The Battle of Koronowo was a significant armed clash between Polish forces under the command of Sędziwój of Ostroróg and the Teutonic forces led by Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg. The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Poles, who captured 50 Teutonic knights and seized 26 order banners.

The Battle of Koronowo was one of the most important military confrontations in medieval Polish history. In October 1410, just a few months after the famous Battle of Grunwald, Polish forces faced off against the Teutonic Knights near the town of Koronowo.

This crucial event was a continuation of the Great War against the Teutonic Order (1409-1411). The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Polish forces under the command of Sędziwój of Ostroróg over the Teutonic forces led by Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg. This triumph strengthened Poland's position in the region and had a significant impact on the further course of the conflict with the Order.

The Polish-Teutonic conflict in 1410 represented the culmination of long-standing territorial tensions between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic state. The Great War with the Teutonic Order evolved into a series of military clashes for control over strategic regions of Pomerania.

The Kingdom of Poland under Władysław Jagiełło was allied with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. At the beginning of 1410, the following events took place:

• Formation of an anti-Teutonic coalition by Poland, Lithuania, and Samogitia
• Military mobilization in March 1410
• Concentration of Polish-Lithuanian forces in Wolbórz
• Commencement of the summer campaign on July 9, 1410

Side of Conflict	Number of Troops	Main Commander
Poland	29000	Władysław Jagiełło
Teutonic Order	21000	Ulrich von Jungingen

After the Grunwald victory, the political situation underwent significant changes:

• Polish forces taking control of Teutonic castles

• Siege of Malbork lasting from July 26 to September 19

• Reorganization of Teutonic forces under new leadership

• Increased military activity of the Order in Pomerania

• Attempts by Teutonic forces to recapture lost territories

• Recovery of some castles in Pomerania

• Attack on Polish positions in the Koronowo area

• Formation of new armed units by both sides of the conflict

The Battle of Koronowo resulted from the intensification of military operations in Pomerania after the Battle of Grunwald. The Teutonic Knights, seeking to regain lost territories, launched an offensive in the Pomeranian region under the command of Michael Küchmeister.

The Teutonic Order conducted systematic attacks on Polish garrisons from August 1410. The Teutonic forces:

• Recaptured the castle in Świecie on September 8, 1410

• Captured Tuchoła using 2,000 mercenary troops

• Conducted raids on surrounding locations: Bydgoszcz, Nakło, and Wyszogrodziec

• Devastated territories belonging to Polish allies

• Controlled the trade route connecting Bydgoszcz with Gdańsk

• Secured the northern borders of the Polish Kingdom

• Protected access to crossings over the Brda River

• Enabled control over communication between Teutonic castles

Strategic Element	Military Significance
Geographic location	Control of communication routes
Fortifications	Point of resistance against Teutonic forces
Operating base	Possibility of organizing counteroffensive
Logistic base	Supply warehouses for Polish troops

The Battle of Koronowo took place northwest of the city, where Polish forces employed a tactical maneuver of feigned retreat. The clash began in the morning hours and lasted until late afternoon.

Polish forces under the command of Sędziwój of Ostroróg consisted of:

• 2,000 heavy cavalry
• 1,500 infantry
• 500 archers
• 20 knightly banners from Greater Poland

Teutonic forces commanded by Michael Küchmeister consisted of:

• 3,000 armed men
• 30 mercenary banners
• 400 Order knights
• 600 archers

Military Formation	Polish Side	Teutonic Side
Heavy Cavalry	2000	1800
Infantry	1500	1200
Archers	500	600
Number of Banners	20	30

• Teutonic cavalry charge on Polish positions at dawn
• Feigned retreat of Polish units towards the forests
• Polish cavalry counterattack from hidden positions
• Encirclement of Teutonic forces by Sędziwój's troops
• Defeat of main Teutonic forces around 3:00 PM
• Capture of 50 Teutonic knights including 3 commanders
• Seizure of 26 Teutonic banners

The Battle of Koronowo ended in a strategic victory for Polish forces. The military success strengthened the Polish Kingdom's control over Pomerania and weakened the Teutonic Order's military potential in the region.

The Teutonic Knights suffered severe losses during the Battle of Koronowo:

• Death of 200 Order knights in direct combat

• Capture of 50 significant prisoners including 3 commanders

• Loss of 26 Order banners

• Destruction of military equipment worth 100,000 grivnas

• Disorganization of command structure in Pomerania

• Strengthening Poland's negotiating position in peace talks

• Halting the Teutonic offensive in Pomerania

• Regaining control over the Bydgoszcz-Gdańsk trade route

• Securing Polish territorial gains from the post-Grunwald period

• Increasing the prestige of Polish knighthood in Europe

Element	Value
Captured knights	50
Seized banners	26
Order's financial losses	100,000 grivnas
Killed Order knights	200

The memory of the 1410 Battle of Koronowo lives on in the local community through various commemorative initiatives. Material and immaterial forms of commemoration emphasize the significance of this clash in Polish history.

In Koronowo, there is a monument commemorating the battle, unveiled in 1960 on Bydgoska Street. The granite obelisk features an information plaque describing the events of October 10, 1410. Near the battlefield, commemorative boulders with inscriptions describing the course of the battle were placed in 2010. The Regional Museum in Koronowo presents a permanent exhibition dedicated to the battle, featuring replicas of medieval weaponry and tactical maps.

Anniversary ceremonies are held in Koronowo every year on October 10. The celebration program includes:

• Historical reenactments with participation of reconstruction groups
• Knights' tournaments on town commons
• Historical lectures at the Municipal Cultural Center
• Walking tours along the Battle of Koronowo trail
• Historical knowledge competitions for school youth

Year	Event
2010	600th anniversary of the battle with international knights' gathering
2015	Opening of the educational path "Battle of Koronowo Trail"
2020	Virtual celebrations of the 610th anniversary with online broadcasts

• The Battle of Koronowo took place on October 10, 1410, several months after the Battle of Grunwald, and ended in a decisive Polish victory
• Polish forces were commanded by Sędziwój of Ostroróg, and Teutonic forces by Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg - the clash was an important element of the Great War (1409-1411)
• About 4,000 Polish soldiers (including 2,000 heavy cavalry) participated against 3,000 Teutonic armed forces
• Polish troops employed an effective tactical maneuver of feigned retreat, which led to the defeat of Teutonic forces
• The Order's losses were significant: death of 200 knights, capture of 50 prisoners (including 3 commanders) and loss of 26 Order's banners
• The victory at Koronowo strengthened Poland's position in the region and secured Polish territorial gains in Pomerania after the Battle of Grunwald

The Battle of Koronowo proved to be a turning point in the Polish-Teutonic conflict of 1410. The victory of Polish forces not only secured control over Pomerania but also significantly weakened the military position of the Teutonic Order in the region.

Thanks to the masterful tactics of Sędziwój of Ostroróg and the bravery of Polish knights, the battle ended in a spectacular success. The Teutonic losses, including the death of 200 Order knights and the loss of valuable military equipment, had a long-lasting impact on the Order's combat capabilities.

The memory of the Battle of Koronowo remains alive among the region's residents, who actively cultivate this historical heritage through annual ceremonies, reenactments, and educational activities.