Livonian Brothers of the Sword: Difference between revisions
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Since its founding, the order tended to ignore its supposed vassalage to the bishops. In [[1218]] the [[bishop]] asked for help from the Danish king, [[Valdemar II]] - but he instead made an agreement with the Sword Brothers order and conquered the north of Estonia. |
Since its founding, the order tended to ignore its supposed vassalage to the bishops. In [[1218]] the [[bishop]] asked for help from the Danish king, [[Valdemar II]] - but he instead made an agreement with the Sword Brothers order and conquered the north of Estonia. |
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The Sword brethren headquarters were at [[Viljandi]] (Fellin) in German. The walls of the Grandmaster's castle are still standing. Other stongholds include: [[Wenden]], [[Segewold]] and [[Ascheraden]]. |
The Sword brethren headquarters were at [[Viljandi]] (Fellin) in German. The walls of the Grandmaster's castle are still standing. Other stongholds include: [[Wenden]], [[Segewold]] and [[Ascheraden]]. The commanders of [[Viljandi]] (Fellin) [[Kuldiga]] (Goldingen ), [[Aluksne]] [Marienburg), [[Tallinn]] and the bailiff of [[Paide]] (Järva) belonged to the 5-membered entourage of the Order Grandmaster |
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The [[Lithuania|Lithuanians]] beat the Brothers at the battle of [[Battle of Siauliai|Siauliai]] in [[1236]]. They are reported as having suffered fifty deaths from amongst their ranks. Next year the order joined with the [[Teutonic Knights]] of [[Prussia]], switching to their rules but maintaining administrative independence in their conquered lands. Between [[1288]] and [[1290]] they managed to conquer all of [[Courland]] and [[Livonia]]. In [[1346]] the united orders bought the rest of Estonia from [[Valdemar IV Atterdag]], king of Denmark. |
The [[Lithuania|Lithuanians]] beat the Brothers at the battle of [[Battle of Siauliai|Siauliai]] in [[1236]]. They are reported as having suffered fifty deaths from amongst their ranks. Next year the order joined with the [[Teutonic Knights]] of [[Prussia]], switching to their rules but maintaining administrative independence in their conquered lands. Between [[1288]] and [[1290]] they managed to conquer all of [[Courland]] and [[Livonia]]. In [[1346]] the united orders bought the rest of Estonia from [[Valdemar IV Atterdag]], king of Denmark. |
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With the decline of the Teutonic Order by the middle of the fifteenth century, the Sword Borthers decided to resume their independece. In [[1557]] the Polish king [[Sigismund II of Poland|Sigismund II Augustus]] intervenied in a war between the bishop of Riga and the Brothers. After an agreement with the king, the last grandmaster of the order, [[Gotthard Kettler]] secularized the order, and converted to Lutheran church. In the south part of the Brothers' lands he created a [[Duchy]] of [[Courland]] and Semigalia. After the nothern war most of the other lands was seized by [[Poland]]-[[Lithuania]]. The north of [[Estonia]] was taken back by [[Denmark]] and [[Sweden]]. |
With the decline of the Teutonic Order by the middle of the fifteenth century, the Sword Borthers decided to resume their independece. In [[1557]] the Polish king [[Sigismund II of Poland|Sigismund II Augustus]] intervenied in a war between the bishop of Riga and the Brothers. After an agreement with the king, the last grandmaster of the order, [[Gotthard Kettler]] secularized the order, and converted to Lutheran church. In the south part of the Brothers' lands he created a [[Duchy]] of [[Courland]] and Semigalia. After the nothern war most of the other lands was seized by [[Poland]]-[[Lithuania]]. The north of [[Estonia]] was taken back by [[Denmark]] and [[Sweden]]. |
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==Masters of the order include:== |
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* [[Volquin]] |
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* [[Vilhelm von Schuborch]] |
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* [[Johann Wolthuss von Herse]], |
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=== See also === |
=== See also === |
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Revision as of 22:48, 28 May 2003
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword, also known as the Christ Knights or The Militia of Christ of Livonia, was a knightly order started in 1202 by Albert von Buxhövden, bishop of Riga, and composed of German "warrior monks". It was primarly based on the rules of the Templars.
Since its founding, the order tended to ignore its supposed vassalage to the bishops. In 1218 the bishop asked for help from the Danish king, Valdemar II - but he instead made an agreement with the Sword Brothers order and conquered the north of Estonia.
The Sword brethren headquarters were at Viljandi (Fellin) in German. The walls of the Grandmaster's castle are still standing. Other stongholds include: Wenden, Segewold and Ascheraden. The commanders of Viljandi (Fellin) Kuldiga (Goldingen ), Aluksne [Marienburg), Tallinn and the bailiff of Paide (Järva) belonged to the 5-membered entourage of the Order Grandmaster
The Lithuanians beat the Brothers at the battle of Siauliai in 1236. They are reported as having suffered fifty deaths from amongst their ranks. Next year the order joined with the Teutonic Knights of Prussia, switching to their rules but maintaining administrative independence in their conquered lands. Between 1288 and 1290 they managed to conquer all of Courland and Livonia. In 1346 the united orders bought the rest of Estonia from Valdemar IV Atterdag, king of Denmark.
With the decline of the Teutonic Order by the middle of the fifteenth century, the Sword Borthers decided to resume their independece. In 1557 the Polish king Sigismund II Augustus intervenied in a war between the bishop of Riga and the Brothers. After an agreement with the king, the last grandmaster of the order, Gotthard Kettler secularized the order, and converted to Lutheran church. In the south part of the Brothers' lands he created a Duchy of Courland and Semigalia. After the nothern war most of the other lands was seized by Poland-Lithuania. The north of Estonia was taken back by Denmark and Sweden.