Sakala County (
Estonian:
Sakala,
Latin: Saccalia) was an
ancient Estonian county , first mentioned in print by
Henry of Livonia in the beginning of the 13th Century .
It is situated in north-western
Livonia, covering approximately the present territories of
Viljandi, the southern half of
Pärnu, and a western third of
Valga maakond.
Kievan rule of
Ugaunia may have lasted until 1061, when, according to
Old East Slavic chronicles, the town of Tharbata/Yuryev (
Tartu) was burned down by "Sosols", who were probably either Sackalians or the people of
Soopoolitse.
After the
Livonian Crusade the county became a part of the
Livonian Confederation.
In Sackalian folklore, the neighbouring
Ugaunians (
ugalased) were enemy warriors and robbers.
For instance, a folk song from
Viljandi (the capital of Sackalia) calls for speeding up the harvest work because Ugaunians might attack.
See also
