History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 271, the Baltic Crusades, the Samagitzian Crusade Part 7, King Kazimir of Poland.

Hello again.

Last week we saw a major battle take place between the Teutonic Order and the Royal Polish Forces in Plowice in the year 1331, at which over 4,000 men lost their lives. Although the battle was on paper won by the Teutonic Order,

really there were more positives in the result for the loser rather than for the winner. The Teutonic order had behaved

rather regrettably, ordering the execution of 600 Polish prisoners and while the Polish forces had lost they had

managed to keep the Teutonic forces from gaining a foothold on Polish territory.

And if there had been a public relations contest between the two sides,

the Polish forces had definitely won that battle, with the sight of the conflict being the focus of

patriotic Polish pilgrimages for many years afterwards.

Now you might remember that Grant Master Luther's plan for the Samagitzian

crusade involved two steps, the first step being to contain Poland, which would keep the Polish Royal Forces out of Samagetsia,

allowing him to concentrate on the second step, which of course was taking Samagetsia.

Around six months after the Battle of Plouofse, Grand Master Luther was ready to once again have a crack at taking the first step in his plan.

So he led a large army of Teutonic forces, mercenaries and crusaders out of Prussia in the spring of 1332

and led them into Kuyavia,

eventually managing to secure all of Northern Kuyavia. A few months later, King Ladislas, who once again was

experiencing quite serious ill health, attempted without success to expel the order from his

lands. King Ladislaus requested a truce and with people assistance it was granted with the terms to run until mid 1333.

However, by the time the year 1333 had rolled around, King Laddis Lassad died, and his son, Prince

Casimir, was crowned as King of Poland. Now a few of you are probably wincing to hear

Kazimir crowned as king because so far in our, Kazimir has appeared to be a bit of a goose.

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