Grand Duchy of Lithuania
114-547: Polish and Lithuanian victory [REDACTED] Teutonic State [REDACTED] Kingdom of Poland [REDACTED] Grand Duchy of Lithuania The Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War , also known as the Great Teutonic War , occurred between 1409 and 1411 between the Teutonic Knights and the allied Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania . Inspired by the local Samogitian uprising ,
228-475: A Brandenburgian invasion; however, the Teutonic Knights themselves began to occupy the city and the region. The Teutonic Knights then carried out a massacre of the inhabitants of the city, killing up to 10,000 people according to medieval sources, although the exact number of victims is a subject of disputes. In September 1309, Margrave Waldemar of Brandenburg-Stendal sold his claim to the territory to
342-580: A conflict with the rest of the Hansa, which was in a heavy argument with Richard II of England , over levies of higher dues. The Merchants struggled to achieve an unsatisfactory compromise. Dissatisfied Richard II's navy suddenly attacked six Prussian ships in May 1385 – and those of more Hanse members – in the Zwin , Grand Master Conrad Zöllner von Rothenstein immediately terminated all trade with England. When in
456-455: A decade later, he too faced resistance and revolts. Despite the reforms, there were no significant efforts to convert the pagan Samogitians into Christianity. Hundreds of Samogitians were taken as hostages into Prussia. Rebellious residents were punished and executed, while those who swore loyalty were awarded with expensive gifts. In a complaint submitted to the Council of Constance in 1417,
570-602: A defense. Polish historian Paweł Jasienica speculated that this was likely an intentional move by Jagiełło, who together with Vytautas preferred to keep the humbled but not decimated Order in play as to not upset the balance of power between Poland (which would most likely acquire most of the Order possessions if it was totally defeated) and Lithuania; but a lack of primary sources precludes a definitive explanation. Jogaila, meanwhile, also sent his troops to other Teutonic fortresses, which often surrendered without resistance, including
684-777: A diet in Cologne in 1367 and convening the afore-mentioned non-member cities including Amsterdam and Brielle . The upshot was the founding of the Cologne Federation as a war alliance to counter the Danish threat. More cities, from the Lower Rhine area in the west to Livonia in the east, joined. Of the major players only Bremen and Hamburg refused to send forces, but contributed financially. Besides Prussia, three more territorial partners, Henry II of Schauenburg and Holstein-Rendsburg , Albert II of Mecklenburg , and
798-524: A famine in 1408, rose again on May 26, 1409. They succeeded in taking and burning Christmemel, Friedeburgh, Dobesinburg; only Memel withstood the attacks. While Vytautas secretly supported Samogitians, officially he still adhered to the Peace of Raciąż. Vytautas openly rose against the Knights only in the summer of 1409 after the Knights arrested 20 ships loaded with grain sent by Jogaila from Thorn to relieve
912-443: A fortified enclosure, and the quadrangular red-brick structure would come to typify convent buildings, single-wing castles would continue to be built alongside timber towers. Where they followed the conventional layout, castles included a connected set of communal spaces such as a dormitory, refectory, kitchen, chapter house, a chapel or church, an infirmary, and tower projecting over the moat. Construction began on Marienburg during
1026-589: A lesser status. The Teutonic Order's annexation and possession of Gdańsk (Danzig) and the surrounding region was consistently disputed by the Polish kings Władysław I and Casimir III the Great – claims that led to the Polish–Teutonic War (1326–1332) and, eventually, lawsuits in the papal court in 1320 and 1333, which ruled in favor of Poland, however, the Teutonic Knights did not comply and continued to occupy
1140-585: A major power in Central and Eastern Europe . The Order assigned Heinrich von Plauen to defend Teutonic-held Eastern Pomerania ( Pomerelia ), who moved rapidly to bolster the defence of Marienburg Castle in Pomesania . Heinrich von Plauen was elected vice-grand master and led the Teutonic Knights through the Siege of Marienburg in 1410 . Eventually von Plauen was promoted to Grand Master and, in 1411, concluded
1254-711: A propaganda war by sending multiple complaints to the Pope, church officials, and western rulers. They accused Vytautas of triple treachery for breaking treaties of 1384, 1390, and 1398. Vytautas responded that while Samogitia was ruled by a military order , established to spread Christianity, Samogitians were not yet baptized. Pope Boniface IX issued an edict prohibiting the Knights to attack Lithuania. When neither side could achieve decisive victory and Vytautas wished to concentrate his attention to troubles in Smolensk , both sides started negotiations in summer 1403. A temporary truce
SECTION 10
#17327655058261368-623: A war alliance against Denmark, accepted with some reluctance only by the important cities forming the Wendish- Saxon third of the Hanse. Since Valdemar IV had also attacked ships of the Dutch city of Kampen and other destinations in the Zuiderzee , Prussia and Dutch cities, such as Kampen, Elburg and Harderwijk , allied themselves against Denmark. This resulted in the Hansa calling up
1482-494: A week from 24 to 30 June 1410. After the crossing, Masovian troops under Siemowit IV and Janusz I joined the Polish–Lithuanian army. The massive force began its march north towards Marienburg ( Malbork ), capital of Prussia, on 3 July. The Prussian border was crossed on 9 July. As soon as Ulrich von Jungingen grasped Polish–Lithuanian intentions, he left 3,000 men at Schwetz ( Świecie ) under Heinrich von Plauen and marched
1596-545: The Archbishopric of Riga under the mother city of Visby on Gotland . Each diocese was fiscally and administratively divided into one-third reserved for the maintenance of the capitular canons, and two-thirds were where the Order collected the dues. The cathedral capitular canons of Culm, Pomesania and Samland were simultaneously members of the Teutonic Order since the 1280s, ensuring a strong influence by
