Large parts of the country we today know as Estonia, belonged to Livonia during the Middle Ages. It was ruled by German aristocracy during the greater part of the Middle Ages. A powerful military order, the Teutonic Knights, had strong armed forces and built castles in the region. In the towns of Reval and Dorpat, German merchants took care of all trade. Goods arrived from the interior of Russia and was exported to Sweden or northern Germany.
The peasants had to pay substantial taxes to the noblemen. They were also forced to work on their estates.
Large parts of the country we today know as Estonia, belonged to Livonia during the Middle Ages. It was ruled by German aristocracy during the greater part of the Middle Ages. A powerful military order, the Teutonic Knights, had strong armed forces and built castles in the region. In the towns of Reval and Dorpat, German merchants took care of all trade. Goods arrived from the interior of Russia and was exported to Sweden or northern Germany.
The peasants had to pay substantial taxes to the noblemen. They were also forced to work on their estates.