“The Battle of Grünwald”

Occurring at the beginning of the 15th century, in the early days of humanism when the new concept of “just war” was beginning, the Battle of Grünwald drew Lithuania into the European debate over the purpose of the Teutonic Order’s existence. This was also a clash between West European Germanic-Roman peoples (experts in the medieval art of war and the knightly military spirit) and a consolidated national and political Lithuanian-Slavic union. This event was of ground breaking importance that set a pattern for the future where members of various nations joined as “allied forces.” This battle destroyed the Teutonic Order’s image in Western Christendom, buried the myth of its invincibility, and brought an end to their attacks in Lithuania.