You must preserve these books with body and soul. They contain the
history of all our people, as well as of our forefathers. Last year
I saved them in the flood, as well as you and your mother; but they
got wet, and therefore began to perish. In order not to lose them,
I copied them on foreign paper.
In case you inherit them, you must copy them likewise, and your
children must do so too, so that they may never be lost.
Written at Liuwert, in the three thousand four hundred and forty-ninth
year after Atland was submerged--that is, according to the Christian
reckoning, the year 1256. Hiddo, surnamed Over de Linda.--Watch.
Beloved successors, for the sake of our dear forefathers, and of our
dear liberty, I entreat you a thousand times never let the eye of
a monk look on these writings. They are very insinuating, but they
destroy in an underhand manner all that relates to us Frisians. In
order to gain rich benefices, they conspire with foreign kings, who
know that we are their greatest enemies, because we dare to speak to
their people of liberty, rights, and the duties of princes. Therefore
they seek to destroy all that we derive from our forefathers, and
all that is left of our old customs.
Ah, my beloved ones! I have visited their courts! If Wr-alda permits
it, and we do not shew ourselves strong to resist, they will altogether
exterminate us.
Liko, surnamed over de Linda.
Written at Liudwert, Anno Domini 803.