One of the largest battles of medieval Europe, fought on July 15, 1410, between Polish-Lithuanian forces under the command of King Władysław Jagiełło and the Teutonic Order army. It ended with a great victory for the Polish-Lithuanian forces and the death of the Teutonic Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen.
The Battle of Grunwald is one of the most significant events in Polish history and medieval Europe. It was on July 15, 1410, when an epic battle that forever changed the balance of power in this part of the continent took place on the fields between the villages of Grunwald, Stębark, and Łodwigowo.
The clash between Polish-Lithuanian forces under the command of King Władysław Jagiełło and the Teutonic Order army was the culminating moment of the Great War with the Teutonic Order (1409-1411). This battle not only influenced the fate of Poland and Lithuania but also significantly weakened the power of the Teutonic Order, which until then had posed a serious threat to neighboring states.
Historical Background of the Polish-Teutonic Conflict
#The Polish-Teutonic conflict had been growing for over two centuries before the Battle of Grunwald. The Teutonic Order systematically expanded its influence in Pomerania and Prussia, pursuing an aggressive policy towards Poland and Lithuania.
Causes of the War With the Teutonic Order
#- Appropriation of Gdańsk Pomerania by the Teutonic Knights in 1308
- Territorial expansion of the Order into Lithuanian lands under the pretext of Christianization
- Dispute over Samogitia between Lithuania and the Teutonic Order
- Trade conflict over control of Baltic trade routes
- Teutonic support for internal opposition in Poland and Lithuania
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1308 | Seizure of Gdańsk Pomerania |
| 1343 | Peace of Kalisz - loss of Pomerania |
| 1386 | Polish-Lithuanian Union |
| 1409 | Outbreak of the Great War |
- Crisis in the Roman Empire after the death of Charles IV of Luxembourg
- Schism in the Catholic Church (1378-1417)
- Strengthening of Poland's position after union with Lithuania in 1386
- Competition for influence in the Baltic Sea region
- Political alliances:
- Order supported by Western European knights
- Poland and Lithuania cooperating with Bohemia and Hungary
- Neutral stance of Scandinavia
Preparations For Battle
#Preparations For Battle
#The preparations for the Battle of Grunwald began in spring 1410, when both sides of the conflict started gathering armed forces and planning their war strategy. The process of mobilization and army organization lasted several months and required complex logistical operations.
Mobilization of Polish-Lithuanian Forces
#The Polish-Lithuanian armies gathered at three main concentration points:
- Wolbórz - gathering place for troops from Lesser and Greater Poland
- Czerwińsk on the Vistula - assembly point for Masovian units
- Brest Litovsk - concentration of Lithuanian-Ruthenian forces
The Polish-Lithuanian forces included:
- 20,000 Polish knights
- 11,000 Lithuanian and Ruthenian warriors
- 3,000 mercenaries from Bohemia and Moravia
- 2,000 hired infantry
Teutonic Order's Strategy
#The Teutonic Order adopted the following strategic actions:
- Concentration of forces in Malbork as the main operational base
- Creation of a fortification system along the Polish border
- Gathering food supplies in border strongholds
- Recruitment of guest knights from Western Europe
| Type of troops | Number of soldiers |
|---|---|
| Heavy cavalry | 15,000 |
| Infantry | 9,000 |
| Guest knights | 3,000 |
| Support service | 4,000 |
Course of the Battle of Grunwald on July 15, 1410
#The Battle of Grunwald began on the morning of July 15, 1410, on the fields between the villages of Grunwald, Stębark, and Łodwigowo. The clash between Polish-Lithuanian forces and the Teutonic army lasted about 6 hours.
