The Hauksbók (written, mostly by Haukr Erlendsson, between 1302 – 1310) contains an interesting geographical compendium which has in it a description of Central and Eastern Europe. The geography of this list is similar to several other descriptions of the same area found in Nordic writing.
“There is a kingdom there that is called Ruthenia. We call it Gardariki.T here are there these main cities: Muron, Rostov, Suzdal, Syrnes [Gnezdovo?], Gadar [Gorodok?], Polotsk [Pultusk?]*, Kiev. There settled first Magog, the son of Japhet, the son of Noah. Close to Gardariki are located these lands: Karelia, Reval, Tavastia/Häme, Vironia, Estonia, Livland, Kurland, Ermland/Warmia, Poland, Wendland. Wendland is westernmost Denmark.** To the east of Poland lies Reidgotaland and then Hunaland. The kingdoms of Germany are called…“
[*note: elsewhere referred to as Palteskjuborg]
[**note: the most straightforward reading here suggests that Wendland is to the West of Denmark. (Rather than this is the westernmost of the lands mentioned). This could be a reference to the Wends in what is today’s Netherlands – that is the Wiltzi.]
I þui riki er þat er Ruzcia heitir. þat kollum ver Gardariki. Þar ero þessir hofud gardar. Moramar. Rostofa. Surdalar. Holmgardr. Syrnes. Gadar. Palteskia. Koenugardr. þar bygdi fyst. Magon sonr Iafeths Noa sonar. Hia Garda riki liggia lond þessi. Kirialir. Refalir. Tafeistaland. Virland. Eistland. Lifland. Kur land. Erm land. Pulina land. Vindland. er vestast nest Danmork. En austr fra Polena er Reidgota land. oc þa Hunland. Germania riki heitir…
Note too, the reference above to Taphana which is Taprobane on Sri Lanka and notice the similarity with the goddess Taephana (Tāfanae as rendered by Tacitus).
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