Livonian Brothers of the Sword
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (in Latin Fratres militiae Christi, literally the "Brotherhood of the Army of Christ", in German Schwertbrüderorden), also known as Knights of Christ, Brothers of the Sword, Knights Swordbearers or Militia of Christ of Livonia, was a Catholic military order founded in 1202 by Albert of Buxhoeveden, Bishop of Riga (Prince-Bishop of Livonia), and composed of German (Livonian) warrior-monks. It was based primarily on the statutes of the Knights Templar.
History of the Order
Since its founding, the order used to ignore its supposed vassalage to the bishopric. In 1218 the bishop asked the Danish king Valdemar II for support against the order, but Valdemar II concluded an agreement with the Brotherhood and took advantage of it to conquer northern Estonia.
The Order's headquarters were in Viljandi (Fellin), in present-day Estonia, where the castle walls still stand. Other strongholds included: Cesis (Wenden), Sigulda (Segewold) and Aizkraukle (Ascheraden). The commanders of Viljandi (Fellin), Kuldiga (Goldingen), Aluksne (Marienburg), Tallinn (Reval) and the Bailío de Paide (Weissenstein) belonged to the five-member council of the Master of the Order.
As a consequence of the tremendous defeat against Lithuanians in the battle of Saule, in 1236, the Brotherhood was strongly decimated and after papal authorization in 1237, they joined the Teutonic Order, within which they would be known as the Brothers of the Livonian Order or the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.