Portal:Estonia/Featured article/July 2007

The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Fratres miliciæ Christi de Livonia, Schwertbrüderorden), was a military order organized in 1202 by Albert of Buxhoeveden and composed of German "warrior monks". Their rule was primarily based on that of the Knights Templar. They were also known as the Livonian Order, Christ Knights, Sword Brethren, and The Militia of Christ of Livonia. The Brothers were incorporated to Teutonic Knights in 1236.