In February 1217, a large Russian force, along with Oeselians and other Estonians, arrived at Otepää to besiege it.
Because the stronghold was located on a very well-defended hill, the siege lasted for 17 days.
The long siege decreased the people's food and fodder to the minimum.
On the third day after the German relief army had arrived the stronghold, the negotiations started.
Based on the peace they made, the Germans had to leave not only from Otepää, but from all of Estonia.