One of the most important military conflicts in medieval Polish history, lasting from 1454 to 1466. It began with the Act of Incorporation of Prussia into the Polish Crown by Casimir IV Jagiellon and ended with the Second Peace Treaty of Thorn.
The Thirteen Years' War was one of the most important military conflicts in medieval Polish history. It began on February 6, 1454, when Casimir IV Jagiellon issued the act of incorporation of Prussia into the Polish Crown. This long-lasting conflict between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order changed the balance of power in the Baltic Sea region.
The outbreak of war was a direct result of the formation of the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the rule of the Teutonic Order. Prussian cities and nobility turned to the Polish king with a request to incorporate their lands into the Crown. This decision led to a 13-year conflict that ended with the signing of the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466 and significantly weakened the position of the Teutonic Order in the region.
Causes of Conflict Between the Teutonic Order and the Kingdom of Poland
#Tensions between the Teutonic Order and the Kingdom of Poland had been building for decades before the outbreak of the Thirteen Years' War. This conflict stemmed from long-standing territorial disputes and growing discontent among the inhabitants of Prussia.
Political Situation in the 15th Century
#The Teutonic Order in the 15th century was struggling with a serious internal crisis. The introduction of high taxes, restriction of trading rights of Prussian cities, and centralization of power led to growing dissatisfaction among subjects. The Grand Master of the Order, Ludwig von Erlichshausen, continued the policy of repression against the opposition, ignoring the reformist demands of the nobility and burghers.
Main political problems:
- Excessive tax burdens imposed on Prussian cities
- Restriction of local government autonomy
- Blocking burgher participation in Teutonic state governance
- Conflicts with the Hanseatic League regarding trade monopolies
Formation of the Prussian Confederation
#The Prussian Confederation was established on March 14, 1440, in Marienwerder as a confederation of nobility and Prussian cities. The organization brought together 53 representatives of nobility and 19 cities, including significant centers: Thorn, Danzig, and Elbing.
- Defense of estate rights against Teutonic arbitrary rule
- Abolition of the Order's trade monopolies
- Obtaining judicial autonomy for cities
- Reduction of tax burdens
- Right to appoint local officials
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1440 | Formation of the Prussian Confederation |
| 1453 | Outlawing of the Confederation by the emperor |
| 1454 | Act of Incorporation of Prussia into Poland |
Outbreak of War in February 1454
#On February 6, 1454, the Thirteen Years' War began between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. The immediate cause of the conflict was the official incorporation of Prussia into Poland and the outbreak of uprising against Teutonic rule.
Incorporation of Prussia into Poland
#The Act of Incorporation of Prussia into the Kingdom of Poland was signed by Casimir IV Jagiellon on February 6, 1454, in Krakow. The document guaranteed several privileges to the Prussian estates:
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Preservation of existing rights and freedoms
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Exemption from trade duties within the Kingdom of Poland
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Right for local nobility to appoint local officials
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Judicial autonomy for Prussian cities
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Establishment of the Prussian Council as the king's advisory body
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Seizure of Teutonic castles by rebels in 21 Prussian cities
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Capture of Thorn by townspeople on February 8, 1454
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Taking control of Danzig by the Prussian Confederation forces
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Taking control of Elbing and Königsberg
| City | Date of capture | Method of capture |
|---|---|---|
| Thorn | February 8, 1454 | Townspeople uprising |
| Danzig | February 11, 1454 | Garrison surrender |
| Elbing | February 13, 1454 | Castle surrender |
| Königsberg | February 16, 1454 | Negotiations with garrison |
Main Stages of the Thirteen Years' War
#The Thirteen Years' War was fought on two main fronts: land and sea. Military operations were characterized by prolonged castle sieges and naval battles for control over Baltic Sea trade routes.