First Stage of the Battle
#Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen started the battle by sending two heralds with naked swords to the Polish camp at 9:00 AM. The first clash occurred around 12:00 PM, when:
-
Lithuanian light cavalry attacked the left wing of the Teutonic army
-
Smolensk banners resisted the advancing Teutonic forces
-
Lithuanian forces conducted a feigned retreat, using the wolf pit tactics
-
16 Polish banners moved to attack the Teutonic right wing
-
Polish reserves struck the exhausted Teutonic forces
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Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen fell in direct combat
-
16 Teutonic banners were surrounded in the Grunwald area
-
Teutonic forces began a chaotic retreat to their fortified camp
| Battle Losses | Polish-Lithuanian Forces | Teutonic Order |
|---|---|---|
| Knights | 4,000 | 8,000 |
| Officials | 12 | 203 |
| Banners | 3 | 51 |
Effects of the Battle Victory
#The Battle of Grunwald brought fundamental changes to the balance of power in medieval Europe. The victory of Polish-Lithuanian forces significantly weakened the position of the Teutonic Order, leading to long-lasting political and military consequences.
Losses on Both Sides
#The losses suffered at the Battle of Grunwald varied significantly between the fighting sides:
| Side of Conflict | Human Losses | Leadership Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Polish-Lithuanian Forces | 4,000 knights | 12 standard-bearers |
| Teutonic Order | 8,000 knights | 203 brother knights |
The Order lost most of its leadership, including Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen and the most important Teutonic officials. 51 Teutonic banners were also destroyed.
- Collapse of the Teutonic Order's military position in the region
- Recovery of Samogitia by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
- Strengthening of Poland's position in the international arena
- Breaking of Teutonic dominance in Baltic trade
- Increased prestige of the Jagiellon dynasty in Europe
- Regaining control over trade routes in the Baltic Sea region
- Change in political alliances in Central Europe
- Recognition of the Christian character of the Lithuanian state
Grunwald in Culture and Tradition
#The Battle of Grunwald holds a special place in Polish national culture as a symbol of victory and military might. Over the centuries, this event has become an inspiration for many works of art and a symbol of national unity.
Commemoration of the Battle
#The Grunwald battlefield is commemorated by a monumental memorial unveiled in 1960, consisting of a granite obelisk 23 meters high. The Museum of the Battle of Grunwald in Stębark presents an archaeological exhibition containing 3,000 artifacts related to the battle. Jan Matejko created in 1878 the monumental painting "Battle of Grunwald" measuring 426 × 987 cm, which is housed in the National Museum in Warsaw. Annual reenactments of the Battle of Grunwald attract 100,000 spectators and 1,400 reenactors from 30 countries.
Symbolic Significance
#Grunwald functions in social consciousness as a symbol of the triumph of justice over aggression. Henryk Sienkiewicz described the battle in his 1900 novel "The Teutonic Knights," which sold 170,000 copies in its first year of publication. Grunwald symbolism appeared on the Order of the Grunwald Cross, established in 1943 by the People's Guard. The Battle of Grunwald motif appears in 23 Polish towns in street names and 12 primary and secondary schools bearing the name "Grunwald."
Summary
#- The Battle of Grunwald took place on July 15, 1410, between Polish-Lithuanian forces under the command of King Władysław Jagiełło and the army of the Teutonic Order.
- It was the largest military clash of medieval Europe - approximately 36,000 warriors fought on the Polish-Lithuanian side, and about 31,000 on the Teutonic side.
- The conflict was caused by years of territorial expansion of the Teutonic Order, particularly the appropriation of Pomerania and the dispute over Samogitia.
- The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Polish-Lithuanian forces and the death of the Teutonic Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen.
- The battle resulted in a significant weakening of the Teutonic Order's power, strengthening of Poland and Lithuania's position in Europe, and a shift in the balance of power in the Baltic Sea region.
Summary
#The Battle of Grunwald on July 15, 1410, was not only a key military clash but above all a turning point in medieval European history. The victory of Polish-Lithuanian forces over the powerful Teutonic Order changed the balance of power in the region for centuries to come.
This event remains one of the most important symbols of Polish statehood and national pride to this day. Annual reenactments, historical reconstructions, and numerous works of art testify that the memory of the battle remains alive in the consciousness of Polish people.
Grunwald showed that the united forces of Poland and Lithuania were able to effectively stand up to the most powerful armies of contemporary Europe. This victory opened a new chapter in the history of both nations.