The Battle of Grunwald (often called the Tannenberg in German sources) is a battle near the villages of Grunwald and Tannenberg in East Prussia. On July 15, 1410, the united Polish-Lithuanian-Russian army of King Jagiello and Prince Vytautas defeated the Teutonic Order here, which delayed the German attack on the Slavic lands.

The Polish-Lithuanian-Russian state, which arose as a result of the marriage of the Lithuanian prince Jagiello with the Polish queen Jadwiga in 1386, stood in the way of the offensive policy of the Teutonic Order. United, Poland and Lithuania felt the opportunity to repel their neighbor, who was causing enmity with endless seizures of border lands. In 1409, their war with the Germans began. The main branch of the Teutonic Order's troops was cavalry, mostly heavy, knightly, but there were also hired troops from volunteers. Infantry was used to cover the convoys, and there was also numerous artillery. The Order's army consisted of 60 thousand people, including about 15 thousand cavalry. At the head of the order was the chief minister, whose power was limited to a council of senior dignitaries.

In Poland the main part armed forces consisted of a militia of free landowners who gathered by order of the king in the voivodeships and formed “banners”. The infantry was with the convoys. The artillery was weaker than the order's. The Lithuanian troops, like the Tatars who were in the service of Prince Vytautas, were irregular forces. Polish troops and part of the Russian banners were prepared to strike in close formation. The Allied forces reached 100 thousand, including 25 thousand cavalry.

The border between the Order and Poland was defended by fortified points: on the side of the former there were Thorn, Kulm, Strasbourg, Soldau, Gilgenburg (Dombrowno), etc. to Memel; from Poland - Bydgoszcz, Inowraclaw, Brest-Kujawski, Plock, etc. The allies decided, concentrating their army at the confluence of the Bzura River with the Vistula, to attack Marienburg. Upon reaching the Drventsy River, due to the apparent disadvantage of crossing it in sight of the enemy, the allied army evaded towards Gilgenburg in order to bypass the defensive line. July 13, 1410 Gilgenburg was taken. At the same time, the order's troops approached Tannenberg on the 15th. The allies, heading to Hohenstein, settled down on the same morning to rest south of Tannenberg, on the line of the villages of Logdovo - Ulnovo.

The order's army formed a battle formation between Tannenberg and the Grunwald Forest, placing its Wagenburg (a mobile fortification of wagons) near the villages of Grunwald and Grunfelde. The Allies lined up south of Tannenberg, with their left wing adjacent to the Grunwald Forest. The Lithuanians stood on the right flank, the Poles on the left flank, the convoys were at Ludvikov. The cavalry of both sides was formed in three lines; the infantry covered the convoys. The first line of the Allied forces was significantly longer than the German one, which forced Hochmeister von Jungingen to move the second line of Grand Marshal von Walrode to strengthen it. The third line, under his personal command, remained in reserve.

Disposition of troops before the Battle of Grunwald

The Battle of Grunwald was started by artillery, the fire of which did not cause losses to either side. Vytautas, who actually led the actions of the allied army, moved the Tatars, who made up the first line of the Lithuanians, to attack the left flank of the Germans. This attack was repelled by Walrode. The second and third lines of Lithuanians, moved to support the first, were crushed and pursued by Walrode. Only three Smolensk banners with Prince Yuri Lugvenievich, fighting off the advancing Germans, joined the right flank of the first Polish line, which, at that time, moved against the first line of the Teutons. However, the position of the Polish first line was difficult, especially when Walrode's banners launched an attack on its right flank and rear. The great royal banner was lost. At this time, Vitovt, just in time, moved the second Polish line to her rescue. Eight of its banners and Smolensk troops drove back Walrode, and the rest, reinforcing the first line, recaptured the large banner and pushed back Liechtenstein. Then the chief master led the third line to the right flank and rear of the Poles; at the same time, King Jagiello, who was watching the progress of the battle together with Vytautas from the hill, was almost killed. The third Polish line, in turn, moved towards the outflanking enemy and stunned him with its unexpected appearance. The Gokhmeister stopped his third line. The retreating Lithuanian troops, collected by Vytautas, returned to the battlefield. The Allies surrounded the Teutons, the Hochmeister was killed, and the six banners of the third line, led by von Tettingen, fled.

Progress of the Battle of Grunwald

The Battle of Grunwald was lost by the order. The allies, having captured the convoy, pursued for 20-30 miles until nightfall. The Teutons lost up to 18 thousand killed and up to 20 thousand wounded and prisoners, the Slavs lost up to 4 thousand killed and 8 thousand wounded.

