Pilėnai
Lost hill fort in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Pilėnai (also Pillenen in German) was a hill fort in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Its location is unknown and is subject to academic debates, but it is well known in the history of Lithuania due to its heroic defense against the Teutonic Order in 1336. Attacked by a large Teutonic force, the fortress, commanded by Duke Margiris, tried in vain to organize a defense against the larger and stronger invader. Losing hope, the defenders decided to burn their property and commit mass suicide to deprive the Order of prisoners and loot (cf. scorched earth). This dramatic episode from the Lithuanian Crusade has caught the public imagination, inspired many works of fiction, and became a symbol of Lithuanian struggles and resistance.
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Siege of Pilėnai | |||||||
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Part of the Lithuanian Crusade | |||||||
Duke Margiris defending Pilėnai against the Teutonic Order by Władysław Majeranowski [pl] (1817–1874) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | Grand Duchy of Lithuania | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Dietrich von Altenburg | Margiris † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
200 nobles; 6,000 total soldiers | 4,000 people | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Minimal | Nearly all |