BruderEverything in the world has its own history and background. The Livonian Order is no exception to this rule. Its precursor was the Order of the Sword Brothers, founded in 1202 by Theoderich of Turaida, one of the most prominent Catholic missionaries in the lands of Livonia.
Theoderich of Turaida (Lat. Theodericus de Thoreida, Theoderich Bekeshovede, Thidericus; ? – 1218) was one of the first missionaries who spread the Catholic faith in Livonia (the historical region of present-day Latvia). He was a monk of the Cistercian order. Since 1186, he had been a companion of Bishop Meinard in missionary work among the Livs. He was the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Dūnāminde (1202–1211), brother, assistant, and representative of Bishop Albert for special tasks. From 1211 to 1218, he served as the Bishop of Estonia.
In 1202, he founded the spiritual and military order «Brotherhood of Christ’s Knights» and participated in many crusades (1207, 1212, 1219) against the peoples of Livonia (Selonians, Estonians, Livs).
In the summer of 1203, the ruler of the Livs, Kaupo, accompanied by Theoderich of Turaida, embarked on a journey through Germany. They traveled through «most of Germany». In Rome, Kaupo was received by the Pope. The Pope was gracious, and upon parting, he gave Kaupo one hundred silver coins, and Theoderich a Bible for Bishop Albert. They returned to Livonia in the fall of 1204.
The Livs of Turaida wanted to sacrifice Theoderich and set up a trial with a horse. Theoderich passed the trial, and the Livs spared his life.
Theoderich died during a campaign of the Danes against the Estonians. Theoderich of Turaida was the prototype of Dietrich in the «Lāčplēsis».
The Bishop of Estonia, Theoderich (on the left)
The official name of the Order was «Fratres militae Christi de Livonia» (Lat.) — Brotherhood of Christ’s Warriors in Livonia. The knights of the order were nicknamed «Shwertbrüderorden» (Ger.) — the Order of the Sword Brothers, based on the symbolism (depiction of a red cross and a sword on white cloaks).
In 1204, the creation of the Order was approved by Pope Innocent III.
In 1207, the Order was granted the right to one-third of all conquered lands in Livonia. According to papal bulls, it nominally subordinated to the Archbishop of Riga.
In 1207, Livonia became a vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor. Archbishop Albert of Riga was also granted the title of prince.
The Order of the Sword Brothers followed the rules of the Templar Order. The brothers of the Order were divided into knights, priests, and servants. The knights took vows of chastity, pledged loyalty to the pope and the bishop. The head of the Order was the master. Under him were commanders (comturs) who dealt with military affairs, the collection of church taxes, secular courts, and the supervision of the assigned territory. The master and the comturs formed the governing council — the chapter. The first master of the Order was Winno von Rorbach (1202–1208), the second and last was Folkvin von Winterstätten (or Folkvin von Winterstein, Volguin von Naumburg) (1208–1236).
The residence of the masters of the Order of the Sword Brothers was the castle of Venden. It was founded in 1209 by the first master of the Order, Winno von Rorbach. It is said that Winno von Rorbach died in this castle, possibly as a result of a conspiracy led by knight Wigibert. Source: «Livonian Chronicle».
Latvia, Vidzeme, Cēsis, XIII-century castle. The name «Cēsis» (the modern name) derives from the Russian and Polish «Kess». «Venden» (historical) is from the Wends (Veneds, Vandals).
The most powerful and well-preserved castle in Latvia, it played an exceptionally important role in many historical events. Unlike most medieval castles, it retained military significance even in the 18th century. It was built by the grand master of the Order of the Sword Brothers, Winno von Rorbach, between 1207-1212.
Myths and Facts
The Symbolism of the Order of the Sword Brothers While the stone castle was under construction, the Sword Brothers lived in a wooden structure built by their Wend allies. The final relocation occurred in 1213. However, the garrisons of both fortifications continued to help each other fend off enemies.
Venden was not just one of the castles but the headquarters of the strike army of the Sword Brothers that conquered half of Estonia. Therefore, the army was commanded by the master (mister) of Venden.
Under the Sword Brothers, there were four successive masters: Vikbert von Söst, who, though a knight-monk, «loved worldly matters more than spiritual ones» and expressed heretical views. He was removed from his position and transferred to Riga, where he retaliated by killing the master of the Sword Brothers and the order’s priest, Johann.
Bertold of Venden, along with his friends, King Kaupo of the Livs, and leader Rusins of the Letts, conducted many military campaigns and conquered southern Estonia for the Order and the bishop. He was killed in the battle at the castle of Odenpe against the Novgorod prince.
Rudolf von Kassel also participated in many campaigns, forcing Vironia (a region in northern Estonia) to submit. In 1233, conflicts arose between the master of Venden and papal legate Baldwin of Alna, leading to armed conflict. Both were punished. The legate was removed, and von Kassel was demoted to a simple knight.
