In 1215, after the raid of Ridala and the loss of the Leole stronghold, Estonian forces agreed to co-operate for a large-scale counter-offensive.
A strategic plan was formed, with the hoped-for result of "the complete destruction of the nearby German colonies".
Old ships and wooden obstacles built on the spot were filled with rocks and sunk to prevent German cogs from escaping to sea, and Oeselian troops took up positions in a field just outside Riga.
When a strong enemy force charged out of the city, they pulled back to the estuary to await reinforcements.
In the meantime, malevs from other counties were engaging in the areas of Livonia and Tālava, where the elder Tālivaldis was burnt alive.