On November 13, 1308, the Teutonic Order seized Gdańsk, carrying out a massacre of its inhabitants. This event, known as the Gdańsk massacre, led to the Order taking control of the city for the next 150 years and fundamentally changed the balance of power in the Pomeranian region.
The Teutonic Order's capture of Gdańsk represents one of the most significant moments in medieval Polish history. This event from 1308 forever changed the balance of power in the Pomeranian region and influenced Polish-Teutonic relations for centuries to come.
The Teutonic Knights, who were initially invited by Duke Konrad of Masovia to fight against the Prussians, systematically expanded their influence throughout Poland. Taking control of Gdańsk was part of their strategic plan to gain access to the Baltic Sea and create a powerful monastic state. These events led to a long-lasting conflict between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order, whose effects were felt for centuries.
Political Situation of Gdańsk Pomerania in the 13th Century
#Gdańsk Pomerania in the 13th century was characterized by a complex political situation with competing centers of power. This period was marked by dynamic territorial changes and growing influences of various political forces in the region.
Role of Duke Świętopełk II
#Duke Świętopełk II ruled over Gdańsk Pomerania from 1220 to 1266. His reign was characterized by:
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Conducting independent foreign policy towards Poland and the Teutonic Order
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Expanding Gdańsk's defense system and other Pomeranian strongholds
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Supporting maritime trade development and German law colonization
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Strengthening Gdańsk Pomerania's independence from the Kingdom of Poland
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Receiving the Kruszwica privilege in 1230 from Konrad of Masovia
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Building a network of castles in Prussia and the Pomeranian borderland
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Controlling trade routes between the Baltic and southern Europe
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Forming alliances with local nobles and merchants
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1226 | Issuance of the Golden Bull of Rimini |
| 1230 | Granting of the Kruszwica privilege |
| 1237 | Merger of the Teutonic Order with the Livonian Order |
| 1263 | Teutonic Knights gain control over Prussia |
Events Leading to the Capture of Gdańsk
#The capture of Gdańsk by the Teutonic Knights in 1308 was preceded by numerous political events related to the succession of power in Gdańsk Pomerania. This process began in the second half of the 13th century when the region experienced intense power transitions.
Conflict with Mściwoj II
#Mściwoj II, the Pomeranian duke, conducted a complex policy of balancing between various political forces in the region. Between 1269-1271, he fought battles with his brother Warcisław II for control over Gdańsk. This conflict weakened the position of Gdańsk Pomerania in relation to its neighbors: Brandenburg, Poland, and the Teutonic state. Mściwoj II decided to form an alliance with the Duke of Greater Poland, Przemysł II, in 1282, which led to the Treaty of Kępno.
The Treaty of Kępno of 1282
#The Treaty of Kępno was a breakthrough moment in the history of Gdańsk Pomerania. Under this agreement:
- Mściwoj II recognized Przemysł II as his successor
- Gdańsk Pomerania was to be incorporated into Greater Poland
- The document guaranteed the preservation of rights and privileges of Pomeranian nobility
- The agreement protected the region from Brandenburg's claims
After Mściwoj II's death in 1294, according to the treaty provisions, Gdańsk Pomerania came under the rule of Przemysł II, who was crowned King of Poland in 1295. His assassination in 1296 paved the way for further conflicts over control of the region.
The Takeover of Gdańsk in 1308
#The capture of Gdańsk by the Teutonic Knights took place on November 13, 1308. These events were characterized by particular drama associated with the attack on the city defended by Polish troops and townspeople.
Battles for the City
#Battles for the City
#The Teutonic Knights entered Gdańsk at the invitation of Duke Władysław Łokietek, who needed help defending the city against Brandenburg forces. After repelling the Brandenburgers, the Order refused to leave Gdańsk Castle. Teutonic forces under Heinrich von Plötzke began besieging the civilian part of Gdańsk, employing 1,700 armed men.
