The Teutonic Knights (novel)
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| Author | Henryk Sienkiewicz |
|---|---|
| Original title | Krzyżacy |
| Country | Poland |
| Language | Polish |
| Genre(s) | Historical Novel |
| Publisher | Tygodnik Illustrowany (serial) Wł. Anczyc & Co. Press (first novel) |
| Released | 1900 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA |
The Teutonic Knights (Polish: Krzyżacy) is a 1900 historical novel written by Polish writer and Nobel laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz.
The novel was written in a time when no Polish state existed, and Poles lived in areas controlled by the German Empire, Russian Empire and Austria-Hungary, in order to encourage Polish confidence against the Germans.
The history of the actual German Order of the Teutonic Knights, which since the 13th century had controlled the area along the Baltic Sea coast, and its defeat in the 1410 Battle of Grunwald by Poles and Lithuanians was chosen as a background setting for the story which also describes medieval life and habits in the cities and the country.
Episodes had been published in the magazine Tygodnik Illustrowany from 1897-1899 before a first complete printed edition was published in 1900. Since then it has been translated into 25 languages. It was also the first book to be printed in Poland after the Second World War ended in 1945.
The book is one of the most famous novels by Sienkiewicz, and shows his mastery in narration that earned him the 1905 Nobel Prize in literature "because of his outstanding merits as an epic writer."
In 1960, the book was made into a movie with the same title, directed by Aleksander Ford.
[edit] Plot summary
It describes a story of a young poor nobleman Zbyszko of Bogdaniec, who is with his uncle Maćko of Bogdaniec returning from the war against the order of the Teutonic Knights, or Knights of the Cross, in Lithuania. In the tavern where they want to spend a night, he falls in love with a girl called Danusia, who is travelling with the court of the Duchess Anna. He promises her to bring her 3 trophies from the Teutonic Knights. During the way to Cracow, Zbyszko attacks Kuno von Liechteinstein, the delegate of the Teutonic Knights and is supposed to be executed, but Danuśka saves him, when she promises to marry him by covering his head with a handkerchief (an old Polish tradition). Then Zbyszko and Maćko return home to the country, where they rebuild their mansion (they are the last left in the house). After some time Zbyszek returns to Danuśka and marries her. But she is kidnapped by four Teutonic Knights, because they want to get their revenge - her father Jurand is a killer of Germans. Jurand is trapped and crippled by the Knights. Zbyszko is seeking for Danuta for a very long time, but when he finds her, she is mad and she dies. Then the long time awaited war begins. Poland and Lithuania destroys the army of the Order in the 1410 Battle of Grunwald. This battle was the beginning of the end of the Teutonic Order.
[edit] Characters in "The Teutonic Knights"
- Zbyszko of Bogdaniec - a young poor nobleman, protagonist
- Maćko of Bogdaniec - his uncle
- Jurand of Spychów - anti-Teutonic rebel and Danuśka's father
- Fulko de Lorche -a rich knight from Lotharingia who becomes close friends with Zbyszko.
- King Władysław Jagiełło - a historic person, king of the Kingdom of Poland between 1381 and 1434.
- Siegfried de Löwe - the komtur of Szczytno who is behind the evil plan of kidnapping Danuśka.
- Duchess Anna - the Duchess of Mazovia.
- Janusz I - the Duke of Mazovia.
- Danusia - Jurand's daughter and a servant who travels with the Duchess of Mazovia.
- Kuno von Liechtenstein - the Order's delegate to the King of Poland, who is attacked by Zbyszko.
- Jagienka of Zgorzelice - a young girl that falls in love with Zbyszko.
[edit] External links
- (German) German Recension
