Lääne County
Encyclopedia
Lääne County or Läänemaa , is one of 15 counties
of Estonia
. It is located in western Estonia and borders Baltic Sea
to the north, Harju County
to the north-east, Rapla County
to the east, Pärnu County
to the south, and the island counties of Saare
and Hiiu to the west. 27,477 people live in Lääne County – constituting 2.0% of the total population in Estonia (as of January 2009).
, who is appointed by the Government of Estonia for a term of five years. Since 18 February 2008, the Governor position is held by Neeme Suur.
Maavanem First Republic 1918–1941
Maavanem Second Republic 1993–present
. There is one urban municipality, Haapsalu ( – town) and 11 rural municipalities ( – parishes) in Lääne County.
Urban municipality:
Rural municipalities:
(Osilia), Läänemaa (Rotalia or Maritima), Harjumaa
(Harria), Rävala (Revalia), Virumaa
(Vironia), Järvamaa (Jervia), Sakala
(Saccala), and Ugandi (Ugaunia
).
Läänemaa ' onMouseout='HidePop("48097")' href="/topics/Low_German">Low German
: Wiek) was an independent
country on the east coast of Baltic sea
, bordered by Revala, Harjumaa
, Alempois
, and Sakala
. Läänemaa had an area of approximately 1900 hides
. Early in 1220 troops of Sweden
, initially led by King John I
, had invaded Läänemaa. The Swedish army took the Lihula
stronghold
and set up a small garrison
. Swedish Jarl
Karl Döve
and Bishop Karl Magnusson of Linköping
, both from the powerful House of Bjelbo
, also remained in the castle. On August 8, 1220 the united Œselian and Rotalian army encircled the castle at dawn. The castle was set ablaze in the course of the fierce battle that ensued. Swedish troops tried to make their way out, but they were killed on site except for a few soldiers that succeeded in escaping to Kesoniemi held by Denmark
. The Jarl, the Bishop, and almost 500 other Swedes were killed, leaving no Swedish presence in Estonia at all. The short-lived Swedish attempt to gain foothold in Estonia was motivated by the quickly advancing Danish and Low German crusaders
who had been able to conquer most of the area in the early 13th century. Defeat in the Battle of Lihula
discouraged the Swedish expansion to Estonia
for more than 300 years, and the country was left for the Teutonic Knights
, Low German Bishops and Denmark to divide. In the meantime, Sweden focused on Finland
and the Swedish-Novgorodian Wars
. After the Livonian Crusade
Läänemaa became the main territory of The Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek
, an independent Bishopric. Parts of Bishop castle
are still preserved in Haapsalu
.
After the German conquest in 1227, Lääne County became the center of Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek
, an independent principality within Livonian Confederation
. Parts of bishop castle
are still preserved in Haapsalu
.
Counties of Estonia
A county is an administrative subdivision of Estonia.Estonia is divided into 15 counties. The government of each county is led by a county governor , who represents the national government at the regional level...
of Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. It is located in western Estonia and borders Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
to the north, Harju County
Harju County
Harju County , or Harjumaa , nowadays one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in northern Estonia, on the south coast of the Gulf of Finland, and borders Lääne-Viru County to the east, Järva County to the south-east, Rapla County to the south, and Lääne County to the south-west.528,468 people...
to the north-east, Rapla County
Rapla County
Rapla County , or Raplamaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in western part of the country and borders Järva County to the east, Pärnu County to the south, Lääne County to the west, and Harju County to the north...
to the east, Pärnu County
Pärnu County
Pärnu County , or Pärnumaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is situated in south-western part of the country, on the coast of Gulf of Riga, and borders Lääne and Rapla counties to the north, Järva and Viljandi counties to the east, and Latvia to the south...
to the south, and the island counties of Saare
Saare County
Saare County , or Saaremaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It consists of Saaremaa , the largest island of Estonia, and several smaller islands near it. The county borders Lääne County to the east and Hiiu County to the north...
and Hiiu to the west. 27,477 people live in Lääne County – constituting 2.0% of the total population in Estonia (as of January 2009).