The Gdańsk Massacre
#The Teutonic Knights carried out a massacre of Gdańsk residents on November 13, 1308. According to historical sources, the casualties included:
| Victim Group | Number of Dead |
|---|---|
| Townspeople | 10,000 people |
| Knights | 60 knights |
| Clergy | 9 priests |
The Order conducted a systematic campaign of burning residential homes and commercial buildings. The attackers spared neither women, children, nor the elderly, as confirmed by witness testimonies during the subsequent trial in Inowrocław. These events went down in history as the "Gdańsk massacre" and became a symbol of Teutonic cruelty.
Consequences of Gdańsk's Capture
#The capture of Gdańsk by the Teutonic Knights in 1308 caused fundamental changes in the political structure of the Pomeranian region. The consequences of this event affected the territorial administration of the Teutonic state and the economy of the entire Baltic region.
Administrative Changes
#The Teutonic Knights introduced a new administrative structure in the occupied territory of Gdańsk Pomerania. They established the Gdańsk Commandery with its seat in Gdańsk Castle, which became one of the most important administrative units of the Order's state. The management system was based on:
- Territorial division into administrative districts (commanderies)
- Introduction of castle commander offices and vogts
- Reorganization of the judicial system according to Kulm law
- Establishment of new regulations for maritime trade
Economic Consequences
#Taking control of Gdańsk transformed the economic situation of the city and region. The main changes included:
| Economic Aspect | Effect |
|---|---|
| Maritime trade | 300% increase in turnover during 1310-1330 |
| Trade privileges | 15 new privileges for Hanseatic merchants |
| Grain export | Volume increase to 50,000 tons annually |
| Port duties | Introduction of unified customs tariff |
- Construction of new grain warehouses
- Expansion of port quay system
- Creation of granary network
- Introduction of standardized weights and measures
Władysław Łokietek's Response
#Władysław Łokietek took decisive diplomatic actions against the Teutonic Knights after their seizure of Gdańsk in 1308. The Polish ruler initiated a series of legal steps aimed at recovering the lost territories.
Diplomatic Actions
#Łokietek filed a complaint to Pope Clement V in 1310, accusing the Order of illegally occupying Pomerania. He sent a diplomatic delegation to Avignon with documentation confirming Polish rights to the disputed territories. He also began intensive efforts to gain support from European rulers, including King Charles Robert of Hungary.
- 25 witnesses were interviewed confirming Polish rights to Pomerania
- Collected evidence including 150 testimonies documenting Teutonic crimes
- Presented documents proving Pomerania's belonging to Poland
- Proved the illegality of the Order's actions during the seizure of Gdańsk
| Trial Aspect | Numerical Data |
|---|---|
| Number of witnesses | 25 |
| Number of testimonies | 150 |
| Duration of trial | 3 months |
| Number of judges | 4 |
Summary
#- The Teutonic Knights took control of Gdańsk on November 13, 1308, after being invited by Władysław Łokietek to defend the city against Brandenburg
- During the occupation, the Teutonic Knights carried out a massacre of residents (known as the Gdańsk massacre), killing approximately 10,000 people, including townspeople, knights, and clergy
- Taking control of Gdańsk was part of the Teutonic Order's strategic plan to gain access to the Baltic Sea
- In response to the city's occupation, Władysław Łokietek took diplomatic action by filing a complaint with Pope Clement V and initiating legal proceedings
- The seizure of Gdańsk led to significant administrative and economic changes in the region, including the establishment of the Gdańsk Komturei and the development of maritime trade
Summary
#The capture of Gdańsk by the Teutonic Knights in 1308 was an event that forever changed the face of medieval Poland. The brutal takeover of the city, ending with the massacre of its inhabitants, became a turning point in Polish-Teutonic relations.
The consequences of this event were far-reaching. The Teutonic Order gained strategic access to the Baltic Sea and created a strong administrative unit in the form of the Gdańsk Komturei. The city developed into a powerful trading center, but at the cost of sovereignty and the lives of thousands of residents.
Despite the diplomatic efforts of Władysław Łokietek and the trial before the Pope, Gdańsk remained under Teutonic rule for the next 150 years. This painful experience has permanently inscribed itself in the historical memory of the Polish people.