30 November 2023

Precious stones

image from a copy of Der naturen bloeme
by van Maerlant, in the part about gemstones

Medieval people of power (princes and priests in Oera Linda) loved precious stones. Whole books were written about them, like the 13th century Middle Dutch Lapidarys by Jacob van Maerlant (partly based on earlier works in Latin), of which no surviving copy has been found.* This book had likely been written in the first place for the young Floris V (1254-1296), son of Willem II (see below).

[* Dutch reading tip: chapter De magie van edelstenen, pp. 170-184 in Maerlants Wereld (Frits van Oostrom, 1996)]

Not more than a year after Hidde Oera Linda finished his copy of the Book of the Adela-Followers, on the frosty 28th of January 1256, William II, count of Holland & Zeeland and king of the Roman empire, tried to conquer Westfriesland. He fell through the ice with his horse, and was lambasted to death by the Frisians in Hoogwoud. Two years earlier the Frisians had already been betrayed by him.* In the following spring (of 1256) he would have been crowned emperor in Rome (ref.: Maerlants Wereld, p. 106). Adherents of Roman royalty (Gola in Oera Linda) will have hated the Frisians for centuries, for having killed their would-have-been emperor.

"Portrait of William, king of the
Romans, count of Holland,
killed by the Frisians in 1256"

[*In 1248 William conquered Kaiserswerth, Dortmund and Aachen. He took Aachen after a siege of five months, helped by Frisians, who with hydraulic engineering ingenuity (water from the mountains was poured over the city like a spring tide with a constructed dam) managed to drive the Staufers out of the city. On November 1, 1248, on All Saints' Day, William was crowned in Aachen by the Archbishop of Cologne. In gratitude for the help of the Frisians, William confirmed the entire Frisian nation in the rights, freedoms and privileges that they had already received from Charlemagne. Despite this promise, the West Frisians would be attacked and plundered by William in 1254. (source wikipedia, Maerlants Wereld page. 262]

Less than 50 years later, in 1303, a massacre took place in or near the Westfrisian town Vronen to finish off once and for all what Willem II had tried. This was concluded in 2011, based on human remains (half of them female and a significant part children) that had been found 20 years earlier.

In short, the Frisians (in those days Westfrisians were still referred to as such), must have had a culture that did not go well with that of the counts of Holland (who served the Roman Empire) and their adherents. Oera Linda offers enough explicit examples to confirm this. These may also explain why Oera Linda never had a warm welcome in the modern Dutch cutural establishment.

One of the more modest examples (as a warm-up) is the topic of precious stones. The most positive context in which they appear is on the walls (surrounding the Lamp with its eternal flame) of the tower of the burg Liudgarda. That is: not in someone's individual possession, but used for the common good. The fragment of chapter 15c is most telling.

2d. Finda was Yellow

Under costly stones (KESTLIKA STÉNA) they laid her body down; with pompous inscriptions they adorned (SMUKTON*) them, bawling loudly to be heard. But in private, they shed not a single tear. [*German 'Schmuck' means 'jewelry']

13d. Ode to Adela

What could they add to highten her beauty? Not pearls (PÀRLUM), for her teeth were whiter. Not gold (GOLD), for her hair shone brighter. Not jewels (STÉNA), for her eyes, though soft as a lamb’s, blazed such that one scarce dared hold their gaze.

13h. Apollania’s Burg

In the tower hangs the Lamp, and the walls are bejeweled with precious stones (KESTLIKA STÉNA).
15th century pope Alexander VI
15c. Yesus or Buda of Kashmir

He taught that no one should grub in her bowels for gold (GOLD), silver (SULVER), or precious stones (KESTLIKA STÉNA), to which envy binds and from which love flees. “To adorn (SJARANE) your girls and women,” he said, “her rivers deliver enough.”
Some more related fragments, not explicitly about precious stones, but jewelry in general:

8e. The Idolatrous Gola 

their merchants traded fancy copper weapons (SKÉNE KÁPRE WÉPNE) and all variety of jewelry (SÍRHÉDON) for our iron weapons and hides of wild animals
10a. Ulysus’ Quest for a Lamp 

he had brought many treasures (SKÀTA), above all jewelry for maidens (FÁMNE SÍRHÉDUM), more beautiful than any in the world
11a. Denmarks Lost 

