AABS is pleased to congratulate James Montgomery Baxenfield for completing the fieldwork for his project “Finding Morta,” for which he received the Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies.
Combining scholarly research and creative production, Montgomery Baxenfield investigated a legend about Latgalian origin of the first and only Lithuanian Queen, Morta Mindaugienė (c. 1210–1263)
His full report is below, edited and published by AABS with his consent. Enjoy the story and the photos!
James Montgomery Baxenfield,
staying out of the sun in the midst of fieldwork, 2023
James Montgomery Baxenfield is a Junior Research Fellow and doctoral candidate in the field of history at Tallinn University. The main focus of his research is the idea of establishing a Latvian-Lithuanian state, which he examines in his dissertation “Footnotes to the Past: The Unrealised Idea of a Latvian-Lithuanian State, 1884–1984.” Baxenfield was a guest co-editor of the Acta Historica Tallinnensia 2022 special issue “Recognition: de facto and de jure” that marked the centenary of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian diplomatic recognition by the United States of America. He was a 2022 recipient of the AABS Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies.
A “Fantastic Opportunity”
Baumanis Grant Report from James Montgomery Baxenfield
For this project, the Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies was used to undertake fieldwork expeditions in Latvia, primarily in the Latgale region. During these excursions I investigated a legend about Latgalian origin of the first and only Lithuanian Queen, Morta Mindaugienė (c. 1210–1263). According to the legend, Morta (or Marta as she is known in Latvia) was the daughter of the lord of the Madelānu castle mound, which is located about 2.5 km southeast from the village of Aglona. By the dirt road approaching the partially preserved Madelānu castle mound is a weathered and sun-bleached sign, the English text of which reads:
Weathered sign at Madelanu Castle Mound (2023)
Madelanu castle mound is considered to be one of the most beautiful castle mounds in Latvia. Its relative height is 20m. In recent past [sic] the south of the mound was agriculturally managed, and that is the reason why the fortifications are no longer seen. Only on the south hillside [sic, north hillside – JMB] there are two terraces seen. It is supposed that in the past the terraces was [sic] all around the mound. The first inhabitants came to the mound some 3000 years ago. There are pottery and tools from that time found. The prosperity of the castle mound was in 12–13 century, when the latgalian [sic] landlords with their people lived there. Then there were many buildings around the castle mound at that time. The chronicler J. Rivius claimed that in 1263 the king of Lithuania Mindaugas was killed and buried somewhere in the neighborhood of Aglona. King Mindaugas had married Marta, the daughter of the lord of the Madelānu castle.
Besides the legend of Morta’s Latgalian origins, the Madelānu castle mound and the land surround it contains a fascinating archaeological history. An intriguing element of this, which fuels the imagination in connection with this creative project, was the discovery of a woman’s grave during an archaeological dig in 1984. Dating to the 12th century, and found among 12 uncovered graves, lying on her back, her arms bent at the elbows, with her head towards the North-West, and laid upon ferns and creepers. Her grave stands out as it was rich with archaeological findings: bronze combs, glass beads, along with a shell necklace, rings, and bronze bracelets the ends of which depicted animal heads. She also wore a pair of woollen shoes decorated with bronze bells that were said to have still sounded when they were unearthed. However, what captures the imagination most is that within the grave was also found a crown made of woollen cloth along with the remains of a bronze crown.
Although the grave belonging to the century preceding Morta’s, it is tempting to draw a direct connection. Perhaps the woman in the grave was a progenitor, or an unrelated and now unknown individual onto whom the historical personality of Morta was grafted. At the threshold of recorded history in the region, the woman’s identity will likely remain a mystery, although considering the manner of her burial, she was certainly an important person within the community that she lived. Though beguiling, and notwithstanding tentative claims being made on less anecdotal and circumstantial evidence, the aim of this creative research was not to prove that Morta had come from Latgale. Rather, it was to investigate the legend and contribute to the writing of a manuscript composed of three distinct parts: 1) a comprehensive historiographical study; 2) a travelogue of expeditions to Latgale; and, 3) a piece of creative non-fiction, incorporating information from the first two sections. Essentially a creative work with an academic core that incorporates three popular literary genres – history, travel writing, and (creative non-)fiction – focusing upon the life, identity, and legacy of Morta.
Madelanu Castle Mound (2023)
Northern slope terraces of Madelanu Castle Mound (2023)
Documenting Madelanu Castle Mound and surrounding area (2023)
The Baumanis Grant was specifically used to undertake expeditions in the Latgale region, investigating the legend by collecting folktales about it from locals. During expeditions for this creative project, I embarked upon several hikes branching out from Aglona following trails and roads to various historical sites, often other castle mounds. These hikes would often begin from the Madelānu castle mound to see how it was positioned in relation to other castle mounds from the same period. The four-volume work of Ernests Brastiņš (1892–1942), Latvijas pilskalni (Latvian castle mounds), published between 1923 and 1930, was my principal guide, especially the third volume on Latgale. These activities will be presented within the travelogue section of the manuscript, which focuses on the search for physical and anecdotal evidence of Morta within the Latgale region. Through utilising historical maps to plot journeys that followed routes that existed in the 13th century (insofar as it was possible), and conversations with local hikers, I became aware of numerous locations throughout Latvia that bear the name Mindaugas (or variations of it), expanding the geographical range of my activities. In total I found eight places across Latvia, ranging from things as small as a pond or building to a lake located in a restricted area of the Teiči Nature Reserve. So far, I have not been able to establish how these places came to have their names. While it may be a simple case of the land being owned by a person with that name in the more recent past, their remote locations (especially the lake, located in a primeval forest) certainly fuel the imagination, particularly as the location of Mindaugas’ court (referred to as Voruta once in the Hypatian Codex) is unknown.
