How Halina Saved Sandomierz from the Tatars - Polish Legend

The city of Sandomierz is located by the river Vistula on a picturesque hill surrounded by rich green grass. The city is very inviting. While approaching the city surrounded by the charming nature, it invites you to proceed inside it to the old town, which is full of colorful buildings. Centuries ago, the brick buildings replaced wooden structures, which were destroyed by Tatars. The city was invaded by Tatars three times in the 13^th century. This leads us to a legend of one brave citizen, who wanted to save the city.

 

“They’re approaching!” a horseman with a panic in his voice rushed around the town to warn the residents, “They’re approaching!” The people didn’t ask Who? As they already knew the answer. That’s the third time the Tatars were attacking their place within the same century. With each time, they tried to be prepared better as they knew the ruthlessness and cruelty of the enemy.

 

“We will take them by surprise,” the residents suggested at one of the sessions. The leader Krempa, creased with many lines on his face showing his age, slowly raised his hand as asking for attention, “And how are you proposing to surprise the enemy?”

 

“Attack them at night, before they approach our walls,” suggested one of the attendees standing in the back of the room. Murmurs spread through the room with many heads tilting forward as in agreement. So it was decided to attack at night.

 

When the darkness covered the sky and only the Tatar guards were trying to keep their eyes open, the locals attacked the enemy. The Tatars, even though asleep, raised quickly to the challenge. Both sides fought fearlessly. The locals were outnumbered by Tatars and at the end had to retreat back inside the walls.

 

Many were left behind as they lost their lives, among them was the leader Kempa. The citizens felt hopeless, there were not too many strong men left to continue the battle and there was no leader. At the council of the town, they agreed that they had to accept Tatars conditions, except Halina.

 

“The Tatars will not keep their word!” exclaimed Halina, the daughter of lost leader Kempa. “They are sneaky and revengeful. We need to fight with their weapon.” The elders didn’t like the girl’s outburst, but at the same time they felt sympathetic for the loss of her father. They calmly explained, “We do not want to act as Tatars.” However, the girl persisted, “Then I will act sneaky on my behalf to revenge my father. I just need you to do one thing for me.” After presenting her idea, the elders agreed still reluctantly.

 

The night was quiet, only the rustle of the leaves from the nearest trees was heard and the sorrow surrounding the walls of the village was felt. Halina quietly left the village. At the edge of the forest, she looked back for a while as trying to engrave the picture of the place in her memory.  

 

As soon as she entered the forest, she was surrounded by Tatars with arrows pointing at her. “What are you doing here girl?” asked one of the Tatars. “I need to see your leader.” The Tatars already suspecting something with a watchful eye took her to the leader.

 

At the fire in red coat sat the leader surrounded by guards. He was slowly sipping hot drink. He raised his eyes, when hearing approaching feet. Good at masking his surprise, he didn’t show it, when the girl in long green tunic and blond long hair showed in front of him.

 

“The girl asked to see you,” announced one of the Tatars. “What is the reason for you to be wandering the woods at night?” asked the leader. “I had to leave at night, so nobody would see me missing. I’m here, because I want to settle an old score with some people. There is a secret underground passage that will take you to the town. I can take you through the dark tunnel.” Halina spoke with convenience not leaving any trace of suspicion. He watched the girl very carefully, while she was talking. Now, the silence stood between them. He took his time to see if girl would give out any trace of deceit. “Settle the horses. We’re leaving now.”

 

It didn’t take long to arrive at a secret passage covered in thick thicket. It wasn’t easy to find it, but Halina had no problem identifying the entrance. They lighted the torches. The Tatar turned to the girl and commended, “Now lead us.”

 

When they were half way in the tunnel, the townsmen, who were hiding near the entrance, did what was agreed on. They blocked the entrance filling it with boulders.

 

The Tatars not suspecting anything yet eagerly followed the girl. When they got to a wall, which was blocking any farther walk, they were surprised looking for a solution. “This is a dungeon and it ends here,” announced the girl.

 

“You betrayed us girl! You know what that means for you?” yelled the leader. “I can die now knowing that I revenged the death of my father and that the town will be safe from you,” Halina calmly answered.

 

Halina died under Tatar’s sword, but she took all the Tatars with her. There was no way back for them from the dungeon.

The Two Swords - The Battle of Grunwald, Polish Legend

In the northern part of Poland, there is a small village called Grunwald. Outside it, in the green fields stands Monument of Grunwald Victory commemorating the most important victory in the history of Poland. Poland fought a battle with Teutonic Knights, which put the end to the rule of the Knights over Polish lands.

