The Brotherhood of Blackheads (Mustpeade vennaskond in Estonian) holds a unique place in the history of the Baltic region. It traces its roots to young, unmarried merchants who were not yet eligible to join the principal guilds due to their age or marital status. This association allowed them to support one another, engage in trade, and organise social events.
However, from its inception, the organisation also had a military role. Members were often called upon to defend Hanseatic towns against external threats, effectively serving as a city militia. Their training included military exercises, and they were responsible for the protection of local fortifications.
The Brotherhood takes its name from its patron saint, Saint Maurice, a Christian martyr traditionally depicted as a black man. The earliest recorded mention of the Brotherhood appears in an agreement with the Tallinn Dominican Monastery dated 28 March 1400. This document confirms the Blackheads’ ownership of sacred church vessels deposited in St. Catherine’s Church of the Dominicans. In the same agreement, the Blackheads committed to decorating and lighting the altar of St. Mary, which they had commissioned for the church. In return, the Dominicans undertook to hold services at this altar to bless the souls of the Brotherhood’s members.
The Brotherhood’s dual nature as both a military organisation and a commercial association is unique in European history. Its military aspect can be attributed to its founding during the last great anti-Christian revolts of indigenous Northern Europeans following the Northern Crusades. Meanwhile, its commercial aspect reflects its emergence during the early days of the Hanseatic League, marking a shift from an era dominated by warfare to one increasingly centered on commerce in Northern Europe.
According to legend, the Brotherhood was founded by a group of foreign merchants who participated in the defence of Reval (modern-day Tallinn, Estonia) during the Saint George’s Night Uprising between 1343 and 1345. During this revolt, the indigenous Estonian population unsuccessfully attempted to eradicate all foreigners and Christianity from the region.
Economic and Cultural Role
House of Blackheads in Riga, Latvia is a 14th century building, that was completely destroyed during WWII and rebuilt again to its initial state in 1999. Photo by Ksenija Vinogradova / Wikimedia Commons
As an organisation of young merchants, the Brotherhood played a crucial role in Baltic trade, facilitating exchanges between Hanseatic cities and neighbouring regions. Members were involved in the import and export of a variety of goods, including grain, spices, and textiles.
The Brotherhood also included a diverse membership. Its ranks comprised palace stewards, non-noble estate lords, clerks, chancellery scribes, soldiers, palace artisans, servants, butlers, and other palace staff. According to the statutes of the Blackheads from Kuldīga and Grobiņa, written around 1400, specific roles included manor overseer, scribe, head cook, beverage provider, tailor, castle blacksmith, and storekeeper. Unfortunately, these statutes detail only responsibilities related to feasts and communal celebrations, neglecting their religious duties.
306 degree view of The House of the Blackheads in Tallinn, Estonia – photo by Lauri Veerde / Wikimedia Commons
Despite being explicitly prohibited in the statutes, drinking beer and feasting remained highly esteemed activities among the members. Records indicate that in Vastlav in 1510, members of the Brotherhood consumed 144 barrels of beer.
Within the Livonian Order, the Blackheads were relatively wealthy and frequently lent money to other vassals. The Riga Blackheads, in particular, maintained close relationships with these vassals.
The Brotherhood also had a notable cultural influence. Members organised lavish festivities, balls, and theatrical performances, enriching the social life of the cities. They actively contributed to the upkeep and decoration of local churches.
Coat of arms displayed outside the Tallinn building – photo by Inga Tomane / Wikimedia Commons
Some traditions of the Blackheads survive today in the customs of Baltic-German Corps and Estonian and Latvian student corporations. Today, most of these corporations accept new members twice a year. Ceremonial alcohol consumption, elaborate drinking vessels, a personal code of honour, and strict rules governing relationships between members—including institutionalised fines and punishments—strongly resemble the traditions of the Blackheads. The Brotherhood’s military aspect persists in the ceremonial use of specialised swords.
In the regional structure of the Estonian Defence League, members of corporations in former Blackhead centres such as Tallinn and Tartu maintain their own malevkonds (major subunits of malevs), whose primary mission is the defence of their respective cities against potential enemy invasions.
The emblem of the Brotherhood, a black Moor’s head on a white shield, is a direct reference to Saint Maurice. This symbol remains visible today on the House of the Blackheads in Tallinn and Riga, two of the most iconic landmarks of these cities. These buildings, with their richly adorned façades, serve as enduring testaments to the Brotherhood’s prosperity and historical significance.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
Maria Anczykowski, Hans-Albrecht Koch, Annelore Leistikow und Hildegard Wiewelhove, Der Silberschatz der Compagnie der Schwarzen Häupter aus Riga. (H. M. Hauschild: Bremen, 1997)
Top Image: St Maurice depicted in the Brotherhoood of the Blackheads building in Riga – photo by Werner100359 / Wikimedia Commons
By Lorris Chevalier
The Brotherhood of Blackheads (Mustpeade vennaskond in Estonian) holds a unique place in the history of the Baltic region. It traces its roots to young, unmarried merchants who were not yet eligible to join the principal guilds due to their age or marital status. This association allowed them to support one another, engage in trade, and organise social events.
