- Vironians
The Vironians ( _et. Virulased) were one of the
Finnic tribes that later formed the Estonian nation.History
They lived in
Vironia ("Virumaa" in Estonian, "Wierland" in German and "Virland" in Scandinavian, nowIda-Viru County andLääne-Viru County of Estonia). Vironians were divided into five clans ("kilikunda"), "Maum" (in Estonian "Mahu"), "Laemund" (Lemmu) also known as "Pudiviru", "Askele", "Revele" (Rebala), "Alentagh" (Alutaguse). They built many strongholds, like "Tarwanpe" (modernRakvere ) and "Agelinde" (now Punamägi Hill in Äntu village).Like other Estonian tribes, Vironians remained predominantly
pagan beforeNorthern Crusades in 13th century. According to theChronicle of Henry of Livonia , Vironians believed that Tharapita, a god worshipped by Osilians (the tribe inhabitingSaaremaa ) was born in Vironia. However, Vironian elder Thabelin of Pudiviru had endorsed Christianity before the German and Danish crusaders reached Estonia. Thabelin (Tabellinus) was baptized by Germans inGotland island. Later, when competing Danish crusaders arrived to Vironia, Thabelin was suspected of being too pro-German and hanged.In
1219 , the German crusaders of theLivonian Brothers of the Sword made a raid against Vironians together with recently christenedLetts ,Livonians , and several proto-Estonian tribes (Sakalians ,Ugaunians andJervians ). After five days of killing and pillaging, Kyriavan, Thabelin and other Vironian elders asked for a truce. According to the chronicle, Kyriavan told he had a "very bad god" before and therefore was ready to accept the Christian god. After truce was made, Vironian elders accepted Christianity. Some sons of elders from all five Vironian clans were taken hostages by the crusaders as part of the truce.In
1221 , Vironians took part in failed attempt to oust Danes who had built a fortress in the place of modernTallinn in the neighboring province of Revelia. Danes retaliated, killed several Vironian elders and put Vironians under heavy taxes. In1225 , Danes and German crusaders clashed with each other over the ownership of Vironia. In1226 , Thepapal legate William of Modena arrived to Vironian stronghold ofTarwanpe and mediated peace between Germans, Danes and Estonians.A year later the Vironian territories were taken by Brothers of the Sword. Vironians sided with the new Papal Legate
Baldwin of Alna who in1230 tried to create a Papal Vassal State in Northern Estonia, including Vironia. In1233 , the supporters of Baldwin were defeated by the Order in the city of Reval (Tallinn). Vironian territories were snatched by the Order again as Baldwin of Alna complained in his report to the Pope in1234 . The Order was also accused of oppressing Vironian converts and expelling local supporters of Church.In 1238, Vironia was given to Denmark again according to the treaty of Stensby. The area went into hands of powerful vassals of Danish king, many of which were of local origin, like Dietrich of Kievel (probably 'Kivela' - 'land of stone' in Estonian) who controlled Eastern part of Vironia, where he started to build the stronghold of
Narva . Vironians and Vironian vassals took part in Order's and Denmark's failed crusade against Russia1240 -1242 .The names "Virumaa", "Vironia" and "Virland" have been continuously used for the North-Eastern Estonia. For example, in
1266 , Margrete Sambiria, Dowager Queen of Denmark was named the Lady of Estonia and Virland.Etymology
The name "Viru" probably has Finnic roots (e.g.,
Finnish language "vireä" means "vivacious", "lively"). According to an alternative hypothesis the word "Viru" may have originated fromBaltic languages with the meaning 'man' (cf. English word "virile"). Earliest mention of the name is probably on Ängby Rune Stone inUppland ,Sweden which has inscription in memory of a Viking Björn who was killed in Virland ("uirlant"). In Finnish language, Estonia is still called "Viro" after Vironians. 'Viro' is also present in several Finnish place names like Virolahti, Virojoki and last names (Vironen, Virolainen).In Estonian, the word "virulased" is used for inhabitants of modern Virumaa counties or speakers of North Eastern Estonian dialects.
Trivia
"A girl from Virland" is character of
Jules Verne 's 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'. Australian authorHenry Lawson has written poetry about mythical "Kingdom of Virland".The name Vironia was also chosen for a popular Estonian academic fraternal corporation, which was established in 1900 in
Riga ,Latvia and currently has representation inTartu ,Tallinn ,Toronto , the American East and West coasts andAustralia .See also
*
Virumaa
*Danish Estonia
*Northern Crusades
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