Набор наемников перед Грюнвальдской битвой 1410 г. в контексте политики и дипломатии эпохи

ENThis article will cast a reflection on politics and power during the months preceding the battle, the consequenses for the important recruitment of mercenaries and thus also for the result of the conflict. During the months preceding the battle the political and diplomatic activity on and behind the scenes was intense. The main actors in this drama were Ulrich von Jungingen, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Władysław II (Jagiełło, in Lithuanian: Jogaila), King of Poland, Vytautas (Polish: Witold), Grand Duke of Lithuania, Venceslas IV, King of Bohemia, and Sigismund (or Sigmund) of Luxembourg, King of Hungary and vicarius generalis of the Holy Roman Empire. the mighty Teutonic Order in Prussia had been thrown down from the peak of power within a few weeks, because its military planning, preparations and possibilities were undermined in the political battle for power. Some thousand mercenaries had arrived too late or had offered their war service to the king of Poland instead of to the Grand Master of the Order. This is surely one of the most important facts when looking for the causes of the disastrous defeat of the Knights on 15 July 1410, even when considering other facts like the disadvantageous location of the battlefield, the unfavourable position of the sun (dazzling the troops of the Order) or the feigned retreat of a part of the Lithuanian army. No wonder that the Order bitterly complained later about the role of King Sigismund during the months preceding the battle. The rise of the united Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the most important power in the east of Central Europa after 1410 was thus also made possible by Hungary, which was an ally of Prussia.