Page "Battle of Saule" Paragraph 2

The Sword-Brothers were established in 1202 in Riga to conquer and convert pagan Baltic tribes to Christianity.

By the 1230s under the leadership of Master Volkwin, the Order was coping with strained financial resources, decreasing manpower, and ill reputation.

The Order was in conflict with the papacy under Pope Gregory IX and the Holy Roman Emperor, two of its biggest supporters, over Estonia.

However, on February 19, 1236, Pope Gregory IX issued a papal bull declaring a crusade against Lithuania.

He targeted Samogitia, planning to conquer the coast of the Baltic Sea and connect with the Teutonic Knights in Prussia.

The Sword-Brothers wanted to keep expanding along the Daugava River and was somewhat reluctant to march against Samogitia.

In fall of 1236 a party of crusaders arrived from Holstein ; it demanded to be led into a battle.

Volkwin gathered a large war party, which included troops from Pskov Republic, Livonians, Latgallians, Estonians.