1462 battle during the Thirteen Years' War. Decisive Polish victory over Teutonic Knights
A decisive Polish victory during the Thirteen Years' War that demonstrated the effectiveness of mercenary forces against the Teutonic Knights.
Key Facts
- Date
- September 17, 1462
- Polish force size
- ~2,000 mercenaries and Poles
- Teutonic Knights force size
- 2,700 men
- Polish commander
- Piotr Dunin
- Teutonic commanders
- Fritz Raweneck and Kaspar Nostitz
- Conflict
- Thirteen Years' War
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Thirteen Years' War, begun in 1454, set the Kingdom of Poland against the Teutonic Knights in a prolonged struggle for control of Prussia. Teutonic forces, including auxiliary troops pledged by Duke Eric II of Pomerania, maneuvered to press their military position in northern Poland during 1462.
On September 17, 1462, near the village of Świecino by Żarnowiec Lake, Polish forces numbering roughly 2,000 under commander Piotr Dunin engaged and defeated a 2,700-strong Teutonic Knights army led by Fritz Raweneck and Kaspar Nostitz. Pomeranian auxiliary forces present did not join the fighting, leaving the Knights without their full allied strength.
The Polish victory at Świecino weakened Teutonic military capacity during the Thirteen Years' War and reinforced Polish dominance in the ongoing conflict, contributing to the eventual favorable resolution for Poland that culminated in the Second Peace of Toruń in 1466.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Piotr Dunin.
Side B
1 belligerent
Fritz Raweneck, Kaspar Nostitz.