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Duke of Mazovia Invites the Teutonic Knights

Type Event Region Poland Time 1226

In 1226, Conrad I of Mazovia, facing repeated raids by Prussian pagans, formally invited the Teutonic Knights to his frontier to help conquer Prussia…

Timeline

  1. 1226Northeastern frontier of Mazovia · MazoviaThe Duchy of Mazovia under Conrad I long suffered cross-border raids by Prussian tribes; earlier self-organized crusades had limited effect, so the duke turned to the Teutonic Knights, a professional military-religious order, for assistance.
  2. 1226Mazovia · MazoviaIn 1226 Conrad I reached an agreement with the Teutonic Knights, formally inviting them into the borders of his lands to fight the Prussians, and promising to grant the Order lands, rights, and a share of spoils as payment.
  3. 1226Northeastern frontier of Poland · PolandAfter accepting the invitation, the Teutonic Knights began establishing strongholds along the lower Vistula and pushing into Prussia. This temporarily eased pressure on Mazovia's frontier, but rooted the Order in northeastern Poland, leading to long-standing territorial disputes with the Kingdom of Poland.

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