VÕIMUMÄNGUD PÕHJA-EESTIS AASTAIL 1219–1238
GAMES OF POWER IN NORTHERN ESTONIA 1219–1238

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, the authors discuss the problems of establishing the structures of power in Northern Estonia. Our methodological approach owes a debt to the view on the sources of social power, introduced by Michael Mann, as a starting point. Mann breaks down power into the four basic types: ideological, economic, political and military. In the state-making process interaction of the four give territory characteristics that one can call an early or pre-modern state. Centrally exerted control with the four powers in society is a fundamental characteristic of the state. The maturity of a state depends on the ability to build up networks of power by rulers, aspiring for centralised government. The build-up of feudal structures in Northern Estonia appears to have run along two different paths of domination. Starting from 1219, the Danes focused on the establishment of ecclesiastical structures, i.e. introducing Latin Christianity as the main manifestation of the common ideology of the West. Having high hopes for the advancement of the Christian faith and a reliable ecclesiastical platform, the popes gave Danish authorities a free hand in these matters. Both secularly and ecclesiastically, King Valdemar II was allowed to place conquered lands in Estonia under the Danish Crown and the archiepiscopal seat of Lund. Even though the conversion of the native population went peacefully, the network of economic, military and political power suffered from a wavering support from the Danish Crown. Compared with the Germans, competing with them for domination of the same lands, the Danes did not invest enough social resources to establish a Danish loyal power base here. The Germans, especially the Order of the Swordbrothers, were better connected with local Old Livonian networks and they obtained political superiority by use of a local military presence, all-year round. The German multitude of various consortia and, however confusing and fragmented they may look, turned out as the more tenacious of the two. In 1227 the Danes were forced to leave Estonia and all the territory fell into the hands of the Order. All that was left for the Danes was a hope that perhaps one day, should a more salutary occasion arise, their claims on Estonia might be put forward again. During the period 1227–1238 the hands of the Order were not entirely free to carry out the type of domination most favourable to their own political ends. The Papal Legate thus representative of the supreme ideological power, interfered as a mediator between the Danes and the Order, laying down ground rules and even making his own vassals in the disputed territory – this was a political reality which the Order had to come to terms with. So the political framework existing within the dominion of the Swordbrothers also held a stratum of vassals loyal to the Pope.

• Details
• Contents