500 years later, in August 1914, during the First World War, close to the site of the Battle of Grunwald, the Germans encircled and destroyed the Russian army of General Samsonov (“Samsonov catastrophe”). In Germany they are considered "historical revenge" for the defeat of 1410.

The Battle of Grunwald - the decisive battle " Great War» 1409-1411, which occurred on July 15, 1410.

At the turn of the XIV–XV centuries. In the Baltics, a whole series of contradictions arose between the states of the region, which could only be resolved by force of arms. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, expanding its borders, began to lay claim to dominance in the Baltic states and the lands of Western Rus'. The second largest of the Slavic states here was Poland, which also claimed primacy in the Western Slavic world.

The third, somewhat artificial formation was the Teutonic Order of Knights, whose leadership (the Grand Master) settled in Prussia in 1309 and, in alliance with the Hansa, an association of German city-states, began to pursue a policy of colonization of the Baltic states and Slavic lands in general.

A collision could not be avoided. The threat of German and Western European expansion in general led to the unification of Lithuania and Poland through the dynastic marriage of the Lithuanian prince Jagiello with Queen Jadwiga of Poland (1386). The unification was fragile. The Lithuanian nobility repeatedly opposed him, and according to the treaty of 1392, Prince Vytautas became the lifelong ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The new Polish-Lithuanian state association tried to further expand its possessions to the east and west. The eastward advance of the Polish-Lithuanian forces was stopped by the unsuccessful Battle of Vorskla in 1399, where Vytautas clashed with the Tatars. The Grand Duke of Moscow, who formally continued to be part of the Horde, also did not allow Vitovt to go further than the Ugra River.

There the border was defined. Meanwhile, in the north, on the Baltic coast, the Teutonic Order became more active. The knights were able to capture the Dobrzhinsky land from the Poles, and from the Lithuanian principality of Zhmud. Border conflicts broke out all the time. An uprising of the local population in Zhmudi began, Vitovt helped the rebels. All this served as a reason for the Order to declare war on Lithuania and Poland.

1409, August 6 - Master Ulrich von Jungingen declared war on King Jagiello and invaded Polish lands, immediately managing to capture 5 border fortresses. Jogaila convened a militia and recaptured one fortress. In the fall, a truce had to be concluded, since both sides were not sufficiently prepared for war.

During the winter we made thorough preparations. The Order gathered detachments of mercenaries and invited many knights from Western European countries, in addition to those who were part of the Order. They fortified castles and collected food.

In the winter of 1409/10, the Poles, Lithuanians and Russians, who were part of the Lithuanian principality, agreed on joint actions. The Polish army was gathering in the Poznan region, the Russian-Lithuanian army on the river. Narev. Troops from Lesser Poland, volunteers from Hungary and the Czech Republic, and an auxiliary Tatar army were expected.

1410, June - the allied troops advanced towards each other and united on the Vistula in the Chervinsk region on July 2. The combined army headed to the border of the Order upstream of the Vkra River. On July 7, already near the border, Jagiello inspected the troops and set up a false alarm. On July 8, the army rested, and on the 9th they crossed the border of the Order. Troop commanders were appointed there. Lithuanians and Poles maintained separate command. Vytautas remained in command of the Lithuanian-Russian troops; the command of the Polish army was entrusted to Crown Marshal Zbigniew (Zyndram).

On the same day, after crossing the border, Jagiello’s troops occupied the German fortress of Lautenburg; even earlier, while the main army was resting, side detachments occupied Soldau and Neidenburg. On July 10, Jagiello met German troops at a fortified position beyond the Drevenza River and decided to bypass them from the east. The Polish-Lithuanian army moved to Soldau, where it crossed the river. Master Ulrich rushed to cut across the allies and took a position at Tannenberg. The Polish-Lithuanian army slowly moved north, taking and plundering the city of Gilbenburg (Dombrowno) along the way.

On July 15, the troops met near the village of Tannenberg. There had been a storm all the previous night, it was pouring rain, which did not stop during the day. The Polish-Lithuanian army advanced slowly. Having walked only 11 km that day, she stopped to rest in the forest near Lake Lyuban. The patrols sent forward saw the Order's troops ahead on the hills.

Both troops were indecisive for some time. The Polish-Lithuanian army did not dare to attack the enemy located nearby on the hills, since it could not deploy a battle formation in the forest. The knights also did not risk attacking the enemy with their heavy cavalry in the forest, where the light, mobile auxiliary troops of King Jagiello had all the advantages.

The issue was resolved in a chivalrous manner. Ulrich decided to send two swords to King Jagiello as a challenge to battle and retreat to clear a place for battle for the Polish-Lithuanian army.

