Karl Knutsson's campaign against Novgorod (
Swedish: ''Karl Knutsson Bondes tåg mot Novgoroderna'') was a successful Swedish-German
campaign by the commander of
Viborg,
Karl Knutsson, against Novgorodian and Pskov
forces during their war with the Teutonic Order in 1444.
Background
In 1436, the Swedish council sent a proposal to the Livonian master of the order, Heinrich von Vincke, about a possible alliance against the Novgorodians.
This proposal was then seconded by Heinrich the same year when he sent another proposal to
Christopher of Bavaria
Christopher of Bavaria (Danish language, Danish and Norwegian language, Norwegian: ''Christoffer''; Swedish language, Swedish: ''Kristofer''; 26 February 1416 – 5/6 January 1448) was King of Denmark (1440–48, as Christopher III), King of Sw ...
about a cooperation against the Novgorodians.
Christopher would later promise the Teutonic Order that he would not allow his kingdoms to trade with Novgorod,
and he also sent Karl Knutsson with a force from Viborg against Pskov.
Campaign
In May 1444, it was clear to Karl Knutsson that the Novgorodians were about to attack Narva, and he warns the Estonians in the area about what was about to occur. In the autumn 1444, the awaited Russian attack began and
Christopher
Christopher is the English language, English version of a Europe-wide name derived from the Greek language, Greek name Χριστόφορος (''Christophoros'' or ''Christoforos''). The constituent parts are Χριστός (''Christós''), "Jesus ...
sent Karl Knutsson with troops to support
Narva
Narva is a municipality and city in Estonia. It is located in the Ida-Viru County, at the Extreme points of Estonia, eastern extreme point of Estonia, on the west bank of the Narva (river), Narva river which forms the Estonia–Russia border, E ...
.
The Novgorodian chronicle claims that Karl "went down to the Narva river and cut down many Russians and captured a number of distinguished men" The number of people captured was 28
and among them was the son of the Posnadik Larivonov, Maxim. The people captured by the Swedes would later by freed after the Novgorodians paid for their ransom a year later.
Aftermath
Some time after his campaign, the Teutonic Order and Novgorod agreed to a truce that would last until 1447.
Karl Knutsson is considered to have saved the Narva area from worse clashes with Novgorod through skillful diplomacy.
References
{{reflist
Wars involving Sweden
Wars involving the Novgorod Republic
Wars involving the Teutonic Order
Conflicts in 1444