Torben K. Nielsen :
Mission, conversion and societal change in the Baltic in the 13th century

The article investigates the process of Christianization in the Baltic. By using Henry of Livonia’s account of the Baltic leader Caupo in his Chronicon Livoniae, the article traces the methodology of forced conversion. This methodology involved the submission of the Baltic peoples under a complex of cultural, religious, political and economical practices and structures. This complex was termed iura christianitatis in Henry of Livonia’s chronicle. The article discusses the actual components of this complex, which involved the desacralization of the pagan Baltic lands and the making of new, Christian, administrative and religious structures through mass baptisms, evangelization and churchbuilding. The Christian rule furthermore meant the destruction of Baltic kin structure and marriage practices through military expeditions, hostage taking and massacres by Christian forces.