At the end of the 12th century, missionaries also reached the Baltic coasts through long-distance trade originating from Lübeck. After peaceful missionary work had failed, the Pope called for a crusade to Christianise the country by force.
The canon of Bremen, Albert von Buxhoeveden, founded the city of Riga in 1201 as the bishop of Livonia. In 1202 the Order of the Sword Brothers, which later merged into the Teutonic Order, was assigned to him for the subjugation of the heathen and for the protection of the missionised territories. The indigenous peoples resisted the loss of their independence, but by the end of the 13th century the entire area inhabited by Estonians, Livonians and Latvians was under German, partly Danish rule. The spiritual rulers of the land built mighty stone castles and churches. German vassals of the bishops were given land in fief for military service. The fief knights were entitled to inherit and united to form knighthoods. However, there was no influx of German farmers as there was in Prussia.
Illustration:
Map: Teutonic Order and dioceses in Livonia around 1410
Livonia consisted of four episcopal sovereignties and the rule of the Teutonic Order. The monasteries were dominated by bishops, who constantly competed with the Order.