County Government
The County Government is led by GovernorCounty Governors of Estonia
The Governor is the leader of a county in Estonia.-List of governers of Estonian counties:Harju County:*Johannes Reinthal *Oskar Suursööt *Martin Kruusimaa *Rudolf Kuris...
, who is appointed by the Government of Estonia for a term of five years. Since 18 February 2008, the Governor position is held by Neeme Suur.
Maavanem First Republic 1918–1941
- Aleksander Saar 1917–1927
- Artur Kasterpalu 1930–1941
Maavanem Second Republic 1993–present
- Andres LipstokAndres LipstokAndres Lipstok is the current chairman of the Bank of Estonia...
14 December 1993 – 12 August 1994 - Hannes Danilov 1 November 1994 – 3 January 1999
- Ander Vali 23 February 1999 – 20 July 1999
- Jaanus Sahk 22 September 1999 – 22 September 2004
- Stulev Vare 19 November 2004 – 14 September 2007
- Neeme Suur 18 February 2008 –
Municipalities
The county is subdivided into municipalitiesMunicipalities of Estonia
A Municipality is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia. Each municipality is a unit of self-government with its representative and executive bodies. The municipalities in Estonia cover the entire territory of the country....
. There is one urban municipality, Haapsalu ( – town) and 11 rural municipalities ( – parishes) in Lääne County.
- HaapsaluHaapsaluHaapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It's the administrative centre of Lääne County and has a population of 11,618 ....
Rural municipalities:
- Hanila ParishHanila ParishHanila is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 1679 and an area of 232 km².-Populated places:...
- Kullamaa ParishKullamaa ParishKullamaa is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 1398 and an area of 224.6 km².-Populated places:Kullamaa Parish has 14 villages:...
- Lihula ParishLihula ParishLihula Parish is a rural municipality in Lääne County, Estonia. It has a population of 2,652 and an area of 367.31 km².-Settlements:TownLihulaVillages...
(includes the town of LihulaLihulaLihula is a town in Estonia with population of 1,614 . It is a centre of a rural municipality in Lääne County.The castle of Leal was first mentioned in 1211. It was the centre of Diocese Saare-Lääne...
) - Martna ParishMartna ParishMartna is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 996 and an area of 269 km².-Villages:Martna Parish has 33 villages:...
- Noarootsi Parish
- Nõva ParishNõva ParishNõva is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 465 and an area of 129.6 km².-Populated places:Nõva Parish has 8 villages: Hindaste, Nõmmemaa, Nõva, Peraküla, Rannaküla, Tusari, Vaisi, Variku.-References:...
- Oru ParishOru ParishOru is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 932 and an area of 197.7 km².-Settlements:Oru Parish has 15 villages:...
- Ridala ParishRidala ParishRidala is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 3,017 and an area of 253.4 km².- Villages :Aamse, Allika, Ammuta, Emmuvere, Erja, Espre, Haeska, Herjava, Hobulaiu, Jõõdre, Kabrametsa, Kadaka, Kaevere, Kiideva, Kiltsi, Kiviküla, Koheri, Koidu, Kolila, Kolu,...
- Risti ParishRisti ParishRisti is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 863 and an area of 167.8 km².-References:*This article includes content from the Estonian Wikipedia article Risti vald.-External links:*...
- Taebla ParishTaebla ParishTaebla is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 2911 and an area of 141 km².The painter Ants Laikmaa lived in the parish for much of his later career.- Villages :Nigula ,Kirimäe ,Vidruka ,...
- Vormsi ParishVormsi ParishVormsi Parish is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It covers the area of Vormsi island. The population of Vormsi is 245 and has an area of 92.93 km².-Settlements:...
History
In the first centuries AD political and administrative subdivisions began to emerge in Estonia. Two larger subdivisions appeared: the parish and the county . The parish consisted of several villages. Nearly all parishes had at least one fortress. The defense of the local area was directed by the highest official, the parish elder. The county was composed of several parishes, also headed by an elder. By the 13th century the following major districts had developed in Estonia: SaaremaaSaare County
Saare County , or Saaremaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It consists of Saaremaa , the largest island of Estonia, and several smaller islands near it. The county borders Lääne County to the east and Hiiu County to the north...
