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44-575: Sambia is named after the Sambians , an extinct tribe of Old Prussians . Samland is the name for the peninsula in the Germanic languages . Polish and Latin speakers call the area Sambia , while the Lithuanian name is Semba . Baedeker describes Sambia as "a fertile and partly-wooded district, with several lakes, lying to the north of Königsberg " (since 1946 Kaliningrad ). The landscape

88-606: A Prussian tribe . They inhabited the Sambia Peninsula north of the city of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad ). Sambians were located in a coastal territory rich in amber and engaged in trade early on (see Amber Road ). Therefore, they established contacts with foreign nations before any other Prussians. However, as with all other Prussians, they were conquered by the Teutonic Knights , and, exposed to assimilation and Germanization , became extinct sometime in

132-626: A duchy, Ducal Prussia . Elisabeth's only brother Ladislaus, king of Bohemia and Hungary , died in 1457, and after that Casimir and Elisabeth's dynastic interests were directed also towards her brother's kingdoms. King Casimir IV died on 7 June 1492 in the Old Grodno Castle in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania , which was in a personal union with Poland . The intervention of the Roman curia , which hitherto had been hostile to Casimir,

176-553: A knight named Piotr of Rytro . Casimir often relied on his instinct and feelings and had little political knowledge, but shared a great interest in the diplomacy and economic affairs of the country. After the accession of his brother, Władysław, to the throne of Poland, the tutelage was assigned to Cardinal Zbigniew Oleśnicki , however, the cleric neglected his duties as he felt a strong reluctance towards Casimir, believing that he would be an unsuccessful monarch following Władysław's death. The sudden death of Sigismund Kęstutaitis left

220-646: A separate realm for his sons, proposed John Albert. Most Hungarian barons and prelates preferred Vladislaus because his rule in Bohemia had indicated that he would respect their liberties. Vladislaus was crowned King of Hungary on 18 September 1490 in Székesfehérvár . Around 1480 Casimir was allied with the Great Horde against Muscovy and Crimea . His failure to support Khan Akhmed at the Great stand on

264-584: Is hilly in the west, with coastal bluffs and beaches, while in the east it is low-lying and flat. The sections of coast adjacent to the Curonian and Vistula Lagoons are often swampy. Due to the moderating influence of the Baltic Sea, the climate is more mild than regions of comparable latitude further east. The highest point at 111 meters, Galtgarben , is found two kilometers southeast of Kumachyovo ( German : Kumehnen ). Gvardeysk ( German : Tapiau )

308-475: Is likely that Casimir was Poland's last illiterate monarch as there are no surviving signatures, initials or monograms present on official edicts, though this claim is disputed. Casimir was interred at Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, in a red marble tomb sculpted by Veit Stoss . In 1973 a research team of 12 experts opened the tomb. Shortly afterward, 10 of the team died prematurely. It was subsequently found that

352-949: Is located at the southeastern end of the peninsula where the Deyma branches off from the Pregolya, while Polessk ( German : Labiau ) is found at the northeastern end, nearby where that river enters the Curonian Lagoon. The peninsula is connected to the Curonian Spit to the north, while it is separated from the Vistula Spit by the Strait of Baltiysk next to the port city of Baltiysk ( German : Pillau ). Sambia also includes two famous seaside resorts on its northern coast, Zelenogradsk ( German : Kranz ) and Svetlogorsk ( German : Rauschen ). Amber has been found in

396-851: The Duchy of Prussia , a vassal duchy of the Kingdom of Poland, founded when Albert of Brandenburg-Ansbach , the 37th Grand Master , secularized the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights in 1525. The Margraviate of Brandenburg inherited the duchy in 1618 under Polish overlordship. Because the Duchy of Prussia failed to fulfill its feudal obligations as a vassal of Poland during the Polish–Swedish wars , George William's rule in Prussia

440-818: The German Empire in the course of the unification of Germany . After World War I Sambia formed part of the East Prussian province of Weimar Germany . During World War II , the Germans operated two subcamps of the Stutthof concentration camp , and the AGSSt Samland assembly center for Allied POWs in the region. The Polish resistance movement was active in the region, with its activities including espionage of German activity and distribution of Polish underground press . In 1945 after World War II,

484-631: The Hohenzollern dynasty , and visitors to Sambia's beaches were forbidden to pick up any fragments they found. Beginning in the 19th century, amber was mined on an industrial scale by the Germans before 1945 and by the Soviets / Russians thereafter at Yantarny (former German name: Palmnicken ). Reference to the Sambia Peninsula begins with Greek traveller Pytheas , referring to an amber island called "Abalus". The name probably described

