A Royal Overseas Dominion.
We publicly declare that our beloved land of Estonia, along with its castles, cities, and fortifications located therein, must never, through sale, pledge, agreement, or any other manner, be alienated in perpetuity from our crown or our kingdom of Denmark by us or our successors. … We also will that our counselors of our land of Estonia shall have the same authority in rendering judgments as they have had in times past. We prohibit all our captains and officials from recklessly opposing these provisions, should they wish to avoid our royal wrath.
Thus thanked Christopher II of Denmark in 1329 his Estonian vassals, who had been his sole supporter in the kingdom for the previous three years, for their loyalty. However, less than two decades later, King Valdemar IV was forced to sell the land to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. What brought the Danish royal house to conquer the shores of a distant sea, and what were Danish priorities in establishing their power?
Danish rule, which lasted for over a century, left a mark on Northern Estonia which was recognizable even at the end of the Middle Ages. However, the king’s local viceroys had to impose royal will and Christianity on both their subjects and neighbours with the full weight of the law, fire, and sword, and yet they often failed. St. George’s Night Uprising, which resulted in the sale of Northern Estonia to the Teutonic Order, exemplifies the latter.
In addition to the history of Danish rule in Northern Estonia in the 13th and 14th centuries, we also present the story of the royal castles – Tallinn, Rakvere, and Narva – and the main monasteries. The texts are accompanied by maps and illustrations.
English 
Eesti