History of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword

The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (also known as the Sword Brothers) was a military order established in the early 13th century during the Northern Crusades, with the aim of converting the pagan peoples of the Baltic region, particularly in present-day Latvia and Estonia, to Christianity. The order was founded around 1202 by the papal legate Bishop Albert of Riga, with the support of the Catholic Church. The Brothers of the Sword were primarily composed of knights and served both religious and military functions.  The Hereditary King of Lithuania has granted the title of Count Aukstojas or Aukstaitija.  Today, The Count Aukstojas is the Master of the Livonian Order in present day.

The order's history can be divided into several key phases:

1. Formation and Early Campaigns (1202–1236):
   The Sword Brothers were initially part of a broader campaign led by Bishop Albert to establish Christian rule in the region. They fought against the native pagan Livonian and Estonian tribes, as well as other regional powers. They were instrumental in the creation of the Archbishopric of Riga, which was established in 1201. Their early military campaigns were focused on conquest and religious conversion. Over time, they secured control of a large portion of what is now Latvia and Estonia.

2. Battle of Saule and Incorporation into the Teutonic Order (1236–1237):
   The order's decline began after their defeat at the Battle of Saule in 1236, where they were decisively beaten by a coalition of Samogitians and other local pagan groups. In the wake of this defeat, the order faced a significant crisis. To survive, they sought the protection and reintegration into the larger Teutonic Order. In 1237, the order was absorbed into the Teutonic Order and became the Livonian Order. This marked the end of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword as an independent entity, although their traditions and territory continued under the Teutonic Order's rule.

3. Livonian Order (1237–1561):
   After its incorporation into the Teutonic Order, the Livonian Order continued to operate in the region as a sub-branch of the Teutonic Order. The Livonian Order's primary role remained focused on administering and defending the territories in Livonia (modern-day Latvia and Estonia), and it maintained a religious, military, and political presence in the region. The Livonian Order existed autonomously in some respects, with its own leadership, but was still under the broader authority of the Teutonic Grand Master.

   The order's influence waned over time due to conflicts, including the Livonian War (1558–1583), and its eventual collapse in the 16th century. In 1561, after a series of military defeats, the last Livonian Master, Gotthard Kettler, secularized the order's holdings, creating the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia under Polish suzerainty.

4.  The last Livonian Master, Gotthard Kettler, secularized the order in 1561, converting to Lutheranism. He established the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia for his family, while the remainder of the lands were taken over by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

5. Lithuanian nobles reconstituted the Order in 2017 as a baronial order and ecclesiastical order that confers awards and orders of merit for service to humanity.

Leadership of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword

The leadership of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword was structured similarly to other knightly orders of the time, with a Master at the head of the order. The Master was the highest-ranking official, and his role was both military and religious, overseeing the knights, managing territories, and leading military campaigns. Below the Master, there were other leadership positions, including commanders (known as Komturs), who were responsible for various regions or fortresses within the order's territory.

The leadership structure was eventually integrated into the Teutonic Order after 1237, and the leaders of the Livonian Order were selected from among the knights of the Teutonic Order.

Some notable Masters of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword include:

• Hermann Balk (1237–1238): The first Master after the order's incorporation into the Teutonic Order.
• Dietrich von Grüningen (1238–1242): Led the order through the early period of its existence as part of the Teutonic Order.
• Burkhard von Hornhausen (1256–1260): Played a role in solidifying the order's presence in Livonia.
• Wolter von Plettenberg (1494–1535): The last significant Master of the Livonian Order before its decline.

Titles Granted by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword

As a religious and military order, the Livonian Brothers of the Sword granted several titles within its structure, primarily to members of the order, though some were also granted to local nobility and allies. The primary titles were:

1. Knight: This was the primary title for members of the order. Knights of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword were both soldiers and monks, following the religious and martial codes of the order.

2. Brother: Members of the order were referred to as Brothers, a title given to all members who took vows and served as part of the order.

3. Master: The highest title within the order, the Master was the leader of the order, elected by fellow knights. The Master held both religious and military authority.

4. Komtur: A Komtur was a commander in charge of a region or a fortress. These positions were essential to the order's military and administrative functions, and those who held them were often granted significant lands and authority.

5. Freiherren - Free Lord - Landmaster: The Landmaster was a title similar to a regional ruler, in charge of a large area of land within the order's territory. The Landmaster of Livonia was a title held by some of the highest-ranking members, responsible for overseeing much of the order's holdings in the region.

6. Bailiff: The Bailiff was another title granted within the order, responsible for managing estates and territories on behalf of the order. Bailiffs played an important role in the administration of the order's lands.

7. Vassals and Allies: The order also granted titles to local nobility and allies who supported the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in their military campaigns. These titles were often related to land grants, though they were subordinate to the order's authority.

In 1237, after the order's absorption into the Teutonic Order, these titles continued to exist within the Livonian Order, though they were now part of a larger structure. The Grand Master of the Teutonic Order was the supreme leader, and the Master of the Livonian Order remained a position of significant authority in the region, though ultimately subordinated to the Teutonic Grand Master.