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528-628: The Soviet Union annexed northern East Prussia, including Sambia, while the southern part of the province became again part of Poland . Sambia became part of the Soviet Kaliningrad Oblast , named after the nearby city of Kaliningrad (historically German : Königsberg ), and the new authorities expelled its German inhabitants in accordance to the Potsdam Agreement . The Soviet Union gradually repopulated

572-701: The 17th century. The Sambians bordered the Natangians in the south, and the Nadruvians in the east. Engaged in the amber trade, Sambia was the richest and most densely populated region of Prussia . It provides a wealth of artifacts from the Bronze Age , including imported goods from the Roman Empire . Sambians, unlike other Prussians, did not cremate their dead. They built earth barrows above graves and surrounded them with stone circles. The name of

616-593: The Kaliningrad Oblast, including Sambia, with Russians and Belarusians . Until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, much of the district was a closed military area. While today the Kursenieki , also known as Kuršininkai are a nearly extinct Baltic ethnic group living along the Curonian Spit , in 1649 Kuršininkai settlement spanned from Memel (Klaipėda) to Gdańsk , Poland, including

660-613: The Knights arrange a large campaign against the Sambians. King Ottokar II of Bohemia participated in the expedition and as a tribute the Knights named the newly founded Königsberg Castle in his honor. The Sambians rose against the Knights during the Great Prussian Uprising (1260–1274), but were the first ones to surrender. When other clans tried to resurrect the uprising in 1276 Theodoric, vogt of Sambia convinced

704-786: The Order, it resisted and the Thirteen Years' War (1454–1466) ensued. After a long and expensive war, Casimir and the Prussian Confederation defeated the Teutonic Order . In the Second Peace of Thorn (1466) , the Order recognized Polish sovereignty over the seceded western Prussian regions, Royal Prussia , and the Polish crown's overlordship over the remaining Teutonic Monastic State , transformed in 1525 into

748-633: The Polish szlachta . Additionally, Casimir promised to protect the Grand Duchy's borders and not to appoint persons from the Polish Kingdom to the offices of the Grand Duchy. He accepted that decisions on matters concerning the Grand Duchy would not be made without the Council of Lords' consent. He also granted the subject region of Samogitia the right to elect its own elder . Casimir was the first ruler of Lithuania baptized at birth, becoming

792-543: The Prussian Crusade-Holy War and Colonisation. New York. pp. 8, 60, 61, 62, 63, 196. ISBN 978-0-415-69171-0 Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir IV (Casimir Andrew Jagiellon; Polish : Kazimierz Andrzej Jagiellończyk [kaˈʑimjɛʂ jaɡʲɛ(l)ˈlɔj̃t͡ʂɨk] ; Lithuanian : Kazimieras Jogailaitis ; 30 November 1427 – 7 June 1492) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447 until his death in 1492. He

836-574: The Sambians not to join the insurrection; Natangians and Warmians followed the Sambian lead and the uprising was crushed within a year. In 1243, the Bishopric of Samland (Sambia) was established as the church administration of the region, as arranged by the papal legate William of Modena . At the end of the 13th century, Sambians numbered only about 22,000. They gave in to Germanization later than western tribes that were conquered earlier. In 1454,

880-683: The Teutonic Knights, a crusading military order from the Holy Roman Empire . Its goal was to conquer all pagans and convert them to Roman Catholicism . The conquest of Sambia during the Prussian Crusade was delayed by the First Prussian Uprising that broke out in 1242. The uprising technically ended in 1249 by signing the Treaty of Christburg , but skirmishes lasted for four more years. Only in 1254–1255 could

924-554: The Ugra River contributed to Russia's gaining its independence from the steppe nomads. According to the Chronica Polonorum by Maciej Miechowita , Casimir was of tall stature and completely bald at the mid-frontal point ( advanced receding hairline ); his face was oval and lean. Miechowita also writes that the king spoke with a speech impairment ( lisp ) and was an avid huntsman from his youth. He often hunted in

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968-494: The area as early as 6,000 years ago,according to archeology. Sambia was originally sparsely populated by the Sambians . The German Teutonic Knights conquered the region in the 13th century. The church administration was placed under the Bishopric of Samland , established in 1243. Settlers from the Holy Roman Empire began colonizing the region, and the Sambian Prussians gradually became assimilated. The peninsula

