Battle of Viljandi, 1211
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Viljandi was a battle during the Livonian Crusade
in 1211. The battle ended with no decisive victory for the Germans as they were unable to take the stronghold. They did however, manage to baptise the people inside the stronghold.
In spring 1211, a larger objective for the Livonian Order
was to take the stronghold of Viljandi
. They plundered the neighbourhood, robbed their food supplies, and killed and kidnapped the villagers who were staying in the villages nearby. Some of the prisoners were brought in front of the stronghold where they were killed to frighten the defenders before being cast off into the moat.
In the first collision in front of the stronghold gate, the defenders managed to fend off the heavy casualtied Germans and equip themselves with the enemy's equipment. The besiegers built a turret
, the moat was filled with wood and the turret was rolled onto it. From there they threw spears and crossbowmen fired upon the defenders. The Estonians
also tried to light the turret. It was here the Germans first used a bricole on Estonian soil. With the bricole they threw rocks into the stronghold at day and night, inflicting relatively serious damage. Soon the Germans managed to break one of the fortifications, but behind it there was another. Also, the Estonians were able to put out the fire on parts of the stronghold that were lit. By the next morning, they had been able to restore the fortifications.
Unable to take the stronghold in five days, the Germans started negotiating on the sixth day. Because there was a lack of water, many wounded and killed in the stronghold, the elders were willing to make peace with the besiegers. They allowed only the priests inside the stronghold, who were said to have sprinkled holy water on the stronghold, houses, men and women. Massive baptism didn't occur, it was deferred because of "very enormous bloodspilling". Having sons of elders and noblemen as hostages, the German army retreated.
Livonian Crusade
The Livonian Crusade refers to the German and Danish conquest and colonization of medieval Livonia, the territory constituting modern Latvia and Estonia, during the Northern Crusades...
in 1211. The battle ended with no decisive victory for the Germans as they were unable to take the stronghold. They did however, manage to baptise the people inside the stronghold.
In spring 1211, a larger objective for the Livonian Order
Livonian Order
The Livonian Order was an autonomous Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order and a member of the Livonian Confederation from 1435–1561. After being defeated by Samogitians in the 1236 Battle of Schaulen , the remnants of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword were incorporated into the Teutonic Knights...
was to take the stronghold of Viljandi
Viljandi
Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 19,150 . It is the capital of Viljandi County. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe....
. They plundered the neighbourhood, robbed their food supplies, and killed and kidnapped the villagers who were staying in the villages nearby. Some of the prisoners were brought in front of the stronghold where they were killed to frighten the defenders before being cast off into the moat.
In the first collision in front of the stronghold gate, the defenders managed to fend off the heavy casualtied Germans and equip themselves with the enemy's equipment. The besiegers built a turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
, the moat was filled with wood and the turret was rolled onto it. From there they threw spears and crossbowmen fired upon the defenders. The Estonians
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
also tried to light the turret. It was here the Germans first used a bricole on Estonian soil. With the bricole they threw rocks into the stronghold at day and night, inflicting relatively serious damage. Soon the Germans managed to break one of the fortifications, but behind it there was another. Also, the Estonians were able to put out the fire on parts of the stronghold that were lit. By the next morning, they had been able to restore the fortifications.
Unable to take the stronghold in five days, the Germans started negotiating on the sixth day. Because there was a lack of water, many wounded and killed in the stronghold, the elders were willing to make peace with the besiegers. They allowed only the priests inside the stronghold, who were said to have sprinkled holy water on the stronghold, houses, men and women. Massive baptism didn't occur, it was deferred because of "very enormous bloodspilling". Having sons of elders and noblemen as hostages, the German army retreated.