The Siege of Malbork in 1457 was a crucial event in the Thirteen Years' War. The fortress, which symbolized the power of the Teutonic Order, was captured by Polish forces under the command of Casimir IV Jagiellon by purchasing it from Czech mercenaries for 190,000 Hungarian florins.

The Siege of Malbork was one of the most significant military events of the 15th century in the Teutonic state. This mighty fortress had been a symbol of the Teutonic Order's power in the region for centuries and was considered virtually impregnable.

In 1454, a long-lasting conflict known as the Thirteen Years' War began between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. It was during this conflict that the famous siege of Malbork took place, becoming one of the key moments of the entire war. The attempt to capture the fortress by Polish forces under the command of King Casimir IV Jagiellon had strategic importance for the further course of the conflict.

The Polish-Teutonic conflict dates back to the early 13th century when the Teutonic Order received lands in Pomerania. Tensions between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic state grew over the following centuries, leading to a series of armed conflicts.

The immediate trigger for the outbreak of the Thirteen Years' War was the formation of the Prussian Confederation in 1440. The main causes of the conflict included:

• Increasing tax burdens imposed by the Order on Prussian cities

• Monopolization of Baltic trade by the Teutonic Knights

• Restriction of Prussian cities' autonomy by the Order's authorities

• Exclusion of local nobility from participation in the Teutonic state governance

• Headquarters of the Grand Masters since 1309

• Largest Gothic fortress in Europe covering 21 hectares

• Administrative center of the Teutonic state

• Treasury containing significant financial resources of the Order

Castle Element	Statistical Data
Area	21 hectares
Wall height	14 meters
Wall thickness	4 meters
Number of buildings	40 structures

The Great Siege of Malbork began on February 27, 1454, when Polish forces under the command of King Casimir IV Jagiellon reached the fortress walls. The military operation was a key element of the Thirteen Years' War.

The royal army numbered 15,000 soldiers consisting of:

• 6000 heavily armored knights from Lesser Poland
• 4000 mercenary infantry from urban units
• 3000 warriors from the Prussian Confederation
• 2000 auxiliary troops from Greater Poland

The Polish forces had at their disposal:

• 12 siege cannons
• 8 battering rams for crushing walls
• 15 siege towers
• 20 throwing machines

The royal forces employed the following siege methods:

• Blockade of all access roads to the castle

• Artillery bombardment of the eastern outer wall

• Attempts to tunnel under the walls from the northern side

• Systematic destruction of external fortifications

• 3 main military camps positioned around the fortress

• Network of control posts on the Nogat River

• Field fortifications securing siege positions

• Supply lines leading to Gdańsk

After the unsuccessful first siege in 1454, further attempts were made to capture Malbork. Military actions focused on systematically weakening the Teutonic garrison's position through prolonged blockades and intensive siege operations.

The second siege of Malbork began in March 1457 under the command of Piotr Dunin. The Polish forces implemented a new siege strategy:

• Strengthening the food supply blockade by controlling 12 strategic points around the castle
• Deployment of 8 larger caliber siege cannons
• Creation of a siege trench system spanning 3 kilometers
• Organization of regular attacks on external fortifications

Czech mercenaries played a crucial role in the siege operations:

Aspect	Data
Number of troops	3000 soldiers
Daily cost	800 florins
Service duration	6 months
Number of engineers	45 specialists

• Advanced mining techniques for undermining walls
• Specialized siege equipment from Prague workshops
• Experience from Hussite wars in conducting long-term sieges
• Innovative methods of constructing siege fortifications

The fall of Malbork fortress in 1457 occurred after a months-long siege. The prolonged military operations led to significant weakening of the Teutonic garrison and depletion of food supplies.

The Teutonic Knights began negotiations with King Casimir IV Jagiellon in April 1457. The Order, struggling with financial crisis, was unable to pay wages to the Czech mercenaries stationed in the castle. The mercenary commander, Ulrich Czerwonka, initiated secret talks with Polish representatives regarding surrender terms. The Teutonic Knights attempted to secure financial support from Hanseatic cities and German principalities, but without success.

King Casimir IV Jagiellon paid the Czech mercenaries 190,000 Hungarian florins for the surrender of the castle. The transaction was finalized on June 7, 1457, when Polish troops entered the fortress. The funds for the purchase came from:

Funding Source	Amount (in Hungarian florins)
Royal Treasury	100,000
Gdańsk Loan	60,000
Emergency Taxes	30,000

• Transfer of full control over the fortress
• Securing the Order's archives
• Taking over military equipment
• Assuming power over surrounding territories

The capture of Malbork in 1457 was a turning point in the Thirteen Years' War. Taking control of the main seat of the Teutonic Order led to fundamental changes in the balance of power in the region.

The capture of Malbork deprived the Teutonic Order of its strongest point of resistance in Prussia. The Polish garrison took over:

• 150 cannons of various calibers
• Significant supplies of firearms
• An arsenal containing 3,000 pieces of melee weapons
• 4 main ammunition depots

The fortress became a staging base for Polish troops, enabling:

• Control over communication routes in Prussia
• Security of the northern borders of the Polish Kingdom
• Supervision over the Vistula Delta
• Blocking Teutonic counter-offensive attempts

The loss of Malbork caused the collapse of the Order's state structures:

• Relocation of the Order's capital to Königsberg

• Loss of 40% of tax revenue

• Disorganization of Teutonic administration

• Transfer of 15 Prussian cities under Polish control

• Gaining control over Vistula trade

• Seizure of the Order's archives with diplomatic documents

• Strengthening the position of the Prussian Confederation

• Increasing Polish influence in the Baltic Sea basin

Element	Value
Captured cannons	150 pcs
Melee weapons	3,000 pcs
Order's revenue loss	40%
Number of captured cities	15

• The Siege of Malbork occurred twice during the Thirteen Years' War - first in 1454, and the second, successful siege in 1457
• The fortress of Malbork was the largest Gothic castle in Europe, covering 21 hectares, and served as the main headquarters of the Teutonic Order since 1309
• The castle was ultimately captured not by assault, but through purchase from Czech mercenaries for 190,000 Hungarian florins in June 1457
• The fall of Malbork was a turning point in the Thirteen Years' War, depriving the Teutonic Order of its main headquarters and forcing them to move their capital to Königsberg
• The capture of the fortress gave Poland control over strategic trade and communication routes in Prussia and significantly strengthened the position of the Polish Kingdom in the region

The Siege of Malbork in 1454-1457 was one of the most important military events in medieval Polish history. The capture of this powerful Teutonic fortress by the forces of Casimir IV Jagiellon completely changed the balance of power in the region.

The success of the Polish army resulted from a combination of effective siege tactics, precise diplomacy, and skillful exploitation of the Order's difficult financial situation. The acquisition of the castle in June 1457 for 190,000 Hungarian florins proved to be a pivotal moment in the Thirteen Years' War.

The loss of Malbork led to the collapse of the Teutonic Order's power, forcing them to relocate their capital to Königsberg. This historic victory strengthened Poland's position in the Baltic Sea region and sealed the fate of the Monastic state.