European Kingdoms

Couronians (Balts)
Incorporating the Kurshes

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The Couronians (or Curonians or Kurshes), were a Western Balt tribe which lived on what is now the north-western corner of Latvia, immediately to the south of the Estonian island of Saaremaa, and to the west of the powerful Samogitians. They are referred to as Cori or Chori in the Scandinavian sagas, which mention the wars between the Vikings and Couronia (known as Kurland to German chroniclers) starting in the seventh century AD. By the twelfth century the people of both Saaremaa and Courland had built up a strong seafaring tradition and were actively involved in raiding to the west. Denmark's irritation at such attacks on its territory resulted in several retaliatory attacks against the Balts.

According to Henry of Livonia, writing his Chronicle at the start of the thirteenth century, a lesser tribe called the Vindi also inhabited territory in Courland. They were clearly non-Slavic or Balt in nature and their name is preserved in the River Windau (Latvia's River Venta), with the town of Windau (the Latvian Ventspils) at its mouth. At the start of the second millennium, there are two countries or people occupying this region, called Ventava (the Ventspils area) and Vanema to their east. There seems to be little doubt that these were the northernmost remnants of a Belgic people called the Venedi who once dominated the entire eastern bank of the Vistula.

(Additional information from The History of the Baltic Countries, Zigmantas Kiaupa, Ain Mäesalu, Ago Pajur, & Gvido Straube (Eds, Estonia 2008) (see the Sources page for Northern Europe), from Eric's Chronicle, from the 15th Yearbook of the Estonian Learned Society in Sweden, 2010-2014 (Eesti Teadusliku Seltsi Rootsis aastaraamat XV. 2010-2014), Ants Anderson (Ed, Stockholm, 2015), and 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).)

c.AD 50 - 150

The arrival on the southern Baltic coastline of the Gothic people in the first and second centuries AD has a great impact on the Baltic population there. The strongest tribe of the western Baltic bloc which had previously manifested itself in face and pot-covered urn graves of the Face-Urn culture eventually disintegrates due to this and the preceding Celtic expansion. The other Baltic tribes have been less touched by outside influences and conservatively preserved their local character.

The ancestors of the Galindians, Lets, Lithuanians, Natangians, Sambians, and Semigallians continue throughout the entire Early Iron Age to build stone cists in which they place urns of a family or kin, covering them with an earth barrow secured by a stone pavement from above and stone rings around. While available, Middle and Late La Tène fibulae are also imported and imitated. In marked contrast to Celtic and Germanic graves, however, weapons are extremely rare in Baltic graves. The inland Prussian tribes seem to live a rather peaceful life.

Other Baltic tribes are now developing their own distinctive burial rites. Sudovians build stone barrows, Couronians place their dead in stone circles or rectangular walls, while their neighbours in central Lithuania use flat graves supporting tree-trunk coffins with stones. The differentiation of local burial rites from around this time permits modern scholars the chance of perceiving tribal borders between the various Baltic tribes, which thereafter remain unchanged in this region until the coming of the Germans. Until then, there is no evidence of migrations, shifts of population, or invasions of the Baltic lands by foreign peoples.

650

By now Swedes have established the stronghold of Seeburg (near modern Grobina) in Courland. This is succeeded by a trading post which survives until the beginning of the ninth century, when the invaders are defeated by the local population.

Modern Kurzeme (ancient Courland) forms the westernmost region of Latvia, but in the medieval period it was home to a powerful tribe of Balts called the Couronians

c.660s - 680s

The Icelandic and Norwegian sagas, recorded in the thirteenth century although they hark back to prehistoric songs, commemorate the successes of King Ivar Vidfamne of the Swedes. Ivar is said to conquer 'Kurland, Saxland, and Eisland', and all the countries in the east to Gardarike in Karelia (Hervarar Saga). His successor, Harald Hildetand, re-establishes Viking rule in those territories. Swedish expansion along the eastern Baltic coasts in the period between 650-750 is confirmed by archaeologically-attested colonies.

