Veleti, Wieltan, Wilzan, Wiltza, Wilzen. Wends Liutizians (considered a West Slavic tribe)
Formed from:
The Veleti moved into modern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and adjacent southern areas from the south in the
course of the 6th-7th centuries, assimilating the remaining Germanic population and West Slav tribes that
had previously moved into that area from the east.
They were a group of medieval West Slavic tribes within the territory of modern northeastern Germany; see
Polabian Slavs. In common with other Slavic groups between the Elbe and Oder Rivers, they were often
described by Germanic sources as Wends. In the late 10th century, they were known as the Liutizians.
Original Record of: Mentioned in Primary Chronicle
Migrations &
Changes:
The Veleti did not remain a unified tribe for long. Local tribes developed, the most important being the Kissini
(Kessiner, Chizzinen, Kyzziner) along the lower Warnow and Rostock, named after their capital Kessin and
the Circipani (Zirzipanen) along the Trebel and Peene Rivers
This political splitting of the Veleti occurred most probably due to the size of the inhabited area, with
settlements grouped around rivers and forts and separated by large strips of woodlands. Also, the Veletian
king Dragowit had been defeated and made a vassal by Charlemagne in the only expedition into Slavic
territory led by Charlemagne himself, in 798, making the central Veletian rule collapse. The Veleti were
invaded by the Franks because of their continuous expeditions into Obodrite lands, with the Obodrites being
allies of the Franks against the Saxons.
In the late 10th century, the tribes mentioned above formed an alliance known as the Liutizians (also Liutizi,
Lyutitzi, or Liutitians; German: Liutizen or Lutizen). The leaders of the Liutizian tribes met at their major
stronghold, the fortified temple of Rethra, and decided important matters together. They are believed to
have played the key role in the Slavic uprising of 983. However, the alliance fell apart due to internal conflicts
in the 1150s; Rethra was raided and destroyed by the Saxons in the winter of 1068-69. The Kissini and the
Circipani were targeted in various attacks from the west, e.g. Saxon raids in 1114 and 1125, and were
succeeded by and incorporated into the Obodrite confederacy by Gottschalk. The Redarier and Tollenser
and some Circipani were in part succeeded by the Pomoranians coming from the east in the 1120s, and in
1147 again invaded by the participants of the Wendish Crusade. The division of the Liutizian lands that took
place in the early 12th century is still present in the borderline dividing Mecklenburg, which emerged from the
Obodrite state, and Vorpommern to the east.
The Liutizian lands were subject to the Holy Roman Empire until 1164 and, after a period of Danish raids and
occupation, settled by Germans in the Ostsiedlung thereafter. The remnants of the Slavic tribes were
gradually Germanized and assimilated during the following centuries.
Cities or towns:
Their capitol is believed to be Teterow, Kessin and strongholds in Demmin and probably even Güstrow; the
Tollenser east and south of the Peene along the Tollense River; and the Redarier south and east of the
Tollensesee on the upper Havel. The Hevelli living in the Havel area and, though more unlikely, the Rujanes
of Rugia might once have been part of the Veletians, too. Uznam / Usedom, Radgoszcz, Hawa
Recorded Names: Drahomir ,
Sources for Research:
Primary Chronicle
The Early Slavs P.M. Barford
Vernadsky’s works, Kievan Rus