EN050.19 Magyars
Ott 2025
8. Inscribed on the Waraburg
8a. Magyars and Finns, ca. 2090 BCE
[050/19] The following is written on the Waraburg at the Aldergamouth:
(The Waraburg is not a maidens’ burg, but contains all the exotic and foreign things brought here by the navigators. It lies three poles, or a half tide, south of Medeasblik.)
The foreword reads:
Mountains, bow your crowns; weep, ye clouds and streams. Yes, Skeanland, redden with shame. Slave folk tread upon your gown, O Frya!
The story is as follows:
One hundred and one years after Aldland sank, [051] a folk came out of the East. They had been driven out by another folk. Beyond our Twiskland, they had fallen into dispute; they divided into two large groups, and each went its own way. Of the one part, no account has come to us. But the other part invaded the rear of our Skeanland. Skeanland was sparsely populated, and the far coast the most sparsely of all. Therefore, they were able to occupy it without conflict and, as they did no other harm, we had no desire to go to war over it. Now that we have come to know them, we will write about their customs as well as our experiences with them.
This folk was not wild like many of Finda’s tribes, but similar to the Egyptians. They have priests like them — and now they have temples, idols too. The priests are the only masters — they call themselves ‘Magyars’. The supreme one is called ‘Magy’. He is the high priest and king at once. All the other folk count for naught and are entirely under the rule of the priests.[1] The people do not even have a name, but we call them ‘Finns’ because, although their feasts are altogether dreary and bloody, they are [052] so finely appointed that we lag behind in that respect. Yet they are not to be envied, for they are slaves of the priests and, worse still, of their beliefs.[2] They believe that everywhere are evil spirits that enter into people and animals. But of Wralda’s spirit they know nothing. The Finns have stone weapons, while the weapons of the Magyars are of copper. The Magyars claim that they can summon and banish the evil spirits. The Finns are constantly in fear because of this, and their faces never show signs of joy.
When they were well settled, the Magyars sought alliance with us. They praised our language and customs, our cattle and iron weapons, which they were eager to exchange for their gold and silver ornaments. And they always kept their populace within their boundaries. But that made us complacent...[3]
Eighty years later — the Yulefeast had just begun — they assailed us unexpectedly and fell over our lands like a blizzard. Those who could not flee were cut down. Frya was called upon, but the Skeanlanders had neglected her advice. Then forces were gathered. Three poles from Godaburg, the Magyars were fought back. But war continued.
Kate, [053] or Katherine, was the name of the burgmaid at Godaburg. Kate was proud and haughty, so she had no messages sent asking the mother for advice or assistance. But when the burg lords realized this, they themselves sent messengers to the mother at Texland. Minna, as the mother was called, summoned all navigators and all the other young folk of East Fleeland and the Denmarks.
Notes
Sandbach 1876
[p.71 cont.] This is inscribed on the Waraburgt by the Aldegamude.
The Waraburgt is not a maiden's city, but the place where [p.73] all the foreign articles brought by sailors were stored. It lies three hours south from Medeasblik.
Thus is the Preface.
Hills, bow your heads; weep, ye streams and clouds. Yes. Schoonland (Scandinavia) blushes, an enslaved people tramples on your garment, O Frya.
This is the history.
One hundred and one years after the submersion of Aldland[1] a people came out of the East. That people was driven by another. Behind us, in Twiskland (Germany), they fell into disputes, divided into two parties, and each went its own way. Of the one no account has come to us, but the other came in the back of our Schoonland, which was thinly inhabited, particularly the upper part. Therefore they were able to take possession of it without contest, and as they did no other harm, we would not make war about it. Now that we have learned to know them, we will describe their customs, and after that how matters went between us. They were not wild people, like most of Finda's race; but, like the Egyptians, they have priests and also statues in their churches. The priests are the only rulers; they call themselves Magyars, and their headman Magy. He is high priest and king in one. The rest of the people are of no account, and in subjection to them. This people have not even a name; but we call them Finns, because although all the festivals are melancholy and bloody, they are so formal that we are inferior to them in that respect. But still they are not to be envied, because they are slaves to their priests, and still more to their creeds. They believe that evil spirits abound everywhere, and enter into men and beasts, but of Wr-alda's spirit they know nothing. They have weapons of stone, the Magyars of copper. The Magyars affirm that they can exorcise [p.75] and recall the evil spirits, and this frightens the people, so that you never see a cheerful face. When they were well established, the Magyars sought our friendship, they praised our language and customs, our cattle and iron weapons, which they would willingly have exchanged for their gold and silver ornaments, and they always kept their people within their own boundaries, and that outwitted our watchfulness.
Eighty years afterwards, just at the time of the Juulfeest, they overran our country like a snowstorm driven by the wind. All who could not flee away were killed. Frya was appealed to, but the Schoonlanders (Scandinavians) had neglected her advice. Then all the forces were assembled, and three hours from Godasburgt[2] they were withstood, but war continued. Kat or Katerine was the name of the priestess who was Burgtmaagd of Godasburgt. Kat was proud and haughty, and would neither seek counsel nor aid from the mother; but when the Burgtheeren (citizens) knew this, they themselves sent messengers to Texland to the Eeremoeder. Minna—this was the name of the mother—summoned all the sailors and the young men from Oostflyland and Denmark.
Notes Sandbach
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