History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

Walter von Plettenberg (c.1450-1535),Master of the Livonian Order (1494–1535) and one of the greatest leaders ofthe Livonian knights.The coat of arms of Rīga 1349.In 1282, Rīga and later Cēsis, Limbaži, Koknese, Kuldīga, and Valmiera were included in thenorthern German trading organisation, the Hanseatic League (Hansa). Rīga subsequentlybecame an important centre not only for east-west trade, but for the entire eastern Balticregion, developing close cultural contacts with Western Europe.The stamp of Rīga city in 1368.A map of Hansa cities from 1539 (Cartamarina et Descriptio septemtrionaliumterrarum ac mirabilium rerum in eiscontentarum, diligentissime elaborataAnno Domini 1539 Veneciis liberalitateReverendissimi Domini Ieronimi Quirini).10The 16th century was a time of great change for the inhabitants of Latvia, notable for theReformation and the collapse of the Livonian nation.In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, relations with Russia became strained. In 1501Walter von Plettenberg (c.1450-1535), the Master of the Livonian Order, managed to gatherthe forces of Livonia to successfully fight the invading Russians. He captured several Russianstrongholds, including Pskov, Ostrov, Izborsk and Ivangorod, and besieged Novgorod, butfailed to protect Livonia against devastating Russian raids. Plettenberg made an alliance withthe Lithuanian Grand Prince Alexander against the Russians. He even tried to convince the