Battle of St. Matthew's Day

Battle of St. Matthew's Day
Part of Northern Crusades
DateSeptember 21, 1217
LocationNear Viljandi, Estonia
Result Crusaders victory
Belligerents
Counties of Ancient Estonia Sword Brethren
Livonians
Latgalians
Commanders and leaders
Lembitu of Lehola † Volquin
Caupo of Turaida †
Strength
6000 3000
Casualties and losses
1000 - 1400 ?

The Battle of Matthew's Day (Estonian: Madisepäeva lahing) was fought near Viljandi (probably in Vanamõisa) on September 21, 1217 [1][2] during the Livonian Crusade. The adversaries were the German crusading order the Sword Brethren with their recently converted Livonian and Latgalian 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 forced to convert.

References

  1. ↑ Battle of St. Matthew's Day on September 21, 1217 @ Frucht, Richard (2005). Eastern Europe. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-57607-800-6.
  2. ↑ Battle of St. Matthew's Day (September 21) @ Miljan, Toivo (2004). Historical Dictionary of Estonia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-4904-4.