Bearslayer A free translation from the unrhymed Latvian into English heroic verse

"Bearslayer" by Andrejs Pumpurs is an epic tale that sings of a legendary Latvian hero during the tumultuous 13th century. The story paints a picture of national identity through the saga of Bearslayer, a figure blessed with immense strength and courage, who is charged with defending his people against German invaders. The tale begins with the gods deciding the fate of Latvia, when Perkons, the God of Thunder, announces the arrival of a mighty hero rescued from a river, destined to confront evil. This hero, who earns his name by slaying a bear, sets off to discover his past and prepare for his future. Along his path, he faces enemies both human and supernatural, navigates dangerous deceptions, and grows in strength and wisdom, as he battles not only exterior forces but also treachery that threaten his mission and the fate of his homeland.