Laiuse

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Expand Estonian Template:Infobox settlement

Laiuse (Template:Langx,<ref name=sgk/> Template:Langx) is a small borough (Template:Lang) in Estonia. It is located in Jõgeva County and is part of Jõgeva Parish. As of the 2011 census, the settlement's population was 371.<ref name=2011census>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Ill, established in 1822, is one of the oldest in Estonia.

History

During the Livonian War, in 1569, Laiuse Castle was besieged twice by the Livonian Order under Gotthard Kettler.<ref name=sgk/> After the war, from 1582 Laiuse (known as Lajs in Polish)<ref name=sgk>Template:Cite book</ref> was part of Poland. It was the seat of northernmost county (starostwo) in the history of Poland.<ref name=msz>Template:Cite web</ref> King Stephen Báthory appointed Andrzej Orzechowski the county administrator (starost) of Lajs as a reward for his bravery in the Livonian War, and in 1589 King Sigismund III Vasa confirmed the appointment.<ref name=sgk/> Andrzej Orzechowski rebuilt the castle following the war, which then served as the seat of the administrators.<ref name=msz/> The population of Lajs exceeded 200.<ref name=msz/> At the start of the Polish–Swedish War of 1600–1611, in 1600, the castle was besieged and captured by Sweden, but was restored to Poland the following year.<ref name=msz/> In 1622, the settlement passed to Sweden, although Poland still appointed the administrators of Lajs until the loss of the area was confirmed in 1660. In 1700, the castle served as the main winter quarters of King Charles XII of Sweden.<ref name=sgk/> Later it passed to Russia, before it became part of independent Estonia in 1918.

Laiuse Church

Laiuse is the location of medieval Laiuse Church. The church was first mentioned in 1319. In the churchyard, there is an old lime tree, which is said to have been planted there by King Charles XII of Sweden during his visit in 1701.