The Battle of Świecino (September 17, 1462) was a crucial engagement during the Thirteen Years' War, in which Polish forces under the command of Piotr Dunin defeated the Teutonic forces led by Fritz von Raveneck. This victory significantly weakened the position of the Teutonic Order in Pomerelia.

The Battle of Świecino represents one of the key moments in the Thirteen Years' War between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. This clash, which took place on September 17, 1462, significantly influenced the outcome of the entire conflict and contributed to Poland's ultimate victory.

On the fields near the small Pomeranian village of Świecino, Polish forces commanded by Piotr Dunin confronted the Teutonic forces led by Fritz von Raveneck. It was here that one of the most strategic battles took place, which determined the further course of the war and control over Gdańsk Pomerania.

The Thirteen Years' War (1454-1466) was the largest armed conflict between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. The dispute arose from the growing dissatisfaction of the Prussian estates with the Order's rule and Poland's increasing territorial ambitions.

The early 15th century brought significant changes in relations between the Baltic region states. The Prussian Confederation, established in 1440, united 53 Prussian cities opposing Teutonic domination. The Order's defeat at the Battle of Grunwald (1410) weakened its political position in the region, leading to:

• Increased resistance of Prussian cities against the Order's rule
• Higher tax burdens imposed by the Order on cities
• Growing separatist tendencies among Prussian burghers

In the Thirteen Years' War, two main political-military camps emerged:

• The Kingdom of Poland under Casimir IV Jagiellon

• The Prussian Confederation representing Prussian cities

• Gdańsk along with other major Pomeranian cities

• The Teutonic Order under Grand Master Ludwig von Erlichshausen

• Mercenaries from the German Reich territories

• Allied Livonian knights

Statistical Data of Conflict Parties	Polish Side	Teutonic Side
Number of allied cities (1454)	53	19
Estimated military forces (1462)	2000	1500
Fortified castles	120	85

The Battle of Świecino was the result of an escalating conflict over control of strategic points in Pomerelia during the Thirteen Years' War. The immediate cause of the clash was an attempt to gain control over communication routes between Gdańsk and other territories controlled by the Prussian Confederation.

In 1462, Pomerelia was a key region for both sides of the conflict due to:

• Control over Baltic ports generating significant trade revenues
• Access to trade routes connecting Gdańsk with southern Europe
• Position enabling blockade of supplies to Teutonic castles
• Presence of 15 strategic fortresses controlling main communication arteries

The conflicting parties adopted different strategies:

Polish plan assumed:

• Concentration of forces in the Świecino area to secure the route to Gdańsk
• Taking control of 3 key castles in the region
• Cutting off Teutonic forces from their logistical base

Teutonic plan focused on:

• Maintaining communication between Order fortresses
• Securing supplies from Western Pomerania
• Breaking through the Polish blockade by attacking Piotr Dunin's forces

The Battle of Świecino began on the morning of September 17, 1462, when Polish troops under the command of Piotr Dunin clashed with Teutonic forces led by Fritz von Raveneck. The battle took place in the fields between Świecino and Lębork.

The armies of both sides differed in numbers and composition:

Side	Infantry	Cavalry	Total
Polish	1200	800	2000
Teutonic	900	600	1500

The Polish forces consisted of:

• Gdańsk mercenary infantry equipped with firearms
• Heavy armored knight cavalry
• Infantry units from Pomerania
• Field artillery with 3 cannons

The Teutonic forces included:

• German mercenary unit
• Mounted Teutonic knights
• Infantry equipped with crossbows
• Light reconnaissance cavalry

1. Morning battle formation:

• Poles took positions on the hill
• Teutonic Knights formed ranks at the foot of the elevation
• Polish artillery began shelling Teutonic positions

1. Main phase of the battle:

• Teutonic cavalry attack on the Polish left wing
• Polish cavalry counterattack on the enemy's right wing
• Breakthrough of the Teutonic center by Gdańsk infantry

1. Resolution:

• Flanking of Teutonic forces by Polish cavalry
• Death of Teutonic commander Fritz von Raveneck
• Retreat of remaining Teutonic units toward Lębork

The Battle of Świecino ended in a decisive victory for Polish forces, bringing significant military and political consequences. The outcome weakened the position of the Teutonic Order in Gdańsk Pomerania.

The battle casualties were significant and uneven for both sides of the conflict:

Side	Killed	Wounded	Prisoners
Polish forces	100	300	0
Teutonic forces	400	500	300

Among the fallen were:

• Fritz von Raveneck - commander-in-chief of Teutonic forces
• Kaspar Nostyc - Komtur of Człuchów
• 40 high-ranking Teutonic knights
• 3 mid-level Polish commanders

The victory at Świecino brought several strategic benefits:

Military aspects:

• Taking control of the Gdańsk-Lębork communication route

• Capture of 12 Teutonic banners

• Gaining control over 3 castles in the region

• Securing the northern borders of Gdańsk Pomerania

• Strengthening of the Prussian Confederation's position

• Weakening of the Teutonic Knights' morale

• Increased support from Pomeranian cities for Poland

• Acceleration of peace negotiations with the Teutonic Order

The Battle of Świecino remains commemorated in local tradition and through official forms of remembrance. The historic battlefield contains numerous elements of cultural heritage related to this event.

In 1962, a granite obelisk was erected on the Świecino battlefield to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the battle. The monument bears an inscription in Polish informing about the date of the battle and its significance for Polish history. In the village of Świecino, there is also a memorial plaque mounted on the wall of the local church, depicting the course of the battle and its participants.

• Breaking the Teutonic dominance in Gdańsk Pomerania
• Demonstration of Polish military tactics' effectiveness against the regular Order army
• Confirmation of the growing role of Prussian cities in the Polish-Teutonic conflict

Commemoration Aspect	Details
Main monument	Granite obelisk from 1962
Local memorials	Plaque in Świecino church
Cyclical event	Annual battle anniversary celebrations
Museum exhibition	Exhibition at the Regional Museum in Lębork

• The Battle of Świecino took place on September 17, 1462, during the Thirteen Years' War between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order
• In the clash, Polish forces under the command of Piotr Dunin (2,000 soldiers) defeated the Teutonic forces of Fritz von Raveneck (1,500 soldiers)
• The battle ended in a decisive Polish victory - with the death of the Teutonic commander and enemy losses reaching 1,200 men (killed, wounded, prisoners)
• The military success at Świecino enabled Poland to take control of strategic communication routes in Pomerelia
• The victory significantly contributed to weakening the Teutonic Order's position in the region and accelerated peace negotiations

The Battle of Świecino on September 17, 1462, proved to be a turning point in the Thirteen Years' War. The clash between Polish forces under the command of Piotr Dunin and the Teutonic forces ended in a spectacular victory for the Polish side.

The battle's consequences were far-reaching - they significantly weakened the Teutonic Order's position and strengthened Poland's control over Pomerelia. Teutonic losses reaching 1,200 soldiers and the death of key commanders contributed to the collapse of the Order's troops' morale.

Today, the battle remains an important symbol of Polish military prowess, and its memory is preserved by local communities through monuments, anniversary celebrations, and museum exhibitions.