Jersika (Gerzike, Gerceke, Gercike) was a Latgalian country that in the 12th – 13th century occupied a vast territory in the fast flow pool of Daugava and in the North was bordering with Idumeja, Talava and Atzele, in the East – with the Polotsk grand duke lands, in the South – with Daugava and Selonian lands behind it and with Lithuania, but in the West – with Koknese and the Turaida’s Livonian lands. Jersika was divided into 7 districts (Asote, Lepene, Autine, Alene, Zerdene, Negste, Cesvaine), there the Autine, Cesvaine, Alene, Gerdene, Negste, Marciena, Lepene, Asote and Beberine castles were located. In the political and the economic senses the country of Jersika was connected with the Russian principalities and Lithuania. Christian faith was introduced from the Russian lands. In the summer of 1209 the German crusaders unexpectedly attacked the Jersika castle and destroyed it. The governer of Jersika Visvaldis was forced to surrender and give his country to the bishop of Riga and get it back as a suzerain. In the autumn of 1211, possibly, already after the death of Visvaldis, the bishop took possession of Asote, Lepene, and Autine, but the Brother of the Sword – Alene, Zerdene, Negaste and Cesvaine.
