Principality of Jersika

Principality of Jersika
terra Lettia (Latin)
Лотыголa (Russian)
1041/1190–1239
Principality of Jersika in the 12th–13th centuries
Principality of Jersika in the 12th–13th centuries
CapitalJersika
Common languagesLatgalian
Religion
Eastern Orthodoxy, Paganism
GovernmentMonarchy
Prince 
• 13th century
Visvaldis
History 
• Established
1041/1190
• Disestablished
1239
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Principality of Polotsk
Bishopric of Riga
Livonian Order
Today part ofLatvia

The Principality of Jersika (Latin: Gerzika, terra Lettia; German: Gerzika, Zargrad; Russian: Герсикское княжество, Ерсикское княжество) was a medieval Latgalian principality in the east of modern-day Latvia, and one of the largest medieval states in Latvia before the Northern Crusades. The capital of Jersika was located on a hill fort 165 kilometres (103 mi) southeast of Riga. In documents written in Latin from the 13th century, the Principality′s western part is called Lettia, and the eastern part in Old East Slavic called Lotigola.[citation needed]