History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 283, the Baltic, the Baltic Crusades, the Samigetsian Crusade Part 15,

Yoguyla.

Hello again.

Last week we saw tensions build between the Tutonic Order and the Lithuanians, culminating

in a large-scale invasion of Prussia by the Lithuanian leaders

Kestutus and Algirdis in the year 1370. The Teutonic order moved to counter the invasion and a pitched battle known as the Battle of

Rudow took place between the two forces. The result was a crushing defeat for the Lithuanians.

I mentioned at the end of last week's episode that the defeat of the Lithuanians was so comprehensive that Lithuania

would not stage any major offensives against Prussia for the remainder of the 14th century.

There was, however, an additional reason why the Lithuanians will not be engaging in any wholesale military

offensives against the two-tiny quarter anytime soon.

That reason being, the Lithuanian leadership structure was about to undergo some rapid and unexpected changes.

Before we turn to Lithuania, however, we will take a quick look at how Livonia and Prussia fared in the years

immediately following the Battle of Rudel.

We last checked in on Livonia a couple of episodes ago in episode 281, with an unwell

Master Wilhelm von Fremashime managing to avoid an ambush on his way home from attending a

grand chapter meeting of the Tewtonecorder in the year 1372. You might be happy to know that Master Wilhelm recovered from whatever ailment was

afflicting him and spent the years leading up to the Battle of Rudal overseeing the Livonian orders attacks against the Lithuanians

from their castle at Dunneburg and attacks against the Samagetsians from their castles in Curland.

You might also be happy to know that the totally awesome superheroic Robin Von Elts was elevated to the position of

Marshall of the Teutonic Order in Lovonia in the year 1375. While things have generally been going well for the Livonian chapter of the order since

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