They gave them iron weapons and tools in exchange for golden ornaments (GOLDEN SÍRHÉDON) as well as copper and iron ore. (...) Their bodies were bedecked with garishness and gloss (BLIK ÀND SKIN), but their warehouses and barns were emptied. (...) The children wanted food from their mothers, and the mothers had jewelry (SÍRHÉDON) but no food. (...) Now the ornaments (SÍRHÉDON) had to be sold (...)
15th century pope Paul II
Finally — also telling — a related fragment about Frya:

2e. Frya was White

Mild Frya! Never would she let metal (MÉT​.AL) be delved from Earth (JRTHA*) for her own benefit, but when it was done, it was for the good of all. [*also the word for 'ore' and 'soil']
Related word studies:

06 October 2023

The richness of Old Frisian ~ with Fryas subtitles


Fragments from video De Rykdom fan it âld-Frysk in which parts of Oldfrisian texts are read by translator dr. Oebele Vries, Tamara Schoppert and Sjoerd Bottema, with an epilogue by prof. Frits van Oostrom (then president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences).

Original video from local Frisian television is from 2007 on the occasion of book publication Asega is het dingtijd?, compiled by dr. Vries.

Added are subtitles in Standskrift with an approximation of how the texts in the 'Fryas' style of Oera Linda might have been phrased and spelled, including some levities.

(text nr., title and pages refer to book Asega is het dingtijd?)
00:00 opening title
00:12 from text 7 De Overkeuren (Eerste Hunsingoër Handschrift, digital copy) p. 114.
01:49 from text 6 De Vierentwintig Landrechten (Fivelgoër handschrift) p. 100.
03:10 from text 21 Van de oorsprong der Friese vrijheid (as text 7), p. 475.
04:38 from text 18 Het Asegarecht (as text 6), p. 460.
06:34 from text 10, Dit is ook Fries recht (Erste Rüstringer Handschrift), p. 151.
08:40 from text 24, De vijftien tekenen voor de dag des oordeels (as text 10), p. 501.
11:02 closing words by prof. van Oostrom

THA RIKDOM FON.ET ALD.FRYSK

I. UT THA SJVGUN KÉRA THÉRA FRÉSENA ~ KODEX HUNSINGÁ

THA ALLE FRÉSA SKÉPAD WÉRON. THA LÒVADON HJA HOK HJARA SA ÉROST THENE LAND.GONG NOME THÀT HJA ÉNE PÀK.TONNE BÀRNADE ÀND THA ÔTHERUM THÉRMITH KÉTHE. THÀT HJA LAND.GONG NIMMEN HÉDE. Tha alle Fresa skipad weren, tha leweden hia, hoc hira sae rest thene londgong nome, thet hia ene pictunna bernde end tha otherum thermithe kethe, thet hia londgong nimen hede.
THI ÔTHER KÉR ALLERA FRÉSENA. JEF THÉR ÉN'G LAND VRHÉRAD WRDE. HWÉDER FON THA SÛDERNA  SEHRÉDA. JEFTHA FON THA NORTHESKA WITSEZA. THÀT THA SEX THA SJVGUNDE HELPE. THÀT ET ALSA WEL MACHTE SA THÉRA SEX HOK. Thi other kere alra fresena, gef ther eng lond ur herad urde, ovder fon tha sutherna sereda, ieftha fon tha northeska wiszegge, thet tha sex tha sogenda hulpe thet hit alsa wel machte sa thera sex hoc.
THI THREDDE KÉR. JEF THÉRA SJVGUN SÉ.LANDA EN'G WIL VNRJUCHT FÁRA. LJUDA RÁWA JEFTHA MORTH SLÁGA THÀT THA SEX THÀT SJVGUNDE TVANGE THÀT.ET ELLA RJUCHT FÁRE. Thi thredda kere ief thera sogen se londa eng welle vn riuchte fara liude ravia ieftha morth sla, thet tha sex thet sogende thuinge thettet elle riuchte fare.
THI FJVWERDE KÉR. HWERSA MÀN WIF HALATH MITH HORNE ÀND MITH LJUDA. MITH DOME ÀND MITH DRECHTE. THÀT HJU ÀMMER SKOLDE ÀFTE STOL BISITTA. Thi fiarda kere: hwersa ma wif halat mith horne and mith lude, mith dome and mith drechte, thet hiu emmer scolde aftne stolt bisitta.
THI FIFTE KÉR. HWERSA EN MAN NIMME EN WIF TO KVERN ÀND TO KV.HODER ÀND THI ALSADÉNA THJANESTE AS HIM GÁD WÉRE. ÀND HIM THÀN EN KIND GÁDER WRDE ÀND THÀT KIND SKÉNADE ÀND HIM THÀT WIF LJAVADE. Thi fifta kere: wersa en mon nime en wif to quern and to kuuder enti alsadena thianeste, sa him gad were, end him thenna end kind gader wrde end thet kind skenade and him thet wif liavade,
TÀT HI SE THÀN ÀFTE NOME. THÀT HJU NI THÀT KIND NE MACHTE NÉNE ÀFTE STOL BISITTA. NI THÉRA KINDAR NÉN. THÉR HJU BI HIM TÉJE. thet hi se thenna afte nome, thet hiu ni thet kind ni machte nenne aftne stol bisitta, ni thera kinda nen, ther hiu bi him tege

