Principality of Koknese (Latin:
Kukonouyes) was a small
independent landlocked country (
principality) on the right bank of
Daugava river. At the time in the beginning of the 13th century, when the
crusading Sword Brethren led by the Bishop
Albert of Riga began to occupy the shores of the
Gulf of Riga,
Eastern Orthodox Prince
Vetseke ruled the fortress of Koknese some 100 km southeast. According to other sources, it was indeed in return for protection against the
Duchy of Samogitia and the
Principality of Polatsk, that Vetseke gave half of his land to Albert of Riga in 1205. During one of the raids he was captured by Sword Brethren and delivered in chains to
Riga, where the bishop set him free. Thereupon Vetseke burnt his capital and the fortress and retreated to
Novgorod Republic. By 1209 Koknese had been taken over by the Brethren of Sword and the
sovereignty of Polatsk was finally revoked in 1215. The knights then controlled the town until its transference to The
Bishopric of Riga in 1238.
See also
