Battle of Lehola

1215 military conflict in Estonia during Livonian Crusade
58°32′58″N 25°28′58″E / 58.5494°N 25.4828°E / 58.5494; 25.4828Result Livonian victoryBelligerents Sword-Brothers,
Livs and Letts EstoniansCommanders and leaders Philip of Ratzeburg, Volkwin, Sons of Tālivaldis of Tolowa Lembitu of SackaliaStrength Around 6,000 More than 9,000Casualties and losses Unknown Unknown
  • v
  • t
  • e
Livonian Crusade
Campaign against the Estonians
  • Cēsis
  • Ümera
  • Turaida
  • 1st Viljandi
  • Lehola
  • Riga
  • Otepää
  • St. Matthew's Day
  • Lindanise
  • Lihula
  • Tallinn
  • 2nd Viljandi
  • Tartu
  • Muhu

Campaign against the Semigallians

  • Garoza

Campaign against the Lithuanians

The Battle of Lehola was fought in 1215 between the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, a crusading military order, and the Estonians.

History

In the spring of 1215, a Crusader force with their allies raided the Sakala County. The plundering, however, was done in the northern section of the county. Afterwards, the crusader army besieged the stronghold of Lõhavere (Leole) that belonged to the elder Lembitu. The Estonian forces inside the stronghold confronted the enemy and "gave them a big scare". The besiegers nevertheless managed to light the stronghold on the third day. The Estonians weren't able to put the fire out and were forced to come out and surrender. During the christening, however, the German army invaded the stronghold and "robbed everything that could be robbed". Lembitu along with other elders were taken with the Germans, but were released soon after receiving the elders' sons as hostages.[1]

References

  1. ^ Mäesalu, Ain (1997). Eesti ajalugu (1. osa). Avita. p. 168. ISBN 9985-2-0043-8.