1710-601: The Battle of Grunwald in 1410 the Teutonic Order fell into decline, the region of Samogitia was restored to Lithuania . The Prussian branch of the Teutonic Order returned Pomerelia (the previously Polish regions of Chełmno Land and Gdańsk Pomerania ) and ceded the western part of Prussia ( Warmia , as well as parts of Pomesania and Pogesania ) to Poland after the Peace of Thorn in 1466. The territories ceded to
1824-696: The Burzenland . In 1225, Andrew II expelled the Teutonic Knights from Transylvania , and they had to transfer to the Baltic Sea . Early in 1224, Emperor Frederick II announced at Catania that Livonia , Prussia with Sambia , and a number of neighboring provinces were under imperial immediacy . This decree subordinated the provinces directly to the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Emperor as opposed to being under
1938-632: The Dubysa River . Vytautas agreed to build the castle as compensation for two Teutonic fortresses he burnt during the Lithuanian Civil War (1389–92) . The Knights continued to organize destructive raids. In February 1399, Teutonic and Livonian forces raided central Samogitia and locals were unable to mount effective defense. In winter 1400, Vytautas assisted the Knights in one of such raids: Samogitians asked for his help and wanted to surrender to him, but he refused and continued to follow
2052-514: The Duchy of Courland and Semigalia , as well as the Duchy of Livonia in 1561, both duchies being fiefs of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania . The Old Prussians had withstood many attempts at conquest preceding that of the Teutonic Knights. Bolesław I of Poland began the series of unsuccessful conquests when he sent Adalbert of Prague in 997. In 1147, Bolesław IV of Poland attacked Prussia with
2166-535: The First Treaty of Thorn with King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland. The next major Polish–Teutonic war was fought in 1431–1435, after the Teutonic Knights invaded Poland again, and was ended in the Peace of Brześć Kujawski , which was favorable for Poland. In March 1440, gentry (mainly from Culmerland ) and the Hanseatic cities of Danzig, Elbing , Kneiphof , Thorn and other Prussian cities founded
2280-529: The Gollub War of 1422) would be waged before the Treaty of Melno permanently resolved the territorial disputes. The Poles and Lithuanians were unable to translate the military victory into territorial or diplomatic gains. However, the Peace of Thorn imposed a heavy financial burden on the Knights from which they never recovered. They had to pay an indemnity in silver, estimated at ten times the annual income of
2394-485: The King of England , in four annual installments. To meet the payments, the Knights borrowed heavily, confiscated gold and silver from churches, and increased taxes. Two major Prussian cities, Danzig ( Gdańsk ) and Thorn ( Toruń ), revolted against the tax increases. The defeat at Grunwald left the Teutonic Knights with few forces to defend their remaining territories. Since both Poland and Lithuania were now Christian countries,
SECTION 20
#17327655058262508-588: The Kingdom of Poland formed the Polish province of Royal Prussia , while the eastern part remained under Teutonic Order rule, known thereafter as the Monastic Prussia ( Polish : Prusy zakonne ) or Teutonic Prussia ( Polish : Prusy krzyżackie ), as a feudal fief and integral part of the Kingdom of Poland. The monastic state of the Order's main (Prussian) branch was secularized in 1525 during
2622-525: The Lithuanian Civil War (1381–84) in the Treaty of Dubysa . The territory was used as a bargaining chip to ensure Teutonic support for one of the sides in the internal power struggle. In 1385, Grand Duke Jogaila of Lithuania proposed to marry reigning Queen Jadwiga of Poland in the Union of Kreva . Jogaila converted to Christianity and was crowned as the King of Poland thus creating a personal union between
2736-599: The Livonian Brothers of the Sword controlling Terra Mariana were incorporated into the Teutonic Order as its autonomous branch, the Livonian Order in 1237. In 1346, the Duchy of Estonia was sold by the King of Denmark for 19,000 Cologne marks to the Teutonic Order . The shift of sovereignty from Denmark to the Teutonic Order took place on 1 November 1346. At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries,
2850-654: The Livonian Confederation and continued to exist as part of it until 1561. Established in Prussia and the Polish Masovian Chełmno Land in the 13th century, the state expanded mostly as a result of the 13th-century Prussian Crusade against the pagan Baltic Prussians and the 14th-century invasions of neighboring Christian countries of Poland and Lithuania . The conquests were followed by German and Polish colonization. In addition,
2964-436: The Livonian Order promised financial aid and reinforcements. The siege of Marienburg was lifted on 19 September. The Polish–Lithuanian forces left garrisons in fortresses that were captured or surrendered and returned home. However, the Knights quickly recaptured most of the castles. By the end of October, only four Teutonic castles along the border remained in Polish hands. Jogaila raised a fresh army and dealt another defeat to
3078-668: The Luxembourg dynasty , which ruled the Margraviate of Brandenburg , reached an agreement with Poland in Kraków , according to which Poland was to purchase and re-incorporate the region of New March (Neumark) . Later that year, however, the Luxembourgs gave the region in pawn to the Teutonic Order despite prior arrangements with Poland, and the Order kept it until Brandenburg redeemed it again in 1454 and 1455, respectively, by
3192-537: The Order of Dobrzyń , a small group of 15 knights. The Order, however, was soon defeated and, in reaction, Konrad called on the Pope for yet another crusade and for help from the Teutonic Knights . As a result, several edicts called for crusades against the Old Prussians. The crusades, involving many of Europe's knights , lasted for sixty years. In 1211, Andrew II of Hungary enfeoffed the Teutonic Knights with
3306-732: The Protestant Reformation to become the Duchy of Prussia ruled by the House of Hohenzollern , remaining a fiefdom of the Polish Crown and later the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . The Livonian branch continued as part of the Livonian Confederation established in 1422–1435, which became a protectorate of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1559, and was finally secularised and split into
