Their choices were Poland, Sweden and Denmark; and initially, the Order gave their forts to Poland. In Northern Estonia and especially in Tallinn, they leaned more towards Denmark, and even more towards Sweden, from whom they hoped better trade conditions.
Valikutena olid kõne all Poola, Rootsi ja Taani ning esialgu andiski ordu oma veel tema käes olevad linnused Poolale. Põhja-Eestis aga, eriti Tallinnas, vaadati rohkem Taani ja eriti Rootsi poole, kellelt loodeti saada paremaid tingimusi kaubanduseks.