2. UT THA TWIA TWILIF LANDRJUCHTA ~ KODEX FIVELGÁ

THJU THREDDE NÉD IS. SA THÀT KIND IS STOK.NAKEN JEFTHA HUS.LÁS ÀND THÀN THI THJUSTERE NÉVIL ÀND NÉD.KALDE WINTER ÀND THJU LÔNGE THJUSTERE NACHT ANTHA TUNA HLÉIT Thio thredde ned is: Sa thet kind is stocnakend jefta huslas, and thenna ti thiuster niwel- and nedcalda winter and thio longe thiustre nacht on tha tunan hliet;
SA FÁRATH ALLERA MANNALIK AN SIN HOF ÀND AN SIN HUS ÀND AN SINE WARME WINGKLUN ÀND THÀT WILDE DJAR SÉKTH THÉRA BERGA HLY ÀND THEN HOLE BÁM ALTHÉR ET SIN LIF KÀN BIHALDA sa faret allera monna hwelic on sin hof an on sin hus an on sine warme winclen and thet wilde diar secht thera birga hli and then hola bam, alther hit sin lif one bihalde;
SA WÉNATH ÀND SKRÉTH THÀT VNJÉRICH KIND ÀND WOPATH THÀN SINE NAKENE LITHNE ÀND SIN HUSLÁSHÉD ÀND SIN FÉDER THÉR HIM RÉDA SKOLDE MITH THEN HONGER ÀND THA NÉVIL.KALDE WINTER. sa waynat an skriet thet unierich kind and wepet thenne sine nakene lithe and sin huslase an sinne feder ther him reda scholde with then hunger and then niwelkalda winter,
THÀT HI SA DJAPE ÀND ALSA DIMME MITH FJUWER NAGLUM IS VNDER ÉKEN ÀND VNDER THÉR MOLDE BISLOTEN ÀND BIDEKTH. SA MOT THJU MODER HJRA KIND.HIS ERVE SETTA ÀND SELLA thet hi sa diape and alsa dimme mith fior neilum is under eke and under ther molda bisleten and bithacht – sa mot thio moder hire kindis erve setta and sella,
THÉRVMBE THÀT HJU ACH PLÉG ÀND PLICHT ALSA LÔNGE SA.T VNJÉRICH IS. THÀT.ET NI THER FROST NER HONGER NER IN FANGENSKIP VRFÁRE. therumbe thet hiu ach ple and plicht, alsa longe sa hit ungerich is, thet hit noder frost ne hunger ne in fangenschip urfare.

THA ROM.HROPADE FRÍSKE FRYHÉD WRDE THA FRÍSUM LÉNAD THRVCH GORTE.KERDEL. THÁ KÉNING KERDEL IN THA KLIPPA KVMTH THRVCH THA SAXMANNA KVMON THA FRÍSUM FON HJARA SELVA NÉI SINRE HOVE VMB.IM TO HELPANE.

