Anniversary of the victorious for the Polish side, the conflict of the sea with the Teutonic Order.
Today in our calendar we will look at the last years of the Thirteen Years' War.
After long battles, peace negotiations began in the winter of 1463. However, she was interrupted after a fewer months. At the same time, impressed by Polish successes, especially the triumph at Święciń, the global opinion on the war began to change. Their erstwhile allies specified as Denmark and supporters specified as the Czech Republic and Bavaria began to turn distant from the Teutonic Knights.
In the Crown, it was right to anticipate the failure of the talks that the decision was made not to call a common move. Instead, taxes were passed on a dense soldier who worked better in this war. In July 1463 the army set out again in the field ravaged the Chelmna area, slaying the rebellious Warmia peasants and besieging Gniew.
The large master Erlichchausen prepared his own campaign, in which an crucial component was the fleet and landings from the sea supporting the actions of the land troops, but Poles learned from spiritual traitors about his plans. The combined fleets of Gdańsk, Elbląg and capers acquired by the Polish king moved against the Teutonic fleet.
The clash occurred on September 15 on the Vistula Water. Although the Polish side was weaker in numbers – it owned about 30 ships against more than 40 enemy units – it defeated it. Fired from the weapons of the Teutonic Order, they caught fire, followed by abortion attacks. Only 260 of the 1500 Teutonic soldiers survived, and enemy ships that did not digest the fire were taken over by the winners.
What's next?
Under the defeat of the Teutonic Knights, another organization of mercenaries left, including a large commander and an unconvinced ally of the Order Bernard Szumborski so far. Poles were besides fortunate on land. The enemy has suffered considerable losses under the Belt. On January 1, 1464, Wrath gave himself up to Peter Dunin without hope of rescue. On 6 March, Bishop Warmiński passed to the Polish side Paul Legendorf giving the king all the castles on this land.
The situation of the Order has become tragic. Destroyed and depopulated lands, the empty Prussian vault, the indebted German estates, the desertion of unpaid mercenaries, and the abandonment of the King by allies were factors that had to origin the defeat. In the spring of 1464 the Order agreed to mediation with the Polish king proposed by Hanseatic Lubeka. However, Poles did not suspend their armed actions, rightly predicting that further successes would further weaken the negotiating position of the opponent.
Polish chief Peter Dunin The besieged city of Nowe, the cdańszczanie Puck, and the Polish ally, the Mazowieckie prince, began the blockage of the Land. Attempts to save the Teutonic Knights for these centres failed. fresh and Puck gave up. In 1465 Starogard was surrounded by Poles. The Teutonic Knights softened adequate that they themselves offered to proceed the peace talks. They were conducted in Stegno on the Wislana Measure. Again, as previously, Poles continued the offensive, this time against Chojnicom, whose siege began in July 1466.
Dunin acted prudently and methodically. He gathered 6,000 soldiers, and hundreds of specially drawn peasants participated in the construction of the siege machines. The dense fighting lasted 2 months and eventually, mid-September after arson of the city with incendiary missiles, The knights have given up. A tiny fortress of Zantyr besides fell.
Peace talks had already resumed on 8 September in Dybów close Toruń, and were mediated by the papal legate Rudolf of Ridesheim. The Polish side was represented, among others, by the Crown Marshal Jan Rytwiański and the Kraków canon Jan Długosz. Yeah, it's that John Longish. The Prussian States represented Scibor Bażyski. The Teutonic delegation consisted of, among others, the Komtur and the future master of the Order Henry Reuss von Plauen and Jan Winkler, the individual secretary of the large Master Erlichausen.
The area was signed on October 17, 1466. The full Pomerania of Gdańsk with Elbląg and its neighbourhoods, Chełmińska and Michałówska land were attached to Poland. The truncated Order had been from now on a lord of the king of Poland. The position of lenna but separate, besides owned Warmia under the management of its bishop. In Toruń, in the Hall of Artus' Manor, the large master kneeled before the Polish king and paid him a solemn tribute to Lenna.
Interestingly, in the peace treaty Poles were guaranteed the chance to join the Order and hold various functions in its authorities. Until now, only Germany has been part of it. In this entry we should look for the far-reaching politics of the Polish king, who thus counted on the gradual polonization of the Order, its assimilation and in any time-long period peaceful absorption into Poland. As we know, this did not happen, in my opinion, mainly by Zygmunt Stary Lenia, who secularized the Order in a Protestant spirit.
Since that minute - falsely called the success- of the Prussian Dutch from 1525 (although tributes of these lands had to be given earlier), the population of Prussia differed from Poles not only in language and culture but besides in religion. specified large differences could not be overcome and the Prussian state rulers did everything to free themselves from the Polish curatela.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.
