By 1208, the Germans were strong enough to begin operations against the Estonians, who were at that time divided into eight major and several smaller counties led by elders with limited co-operation between them.
I 1208 var tyskerne stærke nok til at indlede korstogsvirksomhed mod esterne, der på daværende tidspunkt var opdelt i otte større og adskillige mindre lande ledet af ældste og med meget lidt indbyrdes samvirke.