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Livonian Brothers of the Sword

Type Object Region Baltic Time 1202–1237

The Livonian Brothers of the Sword was a military religious order founded in 1202 in Riga with the bishop's support, converting Livonians by force an…

Timeline

  1. 1202Riga · RigaBishop Albert of Riga founded the Livonian Brothers of the Sword as a military religious order to support the conquest and conversion of the Livonian pagans.
  2. 1206–1210Livonian heartland · LivoniaThe order advanced north along the Daugava, capturing fortresses, building castles, and forcing Livonian tribes to convert, forming a feudal order jointly governed by church and order.
  3. c. 1210–1220Estonia · EstoniaThe order extended its military operations to Estonia, contending with Danish and papal forces as the Northern Crusades unfolded fully along the eastern Baltic shore.
  4. 1236–1237Battle of the Ice region · LithuaniaAfter a devastating defeat at the Battle of the Ice, the Brothers of the Sword were gravely weakened; the following year, by papal decision, they merged with the Teutonic Knights, continuing as the Livonian branch.

Sources