Battle of Skuodas

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Battle of Skuodas was fought in present day Lithuania during Northern Crusades.

[edit] Battle pretext

In 1251 pagan warlord Mindaugas concluded peace treaty with Livonian Brothers of the Sword, than in 1252 he was baptized in the presence of the Master of the Livonian Order and finally in 1253 he was crowned King of Lithuania. Apparently seeking allies against Tatars who plundered Lithuania lands in the winter of 1259, Mindaugas granted the entire Samogitia to the Order on August 7th of 1259. All these events prompted pagan Samogitians to attack Livonian crusaders.

[edit] Battle and consequences

In 1259 near Skuodas the Samogitian army of 3000 invaded Curonian lands and defeated the Knights of the Cross killing 33 knights. This victory leads to Semigallian insurrection against the Livonian crusaders, which lasted from 1259 to 1272.

[edit] External links

• Lithuania Chronology
• FROM THE HISTORY OF SAMOGITIA (Zemaitija)