However, from its inception, the organisation also had a military role. Members were often called upon to defend Hanseatic towns against external threats, effectively serving as a city militia. Their training included military exercises, and they were responsible for the protection of local fortifications.
The Brotherhood takes its name from its patron saint, Saint Maurice, a Christian martyr traditionally depicted as a black man. The earliest recorded mention of the Brotherhood appears in an agreement with the Tallinn Dominican Monastery dated 28 March 1400. This document confirms the Blackheads’ ownership of sacred church vessels deposited in St. Catherine’s Church of the Dominicans. In the same agreement, the Blackheads committed to decorating and lighting the altar of St. Mary, which they had commissioned for the church. In return, the Dominicans undertook to hold services at this altar to bless the souls of the Brotherhood’s members.
The Brotherhood’s dual nature as both a military organisation and a commercial association is unique in European history. Its military aspect can be attributed to its founding during the last great anti-Christian revolts of indigenous Northern Europeans following the Northern Crusades. Meanwhile, its commercial aspect reflects its emergence during the early days of the Hanseatic League, marking a shift from an era dominated by warfare to one increasingly centered on commerce in Northern Europe.
According to legend, the Brotherhood was founded by a group of foreign merchants who participated in the defence of Reval (modern-day Tallinn, Estonia) during the Saint George’s Night Uprising between 1343 and 1345. During this revolt, the indigenous Estonian population unsuccessfully attempted to eradicate all foreigners and Christianity from the region.
Economic and Cultural Role
As an organisation of young merchants, the Brotherhood played a crucial role in Baltic trade, facilitating exchanges between Hanseatic cities and neighbouring regions. Members were involved in the import and export of a variety of goods, including grain, spices, and textiles.
The Brotherhood also included a diverse membership. Its ranks comprised palace stewards, non-noble estate lords, clerks, chancellery scribes, soldiers, palace artisans, servants, butlers, and other palace staff. According to the statutes of the Blackheads from Kuldīga and Grobiņa, written around 1400, specific roles included manor overseer, scribe, head cook, beverage provider, tailor, castle blacksmith, and storekeeper. Unfortunately, these statutes detail only responsibilities related to feasts and communal celebrations, neglecting their religious duties.
Despite being explicitly prohibited in the statutes, drinking beer and feasting remained highly esteemed activities among the members. Records indicate that in Vastlav in 1510, members of the Brotherhood consumed 144 barrels of beer.
Within the Livonian Order, the Blackheads were relatively wealthy and frequently lent money to other vassals. The Riga Blackheads, in particular, maintained close relationships with these vassals.
The Brotherhood also had a notable cultural influence. Members organised lavish festivities, balls, and theatrical performances, enriching the social life of the cities. They actively contributed to the upkeep and decoration of local churches.
Some traditions of the Blackheads survive today in the customs of Baltic-German Corps and Estonian and Latvian student corporations. Today, most of these corporations accept new members twice a year. Ceremonial alcohol consumption, elaborate drinking vessels, a personal code of honour, and strict rules governing relationships between members—including institutionalised fines and punishments—strongly resemble the traditions of the Blackheads. The Brotherhood’s military aspect persists in the ceremonial use of specialised swords.
In the regional structure of the Estonian Defence League, members of corporations in former Blackhead centres such as Tallinn and Tartu maintain their own malevkonds (major subunits of malevs), whose primary mission is the defence of their respective cities against potential enemy invasions.
The emblem of the Brotherhood, a black Moor’s head on a white shield, is a direct reference to Saint Maurice. This symbol remains visible today on the House of the Blackheads in Tallinn and Riga, two of the most iconic landmarks of these cities. These buildings, with their richly adorned façades, serve as enduring testaments to the Brotherhood’s prosperity and historical significance.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
Click here to read more from Lorris Chevalier
Further Readings:
Maria Anczykowski, Hans-Albrecht Koch, Annelore Leistikow und Hildegard Wiewelhove, Der Silberschatz der Compagnie der Schwarzen Häupter aus Riga. (H. M. Hauschild: Bremen, 1997)
Top Image: St Maurice depicted in the Brotherhoood of the Blackheads building in Riga – photo by Werner100359 / Wikimedia Commons
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