Ульріх фон Вердум

Activity: International Politics, Politics
Date of Birth: January 1, 1632
Date of Death: March 20, 1681
Navigator: The Cossack Era

Born on January 1, 1632. Died on March 20, 1681. A diplomat, historian, chronicler, and traveler from Friesland. He undertook several journeys through the lands of present-day Ukraine, which he described in detail in his memoirs.

Ulrich von Werdum was born in Friesland (a historical region on the coast of the North Sea) into a noble family. He received a home education and later entered the University of Franeker, where he studied theology, law, and medicine. In 1670, after the death of his parents, he inherited a considerable fortune; however, instead of managing his estates and living a calm and prosperous life, he set off on a journey with his brother Alexander.
In Hamburg, the brothers met Jean de Courton, Abbot of Pomier, an agent of the French government who traveled under the name Monsieur de Beauval. His adventurous mission was to overthrow the Polish king Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki and replace him with the French prince Charles Paris, Duke of Longueville. At this point, the brothers parted ways temporarily: Alexander went to Sweden, where he became a tutor to the famous diplomat Bengt Oxenstierna, while Ulrich joined the abbot and embarked on a two-year journey worthy of an adventure novel in the “cloak-and-dagger” genre—traveling incognito, facing attacks by bandits, engaging in espionage intrigues, and meeting various influential figures. In 1671, von Werdum even served in the army of Hetman Jan III Sobieski. However, at the beginning of the Franco-Dutch War, Prince Charles Paris unexpectedly drowned while crossing the Rhine, which nullified all the efforts of Courton and his companion.
Between 1670 and 1672, von Werdum traveled four times through the territories of present-day Ukraine, carefully recording everything he observed—from geographical and cultural features to interconfessional and military-political relations. In particular, he noted the justice of the Ukrainian national liberation struggle led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, stating that “the Polish lords treat the peasants worse than slaves or dogs.” His routes passed through the territories of today’s Lviv, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. He visited Lviv, Zhovkva, Yavoriv, Bar, and many other towns and villages, describing their history, architecture, and everyday life in detail, often enriching his observations with vivid commentary.
In 1672, Ulrich von Werdum, together with the Abbot of Pomier, arrived in Paris, but he declined the offer to enter his service and returned to Friesland, later traveling to Sweden to join his brother. There, he was presented to the king and received the position of court master, which ensured him a life full of travels and interesting acquaintances. Together with his brother, he collaborated with Count Oxenstierna, took part in a major diplomatic mission to Vienna, carried out risky assignments during the Danish-Swedish War, and in January 1676 was invited to participate in peace negotiations in Nijmegen. However, due to urgent matters, he had to return to his homeland, where Christina Charlotte of Württemberg, the ruling princess of East Friesland, appointed him to a court position.
Ulrich von Werdum died in his castle on March 20, 1681, leaving no descendants, and was buried in the family crypt. His memoirs were published posthumously in 1786–1788, and in 1876 they were translated into Polish. Although his acquaintance with Ukraine lasted only two years, von Werdum’s notes remain a valuable source of information about the towns and villages of the Chełm region, Podillia, and Galicia, as well as about the diverse cultural landscape of that era.

Author: Olha Herasymenko