Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War occurred between 1409 and 1411, pitting Poland and Lithuania against the Teutonic Knights.
| Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War |
|---|
| Bydgoszcz • Dąbrówno • Kurzętnik • Grunwald • Marienburg • Radzyń • Koronowo • Działdowo • Tuchola • Golub |
Contents |
[edit] Eve of the war
In the 13th century, the Teutonic Knights had been invited to the lands surrounding Chełmno to assist in the expulsion of the (pagan) Prussians. They stayed on, and, under a papal edict which gave them effective carte blanche to act as they wished, established a power base in the region, occupying the Baltic coastal regions of what are now Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and showed every sign of further expansion. Their incursions into Poland in the 14th century gave them control of major towns such as Chełmno (Kulm) and Pomorze (Pommern) region. In order to further their war efforts against the (pagan) Lithuanian state, the Teutonic Knights instituted a series of crusades, enlisting support from other European countries.
In 1385 the Union of Krewo joined the crown of Poland and Lithuania, and the subsequent marriage of Grand Duke Jogaila of Lithuania and Queen Jadwiga of Poland was to shift the balance of power; both nations were more than aware that only by acting together, the expansion plans of the Teutonic Order could be thwarted. Jogaila accepted Christianity and became the King of Poland as Władysław Jagiełło. Lithuania's conversion to Christianity removed much of the rationale of the Teutonic Knights' anti-pagan crusades.
The Knights, however, invaded again in 1398 what were now Christian states of Poland and Lithuania. At this time, the Poles and the Lithuanians had little option but to suffer in silence, for they were still not prepared militarily to confront the power of the Knights.
[edit] Start of the war
In 1409, an uprising in Teutonic-held Samogitia started. The king of Poland and Lithuania announced that he would stand by his promises in case the Teutons invaded Lithuania. This was used as a pretext, and on August 14, 1409 the Teutonic Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen declared war on the Polish-Lithuanian union. The forces of the Teutonic Order initially invaded Greater Poland and Kuyavia, but the Poles repelled the invasion and reconquered Bydgoszcz (Bromberg), which led to a subsequent armistice agreement that was to last until June 24, 1410. The Lithuanians and Poles used this time in preparations to remove the Teutonic threat once and for all.
The forces of the Teutonic Knights were aware of the Polish-Lithuanian build-up and expected a dual attack, by the Poles towards Danzig (Gdańsk) and by the Lithuanians towards Samogitia. To counter this threat, Ulrich von Jungingen concentrated part of his forces in Schwetz (Świecie) while leaving the large part of his army in the eastern castles of Ragneta/Ragainė, Rhein (Ryn) near Lötzen (Giżycko), and Memel (Klaipėda). Poles and Lithuanians continued to screen their intentions by organising several raids deep into enemy territory. Ulrich von Jungingen asked for the armistice to be extended to July 4 in order to let the mercenaries from western Europe arrive. Enough time had already been given for the Polish-Lithuanian forces to gather in strength.
On June 30, 1410, the forces of Greater Poland and Lesser Poland crossed the Vistula over a pontoon bridge and joined with the forces of Masovia and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Jagiełło's Polish forces and the Lithuanian soldiers of his cousin Vytautas the Great (to whom Jagiełło had ceded power in Lithuania in the wake of his marriage to the Polish queen) assembled on July 2, 1410. A week later they crossed into the territory of the Teutonic Knights, heading for the enemy headquarters at the castle of Marienburg (Malbork). The Teutonic Knights were caught by surprise.
Ulrich von Jungingen withdrew his forces from the area of Schwetz (Świecie) and decided to organise a line of defence on the river Drewenz (Drwęca). The river crossings were fortified with stockades and the castles nearby reinforced. After meeting with his War Council, Jagiełło decided to outflank the enemy forces from the East and continue the march towards Marienburg through Soldau (Działdowo) and Gilgenburg (Dąbrówno). On July 13, these two castles were captured and the way towards Marienburg was opened.
[edit] Battle of Grunwald
The Battle of Grunwald took place on July 15, 1410 between the forces of the combined Polish-Lithuanian army, led by Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas, and the Teutonic Order. It was the decisive battle of the entire war. The Teutonic Order was defeated in the battle and never recovered its former influence.
[edit] The war after the battle of Grunwald
In 1410, Polish and Lithuanian armies with Czech, Hungarian, Tatar, and Cossacks under Wladyslaw won a decisive victory at Grunwald (Tannenberg) over the Teutonic Knights, thereby raising Poland to a leading position among European nations. The Combined Armies of Poland and Lithuania destroyed the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald (Tannenberg).
The Polish-Lithuanian army was an amalgam of nationalities and religions. The Roman Catholic Polish and Lithuanian troops fought side by side with, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Muslim Tartars, and Bohemians. The Bohemians were there because Wladyslaw Jagiello and the Czech King Vaclav IV signed a defensive treaty earlier due to invasions by Teutonic Knights. The Bohemian Jan Žižka, at this time a mercenary in the battle, later became the general of the Taborites in the Hussite Wars. This victory helped led to the Peace of Toruń in 1411.
[edit] Aftermath
The victory in this war also led to minor Polish involvement in the Hussite Wars. During the early parts of these wars, Poland, still under Władysław II Jagiełło, sent military aid and supplies to the Hussites. However, Wladyslaw's own clergymen made him stop. The Hussite movement in Poland was renewed under Władysław III of Varna, but at the Battle of Grotniki, it was ended.