The numerous Baltic tribes are currently ruled by powerful chieftains and landlords, a system which remains in place until the beginning of recorded history in the region. Among the Baltic tribes the Prussians and Couronians continue to play leading roles. In the previous century or so, the Lets have expanded their territory to cover much of northern Latvia, replacing the previously dominant Finno-Ugric tribes there, the early Estonians.

c.750

As mentioned by the Norna-Gests þáttr Saga, the king of the Swedes, Sigurd Ring, fights off a heavy raid by Couronians and Kvens into the southernmost region of Swedish lands.

853 - 855

The Danes launch a campaign against the Couronians. However, as part of the feared 'Eastern Vikings', the Couronians fight the Danes in a sea battle, defeating them and enslaving half their number.

Two years later, in his work, Vita Sancti Anscharii, Rimbert, a disciple of Archbishop Ansgar of the Bremen-Hamburg diocese mentions two towns in connection with ongoing warfare against the Swedes, those of Saeborg and Apulia. During the war, thousands of warriors are said to assemble in the hill forts above these towns: 7,000 in Saeborg and 15,000 in Apulia. The numbers must be exaggerated, but the existence of sizeable towns from which to recruit many men is not.

Rimbert also provides a detailed description of the wars waged by Danes and Swedes against the Couronians in the middle of the ninth century. When Rimbert mentions the Couronians for the first time, he writes: 'A tribe, called Chori, living far from them [Swedes], was earlier subdued by the Swedes, but it was a long time ago, when they revolted and liberated themselves from the yoke'. Then he mentions that at the time when Archbishop Ansgar visits the Swedish homeland for the second time, somewhat after 850, the Danes undertake a military expedition by sea to Couronia, but suffer a crushing defeat. Half the Danes are killed, half their ships are captured, and the Couronians gained a large war booty of gold, silver and weapons.

c.866 - 894

Couronian leader.

c.870s

Again in Vita Sancti Anscharii, which is completed in 876, Rimbert finds five 'states' in the land of the Couronians, although in his Latin he terms them kingdoms. They are more like tribal states which perhaps operate as a confederation in times of external threat.

1049 - 1051

The Couronians - Baltic or Eastern Vikings - have become the most restless and the richest of all the Balts during this period. That the Couronians are attacking the Danes and that its coasts in winter and in summer have to be guarded against them and other Vikings from the east is attested by the Heimskringla of Snorre Sturleson, set down during the reign of the Norwegian King Harald Hardrade around this time. Snorre Sturleson mentions in his Ynglinga-saga that under the Danish kings, Svein and Magnus, a special sermon against Couronian pirates is introduced in Danish churches.

1070

The chronicle of Adam of Bremen describes Couronian religious habits: 'All their houses are full of pagan soothsayers, diviners, and necromancers, who are even arrayed in a monastic habit. Oracular responses are sought there from all parts of the world, especially by Spaniards and Greeks'. The priests are wise old men who are chosen by the people and held in greatest respect. Adam also reports the existence of a church in Kurland (Couronia), erected by a merchant as early as the second half of the eleventh century. The monk Hiltinus is appointed bishop to the Baltic by the archbishop of Bremen in about this year. The mission can hardly be considered a success, however, as Adam's two-year mission ends in his death.

By about AD 1000 the final locations of the Baltic tribes were well known by the Germans who were beginning their attempts to subdue and control them, although the work would take a few centuries to complete and the Lithuanians would never be conquered by them (click or tap on map to view full sized)

1170

Denmark is fast rising as a great military and merchant power, and it is in its interest to end the occasional Estonian and Couronian pirate attacks that threatened its Baltic trade. To that end, a Danish fleets now makes an attack against Estonia. The fighting lasts for three days, but the pirate threat is clearly not contained, as later events prove.

c.1185

Sverris saga says that King Sverre's brother, Erik, spends three years around 1185 looting Estonian coastal areas and then sails back to Svitjod in Svealand, to King Knut Eriksson of the Swedes, to whom he is related. Svitjod would seem to be Sigtuna, the most important centre in Svealand.

