Halls of the island master

These are the gothic halls of the medieval, 14th C. castle of Kuressaare on the Baltic island of Saaremaa in modern Estonia. The lords of the castle were the crusader bishops of Ösel–Wiek who owned much of the western Estonia after the region was conquered by crusaders in the 1^st half of the 13^th C. Before the conquest, the pagan Estonians who lived on the western islands were known for their skill in battle and wealth accumulated during numerous pirate raids carried by them as far west as Sweden or Finland to the north. The prince-bishops of Ösel–Wiek ruled most of the Estonian islands for nearly 350 years, they were responsible for the Christianization of the island tribes, constructed fortified parish churches and collected taxes. Their small realm minted its own coins and engaged in trade. Although the majority of local Estonians were in a disadvantaged position some of the wealthier individuals who previously held high position within the Estonian society were Latinized and became knights in the service of the bishop. The chamber on the photo was originally the refectory where the bishop held feasts for his guests and entertained them with music. Around one of the columns you can see a round table where, presumably, the bishop met with his chapter or envoys from the Teutonic Order and discussed with them the matters of his realm, bishopric and region. In the background there is the entrance and window to the castle chapel. Nearby was the bishop’s bedchamber. Perhaps it was there where Bishop Henry III was murdered by one of his canons, Herman Bolne in 1381. Historical documents attest only that it happened in the castle

Kuressaare, known in German as Arensburg, is the best preserved medieval castle in crusader Livonia (modern Latvia and Estonia). Located on the island, far from the borders with Russian Novgorod, Pskov or Lithuania it was fortunately spared during the most devastating wars in the region in the 16^th to early 18^th centuries. Its level of preservation is comparable perhaps only to such Prussian crusader castles as Lidzbark Warminski , Kwidzyn , or Malbork but, given its remote location it is a bit more difficult to access (you have to take a ferry).