Lake Peipus wasn't against pagans, it was against Novgorod. Also there were like only 40 Knights actually there (it was a force marshaled by the local Bishop) and it was outnumbered 3-1, with most of it's forces composed of native levys of doubtful quality, all fighting on the ice. I would hope in those circumstances, Novgorod's greatest hero could pull off a victory...
And I reenact the 14th century, you just see how taking Teutonic land works out for you 
Sir William, the Grosskomtur (Grand commander) was the 2nd highest rank in the Teutonic Order, directly below that of Hochmiester.
Also how dare you accuse me of chocolate milk thievery! This is outrage! 
Sir, you guys decided to attack the Novgorod Republic after Swedish forces weakened their forces on a different front. The people of the Novgorod were pagan & Eastern Orthodox Christians. True you only had more than 400 T. knights & around 4,000 Chud warrior/knights were accompanying them. Making the difference if number between the opposing forces around 2,000. Lucky you guys did not suffer many casualties, we did however lose the day.
(I mean my people died there with your guys fighting against them to take Novgorod. The alliance between Denmark, Sweden, and the Teutonic Order in1238 served my name well, as we acquired titles in Teutonic lands &/or land that were once Teutonic.)
Also thievery of chocolate milk shame on you… (I will admit to have done this. 
)
Most estimates put the forces at 2000 vs 6000, in Novgorod's favor.
I highly doubt there could have been 400 Teutonic Knights at Lake Peipus, considering the number of Knights never exceeded about 800 or so. You perhaps mean the total Teutonic forces. Also we didn't just decide to attack, Bishop Hermann of Estonia took a levy in pursuit of Nevsky's forces when they turned and offered battle.
Also while Novgorod employed Pagans, itself as a state wasn't Pagan but Orthodox.
And yes, that is the early half of the 13th century. We were barely established in the Baltic at that point. In the 14th century, even acquiring lands from the Ordenstaat via political machinations like you mentioned would be difficult. The saying throughout Europe was "If you think you're so clever, go deceive the Lords of Prussia!"
ALLEGED chocolate milk thievery
And Lord Dane, I doubt your hammer time can approach faster than my sword, or as far as my spear.
