Modern Estonia and Latvia have shared a common historical direction since the 12th century. The history of the area since the 1180s is generally based on Western chroniclers while events before that time need to be traced primarily via the archaeological record though some Scandinavian and Rus sources also mention the area.
Medieval Terra Mariana or Livonia
The medieval period is the easiest one to look at from some points of view. The two modern countries (along with small parts of modern Lithuania) were separated into a loose confederation of states who, while nearly always feuding amongst themselves, carried out a mission of converting the local peoples as well as ensuring independence against Lithuania and Novgorod/Muscovy.
The name – Terra Mariana – comes from Virgin Mary. The dedication protected the land as well as its Christian settlers. The primarily German crusaders first set up the Order of the Brethren of the Sword and the Bishopric of Riga, which was later upgraded to the status of an archbishopric. Modern northern Estonia was claimed by the Danish crown due to the valiant efforts of King Valdemar II. The Danish ruled these lands for about twelve decades before selling it to the Teutonic Order in 1346.
By this point, the Teutonic Order had subsumed the remnant of the Sword Brethren whose fighting forces had perished in an ambush in 1236. The Archbishop of Riga, meanwhile, had managed to ensure spiritual supremacy over the Bishops of Tartu and Saaremaa. The Bishop of Courland had, however, to accept that his circumstances did not allow for as much independence as those of his equals in rank, and followed the directions of the Teutonic Order from the end of the 13th century. A short-lived bishopric also existed in Semgallia until it was joined with the see of Riga in 1251.
All of these great lords wanted to strengthen their domains by fortifying their borders while looking for ways to subjugate the other princes. Many types of defensive structures were also a necessity to defend against both the Russians and Lithuanians who were at an arm’s reach. Therefore, many fortifications can be traced from the Medieval Terra Mariana.
Live map version: v1.2 from 31st Dec 2021.
Disclaimer
- The accuracy of the map is as good as possible, but inaccuracies will exist.
- This is a map of historic locations, of which many fell into disrepair while others were developed into manors.
- That a pin exists does not mean that there is anything to visit at the site today.
Sources
- Aluve, Kalvi. “Eesti keskaegsed linnused”, 1993.
- Nicolle, David. “Teutonic Knight: 1190–1561”, 2007.
- Pavils, Gatis. “Medieval castles”, 2009. [Accessed 2020 February]
- Turnbull, Stephen. “Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights (1): The red-brick castles of Prussia 1230–1466”, 2003.
- Turnbull, Stephen. “Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights (2): The stone castles of Latvia and Estonia 1185–1560”, 2004.
- Õun, Mati. “Eesti kindlused läbi kolme aastatuhande”, 2017.