The Polish-Lithuanian army at that time was not something a single organism. It was an association of feudal militias. The Order's troops were more homogeneous.

The number of soldiers fielded by the Order, according to estimates from various sources, ranges from 11 to 27 thousand people. According to E. Razin, there were about 4 thousand knights on the battlefield (a huge, unprecedented concentration of professional warriors), up to 3 thousand squires and about 4 thousand crossbowmen. All of them were combined into 51 banners. Sources indicate that German, French and other knights, Swiss mercenaries, English archers, etc., in total representatives of 22 nationalities, took part in the battle.

The Order was armed with bombards, the number of which is not indicated.

The Polish-Lithuanian troops consisted of 91 banners and 3 thousand Tatars. E.A. Razin makes an interesting calculation of banners according to their ethnicity. The Polish army fielded 51 banners, of which 42 were purely Polish, 2 banners of mercenaries and 7 banners from natives of Russian regions. The Lithuanian army fielded 40 banners, of which 36 were Russian. Thus, the army consisted of 43 Russian banners, 42 Polish, 4 Lithuanian and 2 mercenary banners. In addition, the army included mercenary detachments from Armenians, Volokhs, Hungarians, Czechs (the Czechs were commanded by the famous Jan Zizka), and Moravians. From 10 nationalities in total.

The Order's troops initially lined up in three lines; then 15 Wallenrod banners, which initially stood in the second line, left the general formation and joined the first line, lengthening the left flank of the formation. Thus, in the center and on the right flank of the order’s army there were 20 banners of Liechtenstein, on the left flank - 15 banners of Wallenrod. The former third line, now a reserve, under the command of Master Ulrich von Jungingen, was located behind the center and right flank of the general formation. The bombards were advanced in front of the troops and covered by crossbowmen. The total length of the front of the formation of the Order's troops was 2.5 km.

The Polish-Lithuanian army was formed in three lines: “personal”, “valny” and “dump” khuftsy (front, middle and rear lines). At the tip of the right flank, outside the general three-line formation, the Tatars stood. The main army was divided into two wings. Polish soldiers are on the left wing. The 7 Russian banners that came as part of the Polish army stood on the right flank of the left wing in all three lines.

The Russian-Lithuanian army formed the right wing. In the first line on the right flank of the wing were Lithuanian banners. The rest of the formation of the right wing consisted of Russian banners. Three Smolensk regiments were located in the second line on the left flank of the right wing.

The total length of the construction was 2 km. On the right, the Allied position was covered by the Marsha River and Lake Luben, and on the left by the Grunwald Forest.

Both commanders were behind their troops on high ground.

At noon, Harolds arrived from the crusaders with swords from the Grand Master; the Poles accepted the challenge. We moved out of the forest and formed into the battle formation described above.

Before the start of the battle, King Jagiello knighted about 1,000 young warriors. The ceremony was like a psychological preparation for the upcoming battle.

The Battle of Grunwald began in the late afternoon, when the weather improved. It was opened by a salvo from the Order's bombardment. However, the cannonballs were transferred and fell behind the lines of the Polish troops. The attack of the Tatars immediately began, who, not observing formation, rushed towards the Teutonic knights. The knights were showered with arrows, but did not suffer any significant losses.

The master ordered Wallenrod to counterattack the Tatars. The left flank of the Order's troops moved forward. The attack was carried out at an accelerated pace - walk, trot, gallop. The Tatars could not withstand the blow of the heavy cavalry and began to flee. The entire Russian-Lithuanian army of Vytautas moved to support the Tatars.

The head-on collision between the crusaders and the Russian-Lithuanian cavalry was not in favor of the Slavs and Lithuanians. Vitovt's overturned cavalry jumped back and began to move away along the river. The Vilna and Troka banners, which consisted of ethnic Lithuanians, still tried to resist, but they were also shot down.

Nine Wallenrod banners rushed to pursue the retreating enemy, and six lingered on the battlefield, as they ran into the tough defense of three Smolensk regiments under the command of Yuri Mstislavsky and Semyon Lingven Olgerdovich.

The Teutons (six banners) were able to surround these regiments, one Smolensk regiment died on the spot, but the other two made their way, retreated to the right flank of the left wing and turned to the east against the knights pursuing them.

Zyndram, who commanded the left wing, threw the 1st line of Polish knights into battle. Ulrich Jungingen sent 20 banners of Liechtenstein towards the Poles. 20 banners of the Teutonic knights collided with 17 Polish banners. In brutal hand-to-hand combat, the Poles began to press Liechtenstein and break through his line.