3. EN DÉL FON ALRA FRÉSKE FRYDOM ~ KODEX HUNSINGÁ

HJA SPRÉKON THÉR TOFARA THA KÉNINGE WIGANDLIKE. HJA WILDON ALLÉNA FJUCHTA MITHA ROMERA HÉRAN FORI THÀT KJASARLIKE RIKE. Iha sprekin ther to fara tha keningge wigandlike. Iha welde allena fiugta witha romera heran fore thet kairslike rike.
HJA NAMON THÀT SKÀRPE SWÉRD AN HJARA HÔNDA. HJA GONGON TOFARA THÉRE BURG STONDA. Iha nomin tha scerpa suerd and ihera honda iha gegin to fara there burig stonda.
THA HÉRAN BINNA THÉRE BURG THIT ESJAN. VPPA THENE FJELD ÀJEN THA FRÉSAN TO STRIDE THÁ TAGON. Tha heran binna there burig thit ge segin uppa thene feld ion tha fresan to stride tha tegin.
EN ORDÉL WÀRTH THÉRVP JÉVEN. MENI DJARE WIGAND WÀRTH NITHER THÁ THÉRE ESLAGEN. En ordil warth ther up ge hewin. monig diore wigand warth nither tha there ge slagin.
THÁ TO THÉRE STONDE THI FRÉSA HÁSTELIKE ANTHA HÉRAN FJUCHTA BIGVNDE. tha to there stunde thi fresa hastelike on tha heran fiugta bi gunde.
SÉRLIKE THA HÉRAN VMBE THÁ SAGON. ALLE BALDE SE TO THÉRA BURG FLODON. serlike tha heran umbe tha segin. alle balde se to there burg flegin.
THI FRÉSA FOLGADE MITH VN.TVIVELIKE SINNE HO HJA THA BURG KREFTLIKE WINNE. thi fresa folgade mith un tuiuilika sinne. hu hi tha burg kreftlike wnne.
THACH VPPA THÀT LESTA WNNON HJA THA BURG ÀND HÉRAN THA BESTA. thag uppa thet leste wnnin iha tha burg and heran tha besta.

4. UT ASEGARJUCHT ~  KODEX FIVELGÁ

ASEGA IS.T THING.TID. ALSA ET IS. ALSAFORTH DÉIS. SA J BI LANDRJUCHTE JOW THING HÉJA ÀND HALDA VR ALLE JVWE BÀRJELDAN. Asega, ist thingtid? Alsa hit is. Alsafort deis, sa j bi londriuchte hio thing heia and halda ur alle ivwe berieldan,
ALSA FÉR SA.T HIM JVWE BANNARE KÉTHEN HETH SA ACH HI HIM TO VRBANNANE THINGS.LÉTANE. DERN.SONE. SVNDER.ACHT ÀND VNHLEST. alsa fyr sat him iuwe bonnere keth heth, sa ach bi bim to vrbonnane thingslitene, dernsone, sunderacht an vnhlest,
THÀT.ER ÉN MÀN DVE BIHALVA JVWE ORLOVI. SAHWEDER SA HI HÍR NW A WÀRVE SY SA HI FORTH TO WÀRVE KVME. thetter en mon dwe bihalua iuwe orleue, sa hwether sa hi hir nu a warue se sa hi forth to ware kume.
THES GRÉVA BAN BANNE IK VR ALLE MINE BÀRJELDAN. ALSA.DÉN TO LASTENE. SA THI ASEGA HETH TO RJUCHTA DÉLAD. Thes grewa bon bonne ic vr alle mine berieldan, alsaden to lastene, sa thi asega heth to riuchte deled.
ÀND HÀVE ALLERA MANNA EK MÉNE MITH SINE SÉLE. THÀT HI RJUCHTA TICHTAN TO WÀRVE BRÀNGE ÀND THÀT VNT'HÉLANDE SY. THÉR AN THA LJUDA FALLA ÀND AN THENE FRÁNA. And hebbe allera monna ek mene with sine sele, thet hi riuchte tichtan to ware brenge and thet vnthelande se, ther on tha liude falle an on thene frana.
ASEGA. HWAT AGON WI TO DVANDE IN THIS NYE JÉR. J AGON FRÉTHO TO BANNANDE THAM ÉROST. THÉR IS ALLERHÁGEST. ALLE GODISHUSUM ÀND ALLE GODISMANNUM Asega, hot age wi to dwane on thisse nie jera? J agen frethe to bonnane tham erst, ther is allerharist: alle godishusum end alle godismonnum
ÀND THES GODESHUS.IS ERVE THEN ALRAHÁGESTA FRÉTHE. THÀT ET NÉN MAN NE BINÉRE THA BITÉJE JEFTHA BITUNE. BIÀRE JEFTHA BISKÉRE. and thes godeshuses erue then alrahagista frethe, thet hit nen mon ne binere the biteszie iefta bitiune, biere iefta bischere.
THÀT AGON THA LJUDA TO LÒVJANE ÀND J AGON JVWE BAN THÉRAN TO LEZANE. WILLATH J THÀT LÒVJA MITHA HÔNDUM. JÀ. GOD. WI. Thet agen tha liude to lowiane and J agen iuwe bon theron to ledzane. Wellat J thet lowia mitha hondum? Ge, God, wi.
SA FANG J VP ALLE MÀNLIKE. SA BJAD IK (JV) THES GRÉVA BAN ALSADÉNE TO LÀSTANE. SA THI ASEGA DÉLAD HETH ÀND J LÒVAD HÀVATH. Sa fa J vp alle menlike. Sa biad ic iv thes grewa bon alsadene to lastane, sa thi asega delet heth and J lowat hebbat.

