Polabia (German), Polaben
an amalgam of Slavic tribes including:
Doudlebi, Vagrovie, Obodrites/Bodryci (German: Abodriten), ,, Kessiner, Variove, Zirzipane, Tollenser,
Dedravie, Linone, Dossanie, Moritze,Brezezane, Sprevane, Veneti/ Veleti /, Lutize, Stodoranie /
Havelanie,
Formed from:
This was a culture of the Tornow type. Covered primarily some central and western Poland
The Polabians were similar to the Drevani and
lived between the Trave and the Elbe.
Original Record of:
660 AD Chronicles of Fredegar
Migrations & Changes:
In 1139 Henry the Lion granted "Polabia" to Count Henry of Badewide. The tribe was subsequently
Germanized and assimilated over the following centuries. The last remnants of the Polabians died out in
the 17th century, as did the Polabian language. Cultural remnants of the Polabians of Lower Saxony
include numerous villages in the region based on Slavic settlement forms
Cities or towns:
The main settlement of the Polabians was Racisburg (modern Ratzeburg), named after their Prince
Ratibor, Brenna (scroll down to history) , Reric, Menzlin- major Viking trade center- Slavs and Vikings
lived there together, Ralswick- major trading center with heavy Viking involvement , Szczecin also a
major Viking trade center, Woiln(Jomsburg)- major Viking trade center, Regensberg ,Bardy , Ilawa
Language:
Polabian language was west slavic and died out in 18th cent , Polabian language was close to the
Sorbian dialects which are still spoken
some details
Recorded names:
Male: Ratibor , Prince Drozko , Mieceslas II, Prince of the Obodrites was born in 919,Mieceslas I of the
OBODRITES. Born: abt. 814, Kruto, Billung I of the Obodrites ,Aribert I King of the Obodrites, Vislas I,
King of the Obodrites d. 700, Mistui I of the Obodrites b. before 840, d. 869 ,Obodrite chieftain Trasco,
Obodrite ruler Niklot, Mistislav Obodrite chieftain, Pribislav
Female: Mandana, Billung I of the Obodrites married Hildegarde, Antonia was born circa 791. She
married Mieceslas I of the Obodrites, son of Billung II of the Obodrites and Jutta , before 811., Astrid
(Ingegerda Inegrid) (Princess) of the OBOTRITES , Luidmilla Princess of Polabia ,
Sources for Research:
Christiansen, Erik (1997). The Northern Crusades. London: Penguin Books
The Early Slavs, P.M. Barford
Vernadsky’s works, Kievan Rus
Chronicles of Fredegar
Bavarian Geographer