The decisive Polish-Lithuanian victory over the Teutonic Order shifted the balance of power in medieval Central and Eastern Europe, ending the Order's regional dominance.
Key Facts
- Date
- 15 July 1410
- Conflict
- Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War
- Teutonic Grand Master
- Ulrich von Jungingen (killed in battle)
- Peace treaty
- Peace of Thorn, 1411
- Final territorial settlement
- Treaty of Melno, 1422
- Scale
- One of the largest battles in medieval Europe
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Longstanding territorial and political rivalry between the Teutonic Order and the allied Crown of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania fueled the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. The Order's aggressive expansion in the Baltic region and disputes over lands such as Samogitia brought the conflict to a head, culminating in both sides mobilizing large armies in the summer of 1410.
On 15 July 1410, the combined Polish-Lithuanian army under King Władysław II Jagiełło and Grand Duke Vytautas met the Teutonic Order, led by Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen, near Grunwald. The allied forces decisively defeated the Order in one of medieval Europe's largest engagements; most of the Order's leadership was killed or captured, including Jungingen himself.
Though the Teutonic Order survived a subsequent siege of Malbork Castle and suffered limited territorial losses under the Peace of Thorn (1411), it never regained its former power. Heavy war reparations caused economic hardship and internal conflict within Order-controlled lands. The Polish-Lithuanian union emerged as the dominant force in Central and Eastern Europe, a position consolidated by the Treaty of Melno in 1422.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila), Vytautas.
Side B
1 belligerent
Ulrich von Jungingen.