5. UT ÁK FRISESK RJUCHT ~ FORMA KODEX RÜSTRING


THÀT IS ÁK LANDRJUCHT. THÀT WI FRISA HAGON ÉNE SÉBURG TO STIFTANDE ÀND TO STERKANDE. ÉNE GOLDENE HOP THÉR VMBE AL FRISLAND LÉITH. Thet is ac londriucht, thet wi Frisa hagon ene seburch to stiftande and to sterande, enne geldene hop, ther umbe al Frislond lith;
THÉR SKIL AN WÉSA ALLERA GÉRDIK ÉVIN HÁG ÔRUM THÉR THI SALTA SÉ BÉDE THES DÉIS ÀND THES NACHTIS TO SWILATH. ther skil on wesa allera ierdik iuin har oron, ther thi salta se betha thes dis antes nachtes to swilith.
THÉR SKIL THI UTROSTE ÀND THI INROSTE THES WÉIGES PLICHTICH WÉSA. THA STRÉTE THES WINTERIS ÀND THES SÜMERIS MITH WIZE ÀND MITH WÉINE TO FÁRANDE THÀT THI WÉIN THA ÔRUN MÉTA MÜGE. Ther skil thi utrosta anti inrosta thes wiges plichtich wesa, tha strete thes wintres and thes sumures mith wegke and mith weine to farande, thet thi wein tha oron meta mugi;
ALSA THI INROSTE TO THA DIKE KVMTH SA HACH.ER ALSA GRÁTENE FRÉTHO VPPA THA DIKE [TO HÀVA] ALSA.R OVER THA WÍDLÁSA WÀRVE ÀND ALSA.R OVER THA WÍDE CHERKHOVE [HETH]. alsa thi inrosta to tha dike cumth, sa hagere alsa gratene fretho opa tha dike, alsare oua tha wilasa werpe and alsare oua tha wieda stherekhoui;
HETH.ER THÀN BUTA DIK ALSA FÉLO HÉL LAND ÀND GRÉNE TURVE THÀT.ER.NE DIKSTADEL MITH HALDA MÜGE. SA HALDE HI.NE THÉRMITH. heththere thenne buta dike alsa felo heles londes and grenes turues, thetterne dikstathul mithi halda mugi, sa halde hine thermithi.
ÁK NETH.ER NAVT SA FÉLO BUTA DIKE HÉL LAND ÀND GRÉNE TURVE. THÀT.ER.NE DIK MITH HALDA MÜGE. Ac neththere nauwet sa felo buta dike heles londes and grenes turues, thetterne dik mithi halda mugi,
SA HACH.ER BINNA DIKE THRITICH FÉT TURVE ÀND THRITICH FETHMA TO GÀRSE. THÀT SKIL WÉSA ALLA FÉNNA ANTHA FLÍ  ÉR SJONGTH WITTO.S DÉI. sa hagere binna dike thritich fota turues and thritich fethma to gerse; thet skel wesa alla fennon anda fili er sante Vitesdi.
UT SKILUN WI FRISA VS LAND HALDA MITH THRJU TÁWON. MITHA SPADA ÀND MITH THÉRE BÉRA  ÀND MITH THÉRE FORKE. Vta skilu wi Frisa vse lond halda mith thrium tauwon, mith tha spada and mith there bera and mith there forke.
ÁK SKILUN WI VS LAND WÉRA MITH ÁKE ÀND MITH ODE ÀND MITHA BRUNE SKILDE. MITH THENE STÁPE HELM ÀND MITH THENE RÁDE SKILD ÀND MITH THÀT VNRJUCHTE HÉRSKIP. Ac skilu wi use lond wera mith egge and mith orde and mith tha bruna skelde with thene stapa helm and with thene rada skeld and with thet unriuchte herskipi.
ALTHUS SKILUN WI FRISA HALDA VS LAND FON OVIRA TO BUTA. JEF VS GOD HELPA WILLATH ÀND SJONGTH PIRE. Aldus skilu wi Frisa halda use lond fon oua to uta, ief us God helpa wili and sante Peder.

