Udo

Who was Udo?

Udo, born Pribignev, was an Obodrite leader in the early eleventh century. His name Udo, of Germanic origin, was probably given him at his Christian baptism, perhaps after his possible godfather, Lothair Udo I of Stade. His father, Mistiwoi, had abandoned Christianity.

Since two contemporary Obodrite princes are recorded, Anadrag and Gneus, Udo's power could not have been that extensive. According to Adam of Bremen and Helmold following him, Udo as a male Christianus. He was assassinated in 1028 by a Saxon, allegedly for cruelty. By his wife, a Dane, Udo left a son, Gottschalk, who later united the Obodrites under him and became a champion of Christianity.