Wallenrod, meanwhile, stopped the pursuit of the Russian-Lithuanian cavalry and returned his banners to the battlefield. His knights struck the flank of the 2nd and 3rd lines of Zyndram and the rear of the 1st line, which had almost overthrown Liechtenstein.

Finding themselves practically surrounded, the 1st line of Polish knights stubbornly held on, and the attack on the flank of the 2nd and 3rd lines failed. Here the Teutons again came across Smolensk regiments, supported by the 2nd line of Poles. Because the knights returning from pursuit attacked separately, the Smolensk people were easily able to repel their attacks.

The critical moment was approaching. The first Polish line was surrounded on all sides; there the great royal banner fell. The battle threatened to turn into a massacre. Jagiello ordered the 2nd line of Poles to move forward. The 2nd line of Polish knights, with the support of Russian regiments, hurried to the aid of the first. The royal banner was rescued, Liechtenstein himself was surrounded, and the entire huge mass of fighters began to slowly roll back to the north, to the positions of the Teutons.

Wallenrod's wing, upset by the failed attack on the Smolensk regiments and partially drawn into the general battle, was unable to have a decisive influence on the course of the battle. Then the master himself decided to break it with a general attack from the reserve. He led 16 reserve banners, bypassing the general dump on the right, in order to hit the Polish knights in the flank and rear. Jagiello threw his last reserve against the master's reserve - 17 banners of the third Polish line.

Apparently, the Teutonic knights did not expect that the Poles had any reserves left. Seeing the approach of the third line of Polish knights, Ulrich von Jungingen changed his original plan; he did not dare to attack the flank and rear of the 1st and 2nd Polish lines, which had long been mixed with the Teutons and did not represent any clear lines.

But to redirect his banners and indicate a new direction of attack, the master needed time and space. Be that as it may, the Jungingen reserve stopped its advance in order to turn around or even rebuild, and the 3rd line of Polish knights, rushing at full speed, attacked an almost motionless enemy, which immediately decided the outcome of the battle.

By that time, Vitovt was able to stop the flight of the Russian-Lithuanian cavalry and again lead it to the battlefield. The attack of the galloping Russian-Lithuanian cavalry on the mixed, out-of-order crusaders' banners finally decided the matter. Six banners fled in panic from the battlefield. Some of the knights were able to take refuge in Wagenburg. Wagenburg was taken by storm. Master Ulrich von Jungingen, who refused to leave the battlefield, was killed by a Lithuanian knight.

The pursuit continued for a distance of 25–30 km. The Teutons suffered huge losses. The Polish-Lithuanian army, also badly damaged, remained on the battlefield for three days, celebrating the victory and healing its wounds. There was no strategic pursuit organized.

Having recovered from the shock, the crusaders organized the defense of Marienburg. The Polish-Lithuanian troops that arrived under its walls were unable to take the city. Vytautas quarreled with Jagiello and refused to continue the war.

Nevertheless, after the Battle of Grunwald, the military power of the Teutonic Knightly Order was undermined; it ceased to play a leading role in the Baltic states and soon (in 1466) ceased to exist.

On the other hand, the common victory in the Battle of Grunwald united the Polish-Lithuanian-Russian population of the region and strengthened the power of the new state formation of the Western Slavs and Lithuanians.

Battle of Grunwald(Battle of Tannenberg, July 15) - the decisive battle of the “Great War” of 1409-1411 between Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, on the one hand, and the Teutonic Order, on the other. The battle ended with the complete defeat of the troops of the Teutonic Order. It originated near Grunwald, Tannenberg and Breslau (Prussia), from where it got its name.

100 great battles Myachin Alexander Nikolaevich

Battle of Grunwald (1410)

In the winter of 1409/10, a Polish-Lithuanian meeting was held in Brest-Litovsk, at which a plan for war with the Teutonic Order was developed and the Polish-Lithuanian army under the command of King Vladislav II Jagiello (Jagiello) set out from Wolborz and headed through Baimice (near Skierniewitz) to Kozlov. Bisky received a report that the Lithuanians, together with the Russians, were standing on the banks of the Narev. Russian regiments were fielded by the principalities that were part of the Lithuanian state. So, the most combat-ready of them were the Smolensk regiments.

On July 7, while moving to Bondzin, the king reviewed the troops. On the same day, an alarm was raised to check combat effectiveness. The inspection and alarm went well and instilled confidence in the army. On July 9, the Allied army crossed the border of the possessions of the Teutonic Order.

