Battle of Koronowo

Part of the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War

Date	10 October 1410
Location	Near Koronowo, Poland 53°21′25″N 17°48′40″E / 53.35694°N 17.81111°E / 53.35694; 17.81111Coordinates: 53°21′25″N 17°48′40″E / 53.35694°N 17.81111°E / 53.35694; 17.81111
Result	Polish victory

Belligerents

Kingdom of Poland

Teutonic Order
Czech mercenaries
Silesian mercenaries

Commanders and leaders

King Ladislaus II Jogaila

Sędziwój Ostroróg

Piotr Niedźwiedzki

Michael Küchmeister von Sternberg

Strength

2,000 men

1,000 Teutonic Knights
3,000 Czech and Silesian mercenaries

Casualties and losses

Unknown, but few

800–1,000 killed (est.)
300–500 captured (est.)

The Battle of Koronowo was a battle of the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. It took place on 10 October 1410, near the village of Łąsko Wielkie and ended in victory for the Polish–Lithuanian alliance.

This is the account of the battle of Jan Dlugosz, from the abridged translation by Maurice Michael, pp 399–401

the Order's troops hasten back to their horses and start to withdraw. Their idea is that, if the Poles, who are on foot, get far enough from the town, the rest of the garrison will be unable to come to their assistance should fighting start. However, the Polish archers fire flight after flight of arrows at the withdrawing Knights which wound many of them and allow the Poles to get in among them and kill many more. Every time the enemy turns to attack the archers, these withdraw in among their own knights, where they are safe, and from where they emerge later and start shooting again. This skirmish continues for over a mile, until the enemy reaches a village, Laczko, belonging to the monastery at Koronowo. Here they reform and await the Poles' attack, confident that the terrain will give them an advantage. However, instead of advancing straight at them, the Poles make a detour to the steeper side of the hill. The men of both armies are well experienced in the art of war, men who will fight with the greatest courage. However, before the two sides actually engage, Conrad of Niemcza, a Silesian [German, more or less] in King Sigismund's army, on his own initiative rides out and challenges the Poles to a duel.

The challenge is taken up by Jan Szczycki, who unseats the challenger and tramples him. The two ranks then close with great shouts. Each stands firm and the outcome is long uncertain, for the two sides are equal in armament, skill and experience; but eventually they become exhausted and fighting stops, as if a truce had been agreed. One is then arranged, and for a short period the ranks separate, wipe away their sweat, and rest. After a while, the truce is declared at an end and fighting resumes. Many are killed or taken prisoner. When exhaustion again overcomes them without Fortune having given any indication of where the advantage lies, a fresh truce is arranged, during which the knights rub down their horses and themselves, bandage wounds, rest, talk, exchange prisoners and captured horses, send each other wine and clear up the ground of the wounded and those thrown from their horses and unable to get up, lest these be trampled when the fighting resumes; indeed, the scene is such that all of them might have been thought the greatest friends, instead of enemies.

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