Livonian Knighthood

The Livonian Knighthood (German: Livländische Ritterschaft, Estonian: Liivimaa rüütelkond, Latvian: Livonijas bruņniecība) was a fiefdom that existed in Livonia (now Southern Estonia and Northern Latvia).

Like other Baltic knighthoods, the Livonian also had semi-autonomous privileged status in the Russian Empire.

Within the individual territories Old Livland the vassal genders joined forces to defend and maintain their rights and possessions into knighthoods.

These corporate organizations were already provided with sovereign rights in the 14th century and were officially recognized.

It is the coat of arms of the Livonian administrator and commander Jan Hieronimowicz Chodkiewicz with the initials of King Sigismund II Augustus.

The House of the Livonian Noble Corporation in Riga , now used by the Saeima .
The Coat of arms.