Sławomir Joźwiak. Teutonic Prisoners in the Battle of Koronowo 1410

The Teutonic army taking part in the battle of Koronowo of 10 Oktober 1410 consisted predominantly of foreign regulars (from Germany and Silesia) and knights, courtiers and household members from the circle of Sigismund of Luxemburg. At least 300 enemy prisoners were captured, 68 of whom are known by their names. As the sources unanimously say, Władysław Jagiełło treated them courteously. He tried to convince them that Poland had acted right. Their names were recorded and they were allowed to go after a few days on the condition that they appeared with ransom in the appropriate place and time.

The sources do not give clear data concerning the manner, time and conditions of releasing enemy prisoners from the battle of Koronowo. Beside the requirement to pay ransom, in some cases there were attempts to exchange Teutonic prisoners for Polish knights captured by the Teutonic army. The outcome is not known. The status of some prisoners caused problems to the Teutonic authorities too, as they had to give memory for compensations, journeys to the place to leave ransom, and perhaps for ransom for regulars (but without playing them during their time of imprisonment). Knight-courtiers of Sigismund of Luxembourg were treated differently, as the Teutonic authorities did not want to give them money for ransom. It led to prolonged conflicts and to unfounded claims on their part. The major part of prisoners from the battle of Koronowo (however not all of them) were given back their freedom within a few months after concluding the First Peace of Thorn (after 1 February 1411).