On July 12, the Allies rested; the next day they marched to Gilbenburg (Dombrovno), where they encountered a detachment of crusaders, took the castle and plundered the city. On July 14, the army was again given rest.

On the night of July 15, a storm broke out and it rained heavily. By morning the storm had subsided, but the rain did not stop. The Allies walked only 11 km and bivouacked in the forest, to the left of Lake Lyuban, which covered their right flank. Zyndram sent several patrols towards the village of Tannenberg, which was visible to the north. Intelligence soon reported the approach of the entire crusader army.

When the crusaders noticed the enemy, they stopped indecision, since the Polish-Russian-Lithuanian army was in the forest and did not leave it. Ulrich convened a council, at which it was decided to send two swords to the Polish-Lithuanian king as a challenge and then retreat to clear a place for the enemy to build.

At the Battle of Grunwald, the crusaders had 51 “banners”. Their troops included warriors from over 20 nationalities, but the Germans predominated. The Teutons had up to 11 thousand people, of which about 4 thousand knights, up to 3 thousand squires and about 4 thousand crossbowmen; the army had bombards who fired stone and lead mines. “The army of the Order,” Geisman noted, “consisted of: a) the Prussian troops themselves (knights, the grandmaster’s court and the police); b) troops of vassal princes; c) “guests” or hunters from various countries of Western Europe and d) mercenary troops; in total no less than 14 thousand, including 16 thousand horsemen and 3 thousand infantry.” (Geisman. A short course in the history of military art. St. Petersburg, 1907. P. 105.)

The Allies had 91 banners, of which the Poles and Lithuanians had 40 banners. The Polish troops included seven banners from natives of the Russian regions, two banners of mercenaries and 42 Polish banners. There were 36 Russian banners in the Lithuanian army. In addition to the Poles, Russians and Lithuanians, the allied army also included Armenians, Volokhs and mercenaries from the Czechs, Moravians, Hungarians and Tatars - a total of up to 10 nationalities. The Czech detachment was commanded by Jan Zizka, an outstanding commander and national hero of the Czech Republic.

Thus, the allied army had less heterogeneity compared to the Teutonic ones national composition. At the same time, the clearing; numbered at least 15,600 horsemen, and the Lithuanians and Russians numbered at least 8 thousand regular horsemen, not counting the Tatars (up to 3 thousand people). As can be seen, the allies outnumbered the Teutons; The most reliable part of the Lithuanian army were the Russian regiments. But the Lithuanians had weak weapons, and the Tatar cavalry in the army was unreliable. The advantages of the Teutons were in discipline, combat training and supplies.

The battlefield was located south of the village of Tannenberg. It was a fairly flat area, which had several ridges of low hills intersected by minor ravines. The opponents were separated by a small ravine.

The Allied battle formation, with a two-kilometer front, consisted of front, middle and rear lines. On the right flank were Russians, Lithuanians and Tatars under the command of Vytautas, on the left were the Poles under the command of Zyndram. The Smolensk regiments were in the center.

The crusaders first formed in three lines, and then, in order to extend their front to 2.5 km, they reformed in two lines. Ahead of the Teutonic army, under the cover of crossbowmen, bombards were installed. On the right flank there were 20 “banners” under the command of Liechtenstein, on the left - 15 “banners” under the command of Walenrod; in the second line and in reserve - 16 “banners” under the command of Master Ulrich Jungingen. Thus, from the very beginning the battle threatened to develop into a grandiose cavalry battle.

The master was on the left flank, near the village of Tannenberg Jagiello stood on a hill behind his right flank.

At 12 o'clock on July 15, the Harolds arrived from the crusaders and handed over two swords to the king. Jagiello regarded the sending of swords as a daring insult. He announced a password and ordered his troops to wear straw armbands to distinguish them in battle. Then the king moved down to the plain, where up to 1 thousand nobles were waiting to be knighted. The knights swore to him to win or die.

Meanwhile, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. They beat the timpani, the trumpets began to play, and the Poles sang an old battle song. At this time, the crusaders fired a volley from bombards, but the cannonballs, flying over the heads of the allies, fell in the rear of their battle formation without causing harm. The battle has begun.

By order of Vytautas, the Tatar cavalry attacked the enemy’s right flank. However, the formation of the crusaders did not waver, the arrows bounced off the knight’s armor. In turn, the master ordered Valenrod to launch a counterattack. The Tatars, unable to withstand the swift blow, began to flee.

