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Herzogtum Livland Hercogiste Līvõmō Duchy of LivoniaLivonia
The Duchy of Livonia (German: Herzogtum Livland, Livonian: Hercogiste Līvõmō) is a duchy in personal union with the Kingdom of Prussia, within the Holy Roman Empire. The Duchy of Livonia was first established as an independent duchy in 1594 following a brief civil war in Prussia after a succession crisis. Livonia would continue to be independent for several years, becoming an influential cultural and economic nation in the Baltic Sea region. In 1612 the Duchy of Livonia was invaded by the Republic of Pskov and several other nations, beginning the Livonian War. In the ensuing Treaty of Königsberg, the Duchy of Livonia was returned to the Kingdom of Prussia, beginning a personal union under George I, King of Prussia.
Early in its history the Duchy of Livonia distinguished itself as a cultural and economic center, with many of its cities, such as Riga, becoming important trade cities. Livonia would be home to many important movements in the arts, as well as a successful commercial center, previously owning the Imperial Mint at Riga.
The region currently owned by the Duchy of Livonia was first settled many millennia ago by Aestii (or Balts), as the Roman scholar Tacitus would call them. The Aestii were a Balto-Finnic people who lived primarily in Estonia, Courland, and Livonia, but also spanned as far southwest as Danzig.
The Aestii then split off into two distinct groups - one that adopted the Slavo-Baltic languages and one that maintained the Balto-Finnic languages. The two would coexist in the Baltic region for quite some time in ancient history.
Traditional Baltic Garb, 500 AD - 1200 AD
The largest Aestii settlement would form near the delta of the Daugava River, which was a principal connection between the coastal and inland peoples, and was known as the "route from the Vikings to the Greeks."
The Aestii practiced a complicated pagan religion that had some roots in Norse paganism, but had greater focus on spirits in everyday beings and celestial objects. These "heathen" customs, coupled with the desire of Christian expansion, led to eventual crusades that would change Baltic history forever...
Livonian Crusades[]
Coat of Arms of the Teutonic Order
Since the Balts were a pagan people living in Europe, in 1193, Pope Celestine III called a crusade for northern Europe. By the early 1200s, feudalism and religious furor spurred many Germans into the region to take up the papal orders to engage in a crusade, and the Northern Crusades began.
There were four primary crusading parties: the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Livonian Order of Sword-Brothers, and the Teutonic Order. The Livonian Order was comprised of both Germans and Livonians, who were one of the first pagan peoples to fully convert to Christianity.
From 1198-1212, the Livonians were converted, and therefore Riga was founded in 1201 to serve as a base of crusading activities. Estonia would be subjugated by 1224, and Courland would eventually be fully Christianized by 1290.
The region now under the Duchy of Livonia then experienced subsequent oppression of local culture in favor of Christianization and Germanization.
Under Prussia[]
By 1400, there were only five nations in the Baltic region: the Teutonic Order (later as Prussia), the Bishopric of Dorpat, Bishopric of Courland, Bishopric of Osel-Wiek, and the Archbishopric of Riga. In 1410, the Bishopric of Dorpat fell under the Archbishopric of Riga, which was then aligned with Prussia.
Under Prussia, the region of Livonia modernized and managed to become on-par with the rest of Germany.
After Prussia sold their primary.
Independence[]
Royal Portrait of Jaagup I
Redistribution of land
Close to serfdom
Small colonial empire
Imperial Mint at Riga - 1598
In 1602, the eldest son of Jaagup, the Count of Wenden (as the presumptive heir to the throne is called in Livonia) Maunas, married Kristina Szczuka of Poland-Lithuania, the second-in-line to the throne of Poland-Lithuania. Maunas' connection with Poland made Livonia much more profitable and set up for a dynastic union which came about with the death of King Casimir III in 16__. Count Maunas and Princess Kristina had a son in early 1610, named Nikolajs, who is positioned to inherit both realms at the death of his parents.
Siege of Narva, 1610
In 1610, Pskov declared war upon Livonia over colonial and economic disputes. The subsequent Livonian War, saw the emergence of Livonia as a regional power. First, Pskov failed to capture Narva after the siege was routed by Count Maunas Vaalgamaast. Peace banners were raised and an uneasy armistice was declared between Pskov and Livonia. Then, Prussia invaded Kuramo, but was defeated at the Battle of Skuodas (1611), and the Livonians saw this as "Pskovian treachery" and a breaking of their truce, and prompted Count Maunas to recommence the assault on Pskov. However, this ended in an abject failure as the Pskovian armies had gotten into defensive positions during the armistice. The Livonian armies under Count Maunas were routed and the city of Narva promptly captured in the Second siege of Narva (1612). The subsequent retreat of Livonian forces provided the Pskovians and Prussians the chance they so desperately desired.
