Battle of Otepää, 1217

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Livonian Crusade

Date	February 1217
Location	Otepää, Estonia
Result	Estonian victory

Belligerents

Livonian Order

Estonians
Russians

Commanders

Strength

Unknown

ca 20 000

Casualties and losses

Heavy casualties

Low casualties

Battle of Otepää was a battle during the Livonian Crusade in 1217^[1]. The battle ended with a victory for the Estonians and Russians.

In February 1217 a large Russian force along with Estonians arrived at Otepää to siege it. The number of the besiegers is said to have reached 20 000 men. Because the stronghold was located on a very well defended hill, the siege lasted for 17 days.

The Germans sent 3000 men from Riga headed by the master of the order to relieve the trapped German force in Otepää. Near the stronghold they met the Estonians and Russians in battle. The Germans managed to get into the stronghold but with very heavy casualties. The situation became very difficult for them. The long siege decreased the people's food and fodder to the minimum. The horses are said to have eaten the horsetails off each other. On the third day after the German relief army had arrived the stronghold the negotiations started. Based on the peace they made the Germans had to leave not only from Otepää but from all of Estonia. It was the greatest defeat for the Germans in the Livonian Crusade.