Wolter von Plettenberg

Wolter or Walter von Plettenberg (c. 1450 – February 28, 1535) was Master (Landmeister) of the Livonian Order from 1494 to 1535,[1] and one of the greatest leaders of the Teutonic knights.After negotiations in 1498 failed, Plettenberg chose to prepare for pre-emptive attack against Pskov, which was then still a formally independent state, but under heavy influence from Moscow.He also tried to convince Pope Alexander VI to issue a crusading bull against the Russians in order to acquire funding from the sale of indulgences, but his efforts were in vain.The province was in disarray and the master had serious difficulties in ruling the territory which remained divided between the Order, the bishoprics, and the rich cities of Riga, Reval and Dorpat.Traditionally, both Baltic Germans and Estonian historians have considered Plettenberg one of the most capable and successful leaders in Livonian history, the former having called him one of the greatest masters of the order and a national hero.
Wolter von Plettenberg, painting around 1700
Wolter von Plettenberg grants Riga religious freedom (stained-glass window in the Riga dome cathedral)
Gold coin depicting Wolter von Plettenberg (1525), National Museum in Warsaw
Personal coat of arms
National MuseumWarsawLivonian OrderTeutonic knightsBaltic GermanWelverWestphaliaHouse of PlettenbergMoscowHanseaticNovgorodMuscovite RussiaLithuaniaAlexander JagiellonWendenPope Alexander VIcrusading bullindulgencescavalryartilleryBattle of the Siritsa RiverLivonian ConfederationOstrovMuscovyPskov OblastIvan IIIProtestant ReformationLutheransArchbishopric of RigaDorpatAlbertPrussiavassalImperial PrinceCharles VHoly Roman EmpireBaltic GermansEstonianWalhalla memorialBank of LatviaRiga CastleWilhelm LenzJohann Freytag von LoringhovenMaster of the Teutonic Order in Livonia