Topic: Two bare swords – a great war against the Teutonic Order

Author of the script: Marcin Dyś

Target group

5th grade of elementary school

Core curriculum

VII. Poland in the 14th and 15th centuries. Student:

1) describes the territorial development of the Polish state in the 14th and 15th centuries;

4) explains the reasons for and evaluates the implications of the union of Poland with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania;

5) characterizes the achievements in the field of internal and foreign policy of the Jagiellons in the XV century;

6) organizes and places in time the most important events related to Polish‑Teutonic relations in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The general aim of education

The students learn about the causes of the great war with the Teutonic Order, its course and consequences.

Key competences

• communication in the mother tongue;

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Learning outcomes

Student:

• explains what problems Poland had with the Teutonic Order;

• describes the course of the Battle of Grunwald;

• reads the symbolism of the painting – „Battle of Grunwald” by Jan Matejko;

• describes the consequences of the great war with the Teutonic Order.

Methods / techniques

• exposing methods: talk, explanations and comments from the teacher;

• programmed methods: using e‑textbook; using multimedia;

• problematic methods: activating methods: discussion;

• practical methods: exercises concerned, working with illustration, working with film;

Forms of work

• activity in pairs;

• collective activity;

• individual activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• interactive whiteboard or traditional blackboard;

• tablets/computers;

• notebook and crayons/ felt‑tip pens.

Before classes

The teacher asks the students to refresh their knowledge about the Polish‑Teutonic relations over the centuries.

Lesson plan overview (Process)

Introduction

1. The teacher explains the students the lesson objective and the criteria for success.

2. Next, the teacher asks the students to recall, in pairs, why the Polish‑Lithuanian Union called the Union of Lublin was signed. During a short conversation, the students give each other the information they have prepared before the lesson. Next, they present the results of their conversation to the whole class. The students should name the threat from the Teutonic Knights as one of the reasons. Next, the teacher, by asking the students about the history of the Teutonic Order and problems they caused to Poland and Lithuania (and referring to the homework), shortly recalls clashes over the centuries.

Realization

1. The teacher asks the students to read the text entitled “What was the reason for the great war with the Teutonic Order?”, answer the questions from Task 1 and read Task 2. Next, the teacher tells about the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the great war, adding that although the war started in 1409 and lasted until 1411, the most important military operations took place in the summer of 1410.

2. The teacher recalls that the Teutonic Knights' attack on Poland was a surprise to Poles, but that they managed to stop the Order's activities, and the truce announced at the end of 1409 was used not only to seek support, but also to prepare for the war in a solid manner - food collection, diplomatic activities, etc. The teacher asks the students to fulfil Task 3 showing them the map of this period. The teacher takes care to provide the students with feedback when they do exercises and instructions.

3. The teacher tells the students about the parties to the conflict and the strength of the two armies. The students do Exercise 1 and then the teacher discusses the course of Battle of Grunwald, pointing out to its significance. In the event of the defeat of the Polish‑Lithuanian‑Russian army, the future of the Union and the Crown could be endangered, because at the end of the 14th century Sigismund of Luxembourg was already looking for allies to attack Poland. Additionally, the teacher can encourage students to familiarize themselves with the manuscript of the „Bogurodzica” and listen to the hymn (Task 4).

4. Next, the teacher discusses the consequences of the battle for the Teutonic Order. The students read the letter of King Władysław Jagiełło (Task 5) and do Exercise 2. The teacher discusses the objectives of the Peace of Thorn and makes the students aware that despite a huge victory, it was not fully used to defeat the Teutonic Knights, with whom we had been fighting for over a hundred years.

5. The students fulfil Task 6 – watch the linked film – The Battle of Grunwald by Jan Matejko. An attempt to interpret. The teacher asks the students key questions. Additionally, the teacher tells about the importance of Matejko's paintings for the Poles living under the partitions.

Summary

1. In summing up of the topic, the teacher characterizes not only the course of the lessons but also tries to summarize the problem with Teutonic Knights throughout history. The teacher stresses that it was one of the reasons for the union with Lithuania.

2. The students pair the concepts and definitions they have learned (Exercise 3) and complete the text (Exercise 4).

3. The teacher gives the students evaluation questionnaires in which they evaluate their own work, the work of the teacher and their colleagues during the lesson.

4. The teacher gives homework for volunteer students (it is not an obligatory part of the script): Despite the great defeat at Grunwald, the Teutonic Order did not cease to exist, although it was a blow after which it never regained its splendour. Like many other religious orders, it still exists today. Explain what the Order of the Hospital of St. Mary of the German House is like today, where it is based and what its members do.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

The Great War with the Teutonic Knights

In the years 1409–1411 there was a war of Poland and Lithuania with the state of the Teutonic Order. On 15 July 1410, the Battle of Grunwald was fought. It was one of the biggest battles of the Middle Ages. The combined Polish‑Lithuanian‑Russian army, supported by the Masovian, Moldovan and Tatar troops and mercenaries from the Czech Republic, won a devastating victory over the Teutonic Knights (supported by knights from Western Europe, the dukes from Lower Silesia and Western Pomerania, Polish knights from the Polish lands seized by the Order, and numerous mercenaries from German countries). The Grand Master of the Teutonic Order – Ulrich von Jungingen, all major dignitaries and many brothers‑knights died in this battle. The power of the Order was broken and it never returned to its former glory. However, the Polish king did not win the Teutonic Knights' capital – Malbork, and the victory was not used properly. The war was ended with the Peace of Thorn in 1411.