1187

The 'pagans of the Eastern Sea' (Estonians of Saaremaa, Couronians, and Sambians (Zembs) of Old Prussia) conquer Sigtuna, the most important town of the Swedes, which they then burn down. The Swedish Eric's Chronicle of 1335 blames the Finnish Karelians for the attack. More recently, Professor Kustaa Vilkuna has suggested that the raid is in revenge for Sigtuna's merchants having intruded upon Kven fisheries on the River Kemijoki and the hunting grounds of the Karelians. The medieval naming of a settlement in the village of Liedakkala by the River Kemijoki as 'Sihtuuna' may be additional confirmation of this.

Two ships were filled with Viking warriors who were killed in battle between AD 700-750, as uncovered by archaeologists on the island of Saaremaa in 2008 and proof of a Viking raid more than a century before the Vikings are thought to have been able to sail across such distances

c.1200

The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia describes a clearly non-Slavic tribe called the Vindi (German Winden, English Wends). They live in Courland and Livonia, clearly the northernmost remnants of the Venedi. The tribe's name is preserved in the River Windau (in Latvian this is the Venta), which has the town of Windau (the Latvian Ventspils) at its mouth. It is also preserved in Wenden, the old name for the town of Cēsis in Livonia.

late 1100s on

The Balts have come a long way towards producing contemporarily-modern feudal states. The largest or most powerful castle with a town has become the military and administrative centre for the tribal district. Five 'states' had already existed in the Couronian lands to be chronicled in the 870s by Rimbert. Now, at the beginning of the thirteenth century there are eight 'states' or districts with their own centres, each of which has several villages ('castellatura'). A similar pattern of separate districts pertains for all the other Baltic tribes. The more powerful feudal 'kings' extend their rule over two, three, four, or more districts. These 'kings' or chieftains possess the largest of all the castles. The most influential of them are called 'rex' or 'dux' or 'princeps' by chroniclers. The chronicles enumerate the names of the chieftains and even those of their subordinates. Power and land ownership are inherited.

The hierarchical structure of chieftainship is illustrated by the Chronicle of Volynia, which relates how twenty-one Lithuanian dukes come to sign the treaty of 1219 between Lithuania and the Rus of Halych-Volynia. Of these, five - the most powerful amongst their number - are 'grand dukes', while the other sixteen are dukes of minor importance. From this it may be deduced that Lithuania is now ruled by a confederation of the most powerful chieftains. It is quite possible that such a system of government is also in existence in the other Baltic states and has been for some time.

c.1200 - 1230

Semigallian leader.

fl 1230

Couronian leader. Accepted Christianity.

1230 - 1234

King Lamikis signs an agreement which accepts Christianity into Couronian territory. The Danes are probably hoping that with this act the Couronian Vikings will stop raiding and devastating Danish and Swedish kingdoms and carrying away church bells and other objects. In 1234, a Dominican monk by the name of Engelbert is appointed the first bishop of Courland. The bishopric of Courland is formally declared in 11 February 1232.

fl c.1250

Semigallian leader.

fl 1281

Semigallian leader.

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

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 falls 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.

Duchy of Courland & Semigallia
AD 1562 - 1795

The Livonian Wars took place in the Baltic states between 1558-1583, but the wars ended in 1561 for the Livonian Knights. However, their last grand master became the first duke of Courland under Polish suzerainty, and the knights retained their vast estates in the Baltics. North Estonia surrendered voluntarily to the Swedes. Southern Estonia and the rest of Livonia fell to Poland-Lithuania. In 1562, the German prince-bishops sold off the last of their territory in Estonia and Livonia, including the bishopric of Courland, which was attached to the territory of the Semigallians under Lithuanian suzerainty, although some coastal districts of Courland had already been given away to the duchy of East Prussia.

