The

The Welcome to a history of Europe, Key Battles, the Livonian War of 1558 to 1583, part one of four.

In a remote corner of northeastern Europe, near the village of Ergime, today in northern Latvia,

on the 2nd of August, 1560, was fought a battle largely forgotten to history, yet which marks

an important milestone.

On the one side was a group of Russian cavalry sent by Tsar Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terbil.

On the other, a few hundred members of the Levanian Order of the Knights of the Sword and 500 auxiliaries.

The Levanian Order were a German crusading organisation, who in former years had led the Northern Crusades.

Over a period of many years from the 12th to 15th century, they had transformed the southern Baltic coastline,

conquered most of the territory there, and brought Christianity to a formerly pagan part of the world.

Hit by the 1500s they were in serious decline. The Knights' commander-in-chief

leading up to the battle, Philip Chal van Bela, was so confident with defeating the Russians he declined

to meet up with a nearby Allied force. His reconnaissance was poor, and he did not appreciate the extent to which he was outnumbered by the enemy.

As described by a contemporary, quote, on August 2nd, 30 crusader horsemen went out to forage some 17 miles from camp.

They spotted 500 Russians on the other side of a stream. Both sides were so close that they opened fire. One Russian was killed

and the rest retreated across a hayfield back towards the main body. 18 Germans turned back and

12 were left to pursue the enemy. The first group brought word of what had happened and the commander set out with 300 horsemen

intending to engage the Russians.

They first attacked the enemy pickets and drove them back onto the main group.

The Germans followed in hot pursuit and were surrounded by the enemy, order scape cut off.

Guns and sabres were used in close combat, with a larger group wore down the smaller group, and many Germans were slain.

End quote.

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