3420-563: The Protestant Reformation , endemic religious upheavals and wars occurred across the region. In 1525, during the aftermath of the Polish-Teutonic War (1519–1521) , Sigismund I the Old , King of Poland, and his nephew, the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, Albert of Brandenburg-Ansbach , a member of a cadet branch of the House of Hohenzollern , agreed that the latter would resign his position, adopt Lutheran faith and assume
3534-581: The Prussian Confederation to free themselves from the overlordship of the Teutonic Knights. Due to the heavy losses and costs after the war against Poland and Lithuania , the Teutonic Order collected taxes at steep rates. Furthermore, the cities were not allowed due representation by the Teutonic Order. In February 1454, the Prussian Confederation asked King Casimir IV of Poland to support their revolt and to incorporate
Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War - Misplaced Pages Continue
3648-884: The Prussian Homage . On 10 December 1525 at their session in Königsberg the Prussian estates established the Lutheran Church in Ducal Prussia by deciding the Church Order . The Habsburg -led Holy Roman Empire continued to hold its claim to Prussia and furnished grand masters of the Teutonic Order, who were merely titular administrators of Prussia, but managed to retain many of the Teutonic holdings elsewhere outside of Prussia Fortifications of
3762-563: The Thirteen Years' War (1454). State of the Teutonic Order The State of the Teutonic Order ( Latin : Civitas Ordinis Theutonici ) was a theocratic state located along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea in northern Europe. It was formed by the knights of the Teutonic Order during the early 13th century Northern Crusades in the region of Prussia . In 1237, the Livonian Brothers of
3876-477: The Treaties of Cölln and Mewe . Though the possession of this territory by the Order strengthened ties between the Order and their secular counterparts in northern Germany, it exacerbated the already hostile relationship between the Order and Polish–Lithuanian union . In March 1407, Konrad died from complications caused by gallstones and was succeeded by his younger brother, Ulrich von Jungingen . Under Ulrich,
3990-495: The Treaty of Dubysa . The treaty awarded Samogitia up to the Dubysa River to the Knights for their support to Jogaila against Vytautas in the Lithuanian Civil War (1381–84) . However, it was not ratified and hostilities between Poland and the Knights broke out soon after. The Knights switched sides and now Vytautas granted Samogitia to the Knights twice – by the Treaty of Königsberg (1384) and Treaty of Lyck (1390). When Jogaila and Vytautas reconciled and broke those treaties,
4104-677: The Duchy of Pomerelia. Unlike in English, German, Latin or Lithuanian language Polish uses the term Pomorze for Pomerania (a fief of Poland, Saxony and Denmark in the High Middle Ages , and first briefly in 1181, but since 1227 a permanent fief within the Holy Roman Empire) and Pomerelia alike. Both duchies were earlier ruled by related dynasties, thus the semantic title was Duke of Pomerania rather than Duke of Pomerelia, as it
4218-656: The Grand Duke but he was arrested and imprisoned. When the Knights threatened that they would invade Lithuania, Poland, through archbishop Mikołaj Kurowski , declared its support to the Lithuanian cause and threatened to invade Prussia in return. In August 1409, the Knights declared war against Poland, which began the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War . The Knights hoped to defeat Poland and Lithuania one by one and first invaded Poland. Wenceslaus, King of
4332-585: The Hansa members decided in the Hanseatic Diet on 1 May 1388 for an embargo against the Flemish cities. Meanwhile, Prussia could not prevail with its plea for further negotiations. The Order's Großschäffer was one of the leading functionaries of the order. The word translates roughly as "chief sales and buying officer" with procuration. This officer was in charge of the considerable commerce, import, export, crediting, real estate investment etc., which
4446-654: The Hanseatic trade privileges, Prussia once again permitted merchant adventurers, granting permissions to remain; for this action they were renounced once again by the Grand Master Conrad of Jungingen in 1398. In the conflict with the Burgundian Philip the Bold on the Hansa privileges in the Flemish cities the positions of the Hanseatic cities and Prussia were again reversed. Here the majority of
4560-539: The Holy Roman Empire, to whom they granted lands in return. This gradually created a new class of landed nobility. Due to several factors, among which was the high rate of early death in battle, these lands became concentrated over time in the hands of a relatively small number of noblemen each having a vast estate. This nobility would evolve to what is known as the Prussian Junker nobility . During
4674-467: The Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The official Lithuanian conversion to Christianity removed the religious rationale for the Order's activities in the area. However the Knights responded by publicly contesting the sincerity of Jogaila's conversion, bringing the charge to a papal court . The territorial disputes continued over Samogitia, which was in Teutonic hands since the Peace of Raciąż of 1404. Poland also had territorial claims against
Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War - Misplaced Pages Continue
4788-503: The Knights and only Dobrzyń Land should be returned to Poland. The Knights also paid 300,000 ducats to Sigismund of Hungary , who had ambitions for the principality of Moldova , for his military assistance. Sigismund attempted to break the Polish–Lithuanian alliance by offering Vytautas a king's crown; Vytautas's acceptance of such a crown would violate the terms of the Ostrów Agreement and create Polish-Lithuanian discord. At
4902-666: The Knights continued to wage a war against Samogitia and Lithuania. Eventually Vytautas agreed to the Treaty of Salynas , signed in October 1398, as he sought to stabilize the western front while preparing for a large expedition into east against the Golden Horde , resulting in the disastrous Battle of the Vorskla River . According to the Treaty of Salynas, Samogitia was ceded to the Order and Vytautas agreed to help enforce
