The Teutonic Order's seizure of Danzig in 1308 sparked lasting Polish-Teutonic conflict and led to Teutonic control of Pomerelia for over 150 years.
Key Facts
- Date of capture
- 13 November 1308
- Original role of Teutonic Order
- Ally of Poland against Margraviate of Brandenburg
- Treaty ending regional conflict
- Treaty of Kalisz, 1343
- Pomerelia claim purchased via
- Treaty of Soldin, 1309
- City returned to Poland
- Second Peace of Toruń, 1466
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Teutonic Knights initially entered Danzig as Polish allies to defend against the Margraviate of Brandenburg's ambitions in Pomerelia. However, a dispute arose between the Order and the Polish king over who would control the city, escalating tensions between the supposed allies into open conflict.
On 13 November 1308, the Teutonic Order captured the city of Danzig, massacring a number of its inhabitants and destroying a considerable part of the town. The event, also known as the Gdańsk massacre, marked the Order's forcible seizure of the city from Polish authority and its incorporation into Teutonic-controlled territory.
Following the takeover, the Teutonic Order seized all of Pomerelia and formalized its claim by purchasing Brandenburg's competing rights in the Treaty of Soldin (1309). The conflict with Poland was temporarily resolved by the Treaty of Kalisz in 1343, but Danzig did not return to Polish rule until the Second Peace of Toruń in 1466.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent