In February 1217, a large Russian force, along with Oeselians and other Estonians, arrived at Otepää to besiege it. The number of the besiegers is said to have reached 20,000 men. Because the stronghold was located on a very well-defended hill, the siege lasted for 17 days.
The Bishop Albert of Riga sent 3,000 men from Riga headed by the master of the order to relieve the trapped German force in Otepää. Near the stronghold they met the Estonian and Russian forces in battle. The Germans managed to get into the stronghold, but with very heavy casualties. The situation became very difficult for them. The long siege decreased the people's food and fodder to the minimum. The horses were said to have eaten the horsetails off each other. On the third day after the German relief army had arrived the stronghold, the negotiations started. Based on the peace they made, the Germans had to leave not only from Otepää, but from all of Estonia. It was the greatest defeat for the Crusaders in the Livonian Crusade to Estonia.[2]
Referencesedit
^Toivo Miljan, Historical Dictionary of Estonia, Scarecrow Press 2004, ISBN0-8108-4904-6
^Mäesalu, Ain (1997). Eesti ajalugu (1. osa). Avita. p. 168. ISBN9985-2-0043-8.
This article about a battle in Russian history is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
battle, otepää, 1217, battle, otepää, battle, during, livonian, crusade, 1217, battle, ended, with, victory, estonians, russians, battle, otepääpart, livonian, crusadedatefebruary, 1217locationotepää, estonia58, 05750, 50472, 05750, 50472resultcrusaders, were,. Battle of Otepaa was a battle during the Livonian Crusade in 1217 1 The battle ended with a victory for the Estonians and Russians Battle of OtepaaPart of the Livonian CrusadeDateFebruary 1217LocationOtepaa Estonia58 03 27 N 26 30 17 E 58 05750 N 26 50472 E 58 05750 26 50472ResultCrusaders were forced to leave OtepaaBelligerentsLivonian Brothers of the Sword Ugandians Livs LettsPrincipality of PskovOeseliansCommanders and leadersVolquinVladimir Mstislavich of PskovStrengthmore than 3 000ca 20 000Casualties and lossesHeavy casualtiesLow casualties In February 1217 a large Russian force along with Oeselians and other Estonians arrived at Otepaa to besiege it The number of the besiegers is said to have reached 20 000 men Because the stronghold was located on a very well defended hill the siege lasted for 17 days The Bishop Albert of Riga sent 3 000 men from Riga headed by the master of the order to relieve the trapped German force in Otepaa Near the stronghold they met the Estonian and Russian forces in battle The Germans managed to get into the stronghold but with very heavy casualties The situation became very difficult for them The long siege decreased the people s food and fodder to the minimum The horses were said to have eaten the horsetails off each other On the third day after the German relief army had arrived the stronghold the negotiations started Based on the peace they made the Germans had to leave not only from Otepaa but from all of Estonia It was the greatest defeat for the Crusaders in the Livonian Crusade to Estonia 2 References edit Toivo Miljan Historical Dictionary of Estonia Scarecrow Press 2004 ISBN 0 8108 4904 6 Maesalu Ain 1997 Eesti ajalugu 1 osa Avita p 168 ISBN 9985 2 0043 8 nbsp This article about a battle in Russian history is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp nbsp This article about history of Estonia is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Otepaa 1217 amp oldid 1215303266, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
