Semigallians

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The Semigallians (Latvian Zemgaļi, also Zemgalians, Semigalls, Semigalians) are one of the Baltic tribes that lived in the southern middle part of Latvia, Zemgale. They are noted for their long resistance to German crusaders - the Livonian Order. Later they become more unified with the neighbouring peoples and became a part of the Latvian nation.

The Semigallians were one of the first Baltic tribes to establish a weak monarchy. It was, however, of little use because of Semigallian nobles' struggle for influence, which greatly weakened monarch's power. The most notable Semigallian leader was Viestards (Viesturs). After uniting hostile Semigallian clans into a single state in early 13th century, Viestards formed an alliance with the German crusaders to defeat his enemies on the outside. After the crusaders broke the treaty and invaded his lands, he allied with Lithuanians, which resulted in his most fabled achievement - annihilation of the Sword Brethren in the Battle of Šiauliai in 1236.

Another Semigallian leader of great renown is Nameitis (Namejs, Nameisis), almost a mythical figure in modern Latvian literature. He is believed to have attempted the largest military campaign by allied Baltic tribes ever. The goal of this campaign was supposedly uniting Baltic tribes for a retaliatory counterattack on German lands. Since almost only documented information available on Nameitis is the report of his death during the siege of Kristburg in East Prussia, historians still argue, whether he has actually existed. What is certainly known, however, is that by 1270s, a new powerful leader had emerged and achieved several major victories over German crusaders in Zemgale and East Prussia. Semigallians continued resistance until 1290, when they burned their last castle in Sidrabene and big part of Semigallians went to Lithuania and continued fight against Germans. They were not defeated however.