Livonia

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Livonia is a region in Europe that consists of modern-day Latvia and Estonia, which was influenced by several external powers. This page outlines the history of Livonia during Brazilian's Varna series. As of 1444, Livonia was an autonomous domain ruled by the Teutonic Order, until their secession from the latter in 1506 to form the Livonian Confederation. After losing territories during a civil conflict called the Livonian War, Livonia became a duchy loyal to Poland, and later Sweden after the Second Baltic War.
== Confederative Constituents ==
The Livonian Confederation was made up of the following entities:
* Archbishopric of Riga
* Bishopric of Courland
* Bishopric of Dorpat
* Bishopric of Osel-Wiek
* City of Riga
* Livonian Brothers of the Sword (or simply the Livonian Order)
== Freedom from the Teutonic Order ==
On August 11th, 1506, the leaders of these entities met in Riga to declare the secession of the Confederation from the Teutonic Order. When the latter threatened to reconquer Livonia, Poland came to Livonia's defence, and this resulted in the First Baltic War, including an intervention from the Kalmar Union, who conquered Osel-Wiek in late February 1507. Soon Kalmar was distracted by other fronts, and was dissolved entirely before the end of the war. The 1508 Treaty of Riga formalised Livonian independence, as well as the ownership of Osel-Wiek by the now independent Swedish kingdom. Then began a 30-year period of independence for Livonia. Despite an increased Polish influence over the region, the Livonians swore fealty to no-one at this time.
== The Livonian War ==
=== The Livonian Reformation ===
The Protestant Reformation brought an end to this peace. Inspired by the Teutonic reformation into Prussia in late 1525, the Livonian Order decided to secularise in January 1537. This was met with backlash from the Confederation's Bishoprics. The Livonian Order was the leader of the Confederation, so the Bishoprics declared war, in order to prop up the Archbishopric of Riga to lead the Confederation instead. 
The war was equally matched at first. Owing to the fact that the Order and the Bishoprics all controlled enclaves and exclaves within the Livonian region, both sides captured some territories and lost others. Though it was initially an internal struggle, other powers had their eyes on the region. 
=== Losing Courland ===
In late August 1537, Poland severed all ties with the Confederation, and aided Lithuania in an invasion of Courland. When the Bishopric of Courland surrendered, the Livonian Confederation was forced to cede territory to the new Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. November saw Poland's departure from the conflict, but in response to their intervention, Sweden began supporting the Livonian Order in early December.
=== Losing Riga and Estonia ===
Through 1538, 1539 and most of 1540, the frontlines remained stalemated. While the Bishoprics held the southern half of the Confederation, Sweden and the Livonian Order maintained the north. September 1540 brought a change to the conflict when a Danish-Norwegian fleet arrived in the city of Riga. After Denmark ousted the Livonians and took control of the city, Sweden conducted a similar move in Estonia, before leaving the war. It was later discovered that Sweden had planned to support the Livonian Order only to gain the city of Riga in exchange, so the Swedes had taken Estonia as a consolation prize. By now Livonia was split east/west rather than north/south between the armies of the Livonian Order and the bishoprics. 
=== The End of the Confederation ===
With Sweden's departure, Poland once again took an interest in the region, agreeing to support the Livonian Order in exchange for fealty. Hence, the Livonian Order annexed all occupied territory and declared the formation of the Duchy of Livonia, now a Polish vassal. With that, they gained the support of Polish and Lithuanian troops in retaking eastern Livonia from bishopric control. In the Treaty of Rositten, the bishoprics' territories were annexed by the new Duchy, and the war finally ended.
== The Second Baltic War ==
{transfer to Swedish control TBA}
Category:Varna Countries