Viestards: Difference between revisions
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'''Viestards''' ( also ''Viesthard, Vesthardus, Viesturs'') was one of the greatest [[Semigallia]]n leaders in the [[13th century]], sometimes referred to as King of Semigallia. His capital was [[Tērvete]]. During the first decades of the 13th century he was allied with the [[Livonian Order]] against [[Lithuanians]], who looted Semigalia on several occassions. |
'''Viestards''' ( also ''Viesthard, Vesthardus, Viesturs'') was one of the greatest [[Semigallia]]n leaders in the [[13th century]], sometimes referred to as King of Semigallia. His capital was [[Tērvete]]. During the first decades of the 13th century he was allied with the [[Livonian Order]] against [[Lithuanians]], who looted Semigalia on several occassions. In 1205, joint forces defeated Lithuanians and killed duke [[Žvelgaitis]]. |
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When German crusaders broke the peace treaty and attacked the Semigallian castle in [[Mežotne]], Viestards became an enemy of the German Order. He made an alliance with his neighbors, the Lithuanians. Together they fought against the [[Northern Crusade|crusaders]]. Viestards died in [[1230]], but the Semigallians still were not conquered untill the beginning of the 14th century. Viestards never accepted [[Christianity]] and accepted only one monk in Semigallia as a preacher. |
When German crusaders broke the peace treaty and attacked the Semigallian castle in [[Mežotne]], Viestards became an enemy of the German Order. He made an alliance with his neighbors, the Lithuanians. Together they fought against the [[Northern Crusade|crusaders]]. Viestards died in [[1230]], but the Semigallians still were not conquered untill the beginning of the 14th century. Viestards never accepted [[Christianity]] and accepted only one monk in Semigallia as a preacher. |
Revision as of 00:58, 31 May 2007
Viestards ( also Viesthard, Vesthardus, Viesturs) was one of the greatest Semigallian leaders in the 13th century, sometimes referred to as King of Semigallia. His capital was Tērvete. During the first decades of the 13th century he was allied with the Livonian Order against Lithuanians, who looted Semigalia on several occassions. In 1205, joint forces defeated Lithuanians and killed duke Žvelgaitis.
When German crusaders broke the peace treaty and attacked the Semigallian castle in Mežotne, Viestards became an enemy of the German Order. He made an alliance with his neighbors, the Lithuanians. Together they fought against the crusaders. Viestards died in 1230, but the Semigallians still were not conquered untill the beginning of the 14th century. Viestards never accepted Christianity and accepted only one monk in Semigallia as a preacher.
The Order of Viesturs (Vesthardus Rex) was founded in 1938 to commemorate the spirit of independence of the people of ancient Latvia.
References
- Turnbull, Stephen (2004). Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights (2): The Stone Castles of Latvia and Estonia 1185-1560. Osprey Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 1841767123.
- "Order of Viesturs". Chancery of the President of Latvia. Retrieved 2007-05-29.