History of Estonia between 1561 - 1721
The Duchy of Estonia, also known as Swedish Estonia, was a dominion of the Swedish Empire from 1561 until 1721, when it was ceded to Russia in the Treaty of Nystad, following its capitulation, during the plague, in the Great Northern War.
The dominion arose during the Livonian War, when the northern parts of present-day Estonia (Reval (Tallinn) and the counties of Harjumaa, Western Virumaa, Raplamaa and Järvamaa) submitted to the Swedish king in 1561, and Läänemaa in 1581. It is also colloquially known as the "good old Swedish times" by Estonians, but this expression was not used before the following Russian rule, in the beginning of which the situation of Estonian peasantry declined rapidly (to gain support of German nobility, Russia gave them more power over peasantry).
Previous historical period: Danish and Livonian Order (1208-1560) | Next historical period: Part of the Russian Empire (1722-1918) Tallinn, Estonia
1597
Tallinn, Estonia
1718
Tartu, Estonia
1632
Kuressaare, Estonia
1660's
Pärnu, Estonia
1675-1686
Kuressaare, Estonia
1654-1670
Kuressaare, Estonia
1630's
Narva, Estonia
1688-1691
Rakvere, Estonia
1670
Ruhnu, Estonia
1644
Audru, Estonia
1680
Kambja, Estonia
1720
Paldiski, Estonia
1716
Helme, Estonia
1674
Viljandi, Estonia
18th century
Mikitamäe, Estonia
1709
The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.