In 1613, both the Polish and the Spaniards had joined the war, and invaded from the sea, and aided in the blockade of Riga, which saw the stolen Pskovian technology of the Arsenal of Riga burned to the ground. by the end of the year, the Pskovians had besieged and captured Reval, Dorpat and Wended, while the Prussians, Poles and Spaniards had captured the south of the nation and were advancing on Riga, the last real stronghold of Duke Jaagup of Livonia. The Republics of Reval and Narva were declared by the Pskovian generals in charge of them. After a short siege by all allied forces, Duke Jaagup surrendered unconditionally.
The Treaty of Königsberg ended the war and established the Republic of Narva as an independent state (and a de facto vassal of Pskov), and as the General in charge of the occupation of Reval died form his old age, the territory was given to Prussia as the forces retreated. Poland was given the territories it occupied, and the territory Prussia held was reconstituted into a reduced Duchy of Livonia, under personal union with Prussia. However, disputes between the extent of the Republic of Narva's control extended until much later on.
Integration[]
Government[]
The government of the Duchy of Livonia a feudal hereditary duchy that operates under the frameworks established by the Holy Roman Empire. The government is led by the Duke of Livonia, currently Jaagup I Vaalgamaast, who maintains fealty and vassalization contracts with his vassals.
The Duke is a de jure vassal of the Holy Roman Emperor, Wolfgang I von Habsburg.
Divisions[]
Note: Italics represent an autonomous vassal that is not a de jure part of the Duchy of Livonia but ruled by a Count who swears vassalage to the Hercog.
The Duchy of Livonia is comprised of one archbishopric, one bishopric, four free cities, ten counties, and five margraviates.
All vassals are listed by type, and then clockwise from 12 o'clock.
Green - Free Cities Gold - Archbishopric of Riga Yellow - Bishopric of Dorpat Light Blue - Counties Dark Blue - Margraviates
Duchy of Livonia
Coat of Arms of the Archbishopric of Riga
Archbishopric of Riga
Bishopric of Dorpat
Free City of Reval
Free City of Narva
Free City of Wenden
Free City of Riga
County of
County of
County of
County of
County of
County of
County of
County of
County of
County of
Margraviate of Aluksne
Margraviate of Rezekne
Margraviate of Daugavpils
Margraviate of Selpils
Margraviate of Koknese
County of Osel-Wiek (Saare-Lääne)
County of Courland (Kuramo)
Colonies[]
There are two primary colonial regions of Livonia. The first is in the OTL Bahamas (ATL Seichtes Wasser or Vȯiti Vež [Shallow Water] Archipelago). The second is the OTL Leeward Islands (ATL Kōlaisa Jõugõisa [Sandy Islands]).
Here is a list of islands under the control of Livonian colonies, with OTL and ATL names, as well as the largest city (if applicable):
Livonia is home to four Free and Imperial Cities. These cities each claim a population of over 15,000 inhabitants.
Riga (Rīga) - The capital city of Livonia, Riga is also the largest city in the nation. Arguably the largest city along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea (a position which is disputed with Elsastat) ~60,000
Reval (Talins) - CITY ~16,000
Wenden (Cēsis) - CITY
Narva - CITY
Economy[]
The economy of Livonia is a combination of agricultural and trade-based economic functions. Although relying almost entirely on various primary sector fields for production, Livonia manages to be one of the fastest growing economies in both the Holy Roman Empire and Eastern Europe.
Production[]
Production in Livonia is based mostly on utilization of natural resources...
Trade[]
Largely ocean based, with over 12,000 sq km of coastline in Livonia, Courland and Osel-Wiek.
Military[]
Emblem of the Maavägi
The military of Livonia is the Livonian Maavägi,
Navy[]
Naval Ensign
The Livonian Navy, or NAME, is a moderate-sized and relatively advanced European-style navy. Drawing heavily from the latest of German, Scandinavian, and Pskovian naval techniques, the Livonian navy is one of the most adaptable fleets in the Baltic Sea.
The history of the Livonian Navy hails to pre-independence period. After the Kingdom of Prussia sold Danzig to Poland-Lithuania, the Prussian navy began to be centralized more and more in Riga, Reval, and Narva. These three ports became the first, second, and fourth largest ports in Prussia, respectively.
This led to a disproportionate amount of the Prussian navy being located in what would become Livonia. When Livonia broke free from the Kingdom of Prussia in 1584, it seized all of the Prussian navy that was stationed at Rigal, Reval and Narva. The shrewd negotiations of Duke Jaagup allowed half of the remaining Prussian navy to fall into Livonian hands. All told, the Livonian navy had NUMBER ships in 1600.
Current Naval Composition:
Man of War
Galleon
Frigate
Galleas
Caravel
Barque
Corvette
Culture[]
The culture of Livonia is predominantly based upon the Balto-Finnic tradition, but also comprises a unique blend of Finnic, Baltic, Slavic, and Germanic cultures.
