The Medieval Elbe
Slavs and Germans on the Frontier

The Deeds of Wiprecht

Frutolf


In the year of the Lord 1079. There was a battle between Henry [IV] and Rudolf in the place that is called Flarchheim, where in the initial clash, the Saxons turned their backs. There Vratislav, duke and king of Bohemia, gained possession of Rudolf’s royal lance; thereafter, with Emperor Henry's permission, at every festivity it always preceded in procession whatever the insignia were from the duchy of that people.1
Vratislav, having fallen from his horse while hunting, died a sudden death.2

Analysis

These lines have been copied verbatim from Frutolf of Michelsberg’s chronicle.   In the first excerpt, the Pegau writer has alter the titles (adding ‘and King’ for Vratislav; calling Henry ‘emperor’ in place of Frutolf ’s ‘king’) and omitted Frutolf ’s description of the battle taking place ‘in a very harsh winter.’