The Battle of Grunwald
Decisions, questions and your own progress, in the app
The Battle of Grunwald, painting by Jan Matejko, 1878 · Public domain · Source page
The Teutonic Knights
The Teutonic Order was a state of crusader knights on the Baltic coast. Its warrior monks had conquered Prussian lands and fought the pagan Lithuanians. By 1400 it was rich and feared.
An unusual alliance
In 1385 Poland and Lithuania joined under King Władysław Jagiełło, a Lithuanian prince who became a Catholic and king of Poland. His cousin Vytautas ruled Lithuania. Together they set out to break the Order's power.
Tens of thousands
tens of thousands
On 15 July 1410, near the villages of Grunwald and Tannenberg, the armies met. Both were huge for their time, with tens of thousands of men each. Poles, Lithuanians, Ruthenians, Tatars and Czechs fought on one side.
The battle
According to some accounts, the Lithuanians pretended to retreat and part of the Order's army chased them. The Polish knights held their ground, the Order's line broke, and the Grand Master, Ulrich von Jungingen, was killed with many of his leaders.
Marienburg holds
The Order still held its capital at Marienburg (Malbork), a huge brick castle, and the allies could not take it. But the Order lost much of its power and had to pay a large ransom.
Why it still matters
Grunwald became a symbol of Polish and Lithuanian strength. In 1878 the painter Jan Matejko made a huge painting of it, at a time when Poland did not exist on the map and Poles needed a memory of victory.
Review question
Who fought the Teutonic Order at Grunwald?
Answer: Poland and Lithuania. King Jagiełło and Grand Duke Vytautas led the two armies together.
What happened to the Order's Grand Master at Grunwald?
Answer: He was killed in the battle. Ulrich von Jungingen died in the fighting, together with many of the Order's leaders.
Image credits
- The Battle of Grunwald, painting by Jan Matejko, 1878 · Public domain · Source page
