Dragovit (Latin: Drogoviz; German: Dragowit; Polish: Drogowit; died in 810;[1]) was a pagan ruler (prince or chief) of the Veleti (Latin: rex Wiltorum; "king of the Wiltzes"). It is thought that Dragovit began his rule c. 740.[2]
Because of their constant hatred and hostility toward the Franks,[3] in the late 8th century, Frankish king Charlemagne organised campaigns against the Veleti, and fellow Slavic tribe of the Linonen. With the aid of Frisian, Obodrite,[a]Saxon and Sorbian[b] reinforcements, Charlemagne managed to cross the Elbe River, advancing toward the Havel River into Veleti territory. Outnumbered, Dragovit, in 789, was forced to pledge loyalty to the Franks and surrender hostages.[4] Among others, Dragovit was also forced to pay a tribute and accept the influence of Christian missionaries among his people.[5]
His capital was a fortification known as civitas Dragowiti (City of Dragovit). Its location is hypothesised to be either at Brandenburg an der Havel[6] or Demmin.[2]
^Kazimierz Wachowski, Gerard Labuda: Słowiańszczyzna zachodnia. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskiego Towarzystwa Przyjaciól Nauk, 2000, p. 67. ISBN 9788370632717. (in Polish)