Land War
#Land War
#The land campaign focused on sieges of strategic Teutonic fortresses. In 1454, Polish forces suffered a defeat at Chojnice, losing most of their artillery and supplies. The turning point was the Battle of Świecino in 1462, where the Polish army defeated the Teutonic forces. Key victories:
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Capture of Malbork in 1457 after a 3-year siege
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Recapture of Chojnice in 1466
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Taking of Gniew in 1464
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Conquest of Puck in 1462
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Creation of privateering fleet by Gdańsk in 1456
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Battle in the Vistula Lagoon in 1463
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Blockade of Königsberg port in 1460
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Capture of 44 Teutonic ships by Gdańsk privateers
| Naval Losses | Teutonic Order | Gdańsk Fleet |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant ships | 44 | 12 |
| Warships | 15 | 8 |
| Lost ports | 5 | 0 |
Major Battles and Events
#The Thirteen Years' War was rich in key military clashes that decided the outcome of the conflict between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. The Battle of Chojnice and the Siege of Malbork had the greatest strategic significance.
Battle of Chojnice
#The Battle of Chojnice took place on September 18, 1454, and ended in a crushing defeat for Polish forces. The royal army of 16,000 soldiers clashed with the 15,000-strong Teutonic army led by Bernard Szumborski. Polish losses included:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Killed soldiers | 3000 |
| Lost cannons | 44 |
| Captured knights | 300 |
The Polish camp was completely plundered, and the army lost all military wagons with food supplies and ammunition. The Inowrocław Voivode Mikołaj Szarlejski and other significant commanders were taken prisoner.
Siege of Malbork
#The Siege of Malbork lasted from February 27, 1454, to June 7, 1457. The fortress fell after:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Siege beginning | 27.02.1454 |
| First surrender | 08.06.1455 |
| Recapture by Teutonic Knights | 28.09.1455 |
| Final capture | 07.06.1457 |
The castle was captured by bribing Czech mercenaries with 190,000 florins. Taking Malbork was a turning point in the war, depriving the Order of its main headquarters and symbol of power in Prussia.
Peace of Thorn 1466
#The Second Peace of Thorn was signed on October 19, 1466, in Thorn (Toruń), ending the Thirteen Years' War. The treaty regulated Polish-Teutonic relations and introduced a new territorial division of Prussia.
Peace Terms
#- Division of Prussia into two parts: Royal Prussia (directly incorporated into Poland) and Teutonic Prussia (Polish fief)
- Transfer of Chełmno Voivodeship, Pomerelia with Malbork, Elbląg, Sztum, and Warmia region to Poland
- Imposing an obligation on the Teutonic Order to pay homage to the Polish king
- Granting the Grand Master of the Order a seat in the royal council as the first secular prince
- The Order's commitment to provide military assistance to Poland at the king's call
- Guaranteeing freedom of trade between the territories of both sides
Consequences For Both Sides
#Poland:
- Gaining access to the Baltic Sea through control over Pomerelia
- Taking control of the Vistula estuary and trade routes
- Increased economic importance through incorporation of wealthy Prussian cities
- Strengthening international position in the region
Teutonic Order:
- Loss of 2/3 of territory including the main headquarters in Malbork
- Relocation of the Order's capital to Königsberg
- Significant weakening of political and economic position
- Loss of independence through recognition of Polish suzerainty
- Reduction in the number of Teutonic knights from 700 to 300
Summary
#- The Thirteen Years' War broke out on February 6, 1454, after Casimir IV Jagiellon issued the act of incorporation of Prussia into the Polish Crown
- The main cause of the conflict was the formation of the Prussian Confederation in 1440, which opposed the Teutonic Order's rule and sought to incorporate Prussia into Poland
- The war ended with the signing of the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466, which divided Prussia into Royal Prussia (belonging to Poland) and Teutonic Prussia (Polish fief)
- The turning points of the war were: the defeat at Chojnice (1454), the capture of Malbork (1457), and the Battle of Świecino (1462)
- The war resulted in significant weakening of the Teutonic Order, which lost 2/3 of its territory and had to move its capital to Königsberg, while Poland gained access to the Baltic Sea
Summary
#The Thirteen Years' War was a pivotal conflict that fundamentally changed the balance of power in the Baltic Sea region. From its outbreak on February 6, 1454, until its end in 1466, significant political, economic, and social transformations took place.
Poland's victory in this conflict brought not only vast territories but also strategic access to the Baltic Sea. For the Teutonic Order, defeat meant the loss of its dominant position and began a period of gradual decline for this once-powerful organization.
The results of the Thirteen Years' War influenced the shape of Central Europe for centuries to come, and its effects could be observed well into modern times. It was a conflict that forever changed the face of medieval Poland.