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The Prussian Confederation or Alliance against Lordship ( resp. *, ) was an organization formed on 21 February 1440 by a group of 53 gentry and clergy and 19 Prussian cities, under the leadership of the Hanseatic cities of Danzig (Gdańsk), Elbing (Elbląg), and Thorn (Toruń).
Its purpose was the resistance against high taxes and policies of the Teutonic Order, which ruled the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights, which was based on Prussian lands.
The disgruntled Teutonic Knight Johannes von Baysen led them, and eventually was appointed governor of Royal Prussia.
Political situation
After the defeat in the Battle of Grunwald of 1410, the Knights had to pay high * reparations to Poland, and the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights in turn imposed high taxes on the cities which finally organized themselves to oppose this. From 1441 to 1449, Konrad von Erlichshausen, Hochmeister of the Order, tried to negotiate a compromise. His successor Ludwig von Erlichshausen, Grand Master from 1450 to 1467, filed a lawsuit at the court of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, whose verdict of 1453 declared the confederation illegal.
Thirteen Years War
In February of 1454, the Prussian Confederation rose against the Teutonic Order's rule, requesting the protection of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon of Poland (who had married Elisabeth of Austria, the daughter of the emperor Albert II of Germany), and a guarantee of their continued city rights and privileges for the gentry. The resulting Thirteen Years' War ended in the defeat of the Teutonic Order, and the Peace of Toruń 1466. The western part of Prussia, was then called Royal Prussia, was surrendered to the Polish Crown. The eastern part of Prussia remained in the Knights' State, but only under the overlordship of the Polish king.
Aftermath
Both Polish and Teutonic side agreed to seek the confirmation of the arrangement by the emperor and the pope - but they also agreed that this confirmation will not be needed for validity of the treaty. However, neither the Emperors, nor the Popes recognized this arrangement with the Polish crown. Soon, a dispute about status of the Warmia bishopry erupted in smaller conflict called War of the Priests.
See also
External links
- Photocopy of the request of the Prussian Confederation for Polish protection
- http://www.ggstanko.de/Geschichtliches/1231_-_1525/1231_-_1525.html
- http://www.preussenweb.de/orden.htm
- http://www.touren-biker.de/Tour2001/2001_tag15.htm - history as part of a travel report
History of Poland (1385–1569) | History of Prussia | 1440 establishments
"Prussian Confederation"