Harjumaa (ancient county)

Harria Harjumaa
County of Estonia
1st century AD–1224
Ancient Estonia until 1214
Capital	Varbola
• Type	Council of Elders
History
• Established	1st century AD
• Disestablished	1224
Succeeded by Danish Estonia

Harjumaa (Latin: Harria; German: Harrien) (1200 hides), was a historical county in Ancient Estonia until the early 13th century. Its territory roughly corresponds to modern-day Rapla County with the town of Rapla as the capital. According to the Livonian Chronicle of Henry, Raikila was the main village of Harjumaa, where annual gatherings of the surrounding tribes took place.

Despite the name, the present-day Harju County covers only a small portion of the historical Harjumaa land, with most of its current territory corresponding to the ancient county of Revala.

History

Between the 10th and 12th centuries, one of the largest trading centers in Harjumaa was the Varbola Stronghold (Latin: Castrum Warbole). The first crusade to Harjumaa occurred in the summer of 1216, initiated by the crusaders of Riga. It involved Livonians, Latgalians, and the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, led by Master Volkwin. To secure a truce, Volkwin demanded that the inhabitants of Varbola accept Christianity and release their prisoners.

Parishes

• around Varbola
• around Lohu
• around Kose

See also

• Danish Estonia
• Harju County
• Rapla County
• History of Estonia
• Livonian Crusade
• Rulers of Estonia
• St. George's Night Uprising
• Varbola Stronghold