Then the second and third lines of the Lithuanian-Russian army joined the battle, rushing to the aid of the retreating Tatars. However, their main forces were also crushed and driven back by the crusaders. The Vilna and Troka banners resisted the longest, but they also began to retreat. Nine "banners" of Walenrod pursued the retreating Lithuanians. Only three Smolensk regiments under the command of Yuri Mstislavsky remained on the battlefield, continuing to stubbornly resist. They were surrounded by six "banners" of Walenrod. In this battle, one Smolensk regiment was completely destroyed, the other two made their way to the right flank of the Poles and covered it.

Now the offensive of the first line of Zyndram Poles began, consisting of 17 banners. Ulrich Jungingen sent 20 “banners” of Liechtenstein against them. A stubborn battle ensued, as a result of which the Poles managed to break through the line of the crusaders. But the Teutonic “banners”, pursuing the Lithuanians, returned. They hit the right flank and partly the rear of the Poles. The Smolensk regiments, which covered the attacked flank of the Poles, withstood this blow and thus saved the Poles from defeat. They then reinforced the first line of Poles and helped them launch a counterattack.

At this time the great royal banner fell. For the allies, a crisis moment in the battle had arrived. Jagiello moved forward the second line of Poles, which, under the cover of Russian regiments, had just repelled the attack of Walenrod's banners. The second line, together with the Russian regiments, hurried to the aid of the first, rescued the banner, surrounded Liechtenstein and began to press him. The crusaders hesitated and began to slowly retreat.

Intending to break the resistance of the Poles, the master put forward his reserve against them - 16 “banners”, which tried to envelop the Poles on the right and come at them from the rear. Then the third Polish line rushed towards the Germans “obliquely”.

Instead of attacking, Ulrich suddenly stopped the movement of his “banners”. The Poles took advantage of this and launched a counterattack. At the same time, Vitovt managed to gather the Lithuanian fugitives and lead them outside the ravine against the crusaders. The strike of the returning Lithuanian-Russian regiments decided the outcome of the battle. The Crusader army was defeated. Ulrich's entourage suggested that he flee, but he proudly replied, “God forbid that I should leave this field on which so many men died—God forbid.” Soon the master was killed by a Lithuanian soldier.

The enemy's cries for mercy began to be heard more and more often. Six Teutonic "banners" fled from the battlefield in panic. Some of the crusaders took refuge in Wagenburg, which the allied army took by storm; the enemy suffered heavy losses, but the victory was not cheap for the allies. Together, the Germans and Slavs lost 1/5 - 1/3 of the strength of their armies, and the troops of the Order lost more prisoners than; killed.

The Allies pursued the enemy at a distance of 25–30 km. Then, as a sign of victory, their army remained on the battlefield for three days. However, the Slavs were able to realize victory only on a tactical scale on the battlefield. There was no strategic pursuit organized. This is what saved the Teutonic Order from complete defeat. The Allies approached Marienburg only on July 25, when the crusaders were able to prepare for defense, gathering scattered troops and concentrating a strong garrison in the fortress. Therefore, the Allies failed to take Marienburg. In addition, under the influence of intrigue, Vytautas refused to continue the war.

However, the political significance of the Slavic victory at Grunwald is difficult to overestimate. The crusading knights not only received another rebuff. Their military power was undermined, and the Teutons were actually forced to switch to passive defense. After 56 years (in 1466): The Order ceased to exist.

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On July 15, 1410, one of the largest battles of the Middle Ages took place - the Battle of Grunwald. The outcome of the battle changed the balance of power in Europe and marked the advent of a new era.

Background to the conflict and the beginning of the Great War

In 1224, the state of the Teutonic Order was created on the territory of the Baltic states, consisting mainly of German crusading knights. Due to the constant acquisition of land from bankrupt feudal lords, the absorption of smaller and weaker knightly orders, as well as the constant influx of military booty, the new state grew richer and gained more and more influence. In terms of his power, the Grand Master, who headed the Order, could compete even with the Pope. The knights minted their own coins, traded, opened schools, and together formed a magnificent, well-trained and disciplined army. The Order pursued an expansive policy towards states of Eastern Europe and Rus'. From the end of the 12th century, a series of so-called Northern crusades, aimed at the forced Catholicization of Rus', Lithuania and Poland. Of course, the Order pursued not only purely religious goals - they were, rather, secondary, the main task of the Teutonic Knights was to expand the territory of their state and establish complete control over the Baltic coast.

Lithuania and Poland suffered most from the Teutonic raids. The Russian state was also periodically subjected to raids, but the crusaders still had fresh memories of the defeat of the order's troops by Prince Alexander Nevsky.