1012-678: The area for over two thousand years, especially on the coast near Kaliningrad . History and legends tell of the ancient trade routes known as the Amber Road leading from the Old Prussian settlements of Kaup (in Sambia) and Truso (near Elbląg , near the mouth of the Vistula ) southwards to the Black and Adriatic seas. In Imperial Germany , the right to collect amber was restricted to

1056-465: The clan was first mentioned in 1073 by Adam of Bremen , who calls them "most humane people". Warfare with Danes continued from the mid-9th century to beginning of the 13th century. It is known that there was Wiskiauten , a Viking settlement in Sambia, that flourished for about 300 years. Swedes maintained more peaceful relations and fostered trade. The 13th century saw the rise of another enemy,

1100-879: The coastline of the Sambian Peninsula. The Kuršininkai were eventually assimilated by the Germans , except along the Curonian Spit where some still live. The Kuršininkai were considered Latvians until after World War I when Latvia gained independence from the Russian Empire , a consideration based on linguistic arguments. This was the rationale for Latvian claims over the Curonian Spit, Memel , and other territories of East Prussia which would be later dropped. 54°49′58″N 20°16′09″E  /  54.83278°N 20.26917°E  / 54.83278; 20.26917 Sambians The Sambians were

1144-705: The distance separating it from Western Europe and became a significant power in international relations. The demand for raw materials and semi-finished goods stimulated trade, producing a positive balance, and contributed to the growth of crafts and mining in the entire country. He was a recipient of the English Order of the Garter (KG), the highest order of chivalry and the most prestigious honour in England. Following Casimir's death in 1492, John I Albert succeeded him as King of Poland, and Alexander Jagiellon

1188-536: The first native Roman Catholic Grand Duke. In 1427, the Polish nobility initiated an anti- Jagiellonian opposition and attempted to have Władysław II Jagiełło 's sons Władysław III and Casimir IV Jagiellon declared illegitimate to the Polish throne as they, being sons of a Lithuanian noblewoman Sophia of Halshany , had no blood link to the previous ruling Polish dynasty, the Piasts , however Casimir's father ensured

1232-492: The king was fond of birthday celebrations for his children and watched tournaments . He was also known to be a teetotaller , and abstained from drinking wine, mead or beer at banquets. Historian Julian Bartoszewicz described the king as "wise [in thought], driven by reason and characterised by longaminity and forbearance". Casimir cared deeply for his children's education and employed the finest tutors, chiefly Jan Długosz , to supervise his sons John Albert and Alexander. It

1276-642: The office of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania empty. The Voivode of Trakai , Jonas Goštautas , and other magnates of Lithuania, supported Casimir as a candidate to the throne. However many Polish noblemen hoped that the thirteen-year-old boy would become a Vice-regent for the Polish King in Lithuania. Casimir was invited by the Lithuanian magnates to Lithuania, and when he arrived in Vilnius in 1440, he

1320-405: The primeval tranquil woodlands extending over the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which were abundant in game . Casimir appeared modest and did not exude a sense of pride , but is said to have enjoyed occasional opulence and splendor for significant conventions. At times, his lack of frugality and preference for field sports over the affairs of state were met with staunch disapproval. Records show that

1364-760: The region was incorporated by King Casimir IV Jagiellon to the Kingdom of Poland . After the subsequent Thirteen Years' War , the longest of all Polish–Teutonic wars, since 1466, Sambia formed part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Order, and after 1525 held by secular Ducal Prussia . According to Peter von Dusburg , Sambia was subdivided in 15 territorial units. Their German names (from east to west) are: Germau , Medenau , Rinau , Pobeten , Wargen , Rudau , Laptau , Quedenau , Schaaken , Waldau , Caimen , Tapiau , Labiau , Laukischken , and Wehlau . 5. Pluskowski, Aleksander. The Archaeology of

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1408-628: The rivalry of Matthias Corvinus , King of Hungary, who even went so far as to stimulate the Teutonic Order to rise against Casimir. The death of Matthias in 1490 was a great relief to Poland, and Casimir employed the two remaining years of his reign in consolidating his position still further. In 1490, Casimir's son John Albert was elected the King of Hungary by a party among the Hungarian nobles . He was, however, defeated by his older brother, King Vladislaus II of Bohemia. Casimir, who wanted to secure

1452-423: The rumours. To eliminate hearsay, Władysław placed Sophia before a court. It is likely that the Teutonic Order and Grand Master Paul von Rusdorf were implicated. Following Casimir's birth, Sophia pledged an oath of innocence ( iuramentum purgatorium ) and the charges were dismissed. The question of paternity did not persist as many of the children, including Casimir, closely resembled their elderly father. He

