r`länt), Latvian Kurzeme, historic region and former duchy, in Latvia, between the Baltic Sea and the Western Dvina River. It is an agricultural and wooded lowland. Jelgava (Ger. Mitau), the historic capital, and Liepaja (Ger. Libau) and Ventspils (Ger. Windau), the Baltic seaports, are the chief cities. The early Baltic tribes—Letts and Kurs—who inhabited the region were subjected in the 13th cent. by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword Livonian Brothers of the Sword or Livonian Knights , German military and religious order, founded in 1202 by Bishop Albert of Livonia for the purpose of conquest and Christianization in the Baltic lands...... Click the link for more information. . In 1561 the order disbanded and its grand master became the first duke of Courland, under Polish suzerainty. In the Northern War (1700–1721), it was taken (1701) by Charles XII of Sweden. Empress Anna, who was, by marriage, duchess of Courland before her accession in Russia, forced (1737), the nobles of Courland to elect her favorite, Ernst Johann von Biron Biron or Biren, Ernst Johann von , 1690–1772, duke of Courland (1737–43, 1763–69), favorite of Czarina Anna of Russia.
..... Click the link for more information. , their duke. Russian influence became paramount, and with the third partition of Poland (1795) the duchy passed to Russia. In 1918, Courland was incorporated into Latvia, except for a strip of the southern coast that went to Lithuania.
Courland
Latvian KurzemeHistorical region, Latvia. Located on the Baltic Sea, it was named for the Curonians, who had established a tribal kingdom there by the end of the 9th century. Conquered in the 13th century by the Livonians, in 1561 the area was incorporated into the duchy of Courland, which became a Polish fief. The duchy flourished during the 17th century with the development of industries and foreign trade. From 1737 its duke was a client of the Russian throne, and it came under Russian rule in 1795. It became part of the newly independent Latvia in 1918.
Courland
(Kurlandia, Kurzeme), the old name of the region of Latvia located west and southwest of the Gulf of Riga. In ancient times Courland was inhabited by the Kursi tribe and Balto-Finnic tribes. In the 13th century Courland was captured by the Livonian Order. From 1561 to 1795 much of Courland belonged to the duchy of Courland, subsequently incorporated into Russia to form Courland Province.
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