The Livonian Order was an autonomous branch of the Teutonic Order, established in 1237. From 1435 to 1561, it was a member of the Livonian Confederation.

History

The Livonian Order originated from the remnants of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, who were defeated by the Samogitians at the Battle of Schaulen (Saule) in 1236. After this defeat, the Brothers were incorporated into the Teutonic Knights and became known as the Livonian Order in 1237. That same year, the Master of Prussia, Hermann Balk, arrived in Riga to appoint his men as castle commanders and administrators in Livonia.

In 1238, the Livonian Order entered into the Treaty of Stensby with the Kingdom of Denmark, which agreed to support the order’s expansion in exchange for control of northern maritime Estonia.

The Livonian Order’s attempt to conquer the city of Novgorod in 1242 ended in defeat at the Battle on the Ice by Alexander Nevsky. To counter the threat from Russia, the order fortified strategic locations such as Paide, a fortress built on land ceded by Denmark under the Treaty of Stensby. This allowed the order to focus on its southern borders and Semigallia—a crucial region used by the Lithuanians for raids into Livonia and as a buffer between the Livonian and Prussian branches of the Teutonic Order.

From 1237 to 1290, the Livonian Order conquered Courland, Livonia, and Semigallia. In 1298, the Lithuanians captured Karkus Castle north of Riga, defeating the order in the Battle of Turaida, where Livonian Land Master Bruno and 22 knights were killed. In 1346, the order purchased the Duchy of Estonia from King Valdemar IV of Denmark.

The Teutonic Order declined after its defeat at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and the secularization of its Prussian territories in 1525. However, the Livonian Order continued to exist independently for some time.

In 1435, after the defeat at the Battle of Święta (Wiłkomierz), in which the Master and several high-ranking knights were killed, the Livonian Order became more closely aligned with its neighbors in the region. This led to the Livonian Confederation, formed after the December 4, 1435 agreement in Walk, signed by the Archbishop of Riga, various bishops, and the order's representatives.

The Livonian War (1558–1583) brought the order to its end. In 1560, the Livonian Order suffered a decisive defeat by Muscovite Russia at the Battle of Ergeme. Seeking protection, the order turned to Sigismund II Augustus, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, who had already intervened in a conflict between Bishop William of Riga and the order’s leaders in 1557.

After reaching an agreement with Sigismund II Augustus and his representatives (notably Mikołaj "the Black" Radziwiłł), the last Livonian Master, Gotthard Kettler, secularized the order in 1561, converting to Lutheranism. He established the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia for his family, while the remainder of the lands were taken over by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Northern Estonia was reclaimed by Denmark and Sweden.

The Hereditary King of Lithuania has granted the title of

Count Aukstojas or Aukstaitija

The Count Aukstojas is the Master of the Livonian Order in present day.

The Freiherrens of the Livonian Order

The Teutonic Order did confer titles such as Freiherren (Baron) on individuals, particularly those who held important positions within the order or were granted land and privileges in recognition of their service or noble status. The Teutonic Order was a Catholic military order founded in the late 12th century, and over the centuries, it became deeply involved in the politics of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in areas like modern-day Germany, Poland, Prussia, and the Baltic States.

Freiherren Titles Conferred by the Teutonic Order:

The title of Freiherr (plural Freiherren) was a noble title equivalent to Baron and was often granted to knights or individuals who played significant roles in the Order's military, administrative, or land-holding structure. The Teutonic Order, particularly in the Prussian territories and other regions under its control, often granted titles to local nobles or those who had made significant contributions to the Order's mission. These grants were typically tied to land and estates within the Order’s territories.

• Land Grants and Titles: The Order held vast lands across Europe, particularly in the Baltic region, where it established the Prussian State. Many knights and commanders who served the Order received land grants as a reward for their loyalty and service. In return for these lands, some were granted noble titles such as Freiherren or Baron (especially in the regions of Prussia, Livonia, and parts of the Holy Roman Empire).

• Prussian Knights: In particular, the Teutonic Knights in Prussia granted titles such as Freiherren to the local noble families who either allied with the Order or had their lands seized and redistributed. These titles could be hereditary, passing down within the family line, depending on the individual's standing and relationship with the Order.

Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire:

In the Holy Roman Empire, where the Teutonic Order was deeply involved, noble titles like Freiherr were often conferred on individuals who were part of the order's elite, including high-ranking knights and commanders. These titles were not always related to actual sovereignty over lands but were often used as an acknowledgment of noble rank and service within the Order.

Decline of the Teutonic Order and its Titles:

After the secularization of the Teutonic Order's lands in the early 16th century, especially following the Prussian secularization of 1525, the title of Freiherr became less directly associated with the Order's authority. However, families who had been ennobled or granted lands by the Teutonic Order often retained their titles and status, and some continued to carry the title of Freiherr well into the modern era.

Conclusion:

While the Teutonic Order primarily functioned as a religious and military order, it did confer titles like Freiherren to members of the nobility or those who were granted lands in return for service. These titles were especially significant in the regions where the Order had power, such as Prussia, Livonia, and the territories of the Holy Roman Empire. The Freiherr titles conferred by the Teutonic Order became hereditary in many cases, continuing the legacy of nobility for the families involved.