Livonian Confederation

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The Livonian Confederation in 1260.

The Livonian Confederation was a loosely organized confederation in present-day Estonia and Latvia that existed from 1228 to the 1560s. It contained five small states (the Livonian Order, Archbishopric of Riga, Bishopric of Dorpat, Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, and Bishopric of Courland).

This division was created by Papal Legate William of Modena in 1228 as a compromise between the church and the powerful Livonian Order, both factions lead by Germans, after the German knights had conquered and subdued the territories of several indigenous tribes: Finnic-speaking Estonians and Livs. and Baltic-speaking Latgalians, Selonians, Semigallians and Curonians. The theoretical formula for dispersing the lands was one-third to the Order and the remaining two-thirds to the church. In reality, most of Livonia's territory was controlled by the Order and conflicts between the Order, the bishops, and the powerful Hanseatic cities were common throughout the existence of the Confederation. To solve internal disputes, the Livonian Diet or Landtag was formed in 1419. The city of Walk was chosen as the site of the Diet. The Diet was comprised of members of the Livonian Order, Livonian Bishops, vassals and city representatives.

All five states of the Livonian Confederation ceased to exist during the Livonian War (1558-1582). The Livonian Order was dissolved by the Wilno Pact in 1560. In 1561, the Livonian Diet decided to ask protection of Zygmunt II August, the King of Poland, and the Grand Duke of Lithuania. With the end of government by the last Archbishop of Riga William of Brandenburg, Riga became a Free Imperial City.