IV. THE KNIGHTS IN 1419
In 1419 the Teutonic Knights, along with most of Eastern Europe, were firmly entrenched in a medieval mindset. They granted their cities unusual freedoms, and in former days some had joined the Hanseatic League. This backfired somewhat in 1410 when the Teutons lost Tannenberg,however, and both von Plauen and von Sternberg were reluctant to entrust their burghers with so much power again.
Like most European states Teuton power rested in their nobility, which in this case meant the brothers who had taken oaths to the knighthood and the church. Their leader was the Hochmeister, or Grand Master, usually chosen either from a council of senior officers (treasurer, steward, etc.) or the Kommanders of the various provinces. Technically the Knights had representatives and holdings throughout Europe, but none doubted their power lay in Marienburg (Konigsberg) and Danzig.
The Knights had a reputation for cruelty. It was somewhat true: As a religious order they had no tolerance for those who didn't follow the word of God as expressed by Rome. Further, they did not consider it a crime to enslave, abuse or otherwise mistreat those who disagreed. This, their mass colonization of the Baltic region by Germans, and sheer political ambition explained much of their turbulent history with the Poles and Lithuanians.
In von Sternberg's quest for a new cause for his order, he was unable or unwilling to entrust the burghers who brought wealth to his state. He did, however, see the need to continue rebuilding the Teuton economy. Further, while he readily conceded the Grand Duke and his Polish allies weren't "evil pagans", those who didn't bend their knee to Rome still qualified, including most of the Lithuanian peasantry. In his efforts to find a new cause, von Sternberg pulled more and more power from his kommanders into the hands of the higher officers.
(Centralization +1, Other policies as shown)
The Knights in 1419 had a population of about 350,000.
(EU2 population x 10) Konigsberg was their largest city, though it would soon be eclipsed by Danzig. Their army consisted of 21,000 souls, evenly split between heavy infantry and cavalry. The Prussian Reterregiment at Konigsberg was led by Hans von Darmstad, who we will learn more of shortly. As has been written, they considered the Livonian Brotherhood a part of their order. Poland, Masovia and Lithuania had been somewhat mollified by von Sternberg's pacifism, and if the past hadn't been forgiven they could at least coexist.
V. AGAINST ORTHODOXY
Von Sternberg celebrated the Feast of the Ephiphany by marrying the daughter of a powerful Danzig businessman into the Polish nobility in an effort to retain their good will.
(RM) Through the rest of his life he'd arrange similar matches to Lithuania and several of the German states, determined to ease tensions between his order and neighbors.
The Livonian Brotherhood had other ideas, and on January 3, 1419 advised their 'allies' that they intended to war with Novgorod. This was not a war von Sternberg cared to fight, but he was drowned out by those eager to restore Knight prestige following their loss at Tannenberg nine years before. Further, it was against an unrepentant Orthodox nation. The Hochmeister ordered von Darmstad to move into defensive psotions north of the Dvina River, and so counter any 'pagan' attack on Livonian soil.
The war opened in earnest when Cysse von Rotenberg of the Livonian Order assaulted Narva with fourteen thousand men. Novgorod countered with ten thousand, and they met on March 15. Rus reinforcements arrived and turned von Rotenberg's flank, forcing a disorderly retreat across river. They counterattacked on June 3, but by then the Livonians were ready and forced them to retreat.
This was more waiting than von Darmstad could stand. After informing the Teuton leadership of his intentions, he broke camp on June 7, determined to take Novgorod for himself.
VI. TROUBLE ELSEWHERE
Europe was, of course, not quiet. On January 5, the Bohemian king sent a letter to von Sternberg comparing the Knights to 'a plague of locusts, offering nothing but death.'
(Insult!) Perhaps if the Livonians stayed their hand the Teuton Hochmeister would have sought a way to correct this injustice, but as it stood all he could do is watch in awe when Hussites claimed a third of their nation that August. He saw no reason to intervene, though von Sternberg did send a 'letter of inquiry' when Poland, Lithuania and Masovia smashed into Romanist Bohemia the next month. Wary of von Sternberg's attempt to centralize power within the Knights, Vytautas of Lithuania did the same
(event). In a letter dated September 28, Vytautas wrote:
While we value the opinion of and respect our Teuton brothers, as shown by the marriage of one of your houses into mine this July, we must advise you that, as we do not involve ourselves in your affair with Novgorod, we ask that you not concern yourselves with the fate of Bohemia.
