Editing Courland (section)

=== Early history ===
In ancient times the [[Curonians]], a [[pagan]] tribe, inhabited Courland. The [[Livonian Brothers of the Sword|Brethren of the Sword]], a German [[military order (religious society)|Catholic military order]], subdued the Curonians and converted them to [[Christianity]] in the first quarter of the 13th century. Thus in 1230, the Curonian king {{ill|Lammekinus|lt|Lamekins}} (Latvian: Lamekins) made peace directly with the [[papal legate]]. He accepted [[baptism]], and became a [[vassal]] of the pope.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Courland|title=Courland - historical region, Europe|website=britannica.com|access-date=18 March 2018}}</ref> In 1237 the area passed into the rule of the [[Teutonic Order]] owing to the amalgamation of this order with that of the Brethren of the Sword.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}