6. UT THA DOMISDÉI TÉKNA ~ FORMA KODEX RÜSTRING

THIT SEND THA FIFTJAN TÉKNA THÉR ÉR DOMISDÉI KVMA SKILUN. THÉR SJONGTH GÉRNÔM FAND ESKRÉVEN AN THÉRA TJODANA BOKA. Thit send tha fiftine tekna, ther er domesdi koma skilun, ther sancte Ieronimus fand escrivin an thera Iothana bokon.
THES ÉROSTE DÉIS SA STÍGATH ALLE WÉTER FJUWERTICH FÁDEMA BOPPA ALLE BERGUM ÀND STONDATH TO LIKER WIS [AS] THJU MÜRE THÉR FON STÉNE WROCHTEN IS. 1. Thes erosta dis sa stigath alle wetir fiuwertich fethma bova alle bergon and stondath to likere wis and thiu mure, ther fon stene ewrocht is.
THES ÔTHERIS DÉIS SA WERTHATH SE LIK THÉRE SELVA SKIPNESE THÉR SE BIFÁRA WÉRON. 2. Thes otheres dis sa werthath se lik there selva skipnese, ther se bifara weron.
THES THREDDE DÉIS FALLATH SE ALSA SÍDE THÀT SE NÉN ÁGE BISJA NE MÉI. 3. Thes thredda dis fallath se al sa side, thet se nen age bisia ne mi.
THES SJVGUNDE DÉIS SA FALLATH ALLE THA TIMBER FON ÁSTA THÉRE WRALDE TO WESTA THÉRE WRALDE ÀND WÀRTHATH ALGADUR TOBRÉKAD. 7. Thes siugunda dis sa fallath alle tha timber fon asta there wralde to westa there wralde and werthat algadur tobreken.
THES TJANDE DÉIS WÀRTH THJU WRALDE ÉVINAD AN THÉRE SELVA SKIPNESE THÉR SE WAS ÉR SE VS DROCHTEN ESKÉPEN HÉDE. 10. Thes tianda dis werth thiu wrald eivenad an there selva skipnese, ther se was, er se use drochten eskepen hede.
THES THREDTINDE DÉIS SA FALLATH ALLE THA STÀRA FON THA HIMELE. 13. Thes thredtinda dis sa fallath alle tha stera fon tha himule.
THES FJUWERTINDE DÉIS SA STERVATH ALLE THA LJUDA ÀND SKILUN THÉRÀFTER VPSTONDA MITH ÔTHERA DÁDON. 14. Thes fiuwertinda dis sa stervath alle tha liode and skilun therefter upstonda mith othera dathon.
THÉRÀFTER WÀRTH DOMISDÉI. SA KVMTH VS HÉR MITH ALLE SINE ANGLON ÀND MITH ALLE SINE HÉLIGON. SA BÉVATH ALLE THJU WRALD ALSA THÀT ÀSPENE LÁF. Therefter werth domesdi. Sa cumth use hera mith alle sine anglon and mith alle sine heligon; sa bevath alle thiu wrald alsa thet espene laf,
ALSA SE HINI SJATH MITHA [KRUX] ÀND MITHA SPÉRI ÀND MITHA NAGLUM ÀND MITH THÉRE THORNENA KRONA ÀND MITHA FIF WNDUM THÉR HI ANTHA KRUX THJELDE FORI VS ÀNDFORI AL MÀNNISKALIK SLACHTE. alsa se hini siath mith tha criose and mith tha spiri and mith tha neylon and mith there thornena crona and mith tha fif wndon, ther hi an tha criose tholade fori us and fori al mannesklik slachte.

