The Last Years of the Teutonic Knights: Lithuania, Poland and the Teutonic Order

by William Urban

Overview

The Battle of Grunwald was one of the largest battles in Medieval Europe, and was the most important in the histories of Poland and Lithuania.

It was fought on 15 July 1410 during the Polish-Lithuania-Teutonic War between the alliance of the Kingdom of Poland (led by King Jagiello) and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (led by Grand Duke Vytautas) against the German-Prussian Teutonic Knights (led by Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen) and with the assistance of Sigismund, then King of Hungary and Croatia.

The Teutonic Knights, a crusading military order, were defeated and most of their leaders were killed or taken prisoner. This defeat would mark the beginning of their decline and they would never again regain their former power.

Following the battle, the balance of power shifted in Central and Eastern Europe and so came the rise of the Polish-Lithuanian union as the dominant political and military force.

In this compelling account the action takes place in Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia and Germany. There are bloody battles; fascinating characters; intrigue; betrayals; sex; unexpected twists of fate; religious heresy and a smattering of saints. There is also the monumental end of one era making way for the beginning of another.

Written by William L Urban, an internationally respected authority on the history of European warfare, while there has long been interest on the crusades outside of the Holy Land, this book is unique in the sheer breadth and depth of its research.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784383572
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	01/04/2019
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

William L Urban is an internationally recognized authority on the history of European warfare. He served as L Morgan Professor of History and International Studies at Monmouth College (Illinois). For several years he was editor of the Journal of Baltic Studies. He has written some two dozen scholarly books including The Teutonic Knights (2003) and Small Wars, and their Influence on the Nation State (2016)

Table of Contents

List of Plates & Maps v

Preface vii

A Note on Names ix

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 The Balance of Forces in Central Europe 1

Chapter 2 Piracy, Saintly Visions, and Challenges from Germany 44

Chapter 3 The Samogitian Revolt 74

Chapter 4 Vie Battle of Tannenberg 105

Chapter 5 The Peace of Thorn 130

Chapter 6 The Council of Constance 160

Chapter 7 New Crises 196

Chapter 8 The Old Order Passeth 219

Chapter 9 Hussite Invasions and Internal Dissent 244

Chapter 10 The Thirteen Years War, 1450-1463 261

Chapter 11 Lithuania, Poland and the Teutonic Order in the Late 1400s 278

Chapter 12 The Reformation 297

Chapter 13 What Did It All Mean? 312

Recommended Reading 325

Index 327

Editorial Reviews

"This is the most comprehensive account available of the final years of the crusading military order."

Baltische Historiche Kommission

"In covering the battle’s causes, military conditions, and strategies, Urban challenges traditional accounts and examines political, social, and religious outcomes."

New Oxford Review

"William Urban’s work is a must-read for those seeking scholarly work on this pivotal period of European history. It is especially helpful for those interested in the demise of the Teutonic Knights, and Polish culture."

Journal of Military History