5016-418: The Knights had difficulties recruiting new volunteer crusaders. The Grand Masters then needed to rely on mercenary troops, which proved an expensive drain on their already depleted budget. The internal conflicts, economic decline and tax increases led to unrest and the foundation of the Prussian Confederation , or Alliance against Lordship , in 1441. That, in turn, led to a series of conflicts that culminated in
5130-414: The Knights in Dobrzyń Land and Danzig ( Gdańsk ), but the two states were largely at peace since the Treaty of Kalisz (1343) . The conflict was also motivated by trade considerations: the Knights controlled lower reaches of the three largest rivers ( Neman , Vistula and Daugava ) in Poland and Lithuania. In May 1409, an uprising in Teutonic-held Samogitia started. Lithuania supported the uprising and
5244-409: The Knights in the Battle of Koronowo on 10 October 1410. Following other brief engagements, both sides agreed to negotiate. The Peace of Thorn was signed on 1 February 1411. Under its terms, the Knights ceded the Dobrin Land ( Dobrzyń Land ) to Poland and agreed to resign their claims to Samogitia during the lifetimes of Jogaila and Vytautas, although another two wars (the Hunger War of 1414 and
5358-428: The Knights threatened to invade. Poland announced its support for the Lithuanian cause and threatened to invade Prussia in return. As Prussian troops evacuated Samogitia, the Teutonic Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen declared war on the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania on 6 August 1409. The Knights hoped to defeat Poland and Lithuania separately and began by invading Greater Poland and Kuyavia , catching
5472-443: The Knights to declare war on Poland. Hostilities escalated and resulted in the Battle of Grunwald (1410), one of the biggest battles of medieval Europe. The Knights were soundly defeated by the joint Polish–Lithuanian forces, but Vytautas and Jogaila , King of Poland, were unable to capitalize on their victory. Conflicts regarding Samogitia, both diplomatic and military, dragged until the Treaty of Melno (1422). The Livonian Order
5586-414: The Knights to keep their troops in place. The first stage of the Grunwald campaign was gathering all Polish–Lithuanian troops at Czerwinsk , a designated meeting point about 80 km (50 mi) from the Prussian border, where the joint army crossed the Vistula over a floating bridge . This maneuver, which required precision and intense coordination among multi-ethnic forces, was accomplished in about
5700-511: The Knights. In May 1402, Samogitians burned Memel (now Klaipėda ). Vytautas joined the fight in 1402 by attacking Gotteswerder . The fortress surrendered after a three-day siege. In July, Švitrigaila lead the Knight's army south of Vilnius ( Medininkai , Ashmyany , Šalčininkai ) hoping to capture the capital city. These were the last Teutonic raids into the Lithuania proper . In April 1403, Lithuanians and Samogitians responded by raiding Dünaburg in Livonia . The Teutonic Knights also waged
5814-426: The Lithuanian light cavalry started a full retreat. The reason for the retreat – whether it was a retreat of the defeated force or a preconceived maneuver – remains a topic of academic debate. Heavy fighting began between Polish and Teutonic forces and even reached the royal camp of Jogaila. One Knight charged directly against King Jogaila, who was saved by royal secretary Zbigniew Oleśnicki . The Lithuanians returned to
SECTION 50
#17327655058265928-578: The Monastic State. In 1234, the Teutonic Order assimilated the remaining members of the Order of Dobrzyń and, in 1237, the Order of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword . The assimilation of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword (established in Livonia in 1202) increased the Teutonic Order's lands with the addition of the territories known today as Latvia and Estonia . In 1243, the Papal legate William of Modena divided Prussia into four bishoprics : Culm (Chełmno) , Pomesania , Ermland (Warmia) and Samland (Sambia) . The bishoprics became suffragans to
6042-564: The Order block exports of salt and herring into Russia. While the relations had eased by 1371 so that trade resumed, they soured again until 1388. During the Lithuanian Crusade of 1369/1370, ending with the Teutonic victory in the Battle of Rudau , Prussia enjoyed considerable support from English knights. The Order welcomed English Merchant Adventurers , starting to cruise in the Baltic, competing with Dutch, Saxon and Wendish Hanseatic merchants, and allowed them to open outposts in its cities of Danzig and Elbing. This necessarily brought about
6156-452: The Order carried out, using its network of bailiwicks and agencies which spanned much of Central, Western and Southern Europe as well as the Holy Land. The other Großschäffer in Marienburg had the grain export monopoly. As to imports, neither was bound to any particular merchandise. From Königsberg, holding the monopoly in amber export, achieved the exceptional permission to continue amber exports to Flanders and textile imports in return. On
6270-516: The Order. Only Warmia 's diocesan chapter maintained independence, enabling to establish its autonomous rule in the capitular third of Warmia's diocesan territory ( Prince-Bishopric of Warmia ). At the beginning of the 14th century, the Duchy of Pomerania , a neighboring region, plunged into war with Poland and the Margraviate of Brandenburg to the west. The Teutonic Knights seized the Polish port city of Gdańsk in November 1308 . The Order had been called by King Władysław I of Poland to help repel
6384-472: The Poles along the Vistula River towards Danzig ( Gdańsk ) and by the Lithuanians along the Neman River towards Ragnit ( Neman ). To counter this perceived threat, Ulrich von Jungingen concentrated his forces in Schwetz ( Świecie ), a central location from where troops could respond to an invasion from any direction rather quickly. To keep the plans secret and misguide the Knights, Jogaila and Vytautas organised several raids into border territories, thus forcing