NÉIWIRD FRÉTH.S ÁSTROM.S

THÉR SKILUN ALTID SKEPPANDE ÀND NYS​.GÍRIGA MÀNNISKA BILÍWA THAM THRVCH SOK BVNDEN WRDON. HJA SKILUN SVMTID MÀNNISKA WÉSA MITH FRÉSE OFKVMSTE MEN ÉL.ÀND.AL NAVT FON SELVA. T.IS TO SÉRE ~ SA.K SEZA MÉI ~ TO SÉRE KESTLIK ÀND GRÁT VMB.ET ALLÉNA BY THA FRÉSE TO LÉTANE. ET HETH.NE FÜL GRÁTERE BITJVTNESE.

00:00 BIJIN
00:12 ~1~ UT THA SJVGUN KÉRA
01:49 ~2~ UT THA TWIA TWILIF LANDRJUCHTA
03:10 ~3~ EN DÉL FON ALRA FRÉSKE FRYDOM
04:38 ~4~ UT ASEGARJUCHT
06:34 ~5~ UT ÁK FRISESK RJUCHT
08:40 ~6~ UT THA DOMISDÉI TÉKNA
11:02 NÉIWIRD FRÉTH.S ÁSTROM.S


28 September 2023

THÀT.STV MIN LJAFSTE BIST

EN SANG VR FRÉJA JEFTHA KWÉSTA


~ THÀT.STV MIN LJAFSTE BIST. THÀT.STV WEL WÉTST.

KVM BI THÉR NACHT. KVM BI THÉR NACHT. SEZ HO THV HÉTST. (2x)

~ KVM.STV MID.NACHTIS. KVM.STV STAND ÉN.

FÉDER SLÉPTH. MODER SLÉPTH. IK SLÉP AL.ÉN (2x)

~ KLÀP AN THA RVMHIS.DURE FAT AN THA KLINGK.

FÉDER DRÁMTH. MODER MÉNTH. THÀT DVATH THA WIND. (2x)

~ THÁ THÀN THI MORNE KVMTH. KRÉIATH WEL THA HÔNE.

LJAFSTE MIN. LJAFSTE MIN. THÁ MOSTV GÁ. (2x) 

07 August 2023

Oera Linda — comparing translations: Liberty or Freedom?

Sandbach (1876: translation of Dutch 1872 translation, no study of the Fryas language) 

vs. Ott (2024, translation of original manuscript text, after 14 years study of the Fryas language — updated May 2, '24):

a sample

Sandbach p. 3, Ott ch. B

VMB VSA LJAWA ÉTHLA​.S WILLE ÀND VMB VSA LJAWA FRYDOM​.S WILLE

S: for the sake of our dear forefathers, and of our dear liberty

O: For our beloved ancestors’ sake, and for the sake of our precious freedom

THRVCHDAM WI HJARA LJUDA TO SPRÉKE THVRA, VR FRYDOM

S: because we dare to speak to their people of liberty

O: because we dare speak to their people of freedom

Sandbach p. 17, Ott ch. 2f

THÁ HJA JÉROCH WRDON. THÁ LÉRDE HJU HJAM THJU WÉRTHA FON THA FRYDOM KÀNNA

S: when they were grown she taught them the value of liberty

O: when they grew up, she gave them to understand the value of freedom

SVNDER FRYDOM SEND ALLE ÔTHERA DÜGEDON ALLÉNA GOD VMBE JO TO SLÁVONA TO MAKJANDE

S: Without liberty all other virtues serve to make you slaves

O: Without freedom, all other virtues will only help make you into slaves

Sandbach p. 39, Ott ch. 3e

HJA MACHTON FRY LÉTEN WÉSA BY ÀRGE LOFTUM

S: they may have obtained their liberty by making treacherous promises

O: they may have been set free in exchange for traitorous promises

Sandbach p. 101, Ott ch. 9d

BIFÁRA THÀT FINDA​.S.FOLK RIP TOFARA FRYDOM SY

S: before Finda's people will be ripe for liberty

O: before Finda’s folk are ripe for freedom

Sandbach p. 107, Ott ch. 10b

THÀT​.ER TO LÔNGE LESTA FON ÉLIK SA ÀND FON FRYDOM HA NAVT ÔWERS AS THA SKIN ÀND THA NÔME VR BILÉF

S: that at long last nothing remained of liberty but the shadow and the name

O: that, at long last, nothing remained of equality and freedom beyond illusions and words

