Livonian Brothers of the Sword: Difference between revisions
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The '''Livonian Brothers of the Sword''' were a [[knight]]ly order started in [[1202]] and composed of [[Germany|German]] "warrior [[monk]]s". They were a splinter faction of the [[Teutonic Knights]] proper. Their chief duty was the [[Christianization]] of [[Courland]] and [[Livonia]]. The [[Lithuania]]ns beat and kicked them out at the battles of [[Battle of Tannenberg|Tannenberg]] and [[Battle of Siauliai|Siauliai]]. They then only governed the far north of Livonia and were kicked out of there by the [[Russia]]ns under [[Ivan the Terrible]]. |
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'''Livonian Brothers of the Sword, aka Christ Knights''' was a [[knight]]ly order started in [[1202]] by [[Albert von Buxhövden]], bishop of [[Riga]] and composed of [[Germany|German]] "warrior [[monk]]s". It was primarly was based on the rules of Templars. |
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Since the founding the order tended to cancel its dependency to the bishops. In [[1218]] the bishop called help from Danish king, [[Valdemar II]] - but he joined the Sword Brothers order and conquered the north of Estonia. |
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The [[Lithuania]]ns beat the Brothers at the battle of [[Battle of Siauliai|Siauliai]] in [[1236]]. Next year the order joined with [[Teutonic Knights]] from [[Prussia]], switching to their rules but maintaining administration independence in their conquered lands. Between [[1288]]–[[1290]] they managed to conquer all of [[Courland]], [[Livonia]]. In [[1346]] the united orders bought rest of Estonia from [[Valdemar IV Atterdag]], king of Denmark. |
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In the mid of XV century with the decline of Teutonic Order, the Sword Borthers decided to reinvent their independece. In [[1557]] Polish king Sigimund II Augustus intervenied into 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 principality of [[Courland]] and Semigalia. After the nothern war most of the other lands was ceased to Poland and Lithuania. The north of Estonia was taken back by Denmark. |
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=== See also === |
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* [[Courland]], [[Livonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Estonia]], [[Teutonic Knights]] |
Revision as of 14:25, 24 March 2003
Livonian Brothers of the Sword, aka Christ Knights was a knightly order started in 1202 by Albert von Buxhövden, bishop of Riga and composed of German "warrior monks". It was primarly was based on the rules of Templars.
Since the founding the order tended to cancel its dependency to the bishops. In 1218 the bishop called help from Danish king, Valdemar II - but he joined the Sword Brothers order and conquered the north of Estonia.
The Lithuanians beat the Brothers at the battle of Siauliai in 1236. Next year the order joined with Teutonic Knights from Prussia, switching to their rules but maintaining administration independence in their conquered lands. Between 1288–1290 they managed to conquer all of Courland, Livonia. In 1346 the united orders bought rest of Estonia from Valdemar IV Atterdag, king of Denmark.
In the mid of XV century with the decline of Teutonic Order, the Sword Borthers decided to reinvent their independece. In 1557 Polish king Sigimund II Augustus intervenied into 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 principality of Courland and Semigalia. After the nothern war most of the other lands was ceased to Poland and Lithuania. The north of Estonia was taken back by Denmark.