How a Polish alliance with heretics ended the Teutonic Knights' interference in regional affairs
The Polish–Teutonic War of 1431–1435 was a pivotal struggle that reshaped Eastern Europe. By allying with Hussite heretics to neutralize the Teutonic Order, Poland secured a decisive victory. This conflict not only ended the Knights' meddling in Polish–Lithuanian politics but also set the stage for future regional power shifts.
The conflict began when Teutonic Grand Master Paul von Rusdorf allied with Švitrigaila, who was challenging his brother, Polish King Jogaila, for the Lithuanian throne. Sigismund of Luxemburg supported the Order, hoping to dismantle the Polish–Lithuanian union. In 1431, the Knights invaded Poland, ravaging the Dobrzyń Land, but were checked at the Battle of Dąbki on 13 September 1431.
To counter the Order’s influence, Poland formed an unlikely alliance in 1433 with the Czech Hussites. This 'beautiful ride' saw Hussite forces, supported by Pomeranian and Moldavian troops, ravage Teutonic territories in Neumark and Prussia. Despite failing to capture Danzig, the campaign successfully isolated the Order from Holy Roman Empire support. By December 1433, the pressure from both the military campaign and internal Prussian demands for peace forced the Order to sign the Truce of Łęczyca.
Hostilities continued in Lithuania until the decisive Battle of Wiłkomierz in September 1435, where a combined Polish–Lithuanian force crushed Švitrigaila’s army and the Livonian Order. This defeat, comparable to the 1410 Battle of Grunwald, led to the final Peace of Brześć Kujawski on 31 December 1435. The treaty forced the Teutonic and Livonian Orders to cease interference in Polish–Lithuanian affairs, effectively ending their role as regional power brokers.
The war’s conclusion was significant for its diplomatic implications. Jogaila, initially criticized for allying with heretics, managed to regain favor with the Church by 1433 as his rivals turned to Islamic Tatar allies. The final peace treaty ensured that the Teutonic Order would only support future Grand Dukes elected jointly by Poland and Lithuania, solidifying the union and ending the Order's ability to manipulate the succession.
Source: Polish–Teutonic War (1431–1435)
