Battle of St. Matthew's Day
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Battle of St. Matthew's Day | |||||||
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Part of Northern Crusades | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Estonian Elderships | Sword Brethren Livonians Latgalians |
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Commanders | |||||||
Lembitu of Lehola † | Volquin Caupo of Turaida † |
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Strength | |||||||
6000 | 3000 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1000 - 1400 | ? |
The Battle of St. Matthew's Day (Estonian: Madisepäeva lahing) was fought near Viljandi on September 21, 1217 during the Teutonic-Estonian War. The adversaries were the German crusading order the Sword Brethren with their recently converted allies and an army of 6000 Estonian men from different counties, led by Lembitu, who had attempted to unify the Estonians. The Germans won, Lembitu and Caupo of Turaida (converted Livonian chieftain, fought on the order's side) were killed. Also many others were converted and without would be murdered