Medieval Semigallia is better known today as the Zemgale region of Latvia (the first being the generally-accepted international spelling of the second which is in its Baltic form). For the most part it is formed of flat land, largely devoid of uplands and deep river valleys, and boasts one of the most fertile grain fields in Northern Europe, something that has ensured the prosperity of the region for many successive centuries. The region was prosperous, which allowed the building of many luxurious manor houses and castles, one of which survives today - the Baroque masterpiece that is Rundāle Palace. Jelgava Palace, which is also located in Zemgale, housed the dukes of Courland and Semigallia. It is largest Rococo-style palace in the Baltics and today contains the castle museum.

1562 - 1587

Last grand master of the Livonian Knights. Governor of Livonia.

1585 - 1587

Courland has officially remained a possession of the Danes until now, when it is sold to Poland-Lithuania. Upon the death of Gotthard Kettler, the duchy is divided between his two sons. Friedrich owns the eastern section, Semigallia (Zemgale), from his residency in Jelgava (Mittau). Wilhelm owns the western section, Courland (Kurzeme), from his residency in Kuldiga (Goldingen). Wilhelm regains the Grobina district when he marries the daughter of the duke of Prussia. He also pays to regain control over the Piltene district.

The former Bauskas Castle, a stronghold which had been built by the once-dominant Livonian Knights, had a Mannerism style residence built into the forepart in 1596 by the duke of Courland, Friedrich Kettler

1587 - 1642

Son. Rules Semigallia, eastern Courland.

1587 - 1616

Brother. Rules Courland, western section of the duchy.

1605

The Swedish king initiates the First Polish-Swedish War by assembling troops in Tallinn, but the war starts badly with several attacks failing, including one on Courland in 1605.

1616

Wilhelm is removed from his seat by his overlord, the king of Poland-Lithuania after he expresses his disappointment with the hostile landowners in the duchy. Friedrich inherits Wilhelm's lands and reunites the duchy.

1642 - 1682

1655 - 1660

Swedish troops enter the duchy in 1655, triggering the Second Polish-Swedish War. Duke Jacob is captured by the Swedes in 1658 and held for the duration of the war. That war ends when Livonia is officially ceded to Sweden following Poland-Lithuania's signing of the Treaty of Oliva.

1670

Landrgave William VII of Hessen-Kassel contracts a fever while in Paris and the subsequent treatment probably does more to kill him than the fever itself. His brother Charles succeeds him, but he is still a minor so his mother continues her role as regent. William's fiancée, Maria Amalia of Courland (daughter of Jacob Kettler), marries Charles instead.

1682 - 1698

Son.

1698 - 1711

Acceded aged 6. m Anna Ivanova of Russia.

1698 - 1711

Uncle and regent. Last of the House of Ketteler.

1700 - 1721

Sweden fights Russia, Poland and Denmark in the Great Northern War. It is ended with the Treaty of Nystad by which time Russia has already gained much influence in Courland.

1711

Former regent. Declared ineligible to rule himself.

1711 - 1737

Former regent Ferdinand Kettler resides in Danzig and is therefore declared ineligible, ending the rule of the House of Ketteler in Courland. The duchy is left without a ruling duke, although a large number of potential candidates put themselves forward to replace the Kettlers, including the future Landgrave Frederick IV of Hessen-Homburg. Anna Ivanova is widely acknowledged as the regent of Courland following the death in 1711 of her husband, the former Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Courland. Upon her accession to the Russian throne, she places her own candidate in Courland.

1711 - 1730

Acceded aged 6. m Anna Ivanova of Russia.

1737 - 1740

Exiled upon the empress' death.

1740 - 1741

Ernst Biron is exiled by the new regime in St Petersburg but continues to claim to rule. The landowners ignore him and the king of Poland-Lithuania announces his son, Carl, count of Saxony, as the next duke. This means the duchy has two simultaneously reigning dukes. To resolve the situation, Russian Empress Catherine II recalls Ernst Biron from exile in 1763.