(Osilia), Läänemaa (Rotalia or Maritima), Harjumaa
Harjumaa
Harjumaa, , was an ancient Estonian county. It corresponded roughly to the present territory of Rapla County.- See also :*Danish Estonia*Harju County*Rapla County*History of Estonia*Livonian Crusade*Rulers of Estonia...
(Harria), Rävala (Revalia), Virumaa
Virumaa
Virumaa is a former independent county in Ancient Estonia. Now it is divided into Ida-Viru County or Eastern Vironia and Lääne-Viru County or Western Vironia...
(Vironia), Järvamaa (Jervia), Sakala
Sakala
Sakala may refer to:* Sagala, a city of ancient India* Sakala County, an ancient county in Estonia * Sakala , an Estonian academic corporation* Sakala , an Estonian newspaper...
(Saccala), and Ugandi (Ugaunia
Ugaunia
Ugandi was an independent country between the east coast of Lake Võrtsjärv and west coast of Lake Pskov, bordered by Vaiga, Mõhu, Nurmekund, Sakala, Tālava, and The Principality of Pskov. Ugandi had an area of approximately 3000 hides...
).
Läänemaa ' onMouseout='HidePop("48097")' href="/topics/Low_German">Low German
Low German
Low German or Low Saxon is an Ingvaeonic West Germanic language spoken mainly in northern Germany and the eastern part of the Netherlands...
: Wiek) was an independent
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
country on the east coast of Baltic sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
, bordered by Revala, Harjumaa
Harjumaa
Harjumaa, , was an ancient Estonian county. It corresponded roughly to the present territory of Rapla County.- See also :*Danish Estonia*Harju County*Rapla County*History of Estonia*Livonian Crusade*Rulers of Estonia...
, Alempois
Alempois
Alempois was a small independent landlocked country in ancient Estonia, bordered by Harjumaa, Järvamaa, Nurmekund, Sakala, and Läänemaa. Alempois had an area of approximately 400 hides.- See also :*Livonian Crusade*Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights...
, and Sakala
Sackalia
Sakala County was an ancient Estonian county first mentioned in print by Henry of Livonia in the beginning of the 13th Century....
. Läänemaa had an area of approximately 1900 hides
Hide (unit)
The hide was originally an amount of land sufficient to support a household, but later in Anglo-Saxon England became a unit used in assessing land for liability to "geld", or land tax. The geld would be collected at a stated rate per hide...
. Early in 1220 troops of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, initially led by King John I
John I of Sweden
John I of Sweden was a Swedish king elected in 1216. -Background:John was the son of King Sverker II of Sweden of the House of Sverker and Queen Ingegerd of the Bjälbo dynasty. King Sverker had been beaten in the Battle of Lena and later killed in the Battle of Gestilren in 1210...
, had invaded Läänemaa. The Swedish army took the Lihula
Lihula
Lihula is a town in Estonia with population of 1,614 . It is a centre of a rural municipality in Lääne County.The castle of Leal was first mentioned in 1211. It was the centre of Diocese Saare-Lääne...
stronghold
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
and set up a small garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
. Swedish Jarl
Jarl in Sweden
In Sweden, members of medieval royal families, such as the House of Stenkil and House of Bjelbo, held the title of jarl before their accession to the throne. Since the early 12th century, there usually was only one holder of the title at a time, second only to the King of Sweden.For special...
Karl Döve
Charles the Deaf
Charles the Deaf from the House of Bjelbo was the jarl of Sweden during 1216–1220. His father was magnate Bengt Snivil. He was the brother of Magnus Minnesköld and jarl Birger Brosa and father of jarl Ulf Fase...
and Bishop Karl Magnusson of Linköping
Bishop of Linköping
-Before the reformation:* Herbert?* Rikard?* 1139-1160s Gisle* 1170-1171 Stenar* 1187-1195/96 Kol* Johannes* 1216-1220 Karl Magnusson* 1220-1236 Bengt Magnusson* 1236-1258 Lars* 1258-1283 Henrik* 1258-1286 Bo...
, both from the powerful House of Bjelbo
House of Bjelbo
The House of Bjelbo , also known as the House of Folkung , was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided for several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings.- Name and origin :...
