European Kingdoms

Prince-Bishops of Courland (Kurland / Kurzeme) (Livonia / Baltic States)
AD 1232 - 1561

The European region which today is known as the Baltic States sits at the junction in Eastern Europe with Northern Europe. While the southern two states of Lithuania and Latvia are counted as Eastern European, Estonia is more typically grouped with its Northern European cousins.

The Northern Crusade saw the Danes secure all of northern Estonia by force, while the rest of the Baltics underwent the same process from the south. What is now Estonia and Latvia quickly came to be governed by German prince-bishops in Courland, Dorpat, Ösel-Wiek and, governing the heart of later Latvia, the prince-bishop of Riga. The Order of the Knights of the Sword conquered the rest of Latvia and central Estonia. The captured territory between Danish Estonia and Lithuania became known as Livonia. The district of Grobin (Grobina) was ceded to the Order. Records regarding the prince-bishops can sometimes be a little sparse.

During this period, important ethnic changes took place among the Baltic peoples. Within the confines of Livonia, the fusion of the kindred Couronians (or Kurshes), Lats (or Latgals), and Sels (or Selonians) into one people took place, emerging as the Latvians of the future. They took that name from the most numerous of the Baltic peoples in Livonia, the Lats (or Latgals). The Couronians preserved their unique ethnic identity longer than most, being mentioned as a separate people as late as the sixteenth century.

(Additional information from External Link: The Balts, Marija Gimbutas (1963, previously available online thanks to Gabriella at Vaidilute, but still available as a PDF - click or tap on link to download or access it).)

1234 - c.1249

Dominican Order, and first bishop of Courland.

1242

Courland and the native Couronians fall under the domination of the Teutonic Knights following their amalgamation with the Livonian Knights, although complete conquest takes until 1267.

1251 - 1263

Franciscan Order.

1253

Courland is divided between the Livonian Knights and the bishopric of Courland.

Bauskas Castle was built by the Livonian Knights in Courland between the rivers Musa and Memele and was first documented in 1443

1260 - 1290

With the Livonian Knights being severely defeated at the Battle of Durbe in Livonia in 1260, the bishop leaves Courland and only re-enters the territory in 1290 following the successful suppression of serious Couronian and Semigallian insurgencies in 1267 and 1272 respectively. The 1267 suppression effectively defeats the Couronians and completes their conquest. However, in 1272 the cathedral chapter is incorporated into the territory belonging to the Teutonic Knights, resulting in Courland's bishopric being subject to the Order.

1263 - 1298

Of the Teutonic Order.

1268 & 1270

The Danish fleet sails to Reval in 1268 and 1270 to ward off threats posed by the Lithuanians and Rus (probably of Novgorod). The rebellions by Estonians and Couronians in northern Livonia seem not to extend into North Estonia, but the political situation is doubtless fraught and North Estonian lands vulnerable to attack.

1300 - 1321?

Of the Teutonic Order.

1322 - 1330/32?

Of the Teutonic Order.

1326

Peter von Dusburg writes that in the Prussian province of Nadruva, in the place called Romuva, there is a powerful priest named Krivė, whom the people regarded as pope, and whose dominion extends not only over Nadruva, but also over Couronia, Lithuania, and Semigallia. The only such 'pope' known to recorded history, Krivė is highly respected by the kings, nobility and common people, and his rule covers almost all of the Baltic lands during the wars against the Teutonic Knights.

1328 - 1331/2

1332 - 1353

Of the Teutonic Order.

1354 - 1359?

Of the Teutonic Order.

1360 - 1371?

Of the Teutonic Order.

1371 - 1398?

Of the Teutonic Order.

1379

Bishop Dietrich of Dorpat hates the Livonian Knights with some intensity, so much so that he forms a coalition against the Knights with Lithuania, Mecklenburg and the notorious Victual Brothers who are Baltic pirates. The Knights invade the bishopric but achieve no success. In the end their lack of results removes from them the right to demand military service from the Livonian bishops.

1398

The Teutonic Knights conquer the duchy of Samogitia, removing it from Lithuanian control. Their dream of uniting their Prussian lands with those of Livonia and Courland have become a reality.

1399 - 1404?

Of the Teutonic Order.

1405 - 1424

Of the Teutonic Order.

1424 - 1425

Of the Teutonic Order.

1425 - 1456

Of the Teutonic Order.

1457 - 1473

1473 - 1500

1500

1501 - 1523

1520 - 1521

Courland is made a prince-bishopric of the Holy Roman empire in 1520, with this being formalised the following year.

1524 - 1540

1540 - 1560

1560 - 1583

Bishop of Reval and Ösel. Titular 'king of Livonia'.

1559 - 1562

Following Russian provocation and the conquest of Dorpat, the Livonian Wars erupt in the Baltic states (between 1558-1583). Following the dissolution of the Livonian Knights and the acquisition of Livonia by the Lithuanians, the bishopric of Courland falls into Danish hands. In 1562, it too is acquired by Lithuania and reformed into the duchy of 'Courland & Semigallia' under Lithuanian suzerainty.