Godlib (Prince of Encouragement)

Godlib (Godolyub, Godeleib, Godlav, was killed in 808) - one of the specific princes of the Union of encouraged . The brother of the great princes of the Union of encouraged - Traskon and Slavomir .

His name in comes from the Low German Godleifr (Godleifr). It has been suggested that the name may simply be a form of the Slavic name Bohuslav.

In 808, after the death of Traskon, he was captured and hanged by the army of Goodfred , the ruler of southern Denmark, who attacked the tribal alliance of the encouragers and seized part of their lands, including the settlement of Rerik (there is information that the Danes called Veligrad). It is impossible to absolutely say for sure whether he could ever become the successor of Traskon as the Grand Duke, or would continue to lead only some part of the tribal union.

According to F. Wigger, Danish and English sources also called Godlib the prince of the Vikings.

The writer Marmieu in 1857 published a legend telling about the sons of Godlib:

Another Mecklenburg tradition deserves mention, as it relates to the history of a great power. In the 8th century AD, a tribe of encouragement was ruled by a king named Godlav, the father of three young men, equally strong, courageous and hungry for glory. The first was called Rurik, the second Sivar, the third Truvar. Three brothers, not having the opportunity to test their courage in the peaceful kingdom of their father, decided to go in search of battles and adventures in other lands. ... After many good deeds and terrible battles, the brothers whom they admired and blessed came to Russia. The people of this country suffered under the burden of a long tyranny, against which no one else dared to rebel. Three brothers, touched by his misfortune, awakened in him a lulled courage, gathered an army, led him and overthrew the power of the oppressors. Having restored peace and order in the country, the brothers decided to return to their old father, but the grateful people urged them not to leave and take the place of the former kings. Then Rurik received the Principality of Novgorod, Sivar Pskov, Truvor Beloozersk. After some time, since the younger brothers died without leaving children, Rurik annexed their principalities to his own and became the head of the dynasty that reigned until 1598.