6498-409: The Poles by surprise. The Knights burned the castle at Dobrin ( Dobrzyń nad Wisłą ), captured Bobrowniki after a fourteen-day siege, conquered Bydgoszcz (Bromberg), and sacked several towns. The Poles organized counterattacks and recaptured Bydgoszcz. The Samogitians attacked Memel ( Klaipėda ). However, neither side was ready for a full-scale war. Wenceslaus, King of the Romans , agreed to mediate
6612-479: The Polish–Lithuanian army. The latter ravaged the village of Gilgenburg ( Dąbrówno ). Von Jungingen was so enraged by the atrocities that he swore to defeat the invaders in battle. The Battle of Grunwald took place on 15 July 1410 between the villages of Grunwald , Tannenberg ( Stębark ) and Ludwigsdorf ( Łodwigowo ). Modern estimates of number of troops involved range from 16,500 to 39,000 Polish–Lithuanian and 11,000 to 27,000 Teutonic men. The Polish–Lithuanian army
6726-409: The Pope and Holy Roman Emperor , the Teutons conquered and converted the Prussians by the 1280s and shifted their attention to the pagan Grand Duchy of Lithuania . For about a hundred years the Knights fought the Lithuanian Crusade raiding the Lithuanian lands, particularly Samogitia as it separated the Knights in Prussia from their branch in Livonia . The Lithuanians first gave up Samogitia during
6840-416: The Romans agreed to mediate the dispute and a truce was signed on September 8, 1409. Until it expired on June 24, 1410, both Lithuania and Poland were at peace. The Knights sought to break apart the Polish–Lithuanian union and Vytautas was even offered the crown of King of Lithuania . While all parties presented their arguments to the mediator, Vytautas and Jogaila agreed to a joint military campaign, which
6954-408: The Samogitians listed many crimes and injustices perpetrated by the Knights. The Knights assisted Vytautas in his campaigns in Pskov , Veliky Novgorod , and Moscow . However, the friendly relationship between Vytautas and the Teutonic Knights was somewhat strained after election of Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen , who was less inclined to ally with Lithuania. At the end of 1408, when Vytautas
SECTION 60
#17327655058267068-497: The Sword merged with the Teutonic Order of Prussia and became known as its branch – the Livonian Order (while their state, Terra Mariana , covering present-day Estonia , Latvia , and a small part of Russia , became part of the State of the Teutonic Order). At its greatest territorial extent during the early 15th century, the State encompassed Chełmno Land , Courland , Gotland , Livonia , Estonia , Neumark , Pomerelia ( Gdańsk Pomerania ), Prussia and Samogitia . Following
7182-411: The Teutonic Knights withstood the siege on their capital in Marienburg ( Malbork ) and suffered only minimal territorial losses in the Peace of Thorn (1411) . Territorial disputes lasted until the Peace of Melno of 1422. However, the Knights never recovered their former power, and the financial burden of war reparations caused internal conflicts and economic decline in their lands. The war shifted
7296-399: The Teutonic Knights by Vytautas the Great , Grand Duke of Lithuania , several times in order to enlist Knights' support for his other military affairs. The local population resisted Teutonic rule and asked Vytautas to protect them. The first uprising was unsuccessful and Vytautas had to reconfirm his previous promises to transfer Samogitia in the Peace of Raciąż . The second uprising provoked
7410-401: The Teutonic Knights was resounding. About 8,000 Teuton soldiers were killed and an additional 14,000 were taken captive. Most of the brothers of the Order were killed, including most of the Teutonic leadership. The highest-ranking Teutonic official to escape the battle was Werner von Tettinger, Komtur of Elbing ( Elbląg ). Most of the captive commoners and mercenaries were released shortly after
7524-400: The Teutonic Knights were supported by the Duchy of Pomerania , and the Polish-Lithuanian alliance was supported by Ruthenian , Tatar and Moldavian allies and auxiliary forces. Poland and Lithuania triumphed following a victory at the Battle of Grunwald ( Tannenberg ), which marked the start of the decline of the State of the Teutonic Order, and the rise of the Polish–Lithuanian union as
7638-399: The Teutonic Order for the sum of 10,000 Marks in the Treaty of Soldin . This marked the beginning of a series of conflicts between Poland and the Teutonic Knights as the Order continued incorporating territories into its domains. While the Order promoted the Prussian cities by granting them extended surrounding territory and privileges, establishing courts, civil and commercial law, it allowed
7752-425: The Teutonic Order temporarily acquired the territories of Gotland and Neumark , which, however, it sold in the following decades. Throughout its history, the Teutonic state waged numerous wars with Poland and Lithuania, encouraging the two countries to form a close alliance and personal union , which eventually led to the creation of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th century. Following its defeat in
7866-422: The Teutonic Order's cession of its rights over the western half of its territories to the Polish Kingdom, which became the Polish province of Royal Prussia and the remaining part of the Order's land became a fief and protectorate of Poland , considered part of one and indivisible Kingdom of Poland. In accordance to the peace treaty, from now on, every Grand Master was obliged to swear an oath of allegiance to
7980-418: The Teutonic State fell from its precarious height and became mired in internal political strife, near-constant war with Polish–Lithuanian union, and crippling war debts. In 1408, Conrad Letzkau served as a diplomat to Queen Margaret I and arranged that the Order sell Gotland to Denmark. In 1409, the Teutonic Order invaded Poland's Dobrzyń Land again, and the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War broke out, in which
8094-452: The Teutonic State have been examined through archaeological excavation since the end of World War II , especially those built or expanded during the 14th century. Fortifications are generally the best preserved material legacy of the Order's presence in the Baltic today, and timber and earth, as well as brick examples, are attested in the archaeological record. The earliest castles in the Teutonic State consisted of simple buildings attached to