Peter Biron was the last of the dukes of Courland, holding the title for almost thirty years before he freely handed it over to the Russian emperor

1758 - 1763

Count of Saxony. Rival duke.

1763 - 1769

Restored.

1769 - 1795

Son of Ernst.

1795

With the Third Partition of Poland-Lithuania, the duchy of Courland ceases to exist. The duke is happy enough to relinquish the title in return for rewards from Russia. The territory is merged with that of the Russian Kurzeme and Zemgale regions of Livonia. The duchy's title goes to the Russian emperor.

Russian Governors of Courland
AD 1795 - 1915

The captured territories were divided by the Russian empire into three Baltic Provinces: Courland, Estonia and Livonia. In 1801-1809 and from 1819 onwards supreme authority was vested in a governor-general who was based in Riga, but at other times the provinces were governed independently. Pilten was a division of Courland created by the bishop of Riga in 1234. It changed hands several times, being exchanged between Denmark and Poland-Lithuania, before being unified with Courland in 1661. Despite Swedish and Russian occupations, it essentially remained united with Courland and was fully incorporated into Courland by Russia in 1796, its previous autonomy being abolished.

1795 - 1796

Governor-general of Courland and Pilten.

1796 - 1798

First governor of Courland.

1798 - 1800

1800

Overall authority in Courland is handed to the governor-general of the Baltic Provinces, reducing the authority of subsequent governors in Courland itself.

When the duchy of Courland was handed over to the Russian emperor in 1795, Rundāle Palace first became the property of Count Valerian Zubov, then passed into the hands of the Shuvalov family, and was effectively nationalised in 1920 (click or tap on image to view full sized)

1800 - 1808

1808

Acting governor, 18-21 May.

1808 - 1811

1811

Acting governor for the second time, Aug-Sep.

1811 - 1816

In exile in Riga 20 Jul-Dec.

1812

Napoleon invades the Russian empire with one of the largest armies Europe has ever seen, occupying the Baltic states for several months until he is forced to drag his French-led army back to Germany. Russian control of Courland is immediately restored. The French administrators of Courland are shown in red.

1812

French commander.

1812

French intendant, 1 Aug-8 Oct.

1812

French intendant, 1 Aug-8 Oct.

1812

French governor-general, 8 Oct-20 Dec.

1816 - 1824

Acting governor, Jan-Feb 1816. Full governor thereafter.

1824 - 1827

1827 - 1853

1853

Acting governor, 10 May-14 Jun.

1853 - 1858

1858

Acting governor, 10-21 May.

1858 - 1868

1863 - 1880

The January Uprising results in a policy of Russification. It spreads from Latgallia to the rest of what is now Latvia.

1868 - 1885

1885

1885 - 1888

1888 - 1891

1891 - 1905

1905 - 1906

Courland only at first but later also for Livonia.

1906 - 1910

1910

1910 - 1915

1914

The position of special plenipotentiary for the civil administration of the Baltic Provinces of Livonia, Estonia and Courland is created, but the following year the Russian governors are forced by defeats in the First World War to withdrawn to Tartu in Estonia.

Jelgava viewed shortly before the destruction visited on it in the Second World War, when bombing raids destroyed all but the palace in the foreground and a few churches

1915 - 1916

In exile in Tartu, Estonia.

1916

In exile in Tartu, Estonia.

1916 - 1917

In exile in Tartu, Estonia.

1915 - 1918

Thanks to Russian First World War defeats of 1916 and 1917, the Baltic provinces are conquered by Germany between 1915 (Courland) and 1918 (Estonia), much to the relief of the German-descended land-owning aristocracy. In 1918, the Baltic provinces are formally transferred to German authority by Russia following the Treaties of Brest-Litovsk and of Berlin, and Courland becomes part of the subsequent republic of Latvia.