Siege of Wesenberg (1574)

Siege of Wesenberg
Part of the Livonian War

Wesenberg / Rakvere Castle today.
DateJanuary – March, 1574
Location59°21′02″N 26°21′40″E / 59.35056°N 26.36111°E / 59.35056; 26.36111
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
 Sweden  Russia
Commanders and leaders
Clas Åkesson Tott
Pontus De la Gardie
Archibald Ruthven  (WIA)
Nikita Kropotkin
Casualties and losses

During the Siege:
~1,000 killed


During infighting:
30 German cavalry killed
1,500 Scottish infantry killed
70 Scottish infantry deserted to Russia
1 Scottish nobleman wounded
Unknown wounded
Unknown

The siege of Wesenberg (Rakvere, Rakovor) was an abortive Swedish siege of the Russian-held town of Wesenberg in Estonia from January through March 1574, during the Livonian War. The siege is infamous for a brawl and subsequent combat between German and Scottish mercenaries within the besieging army, which claimed the lives of about 1,500 Scots. Wesenberg was seized in a renewed Swedish assault in 1581.