Berthold of Hanover facts for kids
Berthold of Hanover was a German bishop who lived a long time ago. He was a Cistercian monk, which is a type of Christian religious order. He became the Bishop of Livonia, a region in what is now Latvia. Berthold died on July 24, 1198, during a religious war, known as a crusade, against the local people of Livonia.
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Berthold's Early Life and Mission
Berthold was the leader, or abbot, of a monastery called Loccum Abbey in Hanover. When the first Bishop of Livonia, Saint Meinhard, passed away around 1196, Berthold was chosen to take his place. The Archbishop of Bremen, named Hartwig of Uthlede, appointed him. Some historians believe Berthold might have joined Meinhard's mission to Livonia even earlier, around 1186.
Challenges in Livonia
The people of Livonia were not Christians at that time. They were very resistant to the new religion. Berthold's predecessor, Bishop Meinhard, had built strongholds along the Daugava River (also known as the River Düna). These places were used for Christian services and for protection.
Berthold tried to be kind and friendly to the Livonians. At first, they seemed less hostile. But soon, their old dislike for Christianity returned. When Berthold tried to bless a Christian burial ground at Holm, the Livonians planned to harm him. They wanted to burn him and his church or drown him in the river. Because of this danger, the Christians fled to their safe places at Üxküll and Holm. Berthold himself escaped by ship to Lübeck.
The Crusade and Berthold's Death
The Pope at the time, Pope Celestine III, was preparing to send help to the Christians in the Baltic region. His successor, Pope Innocent III, continued this effort. Berthold received financial help from Archbishop Hartwig and many merchants from Bremen and Lübeck.
Journey to Livonia
Soon, a large fleet of ships was ready. It carried many crusaders, who were like religious soldiers. It also carried German farmers who planned to settle in Livonia. The fleet sailed from Lübeck, crossed the Baltic Sea, and entered the River Düna from the Gulf of Riga. Near the river's mouth, the German farmers landed. They started to build homes and laid the foundations for the city of Riga.
Berthold and the crusaders sailed further up the river to Holm. The Livonians had gathered there, ready to attack the fleet.
The Battle and Berthold's End
Berthold tried to make a peaceful agreement with the Livonians, but it didn't work. So, he and his group sailed a short distance down the river, with the Livonians following them. The Livonians agreed to a temporary peace, but they used this time to attack Christians who left their safe areas. This started the fighting again.
The crusaders won the battle. However, during the fight, Berthold's horse became uncontrollable. It galloped right into the middle of the fleeing Livonian warriors. A Livonian named Ymaut (sometimes spelled Ymant) used his spear to stab Berthold in the back. This wound caused Berthold to die very quickly.
Aftermath
The crusaders buried Bishop Berthold's body at Üxküll. Later, his body was moved to Riga by Albert of Riga. Albert was appointed as Berthold's successor by Archbishop Hartwig. After Berthold's death, some of the Livonians who had been defeated asked to be baptized as Christians.
The final conversion of Livonia to Christianity was completed by Bishop Albert. He was helped by a new group of knights called the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. This group later joined with the Teutonic Order in 1237.
See also
- Chronicle of Henry of Livonia
