The forgotten wars that redefined Europe

Aleks Pluskowski traces the story of the Baltic crusades and their transformative impact on eastern Europe

Published: March 2, 2026 at 10:44 AM

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While the crusades raged across the Holy Land in the southern Levant, the kingdoms of central and northern Europe were engaged in their own battle to extend Christendom. Speaking to James Osborne, Aleks Pluskowski details how and when the Baltic crusades – or Northern crusades – began, and examines their links to the broader crusading culture of the Middle Ages.

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To learn more about the medieval history of central and eastern Europe, listen to our episode on the role of the Rus people in the formation of the lands that are now Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Go beyond the podcast

Authors

James OsborneSenior content producer

James Osborne is a senior content producer at HistoryExtra

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