Banner of the Levonian Order

Not to be confused with Livonian Brothers of the Sword. Livonian Order Seal of the Livonian Order's master VTOIINLIVONIA MENDATORIS•DOM and the coat of arms of the Teutonic Knights Active 1237–1561 Country State of the Teutonic Order (1237–1561) Branch Teutonic Order Garrison/HQ Wenden (Cēsis), Fellin (Viljandi) Part of a series on the History of Latvia LIVONIA Vulgo Lyetland Prehistory Middle Ages Early modern period National Awakening Modern Latvia Chronology flag Latvia portal vte The Livonian Order was an autonomous branch of the Teutonic Order, formed in 1237. From 1435 to 1561, it was a member of the "Livonian Confederation". Medieval Livonia in 1422 History The Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order was formed from the remnants of the crusading order of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword (a.k.a. the Swordbrothers) after their defeat by Samogitians in 1236 at the Battle of Saule. In 1237, most of the former Swordbrothers became members of the Teutonic Order, thus forming its new regional branch in Livonia. In the summer of that year, the Master of Prussia Hermann Balk rode into Riga to install his men as castle commanders and administrators of Livonia. In 1238, the Teutonic Knights of Livonia signed the Treaty of Stensby with the Kingdom of Denmark. Under this agreement, Denmark would support the expansion ambitions of the order in exchange for northern maritime Estonia. In 1242, the Livonian Order tried to take the city of Novgorod. However, they were defeated by Alexander Nevsky in the Battle on the Ice. Fortresses as Paide in land ceded by Denmark in the Treaty of Stensby allowed the order to contain the threat of Russian troops. For that reason, the order focused on its southern borders and Semigallia. Semigallia was a strategic territory for the Livonian Order. Lithuanians passed through Semigallia to raid settlements in Livonia, and they took advantage of the winter ice pack in the Gulf of Riga to reach Oesel Island. Als