Statue of Morta and Mindaugas, Aglona (2023)
The initial plan had been to undertake three extended periods of investigation between summer 2022 and December 2023, exploring the region and gathering stories and information. However, due to other work commitments (e.g. teaching, attending conferences, archival visits, etc.), these visits had to be broken up into several shorter trips ranging from long weekends to a couple of weeks. Nevertheless, between July 2022 and December 2023, these visits amounted to approximately three months spread across four seasons, with the bulk of activity taking place in spring and autumn 2023. Throughout the excursions through Latgale and the surrounding region, during warmer weather, I spent time sleeping out in the open. The purpose of this was to try to gain a sense of what it might have been like living and travelling through the region at a time when there were no modern conveniences, like in the 13th century. I kept a journal of experiences and impressions obtained during these trips, such as the sounds of the forest at night, the effects of weather and temperature on my mood, and the insects that annoy you at night when you are trying to rest. I draw from this journal in both the travelogue and the creative non-fiction story with which the manuscript concludes.
Vidzeme forest trail (2023)
The longest individual hike was over 200 km, from Aglona and the town of Koknese in Vidzeme, during April 2023. A related legend tells of a black marble tombstone with a Latin inscription that marked the grave of Mindaugas, which was later moved from Aglona to Koknese. This legend can potentially be traced back to the 16th century, to fragments of a lost Lithuanian history written by Augustinus Rotundus (1520–1582), referred to in the Chronicle of Rivius, (c. 1697–1730s) which was purchased by the historian Teodor Narbutt (1784–1864) in Reval (present-day Tallinn) in 1808. Narbutt referenced it frequently in his work, though most of this suspected forgery was allegedly lost in a fire at his home. The former Hanseatic town of Koknese, with its ruins of a castle dating back to the 13th century, was one of the highlights of this creative research. Although the further away from Aglona I travelled the less frequently the legend of Morta’s Latgalian origins appeared to be known, I met several people in Koknese through the hotel where I was staying and the local Tourist Information Centre who became interested and enthusiastic about the legend of the black marble stone and its connection to Koknese. During the days that I spent there a few residents kindly showed me around the town, taking the time to acquaint me its history from medieval to modern times. Located at the confluence of the Daugava and Persē rivers, in the past, the castle was situated on a hill, but a hydroelectric dam built in 1966 created a reservoir that flooded the Daugava River valley – a stark reminder of how much the landscape has changed, even in recent times. The Koknese Tourist Information Centre has an excellent interactive digital exhibition detailing the changes in the landscape following the construction of the dam. It is filled with images of how the valley used to look, showing various settlements and former landmarks that are now underwater.
Daugava River (2023)
Koknese Castle Ruins (2023)
With some residents of Koknese I am looking into the possibility of creating a statue featuring a reproduction of the black marble tombstone. The aim is to highlight the legend and add to the rich tapestry of history already on display in Koknese for both locals and visitors. The principal idea is to engage members of the public and promote interest in local history by organising a competition soliciting designs for the statue and short essays with suggestions about where it could be located. There is also a tentative idea to link this initiative to Baltic Unity Day celebrations, which take place every year on the 22nd September. The date of the annual Latvian and Lithuanian celebration commemorates the 1263 Battle of Saule, in which a combined force of Samogitians and Semigallians won a decisive victory over the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.
The Baumanis Grant provided me with a fantastic opportunity to spend time researching an area of history that has interested me since I was an undergraduate student and develop it into a creative project. It afforded me the time and means to immerse myself in the activity, allowing me the chance to visit several museums and innumerable historic sites that not only informed this creative research but raised my understanding of Latvian history overall. Moreover, it provided a context that allowed me to meet various individuals engaged in cultural heritage work and other people interested in history who I would be unlikely to meet otherwise. Some of these meetings have led to ideas for future initiatives and collaborations. Currently, the manuscript is a developing draft, however, there will be a short hiatus in its completing as I focus on finishing my PhD. Nevertheless, a Lithuanian publisher based in Vilnius has expressed interest in the project and manuscript.
Hill of Christ the King (Kristus Karaļa kalns), Aglona (2023)
Confluence of Aiviekste River and Daugava River (2023)
Aglona Basilica (2023)
What is the Baumanis Grant?
The Baumanis Grant is an award made to honor Velta Marija Baumanis of Mount Brydges, Ontario, who left a generous bequest to AABS at the end of her career as an architect. An award of up to $7,000 is available for any creative project (e.g., book, film, exhibit, etc.) that promotes Baltic studies. Preference is given to topics with a pan-Baltic or comparative aspect. Applicants must be members of the AABS at the time of application.
Other Grants and Fellowships News
Preserving Baltic Roma Heritage: Baumanis Grant Report from Agnieška Avin
AABS is pleased to congratulate Agnieška Avin for the successful completion of her Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies. Avin used her Baumanis Grant to visit the national archives of the Baltic states and their collections on Roma people. Avin's...
First Female Presidents: Baumanis Grant Report from Ausra Park
AABS is pleased to congratulate Ausra Park for the successful application of her Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies to her ongoing project examining female heads of state in Central and Eastern Europe. In a transnational project, Park examines...
Webinar: Applying for the Baumanis and Events and Projects Grants
The Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies will host a webinar on applying for two grant opportunities, the Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies and the new Academic Events and Projects Grant, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from...