Battle of Pagastin

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Pagastin
partof=the Great Prussian Uprising


caption=Prussian tribes in the 13th century
date=1271
place=Near Pagastin village on the Dzierzgoń River
result=Prussian victory
combatant1=Prussians (Bartians and Pogesanians)
combatant2=Teutonic Knights
commander1=Diwanus and Linka
commander2=?
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=Uknown
casualties2=12 knights and 500 soldiers killed
notes=

Battle of Pagastin was a medieval battle fought between the Teutonic Knights and Prussians in 1271 during the Great Prussian Uprising (1260–1274). Pagan Prussians rose against their conquerors, who tried to convert them to Christianity, after Lithuanians and Samogitians soundly defeated the joint forces of the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order in the Battle of Durbe in 1260. The first years of the uprising were successful to Prussians, but the Knights received reinforcements from Western Europe and were gaining uper hand in the conflict.

The Prussians launched raids against the Chełmno Land, where the Knights first established themselves in late 1220's. Apparent aim of these raids were to force the Knights to devote as many troops in defense of Chełmno as possible so that they could not organize raids deep into Prussian territory. As other clans became preoccupied fending off Teutoic attacks from their forts, only Diwanus and his Bartians were able to continue the war in the west. [cite book| first=William |last=Urban |title=The Prussian Crusade |publisher=Lithuanian Research and Studies Center |location=Chicago, Illinois |year=2000 |edition=2nd |pages=326 |isbn=0-929700-28-7] They made several minor expeditions to Chełmno Land each year.

The major Prussian offensive was organized in 1271 together with Linka, leader of the Pogesanians.lt icon cite encyclopedia | last=Ivinskis | first=Zenonas | editor=Vaclovas Biržiška | encyclopedia= Lietuviškoji enciklopedija | title=Divanas | year=1937 | publisher=Spaudos Fondas | volume=6 | location=Kaunas | pages=1084] The Bartian infantry and Pogesanians besieged a border castle, but were fended off by the Knights from Christburg. The Prussians who managed to escape joined their cavalry while the Knights set up a camp on the opposite bank of the Dzierzgoń River, blocking the route home. When Christians retired for the night, one half of the Prussian army crossed the river in a distance, in order to attack the Knights from the rear, while the other half charged straight across the river. The Knights were encircled. [Urban, William. "The Prussian Crusade", 326–327.] The Battle of Paganstin saw twelve knights and 500 men killed. The Prussians immediately assaulted Christburg and almost captured it. The Prussians were still looting the surrounding area when cavalry from Elbing arrived. Many of the Prussian infantry perished while cavalry escaped. [Urban, William. "The Prussian Crusade", 327.] Despite these losses, Diwanus was soon back and blocked roads leading to Christburg hoping to starve the castle.

References