Battle of Löbau

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Battle of Löbau
Part of the Great Prussian Uprising

Prussian tribes in the 13th century
Date 1263
Location Near Lubawa
Result Prussian victory
Belligerents
Prussians (Natangians) Teutonic Knights
Commanders
Herkus Monte Master Helmrich von Rechenberg †
Casualties and losses
Uknown 40 knights killed

Battle of Löbau or Lubov was a medieval battle fought between the Teutonic Knights and Prussians in 1263 during the Great Prussian Uprising. Pagan Prussians rose against their conquerors, who tried to convert them to Christianity, after Lithuanians and Samogitians soundly defeated the joint forces of the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order in the Battle of Durbe in 1260. The first years of the uprising were successful to Prussians, who defeated the Knights in the Battle of Pokarwis and besieged castles held by the Knights.

The Prussians launched raids against the Chełmno Land, where the Knights first established themselves in late 1220's. Apparent aim of these raids were to force the Knights to devote as many troops in defense of Chełmno as possible so that they could not provide help to the besieged castles and forts. In 1263 the Natangians led by Herkus Monte raided Chełmno Land and took many prisoners. Master Helmrich von Rechenberg, who was at Chełmno at the time, collected his men and pursued the Natangians, who could not move quickly due to a large number of captives.

The Teutonic Knights intercepted the pagans near Löbau (Lubawa). Their heavy warhorses smashed Natangian formation, but Herkus Monte with trusted warriors attacked and killed the Master Helmrich and Marshal Dietrich. Leaderless knights were defeated, and forty knights perished along a number of low-rank soldiers. In terms of killed knights, it was the sixth largest defeat of the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. After the battle it looked like the Prussians might win the uprising, but because of their infighting between numerous clans they did not seize the opportunity to strike the final devastating blow. Instead individual clans continued to act on their own.

[edit] References

  • Urban, William (2000). The Prussian Crusade, 2nd, Chicago, Illinois: Lithuanian Research and Studies Center, 299-300. ISBN 0-929700-28-7.