History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 227 the Baltic Crusades, the Prussian Crusade Part 9, the Charter of Com.

Hello again. the Charter of Kalm.

Hello again.

Last week we saw the Teutonic Order obtain clarification from the major stakeholders

involved in the Christianization of Prussia about the legal situation regarding

the conquering of land in Prussia by the order. Satisfied that the situation had been adequately addressed, the Order expanded their defenses over the Vistula River from Fogglesung into pagan territory.

By the year 1233, most of the area around the Prussian stronghold at Combe had been Christianized and a crusade designed to bring the rest of

Prussia under Christian control was about to commence. Now the Crusade which was launched into Prussia in the year 1233

was an impressively large one. In his book, The Prussian Crusade, William Urban reports that as many as 10,000 men took

up the cross against the pagans. A figure which would have been higher still had there not been a

competing crusade taking place in the Holy Roman Empire at the same time against

some pesky rebellious peasants.

The reason why this crusade was able to attract so many volunteers is a little unexpected. The Crusade had a draw card. Yes, a piece of the

true cross was carried into Prussia, presumably by the Dominican preachers who accompanied the expedition.

Knowing that a military campaign fought under such an esteemed religious relic was bound to be successful,

knights and fighters from across the Holy Roman Empire and Poland gathered to join the Crusade.

The Crusade also attracted an impressive contingent of Polish noblemen.

In fact, possibly too many Polish noblemen. In fact, possibly too many Polish noblemen took the cross. Not only Duke Conrad of

Mesovia, but Duke Henric of Celilesia and Duke Lattislav Adonik of great Poland joined up along with Archbishop

Fulco of Gignesno. Since a civil war had recently been fought in Poland, with these dukes on

opposing sides, concerns were raised that tensions may get out of hand. So Hermann Bulk obtained a

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