1496-487: The succession for his sons. Casimir succeeded his brother Władysław III (killed at the Battle of Varna in 1444) as King of Poland after a three-year interregnum on 25 June 1447. In 1454, he married Elisabeth of Austria , daughter of King Albert II of Germany and Elizabeth of Luxembourg , a descendant of King Casimir III of Poland . Her distant relative was Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor . The marriage strengthened

1540-493: The ties between the house of Jagiellon and the sovereigns of Hungary-Bohemia and put Casimir at odds with the emperor through internal Habsburg rivalry. That same year, Casimir was approached by the Prussian Confederation for aid against the Teutonic Order , which he promised, by making the separatist Prussian regions a protectorate of the Polish Kingdom . However, when the insurgent cities rebelled against

1584-605: The whole lagoon area known in Finnic as AVA (open expanse = lagoon) and -LA (place of) Historic scholars could not find the mysterious amber island because the Sambia Peninsula did not look like an island since the whole Baltic area that was depressed by the Ice Age glaciers has been rising many meters in the last thousands of years and was no longer looking like an island by the 10th century. Based on finds of prehistoric amber carvings, nomadic boat using hunter gatherers were attracted to

1628-544: The young Grand Duke was underage, the supreme control over the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was in the hands of the Lithuanian Council of Lords , presided by Jonas Goštautas . Casimir was taught Lithuanian language and the customs of Lithuania by appointed court officials. During Casimir's rule the rights of the Lithuanian nobility — dukes, magnates, and boyars (lesser nobles), irrespective of their religion and ethnicity — were put on an equal footing to those of

1672-450: Was baptised on 21 December 1427 and was named after his deceased brother. Stanisław Ciołek , Bishop of Poznań , or Nicholas of Radom composed a panegyric contrafactum titled Hystorigraphi aciem in honour of his birth which was sung at the christening ceremony. In his early years, Casimir was nursed by his mother and supervised by vice-chancellor Wincenty Kot , the future Archbishop of Gniezno and Primate of Poland , as well as by

1716-581: Was due to the permutations of European politics . The pope was anxious to get rid of the Hussite King of Bohemia, George Podebrad, as the first step towards the formation of a league against the Ottoman Turks . Casimir was to be a leading factor in this combination, and he took advantage of it to procure the election of his son Vladislaus II as the King of Bohemia . But he would not commit himself too far, and his ulterior plans were frustrated by

1760-488: Was one of the most active Polish-Lithuanian rulers; under him, Poland defeated the Teutonic Knights in the Thirteen Years' War and recovered Pomerania . The Jagiellonian dynasty became one of the leading royal houses in Europe. The great triumph of his reign was bringing Prussia under Polish rule. The rule of Casimir corresponded to the age of "new monarchies" in western Europe. By the 15th century, Poland had narrowed

1804-492: Was proclaimed Grand Duke of Lithuania. Casimir Jagiellon was the third and youngest son of King Władysław II Jagiełło (known as Jogaila) and his fourth wife, Sophia of Halshany . Casimir's mother was 40 to 50 years younger than his father, which caused widespread speculations that the children were the product of adultery . A scandal erupted when Sophia was accused of marital infidelity and two of her ladies-in-waiting were subsequently arrested and tortured for disseminating

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1848-575: Was proclaimed as the Grand Duke of Lithuania on 29 June 1440 by the Council of Lords , contrary to the wishes of the Polish noble lords — an act supported and coordinated by Jonas Goštautas. When the news arrived in the Kingdom of Poland concerning the proclamation of Casimir as the Grand Duke of Lithuania, it was met with hostility, even to the point of military threats against Lithuania. Since

1892-399: Was suspended in 1635 and he was replaced by the Polish king by a viceroy, Jerzy Ossoliński . However, under the Treaty of Sztumska Wieś the Duchy (and so the Sambia peninsula) was given back to George William . In 1701 Hohenzollern ruler proclaimed the Kingdom of Prussia and Sambia became part of the newly formed Province of East Prussia in 1773. In 1871, the peninsula became part of

1936-438: Was the last area in which the Old Prussian language was spoken before becoming extinct at the beginning of the 18th century. In 1454, the region was incorporated by King Casimir IV Jagiellon to the Kingdom of Poland upon the request of the anti-Teutonic Prussian Confederation . After the subsequent Thirteen Years' War , since 1466, it formed part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Order. The peninsula became part of

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