8208-576: The Yotvingians was situated in the area of what is today the Podlaskie Voivodeship of Poland. The Prussians attempted to oust Polish or Masovian forces from Yotvingia , which by now was partially conquered, devastated and almost totally depopulated. Konrad of Masovia had already called a crusade against the Old Prussians in 1208, but it was not successful. Konrad, acting on the advice of Christian, first bishop of Prussia, established
8322-542: The aid of Kievan Rus' but was unable to conquer it. Numerous other attempts followed, and, under Duke Konrad I of Masovia , were intensified, with large battles and crusades in 1209, 1219, 1220 and 1222. The West Baltic Prussians successfully repelled most of the campaigns and managed to strike Konrad in retaliation. However, the Prussians and the Yotvingians in the south had their territory conquered. The land of
8436-421: The annexed Polish territories. The Teutonic Knights even invaded Poland further and briefly occupied the regions of Kuyavia and Dobrzyń Land . A peace was concluded at Kalisz in 1343 , Kuyavia and Dobrzyń Land were restored to Poland, and the Teutonic Order agreed that Poland should rule Pomerelia as a fief and Polish kings, therefore, retained the right to the title Duke of Pomerania . The title referred to
8550-820: The balance of power in Central Europe and marked the rise of the Polish–Lithuanian union as the dominant power in the region. In 1230, the Teutonic Knights , a crusading military order , moved to the Kulmerland (today within the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship ) and, upon the request of Konrad I, king of the Masovian Slavs, launched the Prussian Crusade against the pagan Prussian clans . With support from
8664-589: The battle on condition that they report to Kraków on 11 November 1410. The nobles were kept in captivity and high ransoms were demanded for each. After the battle, the Polish and Lithuanian forces delayed their attack on the Teutonic capital in Marienburg ( Malbork ) by staying on the battlefield for three days and then marching an average of only about 15 km (9.3 mi) per day. The main forces did not reach heavily fortified Marienburg until 26 July. This delay gave Heinrich von Plauen enough time to organize
8778-403: The battle. As Grand Master von Jungingen attempted to break through the Lithuanian lines, he was killed. Surrounded and leaderless, the Teutonic Knights began to retreat towards their camp in hopes to organize a defensive wagon fort . However, the defense was soon broken and the camp was ravaged and according to an eyewitness account, more Knights died there than in the battlefield. The defeat of
8892-481: The battles of Grunwald in 1410 and Wilkomierz in 1435 , the State fell into decline. After losing extensive territories in the imposed Peace of Thorn in 1466, the extant territory of its Prussian branch became known as Monastic Prussia ( Polish : Prusy zakonne ) or Teutonic Prussia (Polish: Prusy krzyżackie ) and existed until 1525 as a part and fiefdom of the Kingdom of Poland . The Livonian branch joined
9006-593: The cities less outward independence than free imperial cities enjoyed within the Holy Roman Empire . The members of the Hanseatic League did consider merchants from Prussian cities as their like, but also accepted the Grand Master of the Order as the sole territorial ruler representing Prussia at their Hanseatic Diets . Thus Prussian merchants, along with those from Ditmarsh , were
9120-427: The dispute. A truce was signed on 8 October 1409; it was set to expire on 24 June 1410. Both sides used this time for preparations for the battle, gathering the troops and engaging in diplomatic maneuvers. Both sides sent letters and envoys accusing each other of various wrongdoings and threats to Christendom. Wenceslaus, who received a gift of 60,000 florins from the Knights, declared that Samogitia rightfully belonged to
9234-534: The earliest years of the Prussian Crusade. [REDACTED] Media related to State of the Teutonic Order at Wikimedia Commons 54°43′N 20°31′E / 54.717°N 20.517°E / 54.717; 20.517 Samogitian uprisings Samogitian uprisings refer to two uprisings by the Samogitians against the Teutonic Knights in 1401–1404 and 1409. Samogitia was granted to
9348-509: The famine. The incident highlighted importance of controlling trade in the Nemunas Delta . Vytautas sent his deputies ( Rumbaudas Valimantaitis , Galminas [ uk ] , Getautas, Klausigaila [ uk ] , and Vasibutas) to command the rebellious forces. As uprising took over the entire region, Teutonic forces evacuated into Prussia. Švitrigaila once again allied with the Knights hoping to overthrow Vytautas and become
9462-633: The island of Gotland in 1398. At the beginning of the 15th century, the State of the Teutonic Order stood at the height of its power under Konrad (Conrad) von Jungingen . The Teutonic navy ruled the Baltic Sea from bases in Prussia and Gotland, and the Prussian cities provided tax revenues sufficient to maintain a significant standing force composed of Teutonic Knights proper, their retinues, Prussian peasant levies, and German mercenaries. In 1402,
9576-786: The jurisdiction of local rulers. At the end of 1224, Pope Honorius III announced to all Christendom his appointment of Bishop William of Modena as the Papal Legate for Livonia, Prussia, and other countries. As a result of the Golden Bull of Rimini in 1226 and the Papal Bull of Rieti of 1234, Prussia came into the Teutonic Order's possession. The Knights began the Prussian Crusade in 1230. Under their governance, woodlands were cleared and marshlands made arable, upon which many cities and villages were founded, including Marienburg (Malbork) and Königsberg ( Kaliningrad ). Unlike
9690-573: The latter's son Albert of Sweden , joined the alliance, attacking via land and sea, forcing Denmark to sign the Treaty of Stralsund in 1370. Several Danish castles and fortresses were then taken by Hansa forces for fifteen years in order to secure the implementation of the peace conditions. The invasions of the Teutonic Order from Livonia to Pskov in 1367 had caused the Russians to recoup themselves on Hansa merchants in Novgorod , which again made
