Polish–Teutonic Wars refer to a series of conflicts that took place between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order, a medieval German military order with roots in the Baltic region. These wars occurred primarily during the 14th and 15th centuries and were characterized by territorial disputes, political maneuvering, and religious differences.
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
Polish-Teutonic Wars |
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Part of German-Polish Wars |
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Polish-Teutonic_Wars.png/340px-Polish-Teutonic_Wars.png) Polish-Teutonic Wars |
Date | 1308-1521 (213 years) |
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Location | |
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Result |
Polish victory
- 1308: Polish victory
- 1326-1332: Indecisive
- 1409-1411: Indecisive
- 1414: Polish victory
- 1422: Polish victory
- 1431-1435: Polish victory
- 1454-1466: Polish victory
- 1467-1479: Polish victory
- 1519-1521: Polish victory
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Territorial changes |
1308: Teutonic Knights capture Danzig Treaty of Kalisz (1343): King Casimir III the Great, relinquishes Pomerelia, Chełmno Land and Michałów Land, in return for which he regains Kuyavia and Dobrzyń Land from the State of the Teutonic Order Peace of Thorn (1411): Teutonic Order gave up Samogitia. The Duchy of Mazovia regained Zawkrze. Thorn, after belonging to Poland for five months, came under Teutonic rule again. Second Peace of Thorn (1466): Teutonic Order renounced any claims to the territories of Gdańsk/Eastern Pomerania and Chełmno Land, which were reintegrated with Poland, and the region of Elbing (Elbląg) and Marienburg (Malbork), and the Bishopric of Warmia, which were also recognized as part of Poland. The eastern part remained with the Teutonic Order as a fief and protectorate of Poland. Treaty of Kraków (1525): Teutonic Order becomes Polish fief |
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Belligerents |
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Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Golden Horde
Orphans
Prussian Confederation |
Teutonic Order
Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of Denmark
Bohemia
Livonian Order
Amsterdam
Duchy of Żagań |
Commanders and leaders |
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Władysław I Łokietek
Vincent of Szamotuł
Władysław II Jagiełło
Sędziwój Ostroróg
Piotr Niedźwiedzki
Feodor Ostrogski
Piotr Dunin
Jan Taszka Koniecpolski
Jan Bażyński
Andrzej Tęczyński
Piotr Świdwa-Szamotulski
Casimir IV Jagiellon
Piotr of Szczekociny
Ramsz Krzykowski
Sigismund I the Old
Mikołaj Firlej
Nicolaus Copernicus
Vytautas
Janusz I
Siemowit IV
Siemowit V
Bogislav VIII
Alexander I
Jalal ad-Din
Bogislav IX
Jan Čapek of Sány
Stephen II
Johannes von Baysen
Scibor von Baysen
Ramsza Krzykowski
Otton Machwic
Maciej Kolmener
Szymon Lubbelow
Wincenty Stolle
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Heinrich von Plötzke
Werner von Orseln
Luther von Braunschweig
Dietrich von Alterburg
Otto von Lauterberg
Heinrich Reuss von Plauen
Otto von Lutterberg
Otto von Bornsdorf
Hermann von Oppen
Ulrich von Jungingen
Heinrich von Plauen
Friedrich von Wallenrode
Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg
Paul von Rusdorf
Erasmus Fischborn
Bernard Szumborski
Ludwig von Ehrlichshausen
Ludwig von Helfenstein
Fritz Raweneck
Albert of Hohenzollern
Casimir V
Konrad VII
Christian of Oldenburg
Mewes Reymersson
Rudolf of Żagań
Balthasar of Żagań |
Strength |
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1519-1521: 50,000 |
1519-1521: 50,000 |
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The origins of the conflict can be traced back to the Teutonic Order's presence in the Baltic region, where they had established a state known as the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights. This state included territories in what is now modern-day Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Tensions arose as the Teutonic Order sought to expand its influence and control over these territories, often bringing them into conflict with the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
The conflicts were influenced by a combination of political, economic, and religious factors. The Teutonic Order was a powerful military force, and their expansionist policies often clashed with the interests of Poland and Lithuania.
The most notable conflict within this series of wars is the Battle of Grunwald (1410), where a coalition of Polish and Lithuanian forces decisively defeated the Teutonic Knights. This victory had significant implications for the balance of power in the region and marked the decline of the Teutonic Order's influence.
Subsequent treaties, such as the Peace of Thorn (1411), resulted in territorial adjustments and established a more stable relationship between the parties involved. Over time, the Teutonic Order's influence waned, and the territories it once controlled in the Baltic region gradually came under the sway of Poland and Lithuania. The Polish–Teutonic Wars played a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of East-Central Europe during the late medieval period.