It wasn't until a year later that von Sternberg learned that Bohemian king Vaclav IV had gone mad at the end of his life, and called the marriage leading to Polish/Lithuanian unity to that of an 'addle-minded child and his nymphomanic whore.'
VII. AN EAGLE IN WINTER
Notice the retreating Novgorod army from Estland in June 1419
Herr von Darmstad invaded Novgorod in late July, fighting a fierce battle against the remnants of the Novgorod army west of Narva. The Rus, weakened and demoralized by their failure to invade the Livonians, broke camp on the 24th to news that the Teutons would catch them within the hour. They hastily formed a battle line, but Novgorod officers were still out of place when von Darmstad attacked.
After breaking the army, he moved to the capital and began a siege as von Rotenberg and the Livonians moved on Narva. The Teuton commander learned of a probing force heading his way that November, kept enough troops around the capital to ensure no one escaped, then advanced northward with the bulk of his force annihilating the intruders.
Few were more surprised than the knight when, just two days later, a large Muscovy/Pskov army appeared on the horizon. Von Darmstad deployed for battle, but a Muscovite messenger informed him they were here to
help! Apparently the two states, along with Tver, decided to finish off Novgorod in typical underhanded Orthodox fashion. For his part, with winter fast approaching von Darmstad was glad of the help.
The second battle for Novgorod, on December 14, 1419 would be the last major battle of the war. Novgorod heavy infantry and light cavalry squared off against Teuton knights in the center, flanked on the left by Pskov light infantry and the right by Muscovite boyars. It really wasn't much of a struggle, as the horsemen advancing in unison tore apart the Novgorod left, and while the merchant republic's soldiers reeled from the blow Pskovites closed in for the kill. A chronicler of the battle writes:
As far as the eye can see the snow is stained crimson with the blood of our enemies.
Conservative estimates suggest seventy-five percent of the Novgorod army died or were captured to be sold as slaves in Moscow, Pskov and Konigsberg that day.
The next summer, unknown to von Darmstad, Novgorod leaders negotiated with their Muscovite counterparts. Under cover of darkness a thousand men were allowed in through the sally ports, and given control of the city. The Teuton general was infuriated when he awoke to find the horse banner of the Grand Duke of Moscow flying over the city.
(Moscow stole my siege! How? No one had a leader, and I was definitely first! Bah!)
He convened a quick war council, but after the winter of 1419, competing with their 'allies' for the meager spoils outside of the city, and the thousands of knights who simply had other duties to attend to, the Prussian Reterregiment could only boast two thousand men. Furious, he sent to von Sternberg for instructions and was ordered home to rebuild.
VIII. ONWARD
From this point on, the Teutons watched the war but took no direct part other than rebuffing several ridiculous demands for money. Despite the presence of a Livonian navy, from whom the Teutons learned much
(Navy 1), smugglers continually resupplied Narva. Von Rotenberg died during the winter of 1419, and despite Muscovite assistance there was no man capable of dealing with the smugglers. Still von Sternberg refused to negotiate peace, unable to accept that the war would accomplish absolutely nothing.
In March, 1422 Michael Hochmeister von Sternberg went to God. Though he bought his brothers a much needed breather and chance to regroup
(including two tax collectors), he proved unequal to his vision of restoring the Knights' raison d'etre. The Livonian/Novgorod war, in particular, drained Teuton energy
(if not resources, I never recruited until Darmstad came home and never went about 50% maintenance). On the other hand, he was recognized, if not honored, for improving relations with Poland and Lithuania and perhaps avoiding a cataclysmic war.
After a brief debate, the Kommanders and higher officers of the Order conferred the Grand Mastership on Paul Bellizer von Russdorf.
Novgorod in 1422 is shown. Notice the Moscow forces moving in, wondering what the holdup is.