Sandbach p. 111, Ott ch. 11a

BITHAM HJA HJARA SÉDE VRLÉREN THÀN SKOLDE HJA ÁK HJARA FRYDON (→FRYDOM) VRLJASA

S: if they lost their morals they would soon lose their liberty

O: if they should lose their morals, they would also lose their freedom

Sandbach p. 183-185, Ott ch. 15b

IN ÉRA TIDA NISTON THA SLÁVONA FOLKAR NAWET FON FRYHÉD

S: In the olden times, the Slavonic race knew nothing of liberty

O: In early times, the slave peoples knew nothing of freedom

FON HJAM HÉRADON HJA KÀLTA VR É​.LIKA FRYDOM ÀND RJUCHT ÀND OVERA É​WA

S: From them they heard of liberty, of justice, and laws

O: From these, they heard talk of equal freedom, justice, and laws

Sandbach p. 217, Ott ch. 16e

NV IS DÜGED FON UT HJARA MIDDEN WÉKEN. WISDOM IS FOLGTH ÀND FRÍDOM (→FRYDOM) IS MITH GVNGEN

S: virtue passed away, wisdom and liberty followed

O: virtue has vanished from their midst; wisdom followed and freedom went with it

- - - - - -

etymonline.com: »from Latin libertatem (nominative libertas) "civil or political freedom, condition of a free man; absence of restraint; permission," from liber "free"«

Freedom and Liberty in Webster's Complete Dictionary of the English Language, London 1886 (edition of 1880)

09 July 2023

March 29 presentation and news

The edited video recording of the presentation in Joure for the In-Sight Foundation is now ready, with subtitles* in English, German, Dutch, Swedish and Danish:







=== other news ===

OL-wiki:

Ott & Stafford Fr(y)day calls:
  • We have recorded six thus far (see playlist). The seventh (July 7) failed because of bad audio.
[* with many thanks to our Danish volunteer Pax!]

05 June 2023

Preparation of 5th edition Codex Oera Linda

Now that the 4th edition is sold out, the 5th is being [will be]* prepared.

It will no longer have the design of alternating translation and transliteration, but proper paragraphs with on the right (odd) pages the translation and on the left (even) pages a transcription of the original text in Fryas Standskrift. Book size will be like the first two editions (17 x 24 cm), hardcover. It will include some manuscript pages (in black/white, greyscale), no longer colour copies of all 190 manuscript pages.

[Both transcription and translation are currently being revised.]*

sample pages

A pre-order possibility may be added to the webshop. Intended production in August [September]*.

[* edits July 9]

13 May 2023

Notes to Kat lady video

An woman named 'Kat' made a video "The Oera Linda Book- Comparing Translations" with claims about Oera Linda and its English translations, including Sandbach's and mine (applauding the first and rejecting the latter). I will post a few examples of the strange twists of mind and low research quality demonstrated in the video.

1. Sandbach's "Kat the priestess"

At ca. 3:26 a video maker was strongly criticized because he referred to burgmaids as "priestesses" (image 1). Later she praises Sandbach's translation (image 2), not aware that the video maker used it (image 3). Compare original manuscript fragment and transliteration Ottema (image 4), also translation Ott (image 5).


1. 3.
2.
4.

5.

2. Video of first Fr(y)day call by Ott and Stafford with screenshare: introduction to Oera Linda-wiki and Oera Linda-forum, to word studies and other news. We also discuss the words referred to in the Kat lady video.

00:00 Start of call
02:00 Magy or magus, 'mágjara'
04:50 Raubenheimer 'translation'
08:52 Atland flood year
10:01 Frisland on old maps
10:24 Why new translation?
11:49 More about 'mágí'
13:17 Oera Linda-wiki
14:30 Magyars/magi, Gola/Gauls
16:00 Trump's MAGA, 'màga'
17:58 Sandbach's 'priestess'
18:57 'Vnfrya weld': domination
21:42 Pronunciation 'Frya', Fryslân
24:10 Pronunciation 'Jan', Jon
25:57 Two 'Kát'/Kate characters
27:25 Navigating wiki/translations
29:07 Word and grammar studies
30:08 Frya's Standskrift font
30:29 Project volunteers
31:30 Oera Linda-forum
35:30 'Anfang', beginning/potential
38:39 'T' for 'the', 'to', 'it', or 'at'
40:25 Tamfana, temple, tempus, time
40:55 Begin, 'bijin', beguines
42:30 Future discussions
43:50 New (5th) Codex edition
44:07 New Dutch translation
44:30 Live presentations
44:40 Various end notes and conclusion