Tālava was a Latgalian county in the territory of today's Latvia - northern Vidzeme and northern Latgale. Tālava was bordered by Latgalian principality of Jersika to the south, Livonian counties of Metsepole and Idumeja to the west, Estonian counties of Sakala and Ugandi to the north and Russian Novgorod Republic to the east.
Tālava was first mentioned in Chronicle of Henry of Livonia in 1207 as a Christian Latgallian county of Tholowa. The Russian chronicles referred to the county of Atzele (Очела) which was most probably the eastern part of Tālava.

History

After the Prince of Novgorod Mstislav Rostislavich "The Brave" ride against the Chud during the winter of 1179-1180 the county of Tālava was pressed to pay tribute to Novgorod. Elder of Tālava, Tālivaldis and his sons were baptized in Eastern Orthodox faith.

In 1208 Tālivaldis together with the Latgallian elders Rūsiņš of Satekle and Varidots of Autine established the military alliance with the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The Sword Brothers promised their help against the Novgorodians. In the same year Tālavians invited their other old enemies, presumably Ugandians (or Ugaunians), from today Estonia, to the conference which ended unsuccessful. After this Tālavians together with the Sword Brothers fought 4 years long war with Estonians ending with peace treaty in Turaida in 1212. In 1214 sons of Tālivaldis, Rameks and Varibuls signed a new treaty with Bishop Albert of Riga giving northern part of Talava under Bishopric of Riga. They changed their faith from the Eastern Orthodox to Roman Catholic and became vassals of bishop. In 1215 Tālavians together with bishop's forces proceeded the war against Estonians. In response of Tālavian attack after the few month Estonians raided in Tālava. They came to capture Tālivaldis in Trikāta and later burnt him to death. After the death of Tālivaldis war with Estonians continued. In winter 1216 Tālava was invaded by Novgorodian troops from Pskov.

After the capture of Tartu and Christianisation of Ugandians in 1224 Tālava was divided between Bishopric of Riga and Sword Brothers. Bishop received 2/3 of Tālava lands but Sword Brothers 1/3. Tālava became part of Terra Mariana.