, also remained in the castle. On August 8, 1220 the united Œselian and Rotalian army encircled the castle at dawn. The castle was set ablaze in the course of the fierce battle that ensued. Swedish troops tried to make their way out, but they were killed on site except for a few soldiers that succeeded in escaping to Kesoniemi held by Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. The Jarl, the Bishop, and almost 500 other Swedes were killed, leaving no Swedish presence in Estonia at all. The short-lived Swedish attempt to gain foothold in Estonia was motivated by the quickly advancing Danish and Low German crusaders
Livonian Crusade
The Livonian Crusade refers to the German and Danish conquest and colonization of medieval Livonia, the territory constituting modern Latvia and Estonia, during the Northern Crusades...
who had been able to conquer most of the area in the early 13th century. Defeat in the Battle of Lihula
Battle of Lihula
Battle of Lihula was fought between invading Swedes and Estonians for the control of a castle in Lihula, Estonia in 1220. The exact date remains uncertain, though some historians suggest that the battle took place on August 8...
discouraged the Swedish expansion to Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
for more than 300 years, and the country was left for the Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
, Low German Bishops and Denmark to divide. In the meantime, Sweden focused on Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and the Swedish-Novgorodian Wars
Swedish-Novgorodian Wars
Swedish–Novgorodian Wars were a series of conflicts in the 12th and 13th centuries between the Republic of Novgorod and medieval Sweden over control of the Gulf of Finland, an area vital to the Hanseatic League and part of the Varangian-Byzantine trade route...
. After the Livonian Crusade
Livonian Crusade
The Livonian Crusade refers to the German and Danish conquest and colonization of medieval Livonia, the territory constituting modern Latvia and Estonia, during the Northern Crusades...
Läänemaa became the main territory of The Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek
Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek
The Bishopric of Ösel–Wiek was a semi-independent Roman Catholic prince-bishopric in what is now Saare, Hiiu and Lääne counties of Estonia.The bishopric was created as a state of Holy Roman Empire on 1 October 1228, by Henry, King of the Romans...
, an independent Bishopric. Parts of Bishop castle
Haapsalu Castle
Haapsalu Castle is a castle with cathedral in Haapsalu, western Estonia. It was founded in the thirteenth century to be a center for the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek...
are still preserved in Haapsalu
Haapsalu
Haapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It's the administrative centre of Lääne County and has a population of 11,618 ....
.
Historic Parishes (kihelkonnad)
- HanilaHanilaHanila is a village in Hanila Parish, Lääne County in western Estonia....
- CozzoKaruseKaruse is a village in Hanila Parish, Lääne County, in western Estonia....
(Karuse) - Corbe (Kõrve)
- LihulaLihulaLihula is a town in Estonia with population of 1,614 . It is a centre of a rural municipality in Lääne County.The castle of Leal was first mentioned in 1211. It was the centre of Diocese Saare-Lääne...
- Ridala (:et:Ridala)
- Soontagan (:et:Soontagana)
- around MärjamaaMärjamaaMärjamaa is a borough in Rapla County, Estonia. It is the administrative center of Märjamaa Parish. Märjamaa had a population of 3,108 as of 1 January 2008.-External links:*...
After the German conquest in 1227, Lääne County became the center of Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek
Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek
The Bishopric of Ösel–Wiek was a semi-independent Roman Catholic prince-bishopric in what is now Saare, Hiiu and Lääne counties of Estonia.The bishopric was created as a state of Holy Roman Empire on 1 October 1228, by Henry, King of the Romans...
, an independent principality within Livonian Confederation
Livonian Confederation
Terra Mariana was the official name for Medieval Livonia or Old Livonia which was formed in the aftermath of the Livonian Crusade in the territories comprising present day Estonia and Latvia...
. Parts of bishop castle
Haapsalu Castle
Haapsalu Castle is a castle with cathedral in Haapsalu, western Estonia. It was founded in the thirteenth century to be a center for the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek...
are still preserved in Haapsalu
Haapsalu
Haapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It's the administrative centre of Lääne County and has a population of 11,618 ....
.
Geography
External links
- Läänemaa Portal (in Estonian)
- Lääne County Government Official website (in Estonian)