Northern Crusades

Quick Facts: Who was Northern Crusades?

Subject:

Northern Crusades

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Military campaigns to Christianize pagans across the Baltic Sea during the 12th and 13th centuries.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Northern Crusades, or Baltic Crusades, were military campaigns conducted by several Catholic kingdoms and military orders in an effort to Christianize all the pagans (Balts, Finns, and West Slavs) around the southern and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. The most notable of these campaigns were the Prussian and Livonian Crusades, the latter of which also fought against the Orthodox Christian states of Novgorod and Pskov. In some cases, such as with the Wendish Crusade, the conflicts were partly aimed at controlling the rich resources found in these lands. The Swedish Crusades were fought against Finns, Tavastians, and Karelians. Some of these wars were explicitly regarded as crusades during the Middle Ages.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

For example, the war against the Estonians and the "other pagans in those parts" was authorized by Pope Alexander III's 1171 crusade bull, Non parum animus noster (Our mind is deeply [troubled/distressed]). At the start of the northern crusades, Christian monarchs across northern Europe commissioned forays into territories that comprised modern-day Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. The indigenous populations of pagans suffered forced baptisms and the ravages of military occupation. The ascendant Teutonic Order, a German military religious order founded as a hospital around 1190 and established as a military order in 1198, spearheaded these incursions and profited immensely from the crusades, as did German merchants who fanned out along trading routes traversing the Baltic frontier. The official starting point for the Northern Crusades was Pope Celestine III's call in 1195, but the Catholic kingdoms of Scandinavia, Poland, and the Holy Roman Empire had begun moving to subjugate their pagan neighbors even earlier (see Christianization of Pomerania).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The non-Christian peoples who were objects of the campaigns at various dates included: The Polabian Wends, Sorbs, and Obotrites between the Elbe and Oder Rivers (by the Saxons, Danes, and Poles, beginning with the Wendish Crusade in 1147). The Finns proper in the 1150s in the First Crusade by the Swedes; by the Danes in 1191 and 1202; Tavastia in 1249 in the Second Crusade by the Swedes; and Karelia in 1293 in the Third Crusade by the Swedes. Christianization in these areas, however, had started earlier. Livonians, Latgallians, Selonians, and Estonians (by the Germans and Danes, 1193–1227). Semigallians and Curonians (1219–1290).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1147: 1147 Milestone — The non-Christian peoples who were objects of the campaigns at various dates included: The Polabian Wends, Sorbs, and Obotrites between the Elbe and Oder Rivers (by the Saxons, Danes, and Poles, beginning with the Wendish Crusade in 1147).
2. 1171: 1171 Milestone — For example, the war against the Estonians and the "other pagans in those parts" was authorized by Pope Alexander III's 1171 crusade bull, Non parum animus noster (Our mind is deeply [troubled/distressed]).
3. 1190: 1190 Milestone — The ascendant Teutonic Order, a German military religious order founded as a hospital around 1190 and established as a military order in 1198, spearheaded these incursions and profited immensely from the crusades, as did German merchants who fanned out along trading routes traversing the Baltic frontier.
4. 1191: 1191 Milestone — The Finns proper in the 1150s in the First Crusade by the Swedes; by the Danes in 1191 and 1202; Tavastia in 1249 in the Second Crusade by the Swedes; and Karelia in 1293 in the Third Crusade by the Swedes.
5. 1193: 1193 Milestone — Livonians, Latgallians, Selonians, and Estonians (by the Germans and Danes, 1193–1227).
6. 1195: 1195 Milestone — The official starting point for the Northern Crusades was Pope Celestine III's call in 1195, but the Catholic kingdoms of Scandinavia, Poland, and the Holy Roman Empire had begun moving to subjugate their pagan neighbors even earlier (see Christianization of Pomerania).
7. 1219: 1219 Milestone — Semigallians and Curonians (1219–1290).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Northern Crusades

True or False: “The Northern Crusades were solely motivated by religious zeal to convert pagan populations.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Christianization was a stated goal, the campaigns were also heavily driven by economic motives, particularly controlling rich resources and lucrative trade routes.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alfonso IX of León — Historical peer (Born in 1171) (1171): King of León and Galicia, known for modernizing his domain and founding the University of Salamanca.
• Frederick Barbarossa — Historical peer (Died in 1190) (1190): Holy Roman Emperor who dominated Italian politics and expanded imperial authority.
• Ivan Asen II — Historical peer (Born in 1190) (1190): Emperor of Bulgaria, who restored the Second Bulgarian Empire's power and influence.
• Averroes — Historical peer (Died in 1198) (1198): Andalusian polymath and jurist, renowned for his commentaries on Aristotle.
• Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair — Historical peer (Died in 1198) (1198): Last High King of Ireland before the Anglo-Norman invasion (c. 1116–1198)
• Anthony of Padua — Historical peer (Born in 1195) (1195): Portuguese Catholic saint and Franciscan friar, renowned for his preaching.
• Henry the Lion — Historical peer (Died in 1195) (1195): Powerful Welf prince, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, whose ambition shaped medieval Germany.
• Minamoto no Yoritomo — Historical peer (Born in 1147) (1147): Founder of the Kamakura Shogunate and first great military ruler of Japan.
• Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester — Historical peer (Died in 1147) (1147): Illegitimate son of Henry I, key military figure in the Anarchy.
• Tolui — Historical peer (Born in 1191) (1191): Prominent general and regent of the Mongol Empire, son of Genghis Khan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Crusades