In 1237, the surviving Sword Brothers, after the Battle of Saule, were forcibly incorporated into the Teutonic Order. However, they were displeased with this and formed an opposition within the Order. Not the Teutonic Order or its Livonian Land Mastery, but Rudolf von Kassel and his comrades (acting independently) organized a campaign to Pskov in 1240. Originally, the expedition’s goal was not conquest, but to restore the throne of Prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich. Rudolf von Kassel died on April 5, 1242, on the shores (or possibly the ice) of Lake Peipus.
Raymond was appointed master of Venden in 1233 and died in 1236 at the Battle of Saule, along with most of the Sword Brothers.
The first siege of Venden Castle took place in 1218. The son of Pskov’s prince, Yaroslav Vladimirovich, later a friend and ally, besieged the castle. Neither Venden nor the nearby wooden fortification of the Wends were taken.
In 1245, Venden was besieged by the Lithuanian prince Lengwin Nalsensky. He failed to capture the castle but defeated the Teutonic knights in a field battle.
In 1297, war broke out between the Livonian Land Master of the Teutonic Order and the Archbishop of Riga, supported by the city of Riga. The Order’s castle in Riga was destroyed, and the land master moved his residence to Venden Castle. Venden remained the capital until 1340, when the New Riga Castle was built.
In 1480, a new war broke out between Riga and the Teutonic knights. The land masters of Livonia resided in Venden until 1561 when the land mastership was completely defeated by Russian forces.
After the defeat of the Livonian Land Mastery, the western part of its lands was privatized by the last land master, Gotthard Kettler, while the eastern part, including Venden, remained disputed territory but was considered the Duchy of Zadvinsk in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
At first, a Polish garrison was stationed there. In 1577, King Magnus of Livonia’s army captured the castle without a fight or siege. Magnus, a Danish prince and relative of Ivan the Terrible, was an ally of Ivan.
Soon, however, Ivan broke ties with Magnus and laid siege to Venden. The city surrendered immediately, but the Russian artillery bombarded the castle for five days. While the artillery caused damage, the defenders of the castle, realizing they could not withstand a long siege, gathered in the western wing and blew it up, taking their own lives with the last reserves of gunpowder.
The remaining inhabitants of Venden later envied the dead. Ivan the Terrible spared no one a swift death.
A strong Russian garrison was left in Venden Castle. In December of the same year, this garrison was captured by a small militia led by Johann Biring. Venden returned to Polish control.
Ivan the Terrible sent armies to besiege Venden Castle twice more, in the spring and fall of 1578. The first siege failed when rumors spread that reinforcements were approaching the Poles.
In October, a real battle took place, involving large Russian and Polish-Swedish armies. The Tsarist army was completely defeated. Practically, it was in the Battle for Venden that Russia lost the Livonian War, and only attempts at defense remained afterward.
In the first half of the 17th century, several Polish-Swedish wars occurred. Venden changed hands between the Poles and Swedes. Eventually, as with much of former Livonia, it remained under Swedish control.
The last war in which Venden Castle participated was the Great Northern War. In 1703, it was besieged for a long time by Russian forces, who finally captured it by trickery.
Peter the Great ordered the «evil» city to be destroyed and the «evil» castle to be demolished. The city was completely destroyed, with even the remains plowed over. However, the castle was not easily destroyed, and although damaged, it was not completely ruined. And that is fortunate.
Legends: There are three underground passages leading from Venden Castle. One leads to the castle of Araishi. The second leads to the cave of Liela Ellite (the Great Hell). The third leads to the Church of St. John. The last one is the most real, and it is said that countless treasures are stored there (possibly even brought by the Templars), guarded by a huge black dog with fiery eyes.
Ghosts do not appear in the Cēsis (Venden) Castle during the day, but sometimes they host noisy balls at night.
What to see: The castle itself is very impressive, both from the outside and from the courtyard. Visitors can enter the Western, main tower completely, up to the top floor, while in the Southern tower, they are allowed only in the dungeon.
In the late 18th century, a new tower and a small palace were added to the castle – now there is a very interesting historical museum.
In the castle park, there is Hazelnut Hill, which housed the ancient castle of the Wends, and a large pond dug during the time of the Sword Brothers for defensive purposes. There are swans there now.
Once a year, knight tournaments are held near the castle, and other medieval celebrations take place periodically.
Nearby is the impressive Church of St. John the Baptist. It is not much younger than the castle, and there is much to see both inside and by climbing the bell tower. On the square in front of the church are colorful fountains.
Although the city of Cēsis was rebuilt only at the end of the 18th century, it still retains a medieval appearance – the atmosphere is felt.
Nearby are the castles of Rauna, Araishi with a small fortress and a restored ancient settlement, the caves of Great Hell and Little Hell. Sigulda and Turaida are also not far away. In Latvia, you can also visit the Bauska, Dobele, and Sigulda castles.
Dmitri Unt
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