9804-536: The main forces to organise a line of defence on the Drewenz River ( Drwęca ) near Kauernik ( Kurzętnik ). On 11 July, Jogaila decided against crossing the river at such a strong defensible position. The army would instead bypass the river crossing by turning east, towards its sources, where no other major rivers separated his army from Marienburg. The Teutonic army followed the Drewenz River north, crossed it near Löbau ( Lubawa ), and then moved east in parallel with
9918-465: The major cities of Danzig ( Gdańsk ), Thorn ( Toruń ), and Elbing ( Elbląg ). Only eight castles remained in Teutonic hands. The Polish and Lithuanian besiegers of Marienburg were not prepared for a long-term engagement, suffering from lack of ammunition, low morale, and an epidemic of dysentery . The Knights appealed to their allies for help and Sigismund of Hungary , Wenceslaus, King of the Romans , and
10032-554: The newly-founded cities between the Rivers Elbe and Oder , the cities founded by the Teutonic Order had a much more regular, rectangular sketch of streets, indicating their character as planned foundations. The cities were heavily fortified, accounting for the long lasting conflicts with the resistive native Old Prussians, with armed forces under command of the knights. Most cities were prevailingly populated with immigrants from Central Germany and Silesia , where many knights of
10146-472: The occasion of the ban on Flemish trade, the Hansa urged Prussia and Livonia again to interrupt the exchange with Novgorod as well, but with both blockades Russian and Flemish commodities could not reach their final destinations. In 1392 it was Grand Master Conrad of Wallenrode who supported the Flemish to achieve an acceptable agreement with the Hansa resuming the bilateral trade; while a Hanseatic delegation under Johann Niebur reopened trade with Novgorod in
10260-404: The only beneficiaries of a quasi membership within the Hansa, although lacking the background of citizenship in a fully autonomous or free city. Only merchants from the six Prussian Hanseatic cities of Braunsberg (Braniewo) , Culm (Chełmno) , Danzig (Gdańsk) , Elbing, Königsberg and Thorn (Toruń) were considered fully fledged members of the league, while merchants from other Prussian cities had
10374-463: The order had their homelands. The cities were usually given Magdeburg law town privileges , with the one exception of Elbing (Elbląg) , which was founded with the support of Lübeckers and thus was awarded Lübeck law . While the Lübeckers provided the Order important logistic support with their ships, they were otherwise, with the exception of Elbing, rather uninvolved in the establishment of
10488-619: The region to the Kingdom of Poland . King Casimir IV agreed and signed the act of incorporation in Kraków on 6 March 1454. The Thirteen Years' War , the longest of the Polish–Teutonic wars, (also known as the War of the Cities ) broke out. Various cities of the region pledged allegiance to the Polish King in 1454. The Second Peace of Thorn in October 1466 ended the war and provided for
10602-440: The reigning Polish king within six months of taking office, and any new territorial acquisitions by the Teutonic Order, also outside Prussia, would also be incorporated into Poland. The Grand Master of the Teutonic Order became a prince and counselor of the Polish king and the Kingdom of Poland. While the Knights of the Teutonic Order formed a thin ruling class by themselves, they extensively used mercenaries, mostly German, from
10716-530: The rivers. Königsburg was built on the Šušvė River near Josvainiai . Vytautas provided the manpower for construction, food, guns, and even garrison. The castle was manned by 40 Teutons and 400 Poles. The Samogitians unsuccessfully attacked the newly built castle in fall 1405. Other castles were built in Christmemel and rebuilt in Friedeburgh . Dobesinburg, completed in 1407 near the mouth of Dubysa,
10830-404: The same time Vytautas managed to obtain a truce from the Livonian Order . By December 1409, Jogaila and Vytautas had agreed on a common strategy: their armies would unite into a single massive force and march together towards Marienburg ( Malbork ), capital of the Teutonic Knights. The Knights, who took a defensive position, did not expect a joint attack and were preparing for a dual invasion – by
10944-491: The same year the Hansa evacuated all their Danish castles in fulfillment of the Treaty of Stralsund, Prussia argued in favour of a renewal of the Cologne Federation for the deeply concerned about the ensuing conflict with England, but could not prevail. The cities preferred to negotiate and take retaliatory actions, such as counter-confiscation of English merchandise. So when in 1388 Richard II finally reconfirmed
11058-465: The same year, after reconfirmation of the previous mutual privileges. Since the late 1380s grave piracy by privateers , promoted by Albert of Sweden and Mecklenburg actually directed against Margaret I of Denmark , blocked seafaring to the herring supplies at the Scania Market ; thus fish prices tripled in Prussia. The Saxon Hansa cities urged Prussia to intervene, but Conrad of Jungingen
11172-498: The third quarter of the 13th century, and work continued on it until the mid-15th century. A settlement developed alongside the castle, which together enclosed 25 hectares. Granted town rights in 1286, its castle is larger than any other built by the Order. Since 1997, the outer bailey has been thoroughly excavated and dates to the mid-1350s. Preserved at Marienburg was a polychrome statue of Mary about 8 m high, made of artificial stone and originally decorated with mosaic tiles. Sinc Mary
11286-500: The title of Duke of Prussia . Thereafter referred to as Ducal Prussia ( German : Herzogliches Preußen, Preußen Herzoglichen Anteils ; Polish : Prusy Książęce ), remaining a Polish fief. Thus in a deal partially brokered by Martin Luther , Roman Catholic Teutonic Prussia was transformed into the Duchy of Prussia , the first Protestant state. Sigismund's consent was bound to Albert's submission to Poland, which became known as
11400-412: The tomb of Dorothy of Montau and sent him gifts. However, soon disagreements arose when the Order demanded to return about 4,000 peasants who escaped into Lithuania. Vytautas argued that they were free people and had the right to choose where to live. The disagreement was not resolved via diplomatic means and grew into a war. The fighting started on March 13, 1401, after the Union of Vilnius and Radom
