Battle of Viljandi (1223)
Encyclopedia
On 29 January 1223, during a church service, the Sackalians attacked the Germans inside the stronghold of Viljandi
. They killed Sword-Brothers
, vartels, merchants and even the vogt
. The rest of the Germans were put in stocks and shackles. Some men advanced on to the stronghold of Leole
, were they told others to do the same. Subsequently, the same Sackalians took Hebbe, the vogt of Järvamaa, and brought him to Viljandi. The heart of a still-alive Hebbe was torn out of his chest, baked on fire and eaten ritually, in order to "become strong in the fight against the Christians".
Elders of Viljandi sent a victory notice to Otepää
and Tartu
, calling for Estonians to act the same way. Swords covered in German soldiers' blood, captured horses and clothes were sent to the people of Tartu. Soon after, Otepää and Tartu were liberated. Like in Sakala, the bodies of the killed enemy were left on the fields "for dogs and birds".
Viljandi
Viljandi is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 19,150 . It is the capital of Viljandi County. The town was first mentioned in 1283, upon being granted its town charter by Wilhelm von Endorpe....
. They killed Sword-Brothers
Livonian Brothers of the Sword
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword were a military order founded by Bishop Albert of Riga in 1202. Pope Innocent III sanctioned the establishment in 1204. The membership of the order comprised German "warrior monks"...
, vartels, merchants and even the vogt
Vogt
A Vogt ; plural Vögte; Dutch voogd; Danish foged; ; ultimately from Latin [ad]vocatus) in the Holy Roman Empire was the German title of a reeve or advocate, an overlord exerting guardianship or military protection as well as secular justice...
. The rest of the Germans were put in stocks and shackles. Some men advanced on to the stronghold of Leole
Lõhavere
Lõhavere is a village in Suure-Jaani Parish, Viljandi County in central Estonia. It has a population of 183 ....
, were they told others to do the same. Subsequently, the same Sackalians took Hebbe, the vogt of Järvamaa, and brought him to Viljandi. The heart of a still-alive Hebbe was torn out of his chest, baked on fire and eaten ritually, in order to "become strong in the fight against the Christians".
Elders of Viljandi sent a victory notice to Otepää
Otepää
Otepää is a town in Valga County, southern Estonia, it's the administrative centre of Otepää Parish. Town has a population of 2,189 . Otepää is a popular skiing resort, popularly known as the "winter capital" of Estonia...
and Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, calling for Estonians to act the same way. Swords covered in German soldiers' blood, captured horses and clothes were sent to the people of Tartu. Soon after, Otepää and Tartu were liberated. Like in Sakala, the bodies of the killed enemy were left on the fields "for dogs and birds".