Formy kontaktów dyplomatycznych między władcami frankijskimi a Obodrytami i Wieletami od końca VIII do X wieku

This article is dedicated to the diplomatic relations of the Obodrites and the Veleti (who, in the tenth century, were associated within the Lutitian Union in which the Redarians played a key role) with the Frankish monarchy from the late eighth century to the tenth century. The author attempts to reconstruct the course of these relations, during war and peace alike. Negotiations usually ended with the release of hostages and exacting tribute. In extreme cases, they resulted in the abolition of the office of principal duke or in a change of the ruler. In the latter instance, Slavic envoys would arrive at a meeting organized by the Frankish rulers or at one of their courts. These were not spontaneous meetings as shown by the Slav-Frankish military cooperation and bilateral consultations. In the tenth century, the relations between the Slavs and the East Frankish monarchy were of a highly military nature, and their course did not deviate significantly from the pattern developed in the earlier period. However, the contacts with the East Frankish state maintained by Nakon and Mstivoj deviated from the aforementioned pattern, especially in the case of Mstivoj, whose relations followed a pattern that emerged in the ninth century.