The Country That Refused to Die

July 15, 1410; the sky over the glen between the Polish towns of Stebark and Grunwald changed from the dark of night to twilight of predawn. The birds began their morning chatter signaling a new day, but this day would be different. The beams of light broke above the horizon to reveal the entire army of the Holy Order of the Teutonic Knights standing in order and rank, banners flying, arrogant, and confident. All down the line 56 magnificent battle flags and banners flapped in the breeze. 21,000 knights and mercenaries, 6000 foot soldiers, and 5000 armed servants with 100 bombards at their front, all assembled in perfect order. The sight was majestic, imposing, and certainly meant to intimidate. The army opposing them was a potpourri of color and gear. The army of Poland-Lithuania did not advance into the glen. Instead, they remained behind the tree line of the Zenaldas Forest. The Polish-Lithuanian army consisted of 22,000 knights, 9000 foot soldiers, 6000 mercenaries, and 1000 Tatar cavalry, but only 16 bombards. Many of their foot soldiers had no swords, only farm utensils or sharpened wood spears. Most of these knights had no chain mail and wore older fashion armor that restricted movement or did not protect the limbs. Most had ever been in a major campaign against a professional army before. Many had never been in a battle at all. The Teutonic Knights were an army of crusaders. This is what they did for a living and they loved it, but they came to this field to conquer land, not for God, but for personal wealth. The Poles and Lithuanians had something different that sent them into battle, an unfathomable degree of hate for 100 years of abuse to their parents, families, and neighbors, and the theft of their land, lives, and possessions. They stood on this field for Poland and Lithuania to live. The Order stood on this field for Poland and Lithuania to die. The Holy Order of the Teutonic Knights had modern armor, the best equipment, best warhorses, and the best trained and disciplined army on the continent. They were all well-seasoned veterans and their combat leadership was recognized as outstanding. All of Europe knew who would win and all of Europe knew this would be no ordinary battle, but a death match between cultures. Around the perimeter of the battlefield, thousands of spectators and clergy from all over Europe had assembled to watch, witness, and record the battle. What they would see that day would be the largest battle of Medieval European history, 70,000 combatants in all. This battle would effect and shape European history for almost 600 years. Yet...few have ever heard of it. What happened on this glen? Why is this battle hidden from history? Turn these pages and listen to the incredible story of the people of Poland.