Dervan

Derwan was an early prince of the Sorbs in the early 7th century and the first known Sorb (North West Slavs ).

Derwan is referred to in the Fredegarchronik as prince ( dux ) of the West Slavic tribe of the Sorbs. He is the first ruler of the Northwestern Slavs, over which the sources report ( to 631/632 ). The country between the Elbe and Saale was 531/34, after the end of the Thuringian kingdom, area of ​​influence of the Frankish Empire. The Sorbs are said to have the Franks allegedly subject for a long time. When the Merovingian King Dagobert I in the Battle of Wogastisburg suffered a defeat against the Slavs Samo ruler, Derwan fell with his followers from to Samo. His historicity has been variously disputed. For further messages Fredegar is to conclude that Derwan and his tribe settled east of the Saale. Thus the mention Derwans is also the first source of evidence for the presence of Slavs north of the Ore Mountains.