At the end of the 14th century, the situation in eastern Europe became more complicated due to the struggle between two cousins: the Lithuanian princes Jagiello and Vytautas. In order to achieve power, the cousins ​​periodically turned to the Teutonic Order for help, allowing the German knights to ruin Lithuania. But in the end, Jagiello and Vytautas realized the damage their opposition was causing to the well-being of the state. They made peace and decided to jointly resist foreign invaders. The result of their conflict was:

• Signing of the Krevo Union (1385). Through the dynastic marriage of the Lithuanian prince Jagiello and the Polish princess Jadwiga, two Eastern European states were united. Jagiello, while remaining the Lithuanian ruler, also received the Polish crown. Despite the fact that the union did not end civil war, It was important decision which led to peace between nations. Polish cultural trends and the Catholic religion began to penetrate into the more backward pagan Lithuania. Immediately after the signing of the union, Jogaila and Vytautas jointly began baptizing Lithuanians.
• Signing of the Ostrovets Agreement (1392). According to this document, Vytautas became the Grand Duke of Lithuania, but at the same time he was a vassal of the Polish king.

The concluded alliance contributed to the strengthening and growth of the power of both powers.

Uprising in Samogitia

At the beginning of the 15th century, the main goal of the German knights was the capture of Lithuanian Samogitia. This small area was located between the Teutonic and Livonian orders; after mastering it, the two knightly organizations could merge into a single whole. In addition, Samogitia remained the last area through which Lithuanians and Poles could enter the Baltic Sea. Mastering Samogitia meant complete control over the entire Baltic region.

In 1404, Jagiello himself transferred Samogitia to the Order, but just five years later the local population, dissatisfied with the new order, rebelled against the Teutonic knights. Lithuania and Poland began to support the rebels, which caused extreme dissatisfaction with the Grand Master, Ulrich von Jungingen. At the same time, the master accused Jagiello that the latter was not sincere in his acceptance of Catholicism and continued to remain Orthodox (in the childhood of the future king, he was baptized by his mother, the Tver princess). Ultimately, von Jungingen declared war on Vytautas and Jogaila.

First stage of the war

The first actions of both sides were rather indecisive. In addition, the onset of cold weather forced the opponents to return to their positions. But the truce was short-lived and quite tense. All winter months Poland, Lithuania and Warband They were preparing weapons and provisions, increasing the number of troops, purchasing horses and negotiating military alliances.

As a result, the Order managed to win over:

• Hungarian King;
• Feudal lords of the duchies of Pomerania and Oleśnica;
• Livonian Order;
• Bishopric of Warmia.

And the supporters of Vytautas and Jagiello were:

• Golden Horde Khan Jelal Ad-din;
• Some Russians appanage principalities(Smolensk, Kiev, Polotsk, Galitsk);
• Czech troops of Jan Zizka;
• Masovian and Moldavian principalities.

Data on troop numbers vary widely. Presumably, the Lithuanian-Polish army could number from 15 to 40 thousand people, and from 10 to 30 thousand fighters could fight under the banners of the Teutonic Order.

Second stage of the war

According to the general plan of Vytautas and Jagiello, their armies were supposed to move out in the late spring of 1410. Both rulers were well aware that in terms of technical equipment and level of training their troops were significantly inferior to the battle-hardened Teutons. Therefore, the allied command was instructed to think through the offensive plan down to the smallest detail and provide for all possible difficulties. In preparation for hostilities, warehouses with provisions and ammunition were built along the entire route of the troops, and in the winter the transfer of individual regiments began closer to the border. To cross the army across the rivers, a pontoon bridge was built - a real engineering miracle for that time. Even the Teutonic knights did not have such a design.

In the spring of 1410, the crusaders raided the large Lithuanian city of Volkovysk. By coincidence, Prince Vitovt was with his wife not far from the city. Obviously, the Grand Master conceived the attack on Volkovysk as a provocation. But Jagiello and Vytautas refrained from decisive retaliatory actions, allowing the Teutons to escape unpunished. The Allied army was not yet fully prepared for war.

At the beginning of July, Polish and Russian-Tatar-Lithuanian troops met in the area of ​​​​the city of Chervensk located on the Vistula. The united army continued its movement towards the capital of the Order - the well-fortified Malbork Castle, which is now located in northern Poland. The troops crossed the border of the Order and reached the Drvenets River.

The original plan was to cross the river and then fight a pitched battle. But it turned out that on the other bank the enemy had built a fortified camp, from where it was possible to fire at the wading troops. Jagiello and Vytautas withdrew their armies back, which the Teutons regarded as a retreat. But in fact, the allies decided to cross the river in another place, bypassing the crusader fortifications.