It all started in good faith. The Teutonic Knights’ purpose was to convert people to Christianity. In the 13^th century, they built a massive red brick castle in Malbork, helping them to strengthen their control over the surrounding area. But it simply wasn’t enough. They wanted to control more, throwing their weight about Polish lands and tormenting people.

The voices of poor folks were deep in sorrow. They echoed throughout the villages. Polish King Jagiello felt the sufferings of his people as his own. With determination, he picked a date of July 15^th, 1410 to face the Teutonic Knights at the field of Grunwald and end the pain of his people.

Standing in the open field, both armies were facing each other. The summer was hot with sunrays reflecting in the shiny armor of the Knights. The colorful flags fluttered by delicate breeze. The heat and the heavy armor were making the Knights anxious to start the battle. Over the nearby forest, frightened birds made circles as feeling that something was about to happen.

King Jagiello was eagerly praying, taking his time. On the other side of the field, the Knights’ leader, Ulrych, was getting inpatient.

He called for an envoy demanding, “Take two swords to King Jagiello. So he has something to fight with,” standing nearby Teutonic Knights burst out laughing.

Trotting slowly towards the King Jagiello, the Knights stopped facing the King. With raised two swords high above their heads, they swiftly plunged them into the ground. “We were sent to deliver these two swords in case you were missing your own arms.”

The King noticed contemptuous smile on the Knights’ faces. Unmoved, he thanked them. “No, we do not miss arms.”

As soon as they left, Gniewko soon to be a knight approached the King. “Please, my King, allow me to use one of the swords and take part in the battle.

Gniewko was Jagiello’s favorite squire. He knew the boy’s family, who died from the hands of Teutonic Knights. The boy was like his own son and he felt the need to protect him. “Not this time. Soon you will be a knight and ready to help me in the next fight.”

The boy loved the king dearly, who watched over him for many years, hiring the best tutors to teach him knightly skills. Gniewko felt in his heart that this was the right time and keenly wanted to show his gratefulness, insisting, “Please King, allow me. I know I am ready.”

With the love in his eyes and clam but determine voice Jagiello said, “I have fought many battles and I want you to trust me that this is not the right first battle for you. What I want you to do instead is watch over those two swords until I come back from the battle.”

Tilting his head in obedience, the boy stood proudly by two swords, while the king moved to the battle field.

The rumble of the armor aroused announcing the start of the battle. It was long and straining, the winning kept switching from one side to another. The heat and fatigue were weighing heavily on both sides. Many were wounded and many had to return to the camp for their wounds to be tended.

Many Polish Knights either died or were wounded. The lack of them on the field had to be filled with peasantry eager to help to get rid from the oppression they received from the Teutonic Knights.

With heavy batons and axes in their hands, they fought willingly for every inch of Polish land that was taken away from them. They didn’t worry about their own lives. They wanted freedom for their families.

As the bottle continued, one young Teutonic Knight who was wounded dragged his feet towards the two swords. “I have to reclaim the swords,” he kept repeating as he just recently witnessed the death of his leader Ulrych.

He didn’t know that the swords were under watchful eyes of Gniewko, who seeing the approaching Knight from the enemy’s side moved quickly by attacking the Knight. The fight was quick. The already wounded Knight lay motionless on the ground. Wounded Gniewko with the remaining strength was still protecting the swords. He already lost the conscious, when the battle reached its end.

The victorious King Jagiello rushed to the boy to give him the good news. The air was thick with the dust. The sun was setting down giving the tired men a break after ferocious battle filled with heat and dust.

While approaching the camp with a clearer view in front of him, he saw the boy motionless on the ground. Jagiello bent down on his knees with the boys in his arms, tears ran down his face.

Suddenly, where the ends of the swords cut the ground, a small stream came out meandering towards the boy. The King quickly pulled the cover from his short knife and filled with the water. With pain, the boy swallowed a few drops of water.

To the surprise of Jagiello and Gniewko, the boy’s wounds disappeared and he raised his own body without any help. The King called for medics, “Fetch the water for wounded soldiers and peasants.”

Before the medics arrived with vessels, the stream disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Gniewko looked for any traces of the water, but it was hopeless. The stream was gone. Many looked for it afterwards, digging deep into the ground. But the only trace that was left was the uneven ground without green grass.

The Knights and Gniewko with the King returned to Wawel in Krakow, where they celebrated the victory. Gniewko was knighted and received a sword from the King.

Later, he took part in many battles serving King Jagiello.

Malbork Castle