beth in dat negeste 1577. Jar, vor seltzame unde wünderlike gescheffte im Lande thogedragen hebben, nütte unde angeneme tho lesende, Korth unde loffwerdich beschreuen, Dörch Balthasar Rüssouwen Revaliensem. Rostock, Gedrücket dörch Augustin Ferber, 1578.
- 4.Chronica. Der Provintz Lyfflandt, darinne vermeldet werdt. Wo dath sülvige Landt ersten gefunden, unde thom Christendome gebracht ys: Wol de ersten Regenten des Landes gewesen sind; van dem ersten Meyster Düdesches Ordens in Lyfflandt beth up den lesten, unde van eines ydtliken Daden. Wat sick in der voranderinge der Lyfflendischen Stende, und na der tydt beth in dat negeste 1583. Jar, vor seltzame und wünderlike Gescheffte im Lande tho gedragen hebben: nütte unde angenehme tho lesende korth und loffwerdich beschreven. Dorch Balthasar Russowen Revaliensem. Thom andern mal mith allem flyte anersehen, corrigeret, vorbetert, und mith velen Historien vormehret dorch den Autorem sülvest. Gedrücket tho Bart in der Förstliken Drückerye, Dorch Andream Seitnern. 1584.
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scholarly publication
Henry of Livonia and Balthasar Russow: The chronicler as literary artist, Journal of Baltic Studies, 1975Crossref registry
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39,285 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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