After von Jungingen understood the meaning of this maneuver, he gave the order to build bridges across the Drventsa. The Grand Master decided that his troops should immediately cut off the path of the Polish-Lithuanian army and defeat it in a general battle. This plan was adopted hastily and thoughtlessly. In just two days, numerous shortcomings of the Teutonic command would lead to a shameful defeat.

The troops spent the night of July 14-15 only 15-20 kilometers from each other. And in the morning the two armies met on a large field near the villages of Grunwald and Tannenberg.

Progress of the battle

Formation of troops

By the time the Polish-Lithuanian army appeared on the battlefield, the Teutons had already lined up in battle formation. The heavy Teutonic cavalry was commanded by the Grand Master himself. The horsemen lined up in two two-kilometer lines, awaiting the order to attack. Artillery was located in front of them, and infantry and convoys stood in the rearguard. The place chosen by the Teutons was very successful: the knights occupied a small hill, and on the sides of the army there were two villages.

Meanwhile, the start of the battle was postponed. The devout Jagiello first listened to two masses, and then began to knight the nobles. Some historians accuse the Polish king of cowardice or imprudence, but some believe that Jagiello was deliberately in no hurry to start the battle so that all the allied troops had time to pull up to the battlefield.

Ultimately, the allied forces lined up in three lines (gufas). The third Guf played the role of a reserve, so he entered the battle only in the very last hours of the battle. At the same time, the army did not stand deployed, but as a wedge, the tip and sides of which were made up of the best heavily armed horsemen. In front of the troops, just like the Teutons, were artillery units.

First stage of the battle

The battle began only at noon. The troops exchanged minor artillery salvos, after which the left flank of the allied army, which consisted of Lithuanian and Russian regiments led into battle by Prince Vitovt, moved into the attack. At the same time, the Polish units continued to remain in their positions. The Teutons, who had taken up convenient defensive positions, were interested in the allies starting the battle. Experts assess further events differently. It is known that under the pressure of the German cavalry, Vytautas ordered his troops to retreat. But it still remains a mystery: whether it was a deceptive maneuver or a mistake of the Lithuanian prince that unexpectedly turned into success.

The Teutons rushed after the retreating Vytautas, deciding that the entire Polish-Lithuanian army was in front of them, but unexpectedly they met in front of them the Smolensk regiments standing in the center of the allied army. Smolyan defended desperately, not allowing the German knights to bypass their positions. Several Lithuanian detachments came to the rescue of the Russian regiments. Together they managed to hold back the attack of the Teutons, which turned the entire further course of the battle.

Second stage of the battle

At this moment, Polish units also joined the battle. Under the pressure of the Teutons, the royal troops began to retreat. The Germans managed to come close to the place where Jagiello himself and his retinue were located, and captured the royal banner. The situation was critical, but Vytautas managed to turn his flank in time, push back the crusaders and save the royal banner.

Jungingen ordered reserves to be brought to the battlefield, and the Allies did the same. At this stage of the battle, the Poles and Lithuanians were helped out by their superiority in manpower. The Teutonic reserve quickly began to tire, and the Allies began to bypass the Order's defensive line from the left flank. A ring formed around the Teutons, which became more and more difficult to break through every minute.

Only a small number of knights managed to escape from the encirclement. The Allies killed the entire senior leadership of the order - the Grand Master, the Grand Commander and the Grand Marshal. Almost 15,000 people were taken prisoner. So Poland, Lithuania and northern Rus' together managed to defend their independence.

Reasons for the defeat of the Teutonic Order

• Before the start of the Great War, the Order actively sought allies in Western Europe. The main bet was made on Hungary, whose military support the Grand Master valued at a considerable amount, transferred to the Hungarian king. However, the Hungarian ruler never fulfilled his promises.
• The Livonian Order also did not enter into the fight on the side of the Teutons, fearing the outbreak of war with the Principality of Novgorod.
• The Allies had a larger army.
• The Grand Master underestimated his opponents, who were not only able to gather a large army, but also prepared very carefully for the war.
• On the lands controlled by the Order lived the same Poles and Lithuanians, who tried with all their might to get rid of the hated Germans, and therefore helped the Allies.

Consequences of the battle

The Great War continued for another six months. On February 1, 1411, the opponents concluded a peace under which Samogitia remained with Lithuania, and some previously annexed lands were also returned to Poland. In addition, the Order paid considerable indemnities to the two states. Despite the fact that the Teutonic Order existed for more than a century, the Battle of Grunwald marked the beginning of its decline. The knights never regained their former influence and position. But the authority of Lithuania and Poland in Europe has grown significantly. These states will maintain their union, and in the 16th century they will turn into a single strong power - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.