11514-540: The treaty with the Knights. Unable to resist and with no help coming from Vytautas, Samogitians surrendered to the Knights for the first time. In the summer of 1400, the Teutonic Grandmaster sent Heinrich von Schwelborn to govern Samogitia from castles in Kaunas and Friedeburgh. The Knights tried to maintain friendly relationship with Vytautas: they warmly welcomed his wife Anna during her pilgrimage to
11628-468: The treaty. The Order attempted to take control of Samogitia: even if they had the legal title to the land, local population resisted Teutonic rule and had to be subdued. The Knights took 500 hostages into Prussia to discourage resistance, while loyal Samogitian nobles were rewarded with gifts (wool, salt, clothes). They also built two fortresses on the periphery of Samogitia – one with Vytautas's help near Nevėžis River and another (named Friedeburg ) near
11742-534: The war began with a Teutonic invasion of Poland in August 1409. As neither side was ready for a full-scale war, Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia brokered a nine-month truce. After the truce expired in June 1410, the military-religious monks were decisively defeated in the Battle of Grunwald , one of the largest battles in medieval Europe. Most of the Teutonic leadership was killed or taken prisoner. Although they were defeated,
11856-576: Was an amalgam of nationalities and religions: the Roman Catholic Polish–Lithuanian troops fought side by side with pagan Samogitians , Eastern Orthodox Ruthenians , and Muslim Tatars . Twenty-two different peoples, mostly Germanic, joined the Teutonic side. The Knights hoped to provoke Poles or Lithuanians to attack first and sent two swords, known as Grunwald Swords , to "assist Jogaila and Vytautas in battle". Lithuanians attacked first, but after more than an hour of heavy fighting,
11970-525: Was behind the uprising, but they were careful not to anger Vytautas and not to push him into a closer alliance with Jogaila. Jogaila's brother Švitrigaila joined the war in January 1402 on the side of the Teutonic Knights as he laid claims to the throne of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He confirmed the Treaty of Salynas in exchange for Order's military assistance and drew Vytautas into open war against
12084-440: Was executed in summer 1410. The joint Polish–Lithuanian forces soundly defeated the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of Grunwald , one of the biggest battles in medieval Europe. However, the cousins were not able to take advantage of the victory and did not capture much territory. The Peace of Thorn was signed in 1411. Samogitia was granted to Lithuania, but only for the lifetimes of Vytautas and Jogaila. It took two other brief wars,
12198-679: Was finished with his campaigns in the east, tensions rose between him and the Knights. In late 1408, Vytautas and Jogaila met in Navahrudak and agreed to support the Samogitians and provoke the Knights into declaring war against Poland. Poland had its own territorial quarrels with the Knights over the Dobrzyń Land and wanted to diminish Prussian influence in Lithuania while preserving the Polish–Lithuanian union . Samogitians, angered by
12312-490: Was more worried about a Danish victory. So only after the cities, led by Lübeck's burgomaster Hinrich Westhof , had liaised the Treaty of Skanör (1395), Albert's defeat manifested , so that Prussia finally sent out its ships, led by Danzig's city councillor Conrad Letzkau . Until 1400 the united Teutonic-Hanseatic flotilla then thoroughly cleared the Baltic Sea of pirates, the Victual Brothers , and even took
12426-477: Was ratified by Polish nobles in March assuring Vytautas of Polish support. Samogitians organized a local rebellion, capturing and burning the two newly built castles. The Teutonic soldiers were taken captives to exchange them for Samogitian hostages taken into Prussia. In fall 1401, the Knights raided Kaunas and Hrodna . Up to this point Vytautas did not officially support the rebels; the Knights suspected Vytautas
12540-517: Was referred to in other languages. In the conflict between the Hanse and Denmark on the trade in the Baltic, King Valdemar IV of Denmark had held the Hanseatic city of Visby to ransom in 1361 . However, the members of the Hanseatic league were undecided whether to unite against him. But when Valdemar IV then captured Prussian merchant ships in the Øresund on their way to England , Grand Master Winrich of Kniprode travelled to Lübeck to propose
12654-651: Was signed in December and the Peace of Raciąż was concluded on May 22, 1404. In essence it confirmed the Treaty of Salynas. Vytautas agreed to transfer Samogitia and assist the Knight in subduing any rebellious residents. He also agreed not to accept any Samogitian families that might escape into Lithuania. In 1405 Vytautas put his words into action and helped the Knights to take control of environs of Raseiniai , Viduklė , Ariogala . The Knights took control of Samogitia and began rebuilding old and building new castles along
12768-515: Was the first to attempt the conquest of Samogitia, but they were decisively defeated by the Samogitians in the Battle of Saule in 1236 and had to become a branch of the Teutonic Order . Continued crusade brought little territorial gains. Samogitia was important to the Knights as it physically separated the Teutonic Knights in Prussia from its branch in Livonia . The first opportunity to acquire Samogitia came only in 1383 when Jogaila formulated
12882-422: Was the most important patron of the knights and central to the liturgy of the Teutonic Order, it is not surprising to find such striking representations of her at its most prominent castle. Coins were minted from the late 1250s. They were often simple in design, stamped with the cross of the Order on one side, but support the notion that crusading, colonisation, and a supporting infrastructure went hand in hand from
12996-401: Was to become the new capital of the region. The Knights attempted to implement their administrative system: they measured land, counted residents, appointed local officers, and sent their own colonists. They promoted the three-field crop rotation , which had potential of higher outputs but would eventually lead to higher taxes and serfdom . When Vytautas attempted to introduce similar reforms
#825174