There are three predominant, distinct cultural groups in Livonia. They are, in order of approximate population: Livonia (46%), Courlander (32%), and Estonian (22%).
Art[]
Art in Livonia is largely religious, but also has some Renaissance elements (as a result of the proximity to Pskov)
While are in Livonia had been relatively silenced by Prussian authorities, there were a few notable Livonian artists who worked in Danzig (now Gdańsk) and Königsberg. After independence was attained in 1594, a number of ethnic Livonians studying around the world came to Riga to create their art. A few notable artists of the early 1600s include:
Vīsvaldis Šimoneit - An artist of the early 1600s, Šimoneit's are it very humanistic in its nature. Trained in Pskov by the art masters from there, and also exploring art forms from the Mediterranean world, Šimoneit returned to Livonia in 1601, a few years after its independence. Šimoneit would found his own school of art in Livonia, which would become the basis for the Questionist (OTL Baroque Humanist) style to emerge in the mid-1600s. MORE REALISM LATER ON
The Palace of Humanity (1602) by Vīsvaldis Šimoneit
Good Strength (1609) by Vīsvaldis Šimoneit
Siege of Narva (1612) by Vīsvaldis Šimoneit
Kristjan Pāavö - The foremost apprentice of Šimoneit, ... Frozen Castle MORE FANTASY
Frozen Castle (1608) by Kristjan Pāavö
Kingdom of Earth in Morning (1613) by Kristjan Pāavö
Journey to Fantasy (1614) by Kristjan Pāavö
Architecture[]
The architectural style of Livonia is primarily defined by early German building styles dating back to the 1200s and 1300s. This style, brought in by the Teutonic and Livonian Orders as well as the Danish crusaders, was used to construct the major cities of Riga, Wenden (Cēsis) and Reval.
This style, which started further south near Königsberg, was mixed with native architecture, which was relatively basic and was based on the ideas of function over form.
Late Medieval Architecture, normally people live in small houses and serfs formerly lived in huts.
Emergence of Questionist Architecture
Aīvars Baltgālis
Cēsis Castle, one of many late Medieval Castles common to Livonia
Ibbi Kȯrand, "the Horse Palace" designed outside of Reval, by Aīvars Baltgālis
Language[]
The official language of Livonia, and the language in which almost all trade and all government actions take place in, is Livonian. Livonian, although technically a Finno-Urgic language, is very similar to Balto-Slavic languages, due to centuries of mingling of culture.
Livonian was always a relatively major language along the Livonian Coast, which encompasses the most populous region of Livonia. As the failed Prussian policy of Germanization began, Curonian and Livonian tended to grow closer in both vocabulary and grammar.
By the time of the fall of the Prussian rule of the northern Baltic, An ancient language...
Finno-Urgic History?
Most similar to OTL Estonian
Alphabet[]
Uppercase
A
Ā
Ä
Ǟ
B
D
Ḑ
Ć
E
Ē
F
G
H
I
Ī
J
K
L
Ļ
M
N
Ņ
O
Ō
Ȯ
Ȱ
Ö
Ȫ
Õ
Ȭ
P
R
Ŗ
S
Š
T
Ț
U
Ū
V
Z
Ž
Lowercase
a
ā
ä
ǟ
b
d
ḑ
ć
e
ē
f
g
h
i
ī
j
k
l
ļ
m
n
ņ
o
ō
ȯ
ȱ
ö
ȫ
õ
ȭ
p
r
ŗ
s
š
t
ţ
u
ū
v
z
ž
Vocabulary[]
-st (as a suffix) - of
Hercogiste - Duchy
Hercog - Duke
Ūž - New
Kōla - Island
Keīzaja - Empire
Keīza - Imperial
Republika - Republic
Svētais - Saint
Arkkpiiskop - Archbishop
Piiskop - Bishop
Suodīkšiz - War
Kȯrand - Palace
Karaļa - King
Karaļvalts - Kingdom
Religion[]
Signet Ring of the Archbishop
The Current Archbishop of Riga, Kaspars I
Religion plays a major role in the daily lives of most Livonians, the majority of whom call themselves Christian.
Religion also plays a major role in the history of Livonia - the earliest history of Livonia's interactions with western Europe was based around the Northern Crusades.
The predominant branch of Christianity in the Duchy of Livonia is the Western Church, led by the Archbishop of Riga.
Foreign Relations[]
The foreign relations of Livonia, while still being developed by the Duke and other officials, tend to be positive with a majority of nearby nations.
The first major nation to reach out to Livonia was, ironically, the Kingdom of Prussia from whom Livonia had split. This odd coincidence was because
As a member of the Holy Roman Empire, the Duchy of Livonia is under the protection of the Holy Roman Emperor, and therefore Austria.
Other nearby nations and there foreign relations are listed below.
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