Best Scandinavian Faction

[christof139]

Well, an army of 1,000 was quite a lot in medieval Scandinavia, especially if the army left home for what would certainly be more than a year. I don't remember which port, but I don't think you are confusing the crusades, as both Norwegians and Danes went on several larger expeditions to the Levant.

"The Northern Crusades" is, IIRC, an Osprey book, and from what I've heard (mainly from Swedish historians) it's so-so with the historical accuracy, although it's probably still worth the money and contains good plates.

The "Sword Brethren" (Fratres Militae Cristii) were formed after the wends/vends had been officially converted (early 13th century, by this time the vends themselves took part in the crusading), the person behind the creating of the order was bishop Albert of Riga (or maybe it was Albrekt, don't remember) who needed permanent military aid in Livonia. Interestingly enough, they were treated as lower class knights, and different from other fighting crusader orders like the Templars enjoyed no popularity; it was an organization for poorer german knights and nobles.
I think the name of the other order was Dobrzyn or something like that, yes. The order consisted of eighteen knights at its peak

Oh heavens no!!! The recent book 'The Northern Crusades' I am speaking of is not a short Osprey title!!! Not an Osprey at all, although Ospreys can be good even in their brevity.

I found when Danes participated in the Crusades from 'A History of the Crusades, Volume III, the kingdom of Acre and the Later Crusades', by Steven Runciman, 1st pub. in 1951. Uses many original sources, both Muslim and Christian, and the works of some great American historians that gathered much together over the years.

In the autumn of 1189, when King Guy and Conrad were besieging Acre, many Crusaders from across Europe arrived to help and did so before the arrival of the Kings of England and France. Some of these Crusaders came from Denmark and even Hungary. When Frederick Barbarossa's army marched it also contained many Poles and perhaps a few Danes. Remanants of his army eventually also made it to Acre.

The Norwegians had a large fleet and a good number of men, perhaps 10,000, don't know (and 10,000 may be to high a guesstimate), that arrived in the Holy Land in 1250, and these are the fellows I believe that took that port. I am still looking for a description of this. There could probably have been a good number of Danes and Swedes with the Norwegians, could very well be.

In 1217 - 1218 the 'Northern Fleet' went to the Holy Land, and this may also be what I am thinking of, as this Northern Fleet was mainly Scandanavian. King Andrew of Hungary also arrived in the Holy Land in 1217 and left in January, 1218.

There is another book I once had, titled 'Iron Men' or something like that, and the description of the Norwegians (most likely they rather than the Danes as you point out) and perhaps other Scandanvains taking that port may be in it, but I just looked for this book and can't find it. So, I may have to find and buy it again in paperback.

Chris

PS: Yes, Dobrzyn it is, and Dobrin was also used. Small number of Knights but they owned some lands and had some retainers. Same with the teutonic Order, there were never a large number of full Brother Knights, and that was a high position, and most members and retainers were 'half-brothers' and lesser, and other Knights from mainly England that served with the Order for a short time.

Dobrzyn Castle, located on the Vistula River, once belonged to The Knights of Dobrzyn or Dobrin. They were called "The Knighthood of Christ" in Livonia. The "Order of Dobrzyn" was founded, in 1228, by the Cisterian Bishop Christian of Prussia, and Duke Corrado of Mazovia. The Order was approved by the Pope in 1228. The Order took its name from the castle of Dobrzyn. By 1235, the Order was incorporated into the Teutonic Knights, and the Order disappeared by 1240.

PPS: Here is a link to 'The Northern Crusades': Second Edition (Paperback) by Eric Christiansen. This may be the same book you were speaking of and said wasn't available in English, I don't know.

http://tinyurl.com/3anrqd

The book 'The Knights of the Order' is a good one about the Hospitalers, mainly dealing with Malta and later times I believe.

PPPS: In 1103, King Eric of Denmark went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, so this may be another possibility of when the taking of a port in the Holy Land by Scandanavians occurred. SOMEONE here must know of this incident!!! The Muslim port was I believe under siege and couldn't be taken by land, so the Scandavians sailed to the port and into the harbor and up the seawall they went lickety-split, and the port was captured by them very quickly, instantly more or less. And, in 1189 Danish and Frisian ships blockaded the port of Acre when Guy and/or Conrad were besieging it. However, I think it was a Norwegian assault that I am thinking of. I am